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Chinese lawyer 'wore torture device for a month' - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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His wife claims Li Heping was force fed with drugs, shackled and beaten.
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China blog
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A picture of Mr Li from 2012 and one taken after his release
It's a form of restraint that would be more in keeping with the practices of a medieval dungeon than a modern, civilised state.
But the device - leg and hand shackles linked by a short chain - is a well-documented part of the toolkit that the Chinese police use to break the will of their detainees.
And it is one that they allegedly forced one of this country's most prominent human rights lawyers to wear, for a full month.
Li Heping was finally released from detention on Tuesday and his wife Wang Qiaoling has now had time to learn about the treatment he endured over his almost two-year-long incarceration.
"In May 2016 in the Tianjin Number One Detention Centre, he was put in handcuffs and shackles with an iron chain linking the two together," she tells me.
"It meant that he could not stand up straight, he could only stoop, even during sleeping. He wore that instrument of torture 24/7 for one month."
She adds: "They wanted him to confess."
In one sense, Mr Li was lucky.
A 2015 investigation by Human Rights Watch into the use of torture by the Chinese police revealed the case of a man who was forced to wear this type of device for eight years.
In 2014 an Amnesty International report documented the supply and manufacture of torture equipment by Chinese companies, including the combined hand and leg cuffs.
Torture devices like the one allegedly used on Li Heping are readily available online
"The use of these devices causes unnecessary discomfort and can easily result in injuries," William Nee, China Researcher at Amnesty International, tells me.
"Such devices place unwarranted restrictions on the movement of detainees and serve no legitimate law enforcement purpose that cannot be achieved by the use of handcuffs alone."
Li Heping is one of a group of human rights lawyers who were detained in July 2015, in a crackdown since referred to by critics as China's "war on law."
Of course, threats, intimidation and violence have always been part of the risks for any lawyer daring to take on the might of the Communist Party in its own courts.
But President Xi Jinping has made it clear that he sees the ideal of constitutional rights, guaranteed by independent courts, as a threat to national security.
So his so-called "war on law" sends a clear message.
President Xi Jinping sees the constitutional rights guaranteed by independent courts as a threat to national security
For those like Mr Li, representing the victims of China's illegal land grabs, religious persecution or political repression, the threat is not just from corrupt local officials or powerful businessmen, but from the state itself.
The before and after photos offer a visual clue to his time in detention.
One taken in 2012 shows an assured, cheery lawyer.
The one taken on his release shows him noticeably thinner and looking older than his years.
Wang Qiaoling tells me she barely recognised him.
And she tells me about the other forms of ill-treatment that her husband has described to her since his release.
"He was forced to take medicine. They stuffed the pills into his mouth as he refused to take them voluntarily," she says.
"The police told him that they were for high blood pressure, but my husband doesn't suffer from that.
"After taking the pills he felt pain in his muscles and his vision was blurred."
"He was beaten. He endured gruelling questioning while being denied sleep for days on end," she goes on.
"And he was forced to stand to attention for 15 hours a day, without moving."
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Wang Qiaoling has not heard from her husband Li Heping since he was taken away two months ago
Amnesty International's William Nee tells me that each of these methods of ill-treatment could be considered torture by themselves.
"Cumulatively, they would demonstrate a clear intent by the authorities to inflict physical and mental torture with the goal of getting Li Heping to confess," he says.
"Since China is a party to the Convention against Torture, these serious allegations should prompt the Chinese authorities to immediately launch a prompt, effective and impartial investigation to assess whether this torture took place."
Despite the prolonged and extreme nature of the alleged torture, Ms Wang tells me her husband never did confess.
"He was worried that he might be tortured to death in the detention centre and he wouldn't make it to meet his family again, so he reached an agreement with the authorities that the trial would be held in secret.
"He would be given a suspended sentence but he never admitted guilt or confessed that he had subverted state power."
At that secret trial, the details of which were released by China's state-controlled media afterwards, the court ruled that Mr Li had "repeatedly used the internet and foreign media interviews to discredit and attack state power and the legal system".
As a result of his conviction, he is now unable to practise law and has also signed an agreement that he will not carry out any further media interviews.
But his wife, despite constant intimidation, refuses to be similarly constrained.
Plain-clothes policemen still surround the family home and she was followed to our agreed interview location.
And while her account is impossible to independently verify, it tallies with that of other lawyers caught up in the crackdown, including Xie Yang, whose court case was heard this week.
He had previously alleged similar abuses during his interrogations - including shackling, beatings and being made to remain in the same position for hours on end - although the court claims he retracted these allegations during his trial.
We called the Tianjin Number One detention centre to ask about the allegations that Li Heping was tortured there.
"We don't do any interviews," came the reply. "If you want to do an interview, please go through the legal and proper channels."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-china-blog-39893359
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European Champions Cup: Saracens beat Clermont 28-17 to retain European title - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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Saracens become back-to-back champions of Europe as they beat Clermont Auvergne in a pulsating Champions Cup final at Murrayfield.
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Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Saracens became back-to-back champions of Europe as they beat Clermont Auvergne in a pulsating Champions Cup final at Murrayfield.
Tries from Chris Ashton and George Kruis helped the English champions into a 12-0 lead, but Clermont hit back through Remi Lamerat's converted try.
After Owen Farrell edged Sarries eight points clear, a dazzling Nick Abendanon try saw Clermont edge within a point.
But Alex Goode's try and Farrell's boot ensured Saracens retained their crown.
When they raced into that early 12-0 lead it looked as though Saracens, playing a pacy all-court game, were going to blow Clermont away.
But the French side managed to claw their way back into the contest by taking on Saracens at the breakdown and they gave the Londoners a real fright before the power and class of the champions saw them home.
Saracens' rise to the top of the European game was built on ferocious defence, relentless focus and a ruthless desire to win.
It was not always pretty but over the past year they have added another - attacking - gear to their game and that was fully in evidence as they dominated the opening quarter.
Ashton's opener was sublime - the winger racing on to fellow England discard Goode's precise grubber kick to become the leading all-time try scorer in the Champions Cup with 37.
Kruis then bullied his way over after Goode's slicing break had taken Sarries within a couple of yards.
But missed chances meant they were not out of sight, and from their first attack Clermont cut the gap to five points.
Aurelien Rougerie - the 36-year-old centre who joined the side from the Massif Central as a boy - was cut down just short by Ashton, but Lamerat was on hand for a converted score.
The French side are the nearly men of European rugby, having won only one of the 14 top-tier French and European finals they had been in previously.
Determined not to add to that record they decided to throw bodies into the ruck and they succeeded in halting Saracens' momentum.
For a long time, it just offered the chance for the champions to show their defensive class, but a try of the season contender saw Clermont right back in it.
Scott Spedding started it from his own line, Fritz Lee and Peceli Yato took it on at pace and Abendanon cruised over for a converted score.
With just a point in it and the momentum apparently in Clermont's favour, lesser sides might have folded, but Saracens pride themselves on their mental strength as much as anything and they took a vice-like grip on the game.
In desperation, Clermont began to concede penalties and Farrell kept the scoreboard ticking over for Saracens.
They needed a try to finish the Frenchmen off and twice came agonisingly close, but Camille Lopez got a hand to one try-scoring pass - not a deliberate knock-on, ruled referee Nigel Owens - and Billy Vunipola was bundled into touch a yard from the line.
But Clermont finally cracked and Goode got the try his performance deserved as he glided through a gap to confirm that Saracens are the best club side in Europe.
What next for Saracens?
The Londoners' ongoing quest for global domination continues with a trip to Exeter in the first of next Saturday's Premiership semi-finals.
A sticky patch during the Six Nations when they were missing their England contingent means the reigning English champions must hit the road for their semi-final, but their recent form suggests they are back to their very best and they will fear no-one as they target a 'double double'.
'Record is just the icing on the cake'
"We've worked so hard for the past five or six years. It's such a pleasure to be with this group. It's so hard to play in these finals so to win two is a pleasure.
"To become top try-scorer is just the icing on the cake."
What did World Cup-winner Matt Dawson make of it?
"Saracens just have an incredible ability to repeat their skills under fatigue and pressure.
"For example there was nothing complex about their final try. But all of a sudden, when they needed to strike, it was the famous Farrell screen that set up Alex Goode."
Replacements: Fernandez for Spedding (70), Penaud for Rougerie (53), Radosavljevic for Parra (74), Falgoux for Chaume (53), Ulugia for Kayser (66), Jarvis for Zirakashvili (76), Jedrasiak for Vahaamahina (45), Lapandry for Yato (60).
Replacements: Spencer for Wigglesworth (78), Lamositele for M Vunipola (76), Brits for George (50), Du Plessis for Koch (78), Hamilton for Itoje (78), S Burger for Wray (60), Taylor for Barritt (54).
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39857333
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Venezuela protest victim's parents speak of ordeal - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The parents of Juan Pablo Pernalete speak of his death during Venezuela's protest-related violence.
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Latin America & Caribbean
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Juan Pablo Pernalete was one of dozens of people who have been killed in protest-related violence in Venezuela since a wave of anti-government marches started at the beginning of April. Here, his parents recall the day he died.
"He was always a dreamer," says Elvira Llovera of her son.
In his bedroom at the family home in Caracas, a list of his life goals is pinned to the inside of a closet where the 20 year old's basketball shirt still hangs.
Elvira reads it out: "I want to play for the NBA; I want to be successful and become a multi-millionaire; I want to be the best player in the whole world; I want world peace; I want to be tall; I want to grow to 1.96m; I want to get to know God well; I wish for my friends, and above all for my family, to be healthy."
His father, José Gregorio, says his son's bedroom is as he left it
Juan Pablo had done well for himself, he had won a basketball scholarship to the prestigious private Unimet university in Caracas, where he was studying accountancy.
But he wanted everyone to have the same opportunity to do well for themselves, Elvira explains.
But as the economic and political crisis in Venezuela worsened, Juan Pablo saw a lot of his friends forced to leave for other countries, seeking opportunities abroad.
As the food shortages became more acute, he would pick the fruit from the large mango tree in his parents' courtyard.
The family mango tree besides a full-size basketball hoop and a tiny one that Juan Pablo played with as a child
"He put them in carrier bags and left them in strategic places in the streets so that those going hungry could pick them up," Elvira recalls.
In the mornings, Juan Pablo would attend classes and train at the leafy and prosperous Unimet campus.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Andrés Toth speaks about his friend who died after attending one of Venezuela's protests
In the afternoons, he would go to play basketball in the "barrios", as the informal hillside neighbourhoods are known.
There, he saw for himself some of the extreme poverty in which people live.
Elvira was, therefore, not surprised when Juan Pablo told her he wanted to change things in Venezuela and started attending anti-government marches.
"I begged him not to go, I told him the security forces were cracking down on protesters, but he said he wanted an opportunity to express himself and to fight for his dreams," she says.
Juan Pablo's father, José Gregorio Pernalete, adds: "He didn't belong to any party, he just wanted a better country for all."
His talent as a basketball player had won Juan Pablo (first from right) a scholarship to a private university
"He was an idealist, he set his dreams so high," Elvira says.
On 26 April, Juan Pablo attended an anti-government protest in the Altamira district of Caracas.
His friend Andrés Toth, with whom he had trained in the gym earlier in the day, was also there, as were many of their friends.
His parents had just returned home from hunting round pharmacies for José Gregorio's high-blood pressure medication when they got a call from a friend.
"'There's word on the streets that Juan Pablo has been injured, he's been taken to Salud Chacao hospital," the friend told Elvira.
Juan Pablo's dream was to play in the NBA
Elvira and José Gregorio jumped into their car, but the protest meant that roads on the way to the hospital were gridlocked.
Desperate, Elvira jumped out of the car and flagged down a young motorcyclist weaving through the traffic.
"I told him my son was injured and had been taken to Salud Chacao and if he could drop me somewhere nearby."
"He said 'No way, lady, I'm taking you all the way there!'"
At the hospital, the local mayor was waiting for Elvira. He told her: "You have to be strong, your son is dead."
Elvira says she feels as if she has died inside since she heard the news
Elvira does not remember much about the minutes which followed.
Somehow, she called her husband and told him.
José Gregorio, still behind the wheel of his car, lost all control, he says.
"I couldn't see for the tears, I was screaming, I was banging my hands on the steering wheel."
A random passer-by got him out of the driving seat and into the passenger seat and took the keys off him.
José Gregorio and his wife were planning to sell their house and set up a business for their son once he graduated
"I remember he told me I was in no fit state to drive, and that he would drive me to Salud Chacao," says José Gregorio.
According to the forensic report, Juan Pablo died of cardiogenic shock caused by trauma to his chest.
Various people who attended the march said that the National Guard was firing tear gas canisters in the direction of the protesters, and that instead of aiming them high above the protesters' heads, they were shooting at them.
Juan Pablo may not have measured the 1.96m he had dreamed of, but at 1.86m, he was tall and he was hit by something which caused his heart to stop pumping enough blood needed to meet his body's needs.
Juan Pablo had saved seven dogs off the streets but his latest rescue was a black cat he named Richard Parker
The official investigation into what happened that 26 April in Altamira is still under way.
At this point, José Gregorio and Elvira know only one thing for certain, and that is that they do not want any other family to have to live through what they experienced.
"When I see the lads in the barrios that he played basketball with, I see the same look in their eyes that I saw in my son, the same aspirations, there is so much talent here. Please don't let that be wasted like my son's was," Elvira says.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39885943
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Lewis Hamilton wins spectacular Spanish Grand Prix - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes steal a stunning victory in the Spanish Grand Prix from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.
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Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes stole a stunning victory in the Spanish Grand Prix from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.
A clever strategic move by the team followed by Hamilton attacking and passing Vettel put the Briton in control and he defended successfully to the end.
Vettel had passed Hamilton off the start line to lead for the first half of the race but ended up out-flanked by their rivals.
Hamilton's second win of the season cut his deficit to Vettel in the championship to six points after five of 20 races.
Why was it such a great race?
It was a tense and gripping battle befitting the closeness of the fight between Formula 1's top teams this season.
Vettel took control of the race with a superb start, passing Hamilton into Turn One and building a 2.2-second lead with a blistering first lap.
When Ferrari beat Mercedes to making the first pit stop, preventing Hamilton passing by stopping earlier and benefiting from fresh tyres, the race appeared to be Vettel's to lose and Mercedes to win.
Mercedes switched strategies, putting Hamilton on a long middle stint on the slower medium tyre, the idea being to attack Vettel at the end of the race, when Hamilton would be on the soft tyre and the Ferrari on the medium.
They then bought themselves some time by delaying the first pit stop of Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas so he could hold up Vettel for a couple of laps.
Vettel's delay behind Bottas brought Hamilton's deficit to the Ferrari down by four seconds but the German limited the damage with a stunning passing move on the Finn into Turn One.
• None LISTEN: 'Like Mansell on Piquet back in the day'
Vettel dummied to the inside, then the outside, before diving down the inside, his wheels brushing the grass, to grasp the lead and apparently take another step towards victory.
The race turned during a period of the virtual safety car, when cars are forced to lap at controlled speeds while a car is cleared from a dangerous spot.
This was to remove Stoffel Vandoorne's McLaren, which went off at the first corner after a collision with Massa.
The VSC was in play for two laps and Mercedes waited until it was just about to end to pit Hamilton for a set of soft tyres.
The move was an inspired gamble with 30 laps still to go, a tough task on the soft tyre.
Ferrari responded to Mercedes by stopping Vettel for the final time a lap later and he rejoined from the pits as Hamilton pounded down the pit straight.
They went into the first corner side by side and Vettel forced Hamilton off the track at Turn One as he defended his lead.
Hamilton now had to pass Vettel on a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
He pressured Vettel hard for the next seven laps before getting close enough to try for a pass at the start of lap 44. Hamilton was close enough at the final corner to get the DRS overtaking aid and he swept by Vettel around the outside into Turn One.
Hamilton, who sounded breathless and anxious on the radio throughout the race, tensely asked his team what he needed to do in terms of building a gap while also protecting his tyres, and Ferrari briefly considered switching strategy to make an extra stop.
But he controlled his pace exquisitely to take his 55th win and almost certainly one of his best.
After helping Hamilton out, Bottas looked set for third place but he broke down with an engine failure on lap 39.
His retirement handed third place to Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, a huge 73 seconds behind Hamilton and Vettel.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen retired on the first lap after a collision at the first corner as they went three-abreast with Bottas.
Force India took fourth and fifth with Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon, with Renault's Nico Hulkenberg seventh.
Fernando Alonso had a dispiriting day 24 hours after thrilling his home fans and impressing the paddock with a stunning seventh place on the grid.
The McLaren driver dropped to 10th on the first lap when he was forced wide and off the track at the second corner by Williams' Felipe Massa and had to drive through the gravel to rejoin.
Alonso will fly overnight to America to start his assault on the Indianapolis 500, for which he is missing the next race in Monaco, where Jenson Button will come out of retirement to substitute for him.
What happens next?
Monaco, in two week's time. It's impossible to predict what will happen on the claustrophobic streets of Monaco in this see-saw battle between Mercedes and Ferrari.
Hamilton said earlier in the year he thought the shorter Ferrari might be more agile there, but the Mercedes was the fastest car through the tight final sector of Barcelona's lap so another close battle is almost certainly in store.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39914357
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Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester United - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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Goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane earn Tottenham victory over Manchester United in their final game at White Hart Lane.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane earned Tottenham victory over Manchester United in their final game at White Hart Lane.
Spurs plan to have their new stadium, built on the same site, ready for the 2018-19 campaign and will play their home matches at Wembley next season.
Mauricio Pochettino's side left their current ground, where they have spent 118 years, on a high by staying unbeaten there this season and securing second spot in the Premier League.
Wanyama got Spurs off to the best possible start with a header five minutes in and Kane doubled their lead early in the second half, flicking home from a Christian Eriksen free-kick.
Captain Wayne Rooney gave United hope of a recovery when he poked in from Anthony Martial's low cross, but they were unable to spoil the leaving party.
Defeat means Jose Mourinho's men cannot now finish in the top four.
They can still qualify for the Champions League if they win the Europa League, but Mourinho will have to settle for fifth or sixth place in his first season at the club.
Tottenham's title chances ended last week with their defeat by West Ham, and the trophy went to Chelsea on Friday.
With a Champions League place already guaranteed, Pochettino said their final home match was all about making it a special day for the fans.
The teams walked out to a display of flags around the ground, Spurs legends including Chris Waddle and Glenn Hoddle were invited as special guests, and local musical duo Chas and Dave provided half-time entertainment.
And the Tottenham players gave supporters a first-half performance to remember.
Ben Davies' sublime cross was headed home by Wanyama to give Spurs the early advantage, and they could have extended their lead before the break had goalkeeper David de Gea not denied Son Heung-min and Kane.
Five minutes into the second half, the hosts doubled their lead. Eriksen's free-kick curled into the path of Kane and he out-smarted defender Chris Smalling to poke home his first goal against United.
Spurs' performance dropped off after that, but they managed to hold on - despite Rooney's goal giving them a scare.
Will United go out on a high?
Four of Man United's five Premier League losses this season have been in games played on a Sunday immediately after a European match.
And just like the defeat by Arsenal last weekend, a much-changed Mourinho starting XI put in an average performance in north London.
Martial looked lively in attack but could only curl his best effort wide of the post in the first half.
The Frenchman instigated his side's goal by ghosting past Kieran Trippier before picking out Rooney, who tapped in from close range.
Substitute Marcus Rashford went close at the death, but it proved to be too little too late for the visitors.
United's focus is firmly on winning the Europa League title - they face Ajax on 24 May - and Mourinho said after Sunday's defeat: "The most important thing for us now is having one less match to play.
"We have only one match to play and that's not in the Premier League."
• None Tottenham recorded their 14th consecutive home win in league competition, equalling their club record previously set between January and October 1987.
• None Spurs have gone unbeaten at home for the first time in a league season since 1964-65
• None Mauricio Pochettino is the first Spurs manager to oversee consecutive home wins over Manchester United in the Premier League.
• None Man United suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time since September 2016 (against Manchester City and Watford).
Tottenham boss Pochettino said after his side's win: "The fans have been fantastic all season. They have helped us a lot during the whole season. It was fantastic, the team played to win.
"Of course we will miss it a lot because White Hart Lane is special but at the same time we welcome the new stadium."
Tottenham play Leicester City on Thursday at the King Power Stadium (19:45 BST), before ending the season at relegated Hull City (15:00 BST) on Sunday.
Manchester United travel to Southampton on Wednesday (19:45 BST), with their final league game coming at home against Crystal Palace (15:00 BST).
• None Offside, Manchester United. Michael Carrick tries a through ball, but Marcus Rashford is caught offside.
• None Attempt missed. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Michael Carrick with a through ball.
• None Offside, Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Kane tries a through ball, but Eric Dier is caught offside.
• None Attempt blocked. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Harry Kane.
• None Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Kyle Walker replaces Kieran Trippier because of an injury.
• None Delay over. They are ready to continue. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833969
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Players Championship: Kim Si-woo holds off Ian Poulter to become youngest winner - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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South Korean Kim Si-woo holds off Ian Poulter's challenge to become the youngest winner of the Players Championship.
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Last updated on .From the section Golf
South Korean Kim Si-woo produced a faultless round to become the youngest champion at the Players Championship.
Kim, 21, shot a three-under-par 69 on the final day at Sawgrass to finish on 10 under and replace Adam Scott as the youngest winner.
England's Ian Poulter was tied for the lead at one stage but finished three shots behind in a tie for second with Louis Oosthuizen after a 71.
Rafa Cabrera Bello and Kyle Stanley finished tied for fourth on six under.
• None How Kim held off Poulter and made Players history
After his victory in the Wyndham Championship last year, Kim is the fourth player in the last 25 years to win twice on the PGA Tour before the age of 22, following in the footsteps of Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia and Jordan Spieth.
Kim started the final round two shots behind overnight leaders JB Holmes and Stanley while Poulter, chasing a first victory since 2012 and a maiden strokeplay success in the United States, was three behind.
But with Holmes and Stanley failing to sustain their challenges in blustery conditions, Kim and Poulter both knocked in early birdies to share the lead.
Birdies on the seventh and ninth made the South Korean the first player to reach 10 under par this week and gave him a two-shot lead.
Poulter reduced the deficit to one but then, having gone 39 consecutive holes without a bogey, dropped a shot on the 12th.
The 41-year-old tried to put Kim under pressure but the putts would not drop and the leader remained agonisingly out of touch.
Kim saved par from tricky positions on both the 10th and 11th and safely negotiated the challenge of the water at the 17th with a bold tee shot and two composed putts.
After Poulter dropped a shot on the 18th, Kim went on to secure the biggest win of his fledging career with another par.
It has still been a remarkable week for Poulter, who three weeks ago thought he had lost his PGA Tour card after falling to 197th in the world rankings.
That was until fellow professional Brian Gay alerted officials to a discrepancy in the points structure used for players competing on major medical extensions.
The former world number five, who only played 13 tournaments in 2016 because of a foot injury, made the most of his reprieve and will climb back into the top 100 in the new rankings.
"From being in a position a couple of weeks ago where I wasn't here to finish tied second, it's a good week," Poulter told Sky Sports after his best finish since November 2014.
"It has been a tough 18 months. Today I felt like a couple of putts slid by, but I played well under pressure, barring that horrible second shot on the last.
"I've enjoyed it and hopefully this is just a stepping stone to pressing on for the rest of this year."
Analysis - Poulter has a platform to build on
It was a curious Players Championship in that none of the world's top 10 could fashion a top-10 finish, but it still produced its usual share of sporting drama.
Kim showed commendable composure down the stretch to become the youngest winner while Poulter will feel this was a victory despite his runner-up finish.
It has been a torrid time for the Englishman over the last 18 months but this week he showed he remains capable of excellent golf even with a relatively cold putter. Now he has a platform upon which to build for the rest of the year having returned to the world's top 100.
Spain's Cabrera Bello produced a spectacular finish to claim a tie for fourth with Stanley.
Cabrera Bello holed out from 181 yards for the first albatross in tournament history on the 16th, then followed that with another two on the 17th, before holing from 35 feet for par on the last after hooking his tee shot into the water.
But compatriot Sergio Garcia, who started the day well placed on five under, saw his hopes of adding the Players title to his Masters Green Jacket disappear on the outward nine.
He dropped six shots and made just one birdie to fall back to level par and two double bogeys and three birdies on the back nine meant he finished one over.
Further down the leaderboard, world number one Dustin Johnson finished outside the top three for just the third time this season in a tie for 12th.
The American followed rounds of 71, 73 and 74 with a closing 68.
Rory McIlroy's week came to a disappointing conclusion with a double-bogey six on the 18th in a closing 75.
The world number two from Northern Ireland finished two over par in a tie for 35th and is set to undergo an MRI scan later on Monday to determine the extent of an injury which hampered his efforts at Sawgrass.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/39916720
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Weapons in schools: 'I used anything I could get' - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Bali Rodgers carried weapons as an 11-year-old schoolgirl - but changed her life and now counsels troubled youngsters.
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UK
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Former offenders Bali and Lennox Rodgers now counsel schoolchildren facing exclusion from school
More children are getting caught carrying knives and makeshift weapons - including rolling pins and beer cans - police in England and Wales say. Here, one woman explains why she took weapons to school as a child.
"I used anything I could get my hands on," says Bali Rodgers, from Dartford in Kent, who had been arrested three times by the age of 11.
"I didn't take knives but used fists and other things," she says.
She recalls using a shiv - a type of improvised blade - to harm other pupils, and put pins in another girl's shoes.
"To think now about [what I did then] frightens the life out of me," she says. "I was in total denial at the time."
Mrs Rodgers finally changed her life after leaving school at 15 and ending up in a psychiatric ward by the age of 21. She now counsels schoolchildren who are on the verge of exclusion from school.
She says of her own childhood: "I didn't know any other way," she says. "I ended up hurting others, and myself."
The 49-year-old counsels children in Dartford, Maidstone, Hastings and south-east London, and says many of those she talks with are "extremely paranoid" that they will be attacked if they don't have a way of protecting themselves. This is particularly the case with those who have been bullied at some stage.
She believes pupils are now carrying a bigger variety of weapons - and at a younger age - than in previous school generations.
"They get their hands on a knife or some object and think 'I'll never use it but carry it just in case'," she says.
"I am working with one 14-year-old girl who doesn't fit in at school, but is carrying knives for her boyfriend. It's really sad."
A recent Freedom of Information request found an array of dangerous items - including swords, axes and air guns - were among the 2,579 weapons seized in schools in England and Wales in the two years to March 2017.
"You get the ones in gangs who brag, and see it as a bit of a fashion," she says.
"But it's the silent types who feel vulnerable, so they carry things."
She recalls that her own turbulent childhood - with an alcoholic father and being racially bullied - made her "constantly violent" at school.
"My dad used to threaten me, I was petrified of him," she says.
She ran away from home at 15 but a decade later was taken in by a family in Kent who helped her turn her life around as a young adult.
"They were a couple, who were missionaries in Africa, and they helped me get a whole new understanding of family, respect, values."
She says that living in a stable home helped her learn that her anger was out of control.
"That's what's missing for many kids," she says. "If there's no-one at home to talk to, you don't learn to respect teachers or how to control your rage."
Mrs Rodgers says teachers are "under more pressure than ever" and may be unable to deal with pupils who have complex issues at home.
In an unusual incident three years ago, teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death at her school in Leeds by a teenage pupil.
Will Cornick, who was 15 at the time of the murder, later said he had gone to class that day in "a red mist, not conscious of his surroundings".
Mrs Rodgers now runs a charity, Refocus, with her husband Lennox, who himself carried a knife when he was a teenager.
Organisations Foundation4Life and UserVoice offer a similar service, by using ex-offenders to speak to young people at risk of turning to crime.
"Unlike with teachers and parents, these kids open up to us," she says. "I will tell them a little bit about my story if they share a bit of their story."
For husband Lennox, who co-founded the charity in 2004, he thought when he was younger that carrying a knife "gave me a sense of power".
He carried weapons after being bullied for being black when growing up in Oxford.
After leaving school, he was involved in gangs and spent two decades in and out of prison.
Mrs Rodgers says that young people hang on to every word her 54-year-old husband says when he is talking about his life, but insists that his stories do not glamorise the carrying of weapons.
"They do think he's cool - but also listen to the dark side of his story - that if you deliberately put yourself on a route of violence you don't succeed and end up in serious trouble," she says.
"I'm hoping we turned some bad into good."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39907769
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When a lion prowled the streets of Birmingham - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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How a lion-tamer tricked a volatile crowd to prevent a riot after the escape of a ferocious big cat.
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England
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Frank Bostock and his lions catching up with the news
When considering which creatures have roamed the sewers beneath Birmingham, lions are unlikely to make the list. But on one fateful day in autumn 1889, a lion who had previously killed a man and mauled another escaped from a menagerie and did just that.
Travelling menageries were extremely popular in the 19th Century. Although zoos were starting to emerge in Britain, these were often socially exclusive or inaccessible, according to Dr Helen Cowie, a historian at the University of York.
Popular though they were, the typical menagerie's approach to health and safety was cavalier at best. Dr Cowie says they "were not too preoccupied" with security and there were "an alarming number" of escapes and accidents.
An illustration from The Graphic newspaper shows men pulling a lion from a sewer using a rope while two other men threaten it with guns
Frank C Bostock, the owner of a menagerie, was himself responsible for fooling both the public and the police over the whole lion-in-a-sewer affair. He later described the event as "thrilling".
World-famous as a lion tamer, having discovered the beasts were intimidated by chairs, he came from a long line of animal-displayers and was part of the Bostock and Wombwell menagerie dynasty.
Fiercely ambitious, according to researchers at the National Fairground and Circus Archive, Bostock established himself in the US and by 1903 an average of 16,000 people a day were visiting his menagerie on New York fairground haven Coney Island.
On returning to the UK Bostock brought back his idea of the "Jungle", a massive touring exhibition that moved from city to city.
Frank C Bostock published a volume of his memoirs and training tips
Reaching Birmingham, Bostock and his team were preparing for a show when one of his lions jumped over its keeper, pushed through a rip in the circus tent, and prowled off towards Birmingham city centre "as free and untrammelled as when in his native wilds".
According to Bostock's account of it it his book The Training of Wild Animals, the lion came across one of the openings to the sewerage system and "down he sprang, looking up at the crowd of people and roaring at the top of his voice. As he made his way through the sewers, he stopped at every man-hole he came to, and there sent up a succession of roars, driving some people nearly wild with terror."
Large crowds had gathered, eager to see the menagerie. Understandably, with a lion on the loose, they started to panic.
So Bostock came up with a plan.
Crocodiles were seen as a quirky pet for Victorian ladies
In 1851 a tapir broke out of its den at Wombwell's menagerie in Rochdale, causing panic among the spectators.
In 1867 a rattlesnake escaped from its box in Mander's menagerie, killing a horse and a bison.
In 1868 five leopards escaped from a menagerie in the Scottish borders after their caravan overturned on the road.
In 1883 a bear got loose in Grimsby and entered a private house.
Even elephants sometimes went missing, though they could usually be found in the vicinity of the nearest pub. In 1854 an elephant disappeared from Batty's menagerie in Holyhead and was gone for nearly 24 hours. It was eventually discovered in a hotel cellar, surrounded by empty wine bottles.
Bostock toured the world with his menagerie
Rather than try to quell the volatile crowd, he put a second lion in a cloth-covered cage and sneaked it out on the back of a lorry.
He then returned, blowing his horn to attract attention, with the lion clearly visible.
In his own words, "everything went off well".
People fell for the ruse and he was cheered as a hero. "A shout went up from the crowd 'They've got him! They've got him! They've got the lion!'"
His actions in apparently getting the lion from the sewer were reported around the world.
A New Zealand newspaper ran an article called "A lion at large in Birmingham: How the King of the Forest was recaptured" which included details such as "the keeper's attention was momentarily distracted by a fight between an ostrich and a deer" and "a group of children were in the lion's path. It cleared them at a bound".
The publicity worked in Bostock's favour. Hordes of people attended the show that evening, blissfully ignorant of the fact a man-eating lion was prowling beneath the streets.
Bostock said he "was in a perfect bath of cold perspiration, for matters were extremely serious, and I knew not what to do next. Fortunately, the lion had stopped his roaring, and contented himself with perambulating up and down the sewer".
On the afternoon of the following day, the chief of police of Birmingham visited the menagerie and congratulated Bostock on his "marvellous pluck and daring".
Illustration of men putting a cage over a manhole in an attempt to trap the lion
"I shall never forget that man's face when he realized that the lion was still in the sewer, it was a wonderful study for any mind-reader," he reflected.
"At first he was inclined to blame me but when I showed him I had probably stopped a panic, and that my own liabilities in the matter were pretty grave possibilities to face, he sympathized with me, and added that any help he could give me, I might have.
"I at once asked for 500 men of the police force, and also asked that he would instruct the superintendent of sewers to send me the bravest men he could spare, with their top-boots, ladders, ropes, and revolvers with them, so that should the lion appear, any man could do his best to shoot him at sight. We arranged that we should set out at five minutes to midnight, so that we might avoid any crowd following us, and so spreading the report.
"At the appointed time, the police and sewer-men turned out, and I have never seen so many murderous weapons at one time in my life. Each man looked like a walking arsenal, but every one of them had been sworn to secrecy."
This secrecy was preserved until Bostock himself spilled the beans.
An illustration of a man and the lion in the sewer
It was more than 24 hours after the stooge lion was paraded that Bostock, now in the sewer, "saw two gleaming eyes of greenish-red just beyond, and knew we were face to face with the lion at last".
Bostock and his gang of men chased the lion through the sewers by scaring it with shouts and fireworks.
When face-to-face with the lion Bostock took off his boots and put them on his hands "and going up close to the lion, was fortunately able to hit him a stinging blow on the nose. Fearing that he would split my head open with a blow from one of his huge paws, I told one of my men to place over my head a large iron kettle which we had used to carry cartridges and other things to the sewer".
But the kettle fell off his head and startled the lion which "turned tail like a veritable coward" and ran into a rope lasso laid out ready to ensnare him.
Bostock's recounting of the story in his memoirs concludes, rather smugly, with: "I got the lion out of the sewer, as the people of Birmingham supposed I did, only their praise and applause were a little previous."
He died aged 46 in 1912, not by the paw of a justifiably-annoyed big cat but from the flu. There's a docile-looking stone lion on his grave.
Frank C Bostock's grave is in Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39799098
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Is my baby too big, or just big? - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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How big can a baby get and still be considered normal, asks Jordan Dunbar.
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Magazine
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When Tom and Elizabeth Flight were told their seven-month-old baby Arlo was in the 90th percentile for height, the 97th percentile for weight and the 99th for head circumference, they began to worry. How big can a baby get and still be considered normal, asks Jordan Dunbar.
"I'm worried he's one of the biggest babies in America," says his father Tom, a 6' 3" (191cm) Brit who moved to Texas to marry Elizabeth.
At birth, Arlo weighed seven-and-a-half pounds, but he grew rapidly over the next six months on a diet of breast milk alone.
For the last month he has been getting formula milk as well from time to time, and he's now more than three times his birth weight - 24lb (11kg). And 30in (76cm) tall.
The percentile figures come from a growth chart produced by America's Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Every five years the CDC measures hundreds of thousands of babies, children and young adults up to the age of 20, and the resulting charts allow doctors to assess what percentage of children of a given age group are taller or heavier than the patient in front of them.
"If you line up 100 babies of Arlo's age, from the shortest to the longest. Arlo would be 97," says Dr Joe Hagan from the American Academy of Pediatrics, explaining what it means to be in the 97th percentile.
"If you count head circumference he'd be 99."
So only one in 100 American babies aged seven months has a bigger head circumference than Arlo. Does this matter?
Hagan is completely relaxed about it. Head circumference helps doctors to judge whether a baby's brain is developing normally, he says, but the key thing is that the head is in proportion with the rest of the body, and Arlo's is.
"I would expect at Arlo's weight and height that his head circumference would be in the 99th percentile," says Hagan.
The charts produced by the CDC in the US are based on the measurements of real-life Americans. But over time, American children have been getting bigger, and an increasing number of American children are overweight.
By contrast the World Health Organization (WHO) has attempted to chart "optimal growth" for a child.
To do this, it measured growing children in six countries: Brazil, Ghana, India, Norway, Oman and the US. But not just any children. They had to be breast-fed from birth, and vaccinated early in life. Babies whose mothers had smoked during pregnancy were not counted.
Dr Mercedes De Onis, who helped to gather the data, says the WHO's work shows babies develop at a similar rate all over the world, "provided they are given proper care".
The WHO charts "describe healthy growth in optimal conditions and are therefore growth standards rather than growth references", says US paediatrician Joe Hagan.
He points out that in the US the CDC is now recommending that the WHO charts should be taken as the standard for children in the US between zero and two years old.
What about Arlo's weight? Is that a problem?
Once again, Hagan draws attention to Arlo's height. The key thing to look at is his body mass index, or BMI - his weight in relation to his height.
"So here's a guy who's tall, he's long. And longer children weigh more," says Hagan.
"Arlo probably has a BMI that is in the mid-80s to low 90s which would be considered overweight."
Overweight, but not obese. What's more, Hagan expects that as Arlo makes the transition from milk to solids, and starts moving more, he will even out a little.
So is there any cause for concern?
"No, not like this. Because I'm looking at Arlo's dad who's tall and Arlo's mom, who's probably tall, and I'm thinking: 'Gee, this is OK growth for Arlo.'"
Arlo is one of the biggest babies of his age in the US, and as American babies are bigger than the world average, it's also true to say he is one of the biggest in the world.
But it seems that's fine.
"I spend a lot of my time in my day-to-day work as a paediatrician telling parents you really don't need to worry about this and about that," Hagan says.
Parents often compare the size of their child to others, he says, and very often it's his task to reassure them that even if their child is bigger or smaller, there is a "wide range of normal".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-39896751
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Stoke City 1-4 Arsenal - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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Champions League-chasing Arsenal move within a point of fourth-placed Liverpool with a comfortable Premier League victory over Stoke.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Champions League-chasing Arsenal moved within a point of fourth-placed Liverpool with a comfortable Premier League victory over Stoke.
Despite collecting the three points, manager Arsene Wenger faced further protests from his own supporters during the game, as they flew a plane over the Bet365 Stadium and held banners inside the ground calling for him to leave the club.
But the Frenchman ended the game by receiving warm applause from the club's travelling fans as he made his way down the tunnel at the final whistle.
The Gunners had not won on their previous six visits to the venue, but took the lead with a well-crafted move as Hector Bellerin picked out Olivier Giroud for a tap-in before Alexis Sanchez combined with Mesut Ozil, who coolly tucked home in the second period.
Until their opening goal it had been a poor spectacle, with Nacho Monreal heading against the post and Sanchez dragging an effort into the side-netting from a promising position.
Stoke controversially restored hope as Peter Crouch converted Marko Arnautovic's cross with his hand, but Sanchez drilled in a low finish and Giroud slid in a fourth for the away side.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool have two games remaining and are level on goal difference with the Gunners ahead by one on goals scored.
Jurgen Klopp's men travel to West Ham on Sunday (kick-off 14:15 BST) and play Middlesbrough on the last day of the season, while the north London club host Sunderland on Tuesday and Everton in their final league match next weekend.
Wenger's season has been blighted by protests demanding he end his long association with the club, repeated questions over whether he will sign an extension to his contract, which runs out at the end of the season, and uncertainty over the futures of key players Sanchez and Ozil.
But he will be pleased with the way his players have responded with the campaign coming to a close, taking five wins from their past six league games - the only blemish a weak display in their defeat by Tottenham.
He was even afforded a standing ovation at full-time and will be particularly satisfied at triumphing at a venue where his side have struggled in the past, claiming their first win there since 2010.
Wenger jumped off his seat and jigged in delight at Sanchez's goal, which gave his team a cushion.
The Chilean, who has been linked with a move away, hobbled off with a leg injury after scoring and fans will be hoping it is not the last time they see him in an Arsenal shirt.
A season that promised so little at one stage could actually turn into a celebratory one. Their late charge sees them maintain optimism of extending their Champions League participation to 22 consecutive seasons, and they have an FA Cup final against newly crowned Premier League champions Chelsea to look forward to.
Stoke's season is petering out with a whimper - they have won just one of their past 10 league games.
This loss means they will finish in the bottom half for the first time since 2012-13 - their worst season in the Premier League as they finished 13th with 42 points.
Although the Potters are in the same position at the moment, they have one fewer point and will be hoping to win their last game of the season at Southampton to end on a high.
Even after pulling a goal back against Arsenal - which should not have stood after Crouch's handball - Stoke did not look like getting anything out of the game with Mame Biram Diouf summing up their performance by nodding wide from just three yards out.
One goal and one assist, Sanchez is getting back to his best at the right time for Arsenal but handed the Gunners an injury scare by hobbling off shortly after his goal.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: "We had a difficult week but we have won convincingly so the focus is there, the fighting spirit is there and we're pleased to win. I believe when the team plays well we have the right individual talent to win.
"When they scored the 'hand-goal' they came back but when you go to places like Stoke you need at some stage to suffer and stick together and that is what we did."
Stoke boss Mark Hughes: "We had to chase to the game and we have been picked off going the opposite way. Playing for five minutes isn't enough. We needed to ask more questions.
"We are disappointed as it is always our aim [to finish in the top half of the table]. This is the first time we have missed out. We go against Southampton next week to get points on the board. In the summer we will assess things and maybe change things around."
• None Stoke have shipped 24 goals at home this season - their joint-highest in a single Premier League campaign (same as 2015-16).
• None Arsenal have scored 4+ goals in five away league games this season. It's their most in a season since 1936-37 (also five).
• None Sanchez became the eighth player to score 50 Premier League goals for Arsenal, with only Thierry Henry (83 games) and Ian Wright (87) reaching the milestone faster than the Chilean (101).
• None Sanchez is also the first player to record double figures for both goals (21) and assists (10) in the Premier League this season.
• None The South American also scored his 15th away goal in the Premier League this season - only Kevin Phillips (16 in 1999-00) has scored more in a single campaign.
• None Peter Crouch scored his ninth Premier League goal against Arsenal - more than he has against any other opponent in the competition.
• None Only Wayne Rooney (11) and Robbie Fowler (10) have scored more against the Gunners in the competition.
• None Since the start of last season, only Ozil (31) and Sanchez (25) have recorded more assists for Arsenal in all competitions than Hector Bellerin (13), with the Spaniard picking up two today.
• None Attempt blocked. Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Saido Berahino.
• None Peter Crouch (Stoke City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
• None Attempt blocked. Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Glenn Whelan.
• None Attempt saved. Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
• None Substitution, Stoke City. Ramadan Sobhi replaces Marko Arnautovic because of an injury.
• None Goal! Stoke City 1, Arsenal 4. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) left footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Aaron Ramsey.
• None Delay over. They are ready to continue.
• None Delay in match Marko Arnautovic (Stoke City) because of an injury.
• None Rob Holding (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
• None Attempt saved. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Olivier Giroud. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39827551
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Eurovision Song Contest: Portugal winner 'didn't understand votes' - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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'I think that you have to be a mathematician or something to know what's going on.'
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Entertainment & Arts
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"I think that you have to be a mathematician"
Portugal has won this year's Eurovision Song contest with a poignant love song, sung in Portuguese. In the early hours of Sunday morning the winner met the world's press - glass microphone trophy still in hand.
Salvador Sobral entered the Eurovision Song Contest's press room last night with the same diffident, bemused demeanour he has projected since arriving in Kiev.
There was no swagger, no elation - just a quizzical befuddlement at the latest turn his musical journey had taken.
Like many watching at home around the world, the Lisbon-born 27-year-old had been baffled by the complex voting system that the contest adopted last year.
"I didn't understand the votes," he admitted to reporters. "I think that you have to be a mathematician or something to know what's going on."
The winner wasn't alone in his confusion
Nor did he expect overnight fame and fortune to come with the honour of becoming Portugal's first Eurovision winner.
"I don't think anything will change," he shrugged. "You win today and tomorrow, no one remembers it.
"Honestly, man, I just want to live a peaceful life," he told another journalist.
"If I thought of myself as a national hero or champion of Europe, it would be a bit weird."
Even in such an eclectic line-up as the one Eurovision served up this year, Sobral stood apart.
While some countries offered amusing gimmicks (Romanian yodelling, Italy's dancing gorilla) and others sleek, assembly-line pop, his delicate, heartfelt ballad stood out precisely because it was so unassuming.
Written by Sobral's older sister Luisa, Amar Pelos Dois - whose title translates into English as Love for Both of Us - speaks to all genders and orientations with its inclusive, unadorned message.
A family affair: Salvador's sister Luisa wrote the song for him
Sobral said he would be delighted if its Eurovision triumph had some impact, however small, on how music is made, produced and marketed.
"People listen to songs because they're thrown at you," he said. "You have to like this because we're going to play it 16 times a day and force you to like it.
"This is music with content, an emotional song with a beautiful lyrical message and harmony - things people are not used to listening these days.
"If I can help to bring some change to music I would be really joyful," he said, dressed as ever in a modest dark suit.
"And I hope it will encourage people to bring different things and all sorts of music to future editions of this contest."
"We're going to play it 16 times a day and force you to like it," he said of the music business
Those future editions could learn much from this year, which offered audiences a spectacular, entertaining and endlessly quirky diversion.
For a contest whose slogan was "celebrate diversity", though, it was surprising more thought was not given to basic areas of presentation.
The final and the two semi-finals that preceded it were hosted by a trio of white male TV presenters who are all well-known in host nation Ukraine.
Commentator Graham Norton and one of his Australian counterparts were not alone in remarking that the line-up was hardly indicative of the contest's stated aim.
For the millions watching at home, however, it was the variety, the colour and the craziness that made it unmissable Saturday night viewing.
In keeping with Eurovision tradition, Portugal will host the 2018 iteration of an event that continues to unify Europe in a way politics never can or will.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39914381
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How a dying man and his son could forge a Lego legacy - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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How a skin cancer sufferer and his son embarked on a poignant campaign from their Sydney home.
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Australia
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Damien MacRae and his son, Aiden, have made their toys sun-smart
As he endured radiotherapy, Damien MacRae found playing Lego with his seven-year-old son, Aiden, was one way to block out the pain.
The pair built spaceships, pirate galleons and fortresses in their Sydney home following the discovery of melanoma on Mr MacRae's ear three years ago.
But in the piles of interlocking plastic bricks, Aiden could not find pieces to create an Australian beach. His father soon realised none existed.
So the two decided to conceive their own, in what would become a very personal mission.
Cancer has since spread to Mr MacRae's lungs and brain. Last month in a Facebook message, he told friends that his brain tumours had multiplied.
"Unfortunately, my doctors say that I have 6-10 weeks left to live. Six months would be a miracle," he wrote in the post on 14 April.
"Obviously this has made me focus on spending as much time as I can with family and friends."
Mr MacRae asked for help in realising his "one dying wish": to get Lego to consider making Surf Lego Rescue, the idea invented on Aiden's bedroom floor.
First they would need 10,000 votes on a Lego concepts website.
"I think everyone gets why this project has become so important to me and Aiden," Mr MacRae told his friends.
The total was reached within days, meaning the project will be considered. Mr MacRae said he had never seen his son more excited.
"To see him dancing and smiling because of this, I've never been prouder," he told the BBC.
"It's the happiest I've seen him in a long time."
The father and son had spent hours talking about their ideas, taking inspiration from Australia's iconic Surf Life Saving volunteer group. They ordered custom-made toys from a company in London.
"The Lego universe doesn't have much that reflects Australian culture," Mr MacRae said.
"There is a Sydney Opera House toy set but not much else."
Their collection captures a sense of fun at the beach, but it also highlights the dangers of sun exposure.
The lifeguard characters are named after celebrities who had skin cancer scares, such as Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. All wear sunscreen and hats.
One of the leading causes of melanoma is a history of sunburn, especially in childhood
The colours of the toys pay tribute to Australia's volunteer lifeguards
The set also includes surfers, a lifeboat, a jet ski, a quad bike, seagulls, a jellyfish and a shark-patrolling drone.
"I'm not a Lego designer at all," Mr MacRae laughed. "I'm a 42-year-old intellectual property lawyer."
The Danish company will decide soon if it will produce the set. If it does, it is likely to take at least 10 months before sale.
"What a fantastic project, depicting an action-packed day at the beach, full of thoughtful and playable details," a Lego spokeswoman said.
Australia's Financial Review newspaper reported that Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, whose family owns Lego, had been personally moved by the campaign.
Aiden's favourite figure has been given his name
Since 2010, 19 projects from the Lego Ideas platform have been made - such as Women of Nasa.
"They've been really generous with their kind words and indicated they will take my illness into consideration when they're doing the review," Mr MacRae said.
But Mr MacRae knows that time is running out.
"Getting to 10,000 votes was my goal," he said. "And the possibility that I could leave a legacy for Aiden."
"To know that he can take ideas that he's come up with, on the bedroom floor, and take it out to the world."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-39728707
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Spring-cleaning India's most magnificent tent - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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Rajasthan's Royal Red Tent is as tall as a double-decker bus - and it's getting its first proper clean in three centuries.
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Magazine
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Rajasthan's Royal Red Tent is as tall as a double-decker bus, made from silk, velvet and gold - and it's getting its first proper clean in more than three centuries, says Melissa Van Der Klugt.
High up on the ramparts of Mehrangarh, in one of Rajasthan's most famous forts - one of the most visited in India - a small team is dusting down a large tent.
Each section is so big that the three conservationists - dressed in neat white overalls and equipped with pocketfuls of soft brushes - must clamber around on tables and chairs. "The priority is the object," says one, pointing to the elaborate design of lotus flowers stitched in solid gold thread.
For this is no ordinary tent - but one that excites huge interest and controversy in India. It was once thought to have been the home of Shah Jahan, the great 17th-Century Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal.
His nomadic ancestors rode down from Central Asia and Afghanistan to conquer swathes of India - and this was his "travelling palace".
Made in imperial workshops from exquisite red silk velvet and gold, it stands when unfurled at 4m (13ft) - as high as a London double-decker bus. It's known as the Lal Dera, or the Shahi Lal Dera - the Royal Red Tent.
And it's being given its first proper spring clean in 350 years.
"There is no surviving piece like it in India or anywhere," says Karni Singh Jasol, the director of the fort's archive in Jodhpur. "The idea was that it had to have all the luxury of a painted stone palace."
Shah Jahan was nicknamed "the Builder of the Marvels" - he ordered up some of Delhi and Agra's finest monuments - but spent most of his three decades in power on military campaigns.
One hundred elephants, 500 camels, 400 carts and teams of bearers were once needed to carry the emperor's camping equipment as he roved across plains and jungles with tens of thousands of horsemen.
"In his tent," says Jasol, "there would be cushions and bolsters and a bed, and objects like hookahs or wine flasks and jewellery cases."
Porters carried porcelain for the emperor's table. He was said to travel at a leisurely 10 to 12 miles (15 to 18km) a day, pausing to hunt cheetah or deer.
The Mughals were used to erecting these temporary cities, says Jasol. Shah Jahan's great-great grandfather, the first emperor, Babur, who arrived in India from Afghanistan, once boasted he had never spent any two Ramadans in the same place.
One encampment contained so many scribes, harems, court officials and workshops churning out leather goods and artwork that an astounded British ambassador wrote that it must be the same size as Elizabethan London.
The Rent Tent was believed to have been looted during a battle, whose victors, the rulers of Jodhpur, took it back to their fort, Mehrangarh, in the sun-baked Thar desert. And there it has remained.
Immaculately dressed in a Nehru waistcoat and cravat, Jasol now presides over the vaulted archives within Mehrangarh's thick stone walls. They house thousands of precious artefacts and documents, often requested for exhibition abroad.
Art historians now argue over whether the Red Tent belonged to Shah Jahan or his ruthless son, Aurangzeb - who put his own father under house arrest.
"But it is still our rarest and most prized object," says Jasol. All other Mughal tents of the same size have been dismantled and the pieces scattered.
It began to show its age. "It was on display in one of the galleries here," says Jasol. "But every morning the staff would see a sort of gold dust… There was a lot of stress on the velvet and the brocade so we put it into storage to rest."
Its conservation is part of a bigger project to revamp the museum to appeal to India's booming domestic tourist market.
When Mehrangarh opened as a museum in 1974, most visitors were British or American. "All the rooms had been locked up and only the temples had been active," recalls Jasol. "I remember the first director describing how it was full of bats and bat droppings."
Now Indian visitors - curious about their history - have overtaken foreigners.
The Red Tent's big clean is being carried out by team of three conservators. "The effort that went into making it shows the dedication to the emperor," says one, Shakshi Gupta, peering at the fabric through a magnifying glass.
"Velvet these days might last just 20 years if you are lucky. This kind of labour and intricate weaving by hand would be too expensive."
The women are living in rooms at the fort for the next year. "It was a little spooky at first sleeping here," Shakshi says. "If the walls of this tent could talk, they must have seen so much."
Photos by Gareth Phillips except where otherwise stated.
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Saracens: Mark McCall says double European champions can get even better - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall says there is "no reason his side can't get better" after they secured back-to-back European titles on Saturday.
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Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall says his side can still improve despite securing back-to-back European titles.
Sarries beat Clermont Auvergne 28-17 at Murrayfield on Saturday to remain on course for an historic 'double-double' of continental and English crowns.
Their quest continues with a trip to Exeter in the first of next Saturday's Premiership semi-finals.
"If we're hungry enough and humble enough, then there's no reason why we can't get better," McCall said.
"The age profile of the group is good and the manner in which we won was encouraging."
If they overcome Exeter next Saturday, Saracens will face either Wasps or Leicester in the Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday 27 May.
'It will be a sad day when I leave'
Saracens winger Chris Ashton opened the scoring in the 13th minute with his 37th try in the competition, setting a new European cup try-scoring record in the process.
He raced on to Alex Goode's precise grubber kick for his historic try, and was quick to praise his team-mates when asked about the record.
"I won't lie, I'm pretty happy about it," he said. "But I think a lot of it is down to the group I've been playing with the last five years.
"It's nice for my name to be up there but a lot of the credit belongs to this club."
The former England winger ends his five years at Saracens in the summer to join French Top 14 side Toulon, and he confessed to feeling sad about his departure.
"I am going to miss it. I've had five amazing years here," he said. "I've had unbelievable highs and definitely some lows along there.
"The support I've had from the players and the coaching staff has been phenomenal, so it will be a sad day when I do leave."
'We never feel like the finished article'
Goode scored the try which all but secured Saracens' second European crown and has shone again on the European stage this season.
The 28-year-old - like Ashton - has been overlooked by England, with the last of his 21 caps coming in a rare start as full-back against Fiji in 2016.
But last season's Premiership player of the season is enjoying club rugby.
"We have a young squad and one that is very hungry to keep improving," he said. "It was a joy to be on the field with the rest of the team.
"The strength of the group is that we are constantly looking to improve and get better and we never feel like we are the finished article."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39909013
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West Ham United 0-4 Liverpool - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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Liverpool beat West Ham at London Stadium to move back into third place as striker Daniel Sturridge scores his first goal since January.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Liverpool beat West Ham at London Stadium to move back into third place as striker Daniel Sturridge scored his first goal since January.
Philippe Coutinho's sublime pass on the half-hour mark cut open the Hammers defence and picked out an unmarked Sturridge who went around goalkeeper Adrian before slotting home.
The Brazilian then scored two of his own after the break before Divock Origi fired in a fourth to complete the Liverpool procession.
Victory against Middlesbrough on the final day of the season will guarantee Liverpool a Champions League place in 2017-18.
There were chances for both sides in a frenetic opening but as both teams settled in the London sun, it was Liverpool's Brazilian magician who turned up the gears and once again orchestrated a Liverpool victory.
Sturridge, starting for the first time since January, christened his return with a goal as Liverpool dominated possession throughout.
West Ham endured a testing afternoon with Andre Ayew missing the easiest of chances at 1-0, before being left frustrated by some calamitous defending and a refereeing decision.
It was an unhappy end to their first season at London Stadium as the home supporters flooded the exits before the final whistle and left the players to do their lap of honour in front of empty seats.
After a stumble last week against Southampton - a game devoid of chances - the Liverpool attack were back at full throttle in the capital on Sunday.
The Reds began the day in fourth, having been leapfrogged by Manchester City, knowing two wins would guarantee third place.
And with the pressure firmly on, Jurgen Klopp's side produced one of their most commanding performances of the season in a wholly one-sided affair.
Coutinho, playing in a slightly deeper position, was the master of it all with an assist for the opener and two goals of his own.
The playmaker produced an exquisite pass from behind the halfway line for the opener as Sturridge evaded the offside trap and rolled home a tidy finish.
And after the break it was the Brazilian who once again turned up the heat.
Georginio Wijnaldum's thunderbolt pinged back off the bar and Coutinho was the first to pounce before driving home after a quick Liverpool counter-attack.
The Hammers woes were compounded when goalkeeper Adrian flapped at a high ball and Origi drilled in a fourth.
West Ham's final home game of the season was a microcosm of their first campaign at London Stadium - one which began full of hope but ultimately ended in frustration.
Having effectively ended London rivals Tottenham's title change last week, their supporters could have been forgiven for expecting another performance.
And the home side started the better as Sam Bryam fired a free shot wide from inside the area.
Having fallen behind, the Hammers should have been level at the break - but Ayew from a corner drilled the ball against the base of the post from two yards, before repeating the feat with the rebound.
The Hammers were further frustrated at Liverpool's third goal - Wijnaldum appeared to catch Winston Reid with his elbow earlier in the move - but play continued with Reid down and Liverpool scored seconds later.
West Ham have clocked up seven home victories at their new home - just two less than in their final season at Upton Park.
But they've now suffered eight home defeats, compared to just three in 2015-16 season.
Hampered by a string of injuries, Sturridge has struggled for form this season and has seen himself fall down Jurgen Klopp's pecking order.
But after a substitute appearance against Southampton, he was handed a first start since January and was clinical in front of goal.
The 27-year-old - who has made just 19 Premier League appearances in 2016-17 and scored three goals - has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer.
He remained quiet about his Liverpool future following the game, but insisted he does not have any worries about next season.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "It was a very difficult season, a very long one. We had many, many obstacles. We needed time to adjust to the stadium but we knew we would.
"We had too many injuries throughout the season, that's why I would like to give credit to the players.
"I think we will benefit long term from this season and from the knowledge and experience."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "It was a fantastic game but difficult. At the end it was amazing but the start was not that good.
"We scored some really nice goals but in the first half West Ham had big, big chances - especially to equalise before half-time.
"It was really unlucky for West Ham, but it was really lucky from our position. West Ham have not had too much luck this season.
On the final game of the season against Middlesbrough, Klopp added: "Middlesbrough have nothing to lose but we have everything to lose.
"The first thing the boys said in the dressing room - and I didn't have to tell them - was 'one more game'.
"If we win we deserve to be in the Champions League. If not we don't deserve it."
Liverpool love the capital - stats you need to know
• None Liverpool have now won at 52 different grounds in the Premier League, more than any other side in the competition (Arsenal and Manchester United next on 50).
• None West Ham suffered their joint-worst home defeat in the Premier League, losing by a four-goal margin for the third time this season (also 1-5 v Arsenal and 0-4 v Manchester City).
• None The Reds have won four of five four Premier League games in London this season (drew one), going unbeaten in the capital across an entire league season for the first time since in 1988-89.
• None This is the first time since 1998-99 that the Hammers have conceded four or more goals in four different home games in a single league season.
• None Philippe Coutinho was directly involved in three goals in a single game for Liverpool for the first time (two goals and one assist).
• None All three of Philippe Coutinho's Premier League braces have come in London (also v Chelsea in Oct 2015 and Arsenal in Aug 2016).
• None Liverpool's 11 shots on target were the most that West Ham have faced in a Premier League game this season and the most since November 2015 (v Tottenham, 12).
West Ham finish their season away at Burnley at 15:00 BST on Sunday, 21 May while Liverpool host Middlesbrough needing three points to guarantee Champions League football in 2017-18.
• None Offside, Liverpool. Philippe Coutinho tries a through ball, but James Milner is caught offside.
• None Attempt missed. Robert Snodgrass (West Ham United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Sofiane Feghouli with a cross.
• None Attempt missed. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
• None Attempt saved. Divock Origi (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
• None Attempt missed. Divock Origi (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Adam Lallana.
• None Goal! West Ham United 0, Liverpool 4. Divock Origi (Liverpool) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Georginio Wijnaldum.
• None Attempt missed. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
• None Attempt saved. Adam Lallana (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daniel Sturridge.
• None Attempt missed. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833967
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Office sauna: Must-have or hot air? - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The modern office is mixing work and play in a bid to attract staff and improve productivity.
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Business
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Dolly Parton sings that "you're just a step on the boss-man's ladder" - not much motivation for workin' nine to five.
So how can the modern office attract people to tumble outta bed and commute into work, especially when many employees could simply turn on their laptop and get things done? And how can that office make you more productive?
One idea, popular among new technology companies, is to mix work and play.
Stroll around the London headquarters of peer-to-peer money transfer service TransferWise in Shoreditch, London, and you see scooters, a hammock and, would you believe, one of these:
Companies like this say such an office helps create a culture where staff enjoy coming to work, and are more productive as a result. For others, office perks like a sauna are simply a load of hot air.
Twenty-somethings might enjoy the perks, says Clare Coatman, of trade union body the TUC, but they must be in addition to, rather than instead of, decent pay and conditions.
"Compare the cost of buying a ping-pong table to offering a living wage, rather than a minimum wage, and you start to cut through to the reality," she says.
"Perks are nice, but they do not pay the bills."
Taavet Hinrikus, founder and chief executive of TransferWise, says the aim of his firm's offices around the world is to "create an environment for people to do their best work".
Finding a premises that allowed everyone to work on the same floor was important, he says. After that, many of the ideas of how to furnish it came from the staff themselves.
The overwhelming view, and the resulting set-up, was a mix of areas that suited certain tasks. Various soundproofed phone booths are dotted around. There are traditional desks, soft seating ("the padded cell") and a kitchen with background music. Friday's playlist included Gregorian chant and the Bee Gees (separately).
...table tennis next to the staff kitchen...
...and adult scooters to get around the office
Speaking in the Magic Roundabout meeting room, Inez Miedema, head of affiliates and partnerships at TransferWise, admits that her parents - during a tour of the office - saw people playing a football computer game and questioned whether any work actually got done.
Ultimately each team has performance indicators to ensure they are doing a good job and those failing to do so will be challenged.
The trendy office and flexibility at work helps to attract talent, she says, but it is far from the only attraction, not least pay.
There is a keen eye cast over competitors and similar businesses to benchmark the competitiveness of salaries. As the business has grown in size, so has the package of other benefits offered to staff.
The TUC's Clare Coatman says young people really want job security and pay progression - much the same as any other generation of workers. No matter how trendy the office, their focus was still on the job, not on the jest.
A report by accountancy firm PwC said career progression was the top priority for "millennials" - the term typically applied to those born between 1980 and 1999 - who expected to rise rapidly through an organisation. Some 52% of those asked said this was the main attraction in an employer, coming ahead of competitive salaries in second place (44%).
The trouble is, says Ms Coatman, that they have very low expectations of the workplace. This theory was echoed in a recent poll commissioned by the RSA which suggested that fewer than one in 10 workers thought that "all work was fair and decent".
As a result younger workers may choose to move to another job, rather than fight to improve the terms of their current roles, Ms Coatman says.
Philip Ross says the modern office needs to be fluid
A small, start-up tech firm can quite easily make their office attractive to the young worker, but what about bigger, more traditional companies?
Many staff can carry the contents of their desk around with them, usually digitally on a laptop, says Philip Ross, founder and chief executive of UnWork.com, which promotes new ways of working.
Young tech-savvy staff, particularly, can work anywhere so why bother getting on a packed bus or sit in a traffic jam to get to a chicken-coop office?
"As a place for people, both employees and clients, it has to work hard to pull people in - there needs to be a compelling reason to come to work," UnWork says in a report about a recent project for a business in New York.
The office priorities for staff were "air quality, daylight, good acoustics, great coffee and food". The motivation for the business was a 30% cut in property costs per person, by using the space more efficiently.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. What did the "office of the future" look like in years gone by?
Some of the vocabulary about modern offices - such as "app-centric workplace" and "collision coefficient" - may raise eyebrows among your average office worker.
Yet, the logic behind the lexicon is worth a closer look.
Mr Ross says that offices should allow people to move around and work with those engaged in the same "activities". The design of a building should encourage people to communicate in person, rather than by email or in formal meetings.
Meanwhile, an office app may suggest who in an organisation is free for lunch at the same time. Then, it will point out which of them are working on a similar project. Alternatively it may highlight that some have the same interests, such as running marathons, and match-make them for lunch.
However, Mr Ross argues that, among tech start-ups in particular, there has been a "rush to collaboration". The trend towards shared space means it can be difficult to find anywhere for staff to quietly get work done on their own.
In the end, he says, there needs to be areas of an office to fit different types of work.
That, it seems, may even include a sauna in the corner.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39874943
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Garth Crooks' team of the week: Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Gabriel Jesus, David Luiz - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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Which players link up like Brooking and Keegan? Who does Jurgen Klopp need to protect? It's Garth Crooks' team of the week.
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It was the weekend when matters at the top and bottom of the Premier League were finalised.
Antonio Conte's Chelsea beat West Brom to become Premier League champions thanks to substitute Michy Batshuayi's late winning goal.
At the bottom, Hull were relegated back down to the Championship with a whimper after being thrashed by Crystal Palace, joining Middlesbrough and Sunderland in the second tier next season.
Liverpool trounced West Ham to move up to third and keep their Champions League destiny in their own hands, but there were wins for Manchester City and Arsenal too.
Do you agree with my selection or would you go for a different team? Why not pick your own team of the week from the shortlist selected by BBC Sport journalists and share it with your friends?
You cannot win Premier League titles without having an outstanding goalkeeper. Last season, Courtois found life difficult at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea paid a hefty price. This season the Belgium international has been immense.
Against West Brom, Courtois made a crucial save in the early exchanges to stop Salomon Rondon from opening his account. Such a start for the Blues would have been a nightmare but Courtois was bang in form and stuck to his task brilliantly throughout.
Only Arsenal now stand between Chelsea and a league and FA Cup double but Courtois is a world-class keeper and domestic doubles are fine but for him it must be about Champion League titles.
If you are going to score your first goal for the club you might as well make it memorable. You are away from home, desperately needing a win in order for your team's campaign to remain on track and you come up with your best strike of the season.
The look on Kyle Naughton's face when his shot screamed past Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was as though he had just won the lottery. That said, Swansea survived this relegation battle to stay in the Premier League and it will feel like it.
Swans manager Paul Clement continues to inject great belief in his players. I distinctly remember a pundit claiming that Clement was lucky to have got the job in the first place. Admittedly, his dalliance with Derby County ended badly and his reputation as a coach is currently better than his credentials has a manager but Clement has brought something quite unique with him to the club.
Alongside first team coach Claude Makelele - who you would have thought has bigger fish to fry - there appears to be a mental strength matched with a certain courage I have not witnessed amongst Swansea players since the days of Brendan Rodgers. We all need a little luck every now and then but it would seem Paul Clement and Swansea are making their own.
What a season this player has had. I remember him starting his career at Chelsea and having to play as a left-back. He coped brilliantly well considering he was naturally right-footed and while he solved the club's left-sided problem post Ashley Cole, he could not really show his true potential.
Since the arrival of Antonio Conte, Cesar Azpilicueta has not merely shown his true potential but realised it. The versatile defender produced a world-class performance against West Brom at The Hawthorns and what a time to do it. He was imperious in defence and creative in attack. It was Azpilicueta's cross that provided the opening for Michy Batshuayi to slide the ball home.
What he was doing so far up the field in open play tells you all you need to know about the commitment and desire of the Spain international. However, when you study his season, he has been ever present and quietly got on with his job. This was a brilliant performance by a player who has become a world-class defender under Conte.
This was the player who originally arrived at Stamford Bridge in a blaze of glory and left with his tail between his legs. I remember his first game against Fulham when he had a fantastic debut and scored the most impressive goal. However, Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti's second season in charge didn't turn out too well for Chelsea and David Luiz seemed to take the blame for the demise.
A spell away from the Bridge taught him that when you are a top-class defender, you don't have to do anything out of the ordinary to prove it - just defend. That is precisely what he did against a West Brom side desperate to rain on Chelsea's parade and has been doing since his return. The Brazilian has been magnificent for the Blues this season.
No lollipops, or rabonas, but he did everything in his power to protect his goalkeeper. Who would have thought that simple, good old-fashioned defending would win you titles in the modern era.
The screams of delight by Victor Moses as he embraced Batshuayi after the striker secured victory at The Hawthorns was a compelling sight. Here were two young men who had just realised they had won the Premier League title and at the same time embedded themselves into Chelsea folklore. Did either of them ever think at the beginning of this season that they would be sharing in such a momentous occasion? I doubt it. Yet here they were revelling in the moment.
Moses has been a revelation for Chelsea this season, partly due to his ability to adapt to a system few thought would be successful in the Premier League never mind win the title, and the consummate manner in which he has made the position his own. Moses could have won the Chelsea the title himself when he brought a fantastic one-handed save from Ben Foster.
Sir Winston Churchill said "we have a small time for celebration" immediately after the Second World War and I fear Antonio Conte has even less time to prepare Chelsea for the demands of European football and a relentless season ahead. Moses has now won a Premier League title and I would not bet against him adding a Champions League medal to his collection very soon.
This was another sparkling performance by the Brazilian and it takes Liverpool a step closer to that elusive Champions League spot. I dread to think what Reds manager Jurgen Klopp would have done without the services of Coutinho.
Nevertheless, they have the Brazilian star and he has been superb this season. Players like Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard have been instrumental in creating special Liverpool teams. Well, this current team is not that special but Coutinho is and Klopp must protect him.
The flags were waving and the fans singing and that was before Victor Wanyama added to the carnival atmosphere at White Hart Lane. The cross by Ben Davies was only matched by the glorious header from the Kenya international. Spurs would have gone on and knocked Manchester United clean out of the park but for some sound goalkeeping by David de Gea, the best in the world in my opinion.
Wanyama has spent most of the season overshadowed by some wonderful performances from Christian Eriksen but the Denmark international found himself playing second fiddle to an authoritative Wanyama bossing events in midfield. Tottenham deserved this victory but chants from the United fans stating Spurs "nearly won the league" is a timely reminder of what the really big clubs consider important.
How interesting. There have been two performances by Ross Barkley that have stood out for me. His game against Burnley where he was outstanding and at the heart of a superb Everton victory, and against Watford on Friday when he came off 10 minutes from time to a standing ovation. On both occasions, the England international had, for one reason or another, a very difficult week preceding the respective fixtures.
The first issue subjected Barkley to tawdry remarks in a national newspaper while the second matter was the ultimatum given to him by his manager Ronald Koeman. Sign your contract or leave seems to be the message. When a manager gives a player an ultimatum like that he better hold all the aces. But in this case, Koeman does not because if the rumours are true and Spurs are interested in Barkley, then the player has the perfect get-out clause.
Whatever the outcome of this contractual situation, it is in Barkley's best interests not to wait for bad news to spark him into providing his best performances but to start creating the news himself. That is what the best players do and if he does go to Spurs, which I think is quite possible, he will be expected to do just that.
Regardless of whether Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger goes or stays, it will not have the same bearing on the club should they lose Alexis Sanchez. Not only is the Chilean a genuinely world-class footballer, he is the inspiration behind the team and has been for the best part of this season. His performance against Southampton in midweek, not to mention his goal, was simply superb.
He then turns up at Stoke on Saturday, no place for the faint-hearted, and destroys them. Sanchez's link-up play with Mesut Ozil, when the German is in the mood, is like watching Trevor Brooking and Kevin Keegan when they played for England - they just know where each other is. It clear to me that Arsenal Football Club have some big decisions to make about who stays and who goes. For my money, Sanchez stays. You can work the rest out.
I could not believe my eyes when Gabriel Jesus took the ball and insisted that he was going to take the penalty against Leicester on Saturday. Like every decent senior professional, who sees the next generation with the confidence to take command of a situation, Yaya Toure gave way to youth. Why shouldn't the twice former African player of the year be magnanimous in such circumstances? When you have had the sort of career Toure has had, the least he can be is gracious.
Regardless, Jesus seemed absolutely determined to make a statement. Sitting on the bench, of course, was Sergio Aguero, a world-class striker, even by Alan Shearer's standards. It was clear to see Jesus had to make the point to Aguero and manager Pep Guardiola that he is ready to assume the mantle of top dog. Putting the ball into the back of the net was tantamount to making that point.
What was interesting was the way Toure and his team-mates gathered round Jesus to congratulate him on converting the penalty almost like a graduation moment. The players were not entirely sure he would pass the test but mighty relieved that he did. Based on what I saw it looks like, Jesus might be the future and Aguero the past.
A lot has been said about Mesut Ozil. Love him or hate him - and I love him - there is no denying he is a wonderful footballer. Is he in the right team? Probably not. A player with his talent would be more appreciated at a club like Tottenham. Now at this moment I may have Arsenal fans foaming at the mouth at the very thought of Ozil defecting to White Hart Lane but frankly it is a better fit.
When Sol Campbell decided to move to Arsenal from Spurs it was because the player was desperate to win trophies. A perfectly acceptable position for a professional footballer to take and a fact that Spurs fans have never been able to come to terms with. However, Ozil's style of football is perfect for Spurs and he has already won things with Arsenal. His overall performance against Stoke, which is always a hard nut to crack, was superb while his goal was sublime.
Only at Spurs will the fans accommodate players like Ozil. You see, at Spurs it is all about the football while at Arsenal it is all about the winning.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39915228
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Giro d'Italia 2017: Geraint Thomas crashes as Quintana takes charge - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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Geraint Thomas' Giro d'Italia hopes suffer a major blow as he is involved in a crash and loses five minutes to new leader Nairo Quintana.
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Last updated on .From the section Cycling
Geraint Thomas' hopes of winning the Giro d'Italia suffered a major blow as he was involved in a crash caused by a police motorbike 15km from the finish on stage nine, which was won by Colombia's Nairo Quintana.
Team Sky's Thomas, second at the start of the day, finished over five minutes behind new race leader Quintana.
Fellow Brit Adam Yates, who started in third, was also involved in the crash.
"It's ridiculous and shouldn't happen," said Thomas, who will continue to race.
"It could have been a lot worse," added the 30-year-old. "We lost five minutes but I felt like I lost three or four of those on the side of the road.
"There are still stages to go for and we might still be able to move up into the top 10 or better."
The Welshman revealed his shoulder had "popped out" but later added: "I've had worse crashes. My shoulder is sore but it's nothing I can't deal with. There's a lot more racing to be had so we'll get stuck in."
Thomas will have an X-ray on Monday to "tick all the boxes" and make sure "everything is alright and then just rest up".
Colombian Quintana now leads the overall standings after a dominant display.
The Movistar rider finished 24 seconds ahead of Frenchman Thibaut Pinot and Dutchman Tom Dumoulin, to take the race lead from Luxembourg's Bob Jungels.
The 2014 winner attacked with six kilometres to go as the stage approached the summit of the steep Blockhaus climb and looked in a class of his own as he raced clear.
The police motorbike was stopped at the side of the road and Dutchman Wilco Kelderman was unable to avoid it, hitting the officer with his shoulder.
That caused him to swerve to his right into the Sky riders, who were in a line in the peloton, and resulted in the majority of the British-based team being brought down.
"I'm a bit angry at the minute," said Thomas, who has dropped to 17th in the standings, five minutes and 14 seconds behind Quintana.
"The bike had just stopped on the side of the road, we were all racing for position and someone in front of me hit it and we had nowhere to go, we all went straight down.
"I had felt good and then I crashed and my race was over, it is very disappointing."
Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford told Eurosport: "A motorbike shouldn't have been there. I'm sure the guy who was riding the motorbike realises that too.
"We fight on. That's it."
Team Orica-Scott rider Yates is now in 16th place, four minutes and 49 seconds off the leader.
There is a rest day on Monday, before Tuesday's stage 10, a 39.8km individual time trial from Foligno to Montefalco.
Overall classification after stage nine
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/39915940
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Isdal Woman: The mystery death haunting Norway for 46 years - BBC News
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2017-05-14
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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How a Nordic mystery death led to a trail of coded messages, disguises, and fake identities.
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Europe
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It's a mystery that has intrigued Norway for nearly 50 years.
In November 1970, the badly burnt body of a woman was found in a remote spot in Norway's Isdalen valley.
Someone had cut the labels off her clothes, and scraped distinctive marks off her belongings - as if to stop her from being identified.
And as police started investigating her death, they uncovered a trail of coded messages, disguises, and fake identities - but never cracked the case.
Forty-six years later, Norwegian police and NRK journalists have decided to reopen the investigation.
This is the story of the Isdal Woman - and the perplexing trail of clues she left behind.
WARNING: This article contains one graphic image
Clue one: The body in 'Death Valley'
Isdalen Valley is a short drive from the west-coast city of Bergen
On the morning of 29 November 1970, a man and his two young daughters see a body in Isdalen Valley.
The corpse is sprawled across some rocks - with its arms extended in a "boxer" position, typical of bodies that have been burnt.
Isdalen is known to some locals as "Death Valley" - it was a site where people committed suicide in medieval times, and, in the 1960s, some hikers had fallen to their deaths while trekking in the fog.
But the woman does not appear to be a normal hiker.
"It was out of the way - it was an unusual place to walk," Carl Halvor Aas, a police lawyer who was one of the first officers to be called to the scene, recounts to the BBC.
"The body was burned all over the front," including "the face and most of her hair", he says - but strangely it was not burnt on the back.
"It looked like she had thrown herself back" from a fire, he says, adding that she was so badly burnt they could not imagine what she originally looked like.
This is believed to be the spot where the Isdal Woman was found
The scene is cold by the time Carl arrived, so he cannot tell how long the body has been there for.
And how did the woman end up on fire?
Police find a number of objects at the scene, including jewellery, a watch, a broken umbrella and some bottles.
But it is the positioning of the objects that leaves the strongest impression on Tormod Bønes, one of the forensic investigators.
The woman is not wearing the watch or her jewellery - instead, they have been placed beside her.
"The placement and location of the objects surrounding the body was strange - it looked like there had been some kind of ceremony," he says.
Police also find the remains of a pair of rubber boots and nylon stockings.
"She had been wearing a lot of clothes - of synthetic materials - and all the clothes had been heavily burned," says Tormod.
Adding to the mystery is the fact that the production labels have been cut off her clothes and rubbed off the bottles at the scene.
Police find nothing at the scene to indicate who the woman was.
The remains of an item of clothing and an umbrella found at the scene
Police found items of clothing, drinking bottles, the remains of nylon stockings and pieces of jewellery at the scene
Police issue an appeal for eyewitnesses. They say the woman was about 164cm (5ft 4.5 inches) tall, with "long brownish-black hair", a small round face, brown eyes, and small ears. She appeared to be aged between 25 and 40 years, and wore her hair "in a ponytail tied with a blue and white print ribbon" at the time of death.
Without a name, the woman becomes known as the Isdal Woman.
An artist's impression of the Isdal Woman, distributed by police
The story is big news in Bergen - a peaceful town with a low crime rate.
They find two suitcases at Bergen railway station's left luggage department.
One of the suitcases contains prescription-free glasses - and a fingerprint on one of the pairs matches the woman's.
The suitcases also contain:
Initially, police "were very optimistic because they thought the suitcases would help them identify the body," says Tormod.
But soon, they realise that "all the labels that could have identified the woman, her clothes or belongings, had been removed".
Even the prescription sticker on the eczema cream, which would have shown the name of the doctor and the patient, has been scraped off.
Police try hard to trace the woman's belongings. They even contact several major department stores abroad, including Galeries Lafayette in Paris, to see if the stores recognise any of packaging on the woman's make up.
None of the department stores can find a match.
There is also a mysterious coded note in the case - which police will not crack until a while later (see clue five).
There is one important piece of evidence in the suitcase - a plastic bag from Oscar Rørtvedt's Footwear Store - a shoe shop in Stavanger.
The owner's son, Rolf Rørtvedt, remembers selling a pair of rubber boots to "a very well dressed, nice-looking woman with dark hair".
The boots he sold her appear to match the boots found on the body in the Isdalen valley. Police believe that the umbrella found near the body was also bought from the store.
The boots sold at Oscar Rørtvedt's Footwear Store were similar to the pair found at the Isdalen Valley
Rolf says the woman had made an impression on him because she "took a long time" choosing her boots - much longer than the average customer.
She spoke English, with an accent, and had "a calm and quiet expression", he tells the BBC.
He also recalls a strong smell emanating from the woman - which, later, he thinks may have been garlic.
Using his description, police are able to trace the woman to St Svithun hotel nearby - where she checked in as Fenella Lorch.
The problem? Fenella Lorch wasn't her real name.
It emerges that the woman had stayed in several hotels in Norway - using different aliases. And since most hotels required guests to show a passport and fill in a check-in form, this means she would have had several fake passports.
On this form, the woman claimed she had arrived from London
Police find the woman had stayed in the following hotels, under these names:
Police matched the different forms together by conducting handwriting analysis
This headline reads: "The woman in Isdalen had at least six different aliases"
The woman left a strong impression on Alvhild Rangnes, who was a 21-year-old waitress at Hotel Neptun at the time.
"My first impression of her was one of elegance and self-assuredness," she tells the BBC.
"She looked so fashionable - I wished to be able to mimic her style. In fact, I remember her winking at me… from my perspective it felt as though she thought I had been staring a bit too much at her."
"On one occasion while I was serving her, she was in the dining hall, sitting right next to - but not interacting with - two German navy personnel, one of which was an officer."
The woman's final stay was in the Hotel Hordaheimen
Police question several hotel staff who met the Isdal Woman - including Alvhild.
They learn that, in addition to speaking English, the woman also used some German phrases.
They also learn that the woman often requested a change of room - on one occasion, she asked to change rooms three times.
By now, there are several rumours that the woman was a spy. There weren't too many foreign tourists in Bergen then - and the fact the woman seemed wealthy, and well-travelled, sparked a lot of speculation.
"This was during the Cold War, and there were definitely a lot of spies in Norway, including Russian spies," says Gunnar Staalesen, a Bergen-based crime author who was a university student at the time.
There were also Israeli agents operating in Norway - as shown three years later, when Mossad agents killed a man in Lillehammer they had mistaken for a terrorist, he adds.
This headline reads: "Rumours say the woman was a secret agent"
Norwegian intelligence services are investigating too - but will not admit it until decades later.
According to NRK, security services were interested in reports that the woman had been seen observing the military test out new rockets in western Norway - but there weren't any clear conclusions from their investigation reports.
Police eventually crack some of the coded note - but it doesn't provide any evidence that she's a spy.
Instead, it appears to be a record of the places the woman visited. For example, O22 O28 P are dates (22-28 October) she was in Paris, O29PS is the day she travelled from Paris to Stavanger, O29S matches the date she arrived in Stavanger (29 October), and O30BN5 matches her stay in Bergen from 30 October to 5 November.
Police send a description of the woman, and sketches of what she may have looked like, to several police forces abroad. But none of them say they can identify the woman.
Meanwhile, investigators complete an examination of the woman's body.
They find an unexplained bruise on the right side of her neck, that could have been the result of a blow or a fall. There are no signs that the woman had been ill.
The autopsy also finds that the woman had never been pregnant or had a child.
One of the forensic cards summarising the autopsy findings. The woman's name, position, address, date of birth and death are all listed as "unknown".
Her death is likely to have been a painful one.
"There were smoke particles in her lungs… which shows that the woman was alive while she was burning," Tormod says.
He found a trace of petrol in the ground below the woman's body, which means "we can state with certainty that petrol had been used" to set her alight.
She had a high concentration of carbon monoxide in her blood.
Experts also establish that there were about 50-70 sleeping pills, from a foreign brand called Fenemal, in her stomach - although they had not been fully absorbed into her bloodstream before she died.
The autopsy concludes the woman died from a combination of carbon monoxide poisoning, and ingesting a large number of sleeping pills.
The cause of death is announced to be a probable suicide - a view supported by Bergen's chief of police.
But many people find this hard to believe.
"We talked about it in the police, but as far as I remember very few thought it was suicide," Carl Halvor Aas says.
Both the remote spot where her body was found - and the method of suicide, by fire, strike him as strange.
"I do not believe it was suicide" - Carl Halvor Aas
Without any further leads, the case is closed, and the woman is buried in February 1971.
Police think the woman may be Catholic, and organise a Catholic funeral for her.
According to a police report of the funeral, the coffin was decorated with lilacs and tulips, and the priest conducted a simple ceremony for "the unknown woman, who was put to the grave in a foreign country without any family present".
The funeral was attended by police officers
Police still hope to find the woman's family - she is buried in a zinc coffin that won't decompose - and keep an album of photos from the funeral for her relatives.
Harald Osland was one of the investigators reluctant to let the case go.
"My father could never put this case away," his son, Tore, says. "He never could accept that they had to close down the case."
The unmarked grave where the Isdal Woman's body is buried. The site is marked with a small wreath and candle
His father kept several of the police documents, and Tore eventually wrote a book about the Isdal case.
Over the years, the case has also inspired several crime writers and illustrators.
"What intrigues people is that it is an unsolved mystery - it is almost like following a crime novel," says Gunnar Staalesen.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Norwegian crime writers explain the appeal of the Isdal Woman case
Then, in 2016, the possibility of solving the case rears its head again.
The Isdal Woman had distinctive teeth - 14 of them were filled - and she had several gold crowns. This was especially unusual for someone in her age range - and is not the type of dental work seen in Norway.
Gisle Bang, a professor of dentistry, keeps the woman's jaw, in the hope that other experts will recognise the dental work.
After his death, everyone assumes the jaw has been destroyed.
Forensic doctor Inge Morild, who inherited the Isdal Woman files, says he was told the jaw had been "thrown away because it was smelling".
But after investigative journalists at NRK make queries about the Isdal Woman, Prof Morild finds the jaw - deep in a cellar in Haukeland University Hospital's forensic archives.
The find gives Norwegian police the opportunity to re-open the case, and use the latest forensic techniques to try and identify the woman.
Prof Gisle Bang had sent reports to international dental experts
The Norwegian Criminal Investigation Service (Kripos) and University of Bergen start conducting isotope analysis on her teeth - looking at the chemical "signature" left by the elements that made up her teeth as they were being formed.
It's the first time Norwegian police have conducted isotope analysis on teeth - but they hope the findings will help them pinpoint the region where the woman lived.
DNA analysis is now one of the key tools police use in forensic analysis and identification cases.
But it turns out several tissue samples from the woman's organs, including from her lungs, heart, adrenal gland and ovaries, have been stored at Haukeland University Hospital.
Prof Morild says it "has been a custom in most of Norway" to keep tissue samples from post mortem examinations. The samples are "useful for repeat examinations, and as a source of DNA".
Tissue samples from the organs are preserved in paraffin blocks
Prof Inge Morild looks through tissue samples belonging to the Isdal Woman
NRK and local police agree to send the samples off for DNA analysis.
Nils Jarle Gjøvåg, head of forensics at West Police District, says it's important to pursue the woman's identity because "somewhere in the world, there may be some relatives wondering where she went".
"We try to identify every unknown body, so that relatives can have an answer."
While they wait for DNA results, NRK publish a documentary into the investigation - and receive more than 150 tip offs from people interested in the case.
"In Norway, this case is a big enigma for people… there's a lot of people who want some sort of closure in the case," says journalist Ståle Hansen.
NRK's investigative team (from left to right): Marit Higraff, Eirin Aardal, Øyvind Bye Skille and Ståle Hansen
After months of work, scientists have an extended DNA profile of the woman. The latest results, published on Friday, show the woman was of European descent - making the theory that the woman was an agent from Israel much less likely.
Norwegian police are set to issue an Interpol black notice - which seeks information on unidentified bodies - with the new information.
European police forces will be asked to check their DNA databases to see if they find a match.
"If someone in her close family is in a DNA registry somewhere, we will get a hit," says Ståle Hansen. "That would be really exciting."
The Isdal Woman case has been unsolved for the last 46 years. But now, modern science has reopened the possibility of this elusive Nordic mystery being solved.
Readers who recognise the Isdal Woman or want to share tips about the case of the Isdal Woman can contact the NRK investigative team via their website.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39369429
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Nicola Adams stops Maryan Salazar in third round of Leeds homecoming - BBC Sport
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2017-05-14
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Britain's double Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams stops Mexico's Maryan Salazar in the third round in her home city of Leeds.
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Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Britain's double Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams stopped Mexican teenager Maryan Salazar in the third round in her home city of Leeds.
The 34-year-old pinned her opponent in the corner and the referee stepped in to confirm her second professional victory in the flyweight contest.
"There is nothing like the support of my home crowd," said Adams.
It was her first win by stoppage having beaten Argentina's Virginia Carcamo on points on her professional debut.
The contest against Salazar was fought over three-minute rounds rather than the usual two minutes for women.
Find out how to get into boxing with our special guide.
Adams had said before the fight the extra minute in each round would give her a chance to "take out" her 18-year-old opponent.
She said afterwards: "I was not even thinking about the stoppage, but with the three-minute rounds I knew I could.
"I was able to settle more, I could see where I was throwing the punches and landing the power shots."
Adams was firmly in control, busting her opponent's lip in the opening round, following it up with a flurry of punches with Salazar on the ropes in the next and finishing it off in the third.
Her trainer, Jason Spencer, said she will soon be ready for a world title fight.
Adams added: "I loved every minute of it. The crowd were pumping me up. The more they were cheering, the more I was throwing."
Headlining the Leeds card, home favourite Josh Warrington defended his WBC international featherweight title with a majority decision over the experienced Kiko Martinez.
Warrington, 26, beat the Spaniard with scores of 116-112 from two judges, with the third scoring it a 114-114 draw.
He is now unbeaten in 25 fights and moves closer to a fight against Wales' IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby.
On the undercard, Durham's Thomas Patrick Ward caused somewhat of an upset by beating Liverpool's James 'Jazza' Dickens via a technical decision to win the British bantamweight belt.
Get all the latest boxing news sent straight to your device with notifications in the BBC Sport app. Find out more here.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/39911010
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Marco Silva: Hull City boss will meet owner to discuss his future - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Hull City boss Marco Silva says he will have talks meet about his future following the club's relegation from the Premier League.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Hull City boss Marco Silva says he will meet with the club's hierarchy about his future following the club's relegation from the Premier League.
The Tigers will play in the Championship next season after losing 4-0 at Crystal Palace.
Silva took charge in January until the end of the season and led Hull to six wins in 17 league games.
"We have to analyse with the board and chairman," said the Portuguese after his side's relegation was confirmed.
Hull, four points from safety with one game left, return to the Championship 12 months after winning promotion via the play-offs.
Silva, 39, has been linked with a move to Southampton, who are managed by Frenchman Claude Puel.
"It is not a moment to look for excuses, what we felt in the last four or five games is that too many things have happened with our club," added Silva.
"I will talk to the board and the chairman first, talking inside the walls of the club.
"We started to lose in pre-season when we were making our preparation.
"We tried to do many things in January, but it's not good to be signing six or seven players in January, and losing two.
"The most important thing is for the club to understand what they did in a bad way, to prepare.
"You start to win or lose a season ahead one year in advance. I will give the board and the chairman my opinion, about what they need to do differently to make sure this doesn't happen.
"We'll talk in the next few days. Now it's time to be calm and see what is best, first for the future of the club, and also for my career as well."
'Away form has been terrible'
Despite having a better home record than eighth-placed Southampton, the Tigers managed just one away win and six points on the road.
"The feeling of relegation is a hard feeling to express," Dawson, 33, told BBC Sport.
"It wasn't today we got relegated. The manager gave us a fighting chance but we've come up short.
"We've had some tough away games. Our form has been terrible.
"Relegation is the worst feeling as a footballer. Twelve months ago, it was an unbelievable feeling. I know how hard it is to get out of out of the Championship. We'll regroup and come back fighting."
Analysis by former Premier League winner Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 live
To say the Hull fans look disgruntled is an understatement. I wonder what the manager is thinking? Will he stay after relegation? I know what my money is on.
It has been a real surprise to me these last few games for Hull.
They got themselves in a situation where they could have stayed up but they have totally given up. You could almost say they have bottled it.
Crystal Palace were one point outside of the relegation zone after a run of one win in 11 games when Sam Allardyce took charge in December.
Victory over Hull ensures they are guaranteed a fifth straight season in the Premier League.
Palace have beaten Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in recent weeks but went into the Hull match on the back of three straight defeats.
"To come away with wins against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, it shows you how big a task it was," said Allardyce.
"We've done it with a game to go."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39915644
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Ian Poulter: Players Championship runner-up upbeat after 'toughest stretch' - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Ian Poulter savours his second-place finish at the Players Championship after a "miserable" period out injured.
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Last updated on .From the section Golf
Ian Poulter is looking forward to planning a "very long schedule" after overcoming injury problems in "the toughest stretch" of his career.
Poulter, 41, was runner-up at the Players Championship on Sunday, his best finish since November 2014.
The Englishman, once fifth in the world rankings, missed four months last year with a foot injury and says even now he is only operating at "75%".
"It's been miserable, really hard - but we're getting there," he told the BBC.
Poulter's injury problems caused him to drop out of the top 200 and ended a run of five consecutive Ryder Cup appearances, in which he won 14 points from 18 matches.
Having secured a medical exemption to play on the PGA Tour, he missed the cut in his first two events back and feared he had lost his card last month after failing to gain the requisite earnings in the allotted time frame.
However, the PGA Tour decided its rules "unintentionally made it more difficult" for injured players and Poulter was allowed to continue for the rest of this season.
At the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass - often referred to as the unofficial fifth major of the year - Poulter was in contention for a first PGA Tour victory since 2012, but finished three shots behind winner Kim Si-woo, the event's youngest champion.
"It has been miserable, there's no other way to explain it," Poulter told BBC Sport.
"When you're taking a break for several months, when your world ranking plummets, when you miss Ryder Cups, when you find yourself in a position chasing down to try and keep your tour card.
"It's obviously been the toughest stretch of my career. We're still working through some things to try and be 100% there. I think I'm at 75%.
"I can now plan a very long schedule and work out exactly what I'm doing.
"I'm going to have a nice summer with the kids in the UK. I think I'll be playing a lot in the UK this summer."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/39919147
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White Hart Lane: Tottenham immediately begin stadium redevelopment - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Redevelopment of White Hart Lane begins less than 24 hours after Tottenham said an emotional farewell to their home of the past 118 years.
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Redevelopment of White Hart Lane starts less than 24 hours after Tottenham said an emotional farewell to their home of the past 118 years with a 2-1 win over Manchester United.
They plan to have a new 61,000-seater stadium, built on the same site, ready for the 2018-19 season.
In the meantime, the club will play home games at Wembley, which they have used in the Champions League and Europa League this season.
The new stadium is expected to cost £750m but will create about 3,500 jobs in the area when it is finished, according to the club.
READ MORE: 'The heavens are shedding a tear' - White Hart Lane memories
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39920354
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Ben Johnson: Advert featuring disgraced ex-sprinter criticised - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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An advert featuring disgraced ex-sprinter Ben Johnson is criticised for "making light of the use of performance-enhancing drugs".
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Last updated on .From the section Athletics
A television advert featuring disgraced ex-sprinter Ben Johnson has been criticised by Australia's anti-doping authority for "making light of the use of performance-enhancing drugs".
Canadian Johnson was stripped of 100m Olympic gold from Seoul 1988 after testing positive for a banned steroid.
In the advert, he says a betting firm's mobile phone app "tested positive for speed and power again and again".
The company has defended the advert and says it will not be pulled.
There are several doping puns used in the advert, including claims the app is "a hit with performance-enhancement experts all over the world".
Australia's federal sports minister, Greg Hunt, said the use of Johnson was "utterly inappropriate", while independent senator Nick Xenophon wants the country's media watchdog, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, to take action.
"It is just wrong on so many levels - glorifying a drugs cheat, tying it in with gambling and promoting it to kids in a light-hearted way," said Xenophon.
A statement from Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority said the advert "does not condone the message sent in this advertisement".
It added: "This advert makes light of the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport and sends the completely wrong message that the use of drugs in sport is normal.
"This advertising campaign belittles the achievements of clean athletes and denigrates those who work to protect clean sport across the world."
A spokesperson from the betting firm, Sportsbet, told News Ltd media it did not "condone the use of performance-enhancing drugs" but made "no apologies for injecting some humour into advertising".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/39921658
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Andy Murray at 30: Time running out or plenty more to come? - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Not many Grand Slams are won by players in their 30s - as Andy Murray enters his fourth decade, Russell Fuller discusses what the future holds.
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Andy Murray, who turns 30 on Monday, says he is "not massively into birthdays".
And that may be no bad thing given the difficulty players have found in winning Grand Slams in their thirties.
Only four men have managed to do so this century: Pete Sampras at the US Open of 2002; Andre Agassi, twice in three years, at the Australian Open; Stan Wawrinka at the 2015 French Open and last year's US Open; and Roger Federer, who won his 7th Wimbledon title at the age of 30 and then so memorably walked away with this year's Australian Open at the age of 35.
The incomparable Serena Williams has won 10 in her 30s, but women too have traditionally struggled to make an impact in their fourth decade.
Since the start of tennis' Open Era in 1968, just 10% of Grand Slam titles have been won by players over the age of 30. It is a percentage I think likely to increase over the next couple of years, as Murray's principal rivals remain the other members of the top five, who have triumphed in all bar two of the Grand Slams contested since the French Open of 2005.
And with the exception of Novak Djokovic, who is seven days younger than Murray, Federer, Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal are all further advanced in years.
My sense is that Murray's motivation and desire remain strong - even though he has already won three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, the Davis Cup and been world number one, and has a wife and young daughter with whom he would love to spend more time.
With the exception of a bout of shingles and an elbow injury, which have contributed to a 2017 season which is yet to get out of first gear, Murray has been predominantly fit and healthy since undergoing successful keyhole back surgery in September 2013.
The physical nature of his style, and the reliance on exceptional defensive skills which have broken the spirit of so many opponents, will in time take their toll on his body. So while I am not putting money on him to win the 2023 Australian Open at the age of 35, I do think his prospects remain bright for at least the next two years.
Murray himself speaks openly about the prospect of remaining on tour, and thus remaining competitive, for a good few years yet. Although there may be times when his wife and team need to confiscate his racquet and balls and force him to switch off and relax - which may prove easier said than done.
Winning a Grand Slam title will remain incredibly challenging: just witness what Federer is still able to do at 35, and what a threat Nadal proved on hard courts even before there was a sniff of clay in his nostrils.
Wawrinka is likely to remain a major threat in a Slam if, having survived the first week, he hits his straps in the second, and it would be very unwise to rule Djokovic out of the equation even though he has been far from his best for 10 months now.
The 25-30 age group is headed by Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin and two US Open champions in Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic.
Raonic and Del Potro seem most likely to pose a threat to the established order if they can steer clear of injury, but all of the above have had to soak up a lot of punishment from those serial Grand Slam winners over the years.
Which leaves the under-25s, who are an emerging threat. Dominic Thiem looks a French Open champion in the making: the 23-year-old is at a career high ranking of seven after finishing runner-up to Nadal in both Barcelona and Madrid.
France's Lucas Pouille beat Del Potro and Nadal en route to the quarter-finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open last year. Alex Zverev, at 20 and a career high ranking of 17, has won his first three titles in the past eight months.
And then there is Nick Kyrgios, who is yet to present evidence he can keep it together to win seven matches over a two-week Grand Slam, but has been far more consistent this year and beat Djokovic twice in the space of two weeks in Acapulco and Indian Wells.
So the threat to Murray from the next generation should not be underestimated. Thirty is a significant landmark in many people's lives, but the world number one says he expects to be relaxed about it as he spends the day practising at the Foro Italico before this week's Rome Masters.
Find out how to get into tennis in our special guide.
"I think the last time I was at home on my birthday and around my friends and family was when I was 13 or 14," Murray told BBC Sport.
"I didn't even know what day [of the week] it was until I was told [last week]. Maybe on the day that will be a little bit different.
"A lot of people put huge emphasis on birthdays and I am sure it will be chatted about a lot, but I haven't thought about it too much."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39883786
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Venezuela protest victim's parents speak of ordeal - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The parents of Juan Pablo Pernalete speak of his death during Venezuela's protest-related violence.
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Latin America & Caribbean
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Juan Pablo Pernalete was one of dozens of people who have been killed in protest-related violence in Venezuela since a wave of anti-government marches started at the beginning of April. Here, his parents recall the day he died.
"He was always a dreamer," says Elvira Llovera of her son.
In his bedroom at the family home in Caracas, a list of his life goals is pinned to the inside of a closet where the 20 year old's basketball shirt still hangs.
Elvira reads it out: "I want to play for the NBA; I want to be successful and become a multi-millionaire; I want to be the best player in the whole world; I want world peace; I want to be tall; I want to grow to 1.96m; I want to get to know God well; I wish for my friends, and above all for my family, to be healthy."
His father, José Gregorio, says his son's bedroom is as he left it
Juan Pablo had done well for himself, he had won a basketball scholarship to the prestigious private Unimet university in Caracas, where he was studying accountancy.
But he wanted everyone to have the same opportunity to do well for themselves, Elvira explains.
But as the economic and political crisis in Venezuela worsened, Juan Pablo saw a lot of his friends forced to leave for other countries, seeking opportunities abroad.
As the food shortages became more acute, he would pick the fruit from the large mango tree in his parents' courtyard.
The family mango tree besides a full-size basketball hoop and a tiny one that Juan Pablo played with as a child
"He put them in carrier bags and left them in strategic places in the streets so that those going hungry could pick them up," Elvira recalls.
In the mornings, Juan Pablo would attend classes and train at the leafy and prosperous Unimet campus.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Andrés Toth speaks about his friend who died after attending one of Venezuela's protests
In the afternoons, he would go to play basketball in the "barrios", as the informal hillside neighbourhoods are known.
There, he saw for himself some of the extreme poverty in which people live.
Elvira was, therefore, not surprised when Juan Pablo told her he wanted to change things in Venezuela and started attending anti-government marches.
"I begged him not to go, I told him the security forces were cracking down on protesters, but he said he wanted an opportunity to express himself and to fight for his dreams," she says.
Juan Pablo's father, José Gregorio Pernalete, adds: "He didn't belong to any party, he just wanted a better country for all."
His talent as a basketball player had won Juan Pablo (first from right) a scholarship to a private university
"He was an idealist, he set his dreams so high," Elvira says.
On 26 April, Juan Pablo attended an anti-government protest in the Altamira district of Caracas.
His friend Andrés Toth, with whom he had trained in the gym earlier in the day, was also there, as were many of their friends.
His parents had just returned home from hunting round pharmacies for José Gregorio's high-blood pressure medication when they got a call from a friend.
"'There's word on the streets that Juan Pablo has been injured, he's been taken to Salud Chacao hospital," the friend told Elvira.
Juan Pablo's dream was to play in the NBA
Elvira and José Gregorio jumped into their car, but the protest meant that roads on the way to the hospital were gridlocked.
Desperate, Elvira jumped out of the car and flagged down a young motorcyclist weaving through the traffic.
"I told him my son was injured and had been taken to Salud Chacao and if he could drop me somewhere nearby."
"He said 'No way, lady, I'm taking you all the way there!'"
At the hospital, the local mayor was waiting for Elvira. He told her: "You have to be strong, your son is dead."
Elvira says she feels as if she has died inside since she heard the news
Elvira does not remember much about the minutes which followed.
Somehow, she called her husband and told him.
José Gregorio, still behind the wheel of his car, lost all control, he says.
"I couldn't see for the tears, I was screaming, I was banging my hands on the steering wheel."
A random passer-by got him out of the driving seat and into the passenger seat and took the keys off him.
José Gregorio and his wife were planning to sell their house and set up a business for their son once he graduated
"I remember he told me I was in no fit state to drive, and that he would drive me to Salud Chacao," says José Gregorio.
According to the forensic report, Juan Pablo died of cardiogenic shock caused by trauma to his chest.
Various people who attended the march said that the National Guard was firing tear gas canisters in the direction of the protesters, and that instead of aiming them high above the protesters' heads, they were shooting at them.
Juan Pablo may not have measured the 1.96m he had dreamed of, but at 1.86m, he was tall and he was hit by something which caused his heart to stop pumping enough blood needed to meet his body's needs.
Juan Pablo had saved seven dogs off the streets but his latest rescue was a black cat he named Richard Parker
The official investigation into what happened that 26 April in Altamira is still under way.
At this point, José Gregorio and Elvira know only one thing for certain, and that is that they do not want any other family to have to live through what they experienced.
"When I see the lads in the barrios that he played basketball with, I see the same look in their eyes that I saw in my son, the same aspirations, there is so much talent here. Please don't let that be wasted like my son's was," Elvira says.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39885943
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Chelsea: How Antonio Conte can sustain success at Stamford Bridge - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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BBC pundits Ruud Gullit, Pat Nevin, Chris Sutton, Graeme Le Saux and Mark Schwarzer explain how Antonio Conte can take Chelsea to the next level.
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Antonio Conte is enjoying a spectacular first season as Chelsea manager, but can he follow it up by bringing sustained success to Stamford Bridge?
The 47-year-old Italian has the Premier League title in the bag, could soon get his hands on the FA Cup as well - and his side will compete in next season's Champions League.
He says this is only the start for his Blues team, but where do they go from here and how will he do it?
Former Chelsea players Ruud Gullit, Pat Nevin, Chris Sutton, Graeme le Saux and Mark Schwarzer tell BBC Sport what they think could happen next.
Will Conte stay? 'I would be stunned if he left now'
Ruud Gullit (former Chelsea player and manager 1995-98): "From a football point of view, of course he will stay. His next challenge is to win the Champions League and he can do that with Chelsea.
"If he feels he has a team that can win it, why would he leave in order to start all over again somewhere else?
"It is different if it is a decision about his family. His personal life is important as well.
"If his family are not in London, it is a little bit odd because I think it is the best city in the world, so why are they not coming?
"It is understandable if people are very attached to their own customs, however. And, if his family want to be in Italy, then it is an easy choice for him to make."
Pat Nevin (played more than 250 games for Chelsea 1983-88): "After spending a couple of hours talking to Antonio a few weeks ago, I would be stunned if he left.
"It would have to be an unbelievably spectacular offer to take him away from Chelsea and the only thing that usually means managers move on from positions like that is that they don't have the level of control they want.
"I don't think his own finances are a big deal for the guy and he told me he is enjoying London now.
"The other thing to consider is that when you stand at Stamford Bridge and you hear the fans singing 'Antonio, Antonio' then you realise the adoration he has got from everyone. That is hard to walk away from."
Chris Sutton (broke Chelsea's transfer record when he joined for £10m in 1999): "The only way I see Conte leaving is if he does not get the players in he wants this summer.
"I don't think he will prioritise the Champions League because he will want to win everything, but I expect him to go really hard at it."
Conte won three successive Serie A titles with Juventus between 2012 and 2014 but his Champions League record is less impressive - Juve lost 4-0 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals in 2012-13 and failed to get out of the group stage the following season.
Graeme le Saux (made more than 300 appearances for Chelsea in two spells 1987-1993 and 1997-2003): "Any success going forward depends on the personnel and if they can retain the quality players they have got.
"Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante are both 26, and they are young enough to make Chelsea a force going forwards.
"Diego Costa has been linked with a move to China, but it is important for Chelsea they keep this group of players together.
"If they do that, I think they will go into the next season as favourites to win the Premier League again."
Mark Schwarzer (part of the Chelsea squad that won the Premier League in 2014-15): "The potential is there for back-to-back titles, and Chelsea can win the Champions League too.
"There are players in that squad who have played in a number of Champions League games and been successful in that competition.
"Conte is very good at winning domestic competitions. Clubs like Chelsea, their number one priority is to win the Premier League and then look beyond that to try and win the big one, the Champions League.
"With the right additions, and a little bit of time, Chelsea can really challenge for that title but next season it is going to be a huge burden on them.
"We don't know how they will deal with the physical and mental side of having more games to play and less time to recover."
Pat Nevin: "Conte has over-achieved domestically this season but, even so, the Champions League is a big jump - look at the lack of success by English teams in recent years.
"If he got Chelsea out of the group stage and into the latter stages that would be a success in his first season with the club in the Champions League.
"But that is predicated by one very important thing - who is he going to get in, and who will leave in the summer?"
Lukaku in? 'Conte needs four or five really quality signings'
Pat Nevin: "With the current group, he cannot do next year what he has done this season. There is just not enough numbers there."
Chris Sutton: "Conte is clearly not big on rotation but he still had to change the make-up of his team around at times this season.
"He is fortunate he has got a lot of intelligent footballers who can play in numerous positions, but next season he will need more strength in depth and that means four or five really quality signings.
"Wing-backs would one of the areas where Conte will think he needs more cover and, whether Costa stays or goes, there is lots of talk about Everton striker Romelu Lukaku coming back to the club.
"He likes to play between the two centre-halves and is not going to come deep to get the ball but, if he joins, I can see him being very successful playing that Costa role."
Ruud Gullit: "John Terry is definitely leaving so they need someone in defence who can take David Luiz's position if something happens to him.
"But in every area they do not want a situation where they are depending too much on one player.
"Even when you have success, you need to change little things to keep people on their toes - look at what happened to Jose Mourinho after winning the title in 2015 - all of a sudden they went from champions to nothing."
Pat Nevin: "Conte will want a bit more strength and power in midfield - but if he can keep Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Willian then he does not need any more creativity.
"The biggest question is at centre-forward. I watched Michy Batshuayi when he was playing in France and he is a real player, a goalscorer - someone who will do very well. I don't know if it will be at Chelsea though.
"Considering I believe that Conte wants to play two up front, he might want to go for a different type of centre-forward.
"As well as Lukaku, Alvaro Morata has been talked about. What has impressed me most about Conte, though, is he does things you do not expect - those are the names we are thinking about, but he might know about someone completely different."
Chris Sutton: "Conte is not going to take his foot off the gas, if anything he will put his foot down harder. If any youth players get a game, it will not be down to him doing them a favour.
"Tammy Abraham has got something about him, and it will be interesting to see if he gets a chance. Ultimately, though, things have not changed since my day so it will be down to him - he will have to show what he can do in pre-season and hope it is enough."
Pat Nevin: "Chelsea fans will tell you we have got these good young kids and they will come in and make it.
"Really? Hopefully they will, and it would be the perfect situation if they did but people make the mistake of thinking the jump from the under-21s to Chelsea's first team is one step - it's not, it is about 47 steps.
"Abraham is going to be a great player, and he is coming back to the club for next season, but I would be shocked if all Chelsea did was stick with what they have got, and drafted more youth players in."
Costa out? 'If he wants to leave, then let him'
Graeme le Saux: "When you look at the balance and blend that Chelsea have you think it would be a shame to lose any of those players as they are all playing so well and understand their role perfectly."
Mark Schwarzer: "You could argue all of them would be hard to replace but Kante and Hazard probably stand out.
"Leicester tried to replace Kante and failed miserably. Yes, Chelsea are on a different level to Leicester but it would still be a huge void to fill.
"As for Hazard, he is an incredible talent. You just don't know what you are going to get from him - his ability to score goals and assist is quite remarkable."
Ruud Gullit: "Even when Costa has not been scoring goals, he still does an important job for the team. He is an example of someone they have depended on too much - he is up there with Hazard as one of their most influential players.
"But if Costa feels he wants to leave because he want a different challenge, then let him go. If that's his state of mind, it is better to sell him."
Chris Sutton: "Cesc Fabregas only has a year left on his contract and has not played as much as many of their players, but he will get more games next year.
"Arguably the biggest challenge for Conte was keeping him happy this season, but he has had that kind of harmony with his entire squad."
'Conte is adaptable, pragmatic - and not frightened to change'
Conte began the season using a 4-1-4-1 formation but switched to a 3-4-3 formation during their 3-0 defeat by Arsenal on 24 September. They started a game playing that way for the first time in their win against Hull on 1 October and went on to win 13 straight league matches.
Pat Nevin: "I suspect Conte will be using different systems, systems that will suit Fabregas a bit better.
"You think of the way Conte's Juventus team played with Andrea Pirlo, and that would suit Fabregas absolutely.
"People said he was a 3-4-3 man when he arrived at Chelsea but that was never the case. If you look back, he often played with four at the back and very frequently with two up front.
"He has already started to show he can change things around, when he left Costa and Hazard on the bench for the FA Cup semi-final. So the sort of thing he will need to do next season is already happening now.
Chris Sutton: "He changed things once, at the start of last season after some bad results.
"He seems an adaptable, pragmatic manager and I don't think he is frightened to change. You would not rule out him returning to four at the back if he sees fit.
"I don't think he is going to slacken off, though. Yes, he works the players hard in training but when you are successful it makes that treatment easier to accept."
'I don't think we have seen 50% of his capabilities yet'
The last time Chelsea were champions was 2014-15, and they finished 10th the following season. No team has retained their Premier League title since Manchester United won it in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Graeme le Saux: "It bodes well for Chelsea that they now have a culture of achieving and setting very high standards for themselves and each other. The players clearly love playing for Conte and giving him everything as well.
"You would like to think all those values he is building at the club would hold the team in good stead going forward. I hope their success this year means there is some continuity there."
Pat Nevin: "Financially, Chelsea are in a great position. Obviously they are already very wealthy but it is almost forgotten they got £60m for Oscar in January and they have not spent that.
"So Conte will have an enormous amount to spend in the summer and the other thing he has got in his favour is that he is young for a manager - he turns 48 in July. So the passion, the hunger that he has, it is natural - and he is still on the upward curve.
"I don't think we have seen 50% of his capabilities yet and I am dead keen to see him up against Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, who will both be stronger next year."
Ruud Gullit: "Even if Conte does lose some of his players, the structure of his team is already there and he can build from the back.
"There are five teams challenging for the title in England but Conte does not have to start from scratch this time.
"It is just a question now of what he can add for next season and, after his first year in England, he will also have learned a lot."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39891077
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Fernando Alonso's Indy 500 odyssey begins here - what can he expect? - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Intimidated? No chance. But Fernando Alonso's Indy 500 odyssey will provide a challenge like no other, writes Andrew Benson.
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Fernando Alonso says he is "very excited" about his Indy 500 odyssey - and he is not alone.
The two-time F1 champion flew straight from Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix to America to start his attempt to win the Indianapolis 500 on 28 May.
Some measure of the impact his decision has had comes from the fact that more than two million people watched Alonso's first test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this month.
Yes, two million people. Watching a webcast of a single car going around a circuit with four left-hand turns.
For Alonso, who is missing the Monaco Grand Prix to race at Indy, this is the next step to trying to win the 'triple crown' of motor racing's three blue-riband events.
Only one man, Graham Hill, has so far triumphed in Monaco - where Alonso has already won twice - at Indy and in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
And it is a rare chance to taste success at a time when his F1 career is becalmed by poor machinery.
At Indy, Alonso will have a car with which he can win, branded for his McLaren F1 team, run by the elite Andretti Autosport outfit and powered by a Honda engine - which, unlike the one in Alonso's F1 car, is absolutely competitive.
Few would question Lewis Hamilton's assessment that Alonso will be "the best driver in the paddock" at Indy. Less certain is whether he can adapt quickly enough to racing on a high-speed oval.
"He just won't have the time," Hamilton says. "It will be interesting to see how he fares against the drivers who have all this experience."
This is not just any racing driver. Alonso is an exceptional talent.
But he has never raced on an oval before, and is facing highly skilled rivals who have been doing it for years.
So what is Alonso up against, and what makes winning at Indy so difficult?
The Indy 500 is 200 laps of a 2.5-mile 'superspeedway' with four left-hand turns banked at an angle of nine degrees, all of which look identical but have their own subtleties.
There are no run-off areas - the track edge is a wall. Average lap speeds top 230mph in qualifying.
It is, needless to say, extremely dangerous, even if safety has been improved in recent years by replacing concrete walls with impact-absorbing barriers in the corners.
All teams use a spec Dallara chassis but there are two engine manufacturers - Honda and Chevrolet - and each can develop its own aerodynamics.
Although the cars are more rudimentary than F1 machinery, there is a level of complexity of set-up on an oval that Alonso has not experienced before.
'Between runs, he sat in the car, his face calm, no wide eyes'
Can Alonso adapt to the challenges of Indianapolis?
The beginnings of an answer were provided by his first run at Indy in early May, which also comprised the mandatory 'rookie test' all drivers new to Indy have to complete.
He was alone on track but it provided compelling viewing. Not only for the fly-on-the-wall nature of the coverage - cameras eavesdropped on Alonso's conversations with his engineers in a way never allowed in F1 - but also for the way he dealt with the day.
The rookie test required a driver to run a series of laps at pre-determined speeds - 10 laps in the range of 205-210mph, 15 at 210-215mph, 15 at 215-220mph. That's a total of 40 laps for the test. Alonso completed it in just 50, including those on which he exited or returned to the pits.
This is not hugely remarkable for a driver of his ability. But there were some eye-opening aspects to the day.
At one point, Alonso was told over the radio that he had completed the 210-215mph phase and could go straight onto the next one. His very next lap was 219.495mph.
The 215-220mph phase completed, he was straight into the high 221mph range, topping out at 222.548mph. "That's a race pace right there," said a watching Mario Andretti, 1978 F1 world champion and 1969 Indy 500 winner.
There was hardly any sense of Alonso playing himself in. He exuded control, as if he did it every day.
If he was feeling intimidated by the speeds involved, there was not a hint of it. Between runs, he sat in the car, his face calm, no wide eyes, no apparent trepidation at all.
Even to an experienced observer, this was extraordinary.
Scot Dario Franchitti, a three-time Indy 500 winner, said he was "amazed".
"I thought he got up to speed incredibly quickly," he added.
Alonso had arranged for timing data from a 210mph lap to be put on the steering wheel display screen, and calculated what would be the lap-time difference for the increased speeds.
But when I asked 2003 Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran how Alonso judged it so finely, he made it clear it was a long way from normal.
"The guy has enormous feel. Huge," said De Ferran, who is acting as Alonso's mentor at Indy.
"Obviously Fernando is extremely gifted, and I have now also learned that he is highly intelligent, has a great attitude and a great work ethic."
Alonso described his first test as "fun", and did admit to one moment when the speed and the walls got to him.
"The team at one point said: 'You are done with the limitations, so run free as you feel,'" Alonso said.
"I knew Marco [Andretti, who set the car up for Alonso] was flat in Turn One and I said [to myself] I will do it flat out.
"I was convinced 100% I was going flat out but the foot was not going flat out; it had its own life. The second or third lap I was able to do it, but the first lap was a good moment to feel the place, the car.
"The speed is something. For any racing driver, it is just pure adrenaline. It was a good day."
Intimidated, Alonso clearly is not. But he is aware that winning at Indy involves more than just being fast and brave - and that running in traffic in excess of 230mph and working out how to optimise the car are things he has to learn fast.
What does he have to learn?
Alonso has already impressed the Andretti team with his application and his understanding of the differences between what Americans call road racing and oval racing. But the task ahead of him is huge nonetheless.
There are so many differences between F1 and the Indy 500 that it is hard to know where to start.
The speed is one thing - there is not a corner on an F1 circuit anywhere in the world that is taken as fast as the average lap speed Alonso will be doing in the race at Indy, let alone qualifying.
Whereas an F1 team is not allowed to change the car between qualifying and race, Indy requires two different set-ups for each.
And then there is the complexity of how the cars work on an oval track.
A driver has to turn right to go in a straight line because the cars are designed only to turn left and set up asymmetrically. The idiosyncrasies of oval racing mean that adjustments for handling balance are made not only to the front and rear but also diagonally across the car.
Drivers can change this while out on track with something called a 'weight-jacker' - a kind of diagonal pitch control, which De Ferran says "changes the balance of the car tremendously".
"In a way, you have twice as many variables," De Ferran adds, "and [you have to work out] how does that interact with your driving.
"There are a lot of peculiarities for someone who has never done ovals."
'Like driving on ice at 230mph'
Alonso has five days of practice this week, with six hours of running on each as long as the weather stays fine - IndyCars do not run in the rain on ovals - before qualifying over two days on the weekend of 20-21 May.
In that time, he will have to learn the car, come up with set-ups for qualifying and race, learn how to adjust the car on track for changing conditions and come to terms with running in traffic at more than 220mph.
"Qualifying and the race are very different," De Ferran says. "Qualifying at Indy quite frankly is one of the most difficult things I have ever done in a racing car."
A lap of Indianapolis is supposed to be "flat" - the driver never lifts his foot off the accelerator. But it is a long way from easy. The driver is absolutely on the edge, the car in a controlled slide or 'drift', all the time.
The car is 'trimmed out' to have as little downforce as the driver feels he get can get away with - because downforce equals drag and drag slows you down on the straights - while going as fast as possible in the corners.
The result, De Ferran says, is "the car feels like you are driving on an ice road at 230mph. It is very, very little grip and very, very little margin".
The grid is set over two days. Saturday's running fundamentally defines the nine drivers who can compete for pole on the Sunday - the so-called 'Fast Nine'. The remaining 24 also compete for grid slots on the Sunday, but the best they can be is 10th, no matter what time they set. Positions are defined by speed over a four-lap run and the drivers take it in turns to go out.
"One of the unfortunate things sometimes about TV is you can't see how on-the-edge the whole thing is," De Ferran says.
"It may look from TV that the guy is just going round and round and it looks easy, but you ask any driver where they have to do a lot of runs in qualifying trim, they are like, 'Oh my God, this is so stressful. I don't want to do that many runs in qualifying trim. I'm done. Once is enough.' And now they have to do it at least twice and that's difficult.
"You are literally looking for a few centimetres here and there to make a difference. If the tyres go off, if they are degrading a little bit too much because you are sliding a little bit too much, come the fourth lap you are in trouble.
"It is an adventure like you have no idea."
For the 500 itself, there is a "completely different set of problems," De Ferran explains.
The driver still wants to be running as little downforce as possible because, as De Ferran puts it, "the less downforce you can run, the quicker you will go".
But he has to run more than in qualifying because of the problems created by racing in the vicinity of 32 other cars. Traffic messes up the behaviour of the car.
"That's one of the big difficulties - how much downforce do you add?" De Ferran says. "Because the more you add, the more you slow down. Alone. In perfect conditions.
"Now you have to do 30 laps [in a stint] instead of four. And you have to take tyre degradation and traffic into account.
"It may be traffic from a line of cars, from one car, and when you are in traffic you lose downforce and the car starts sliding like mad and then you can't go forward.
"The mindset from a set-up perspective for the race is quite different than in qualifying."
A driver may want his car to behave differently in the race so it is less on-a-knife-edge than he can get away with for four laps of qualifying.
"Balance-wise you may not want the car to be quite as neutral," says De Ferran. This usually means giving it just a little understeer so the front is not quite as grippy as before, which is a safer balance in the race than oversteer, where the rear wants to come around on the driver.
But too much understeer - or 'push', as it is known in America - is also bad, De Ferran says.
"When you get in traffic typically you not only you lose grip but you also gain understeer, so it's a very complex equation."
Finally, because the race is 500 miles, on a high-speed oval with no run-off area, accidents are inevitable, and with them come caution periods - or 'yellows' - when the cars are held behind a pace car.
Getting it right or wrong when the race goes green again can determine whether you win - as Nigel Mansell found to his cost when he lost the lead on a restart in 1993.
One of Alonso's great qualities in F1 has always been his adaptability - his biggest strength among many is arguably his ability to drive the car to its maximum no matter how it is behaving.
De Ferran says drivers are "a bit more limited" in being able to drive around problems on an oval, but this skill "always helps because the car is changing all the time really - the tyres are degrading, the fuel level is changing, on an oval you have this traffic to deal with".
He adds: "It is never this beautiful constant thing that you keep perfecting. The track is changing and you have to learn how to adapt to that. It is one of his skills that he scores very highly at."
What do Alonso's rivals think about it?
De Ferran has been a long-time admirer of Alonso - since watching trackside at the 2001 Brazilian Grand Prix, when the Spaniard was in his first season with Minardi.
"I didn't even know who he was, but I was watching on a corner," the 49-year-old recalls. "The car was three seconds off but I was thinking: 'Hmmm. Who is that?'"
He was approached to be Alonso's mentor for his Indy adventure over the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
"When they first asked me, that was very emotional. It was, like, 'Wow.'
"You think: 'Jesus, it is one of the best drivers I have ever seen, a great champion.'"
Former IndyCar driver Bryan Herta said at Alonso's rookie test: "He's going to be a pretty formidable competitor. He's got everyone's attention already."
De Ferran says: "I think most people are super-happy he has elected to come and do the Indy 500, primarily because Fernando commands a huge amount of respect.
"When I retired, someone asked what was one of your biggest frustrations, and I said I never really went head-to-head with Michael Schumacher and it was something I wanted to do.
"A lot of people see Fernando as I saw Michael and having the opportunity to race against a guy like that in similar equipment and so on is unique."
Can he win it?
Veteran Helio Castroneves said adapting to Indy racing would be "no problem" for Alonso. And four-time IndyCar champion and 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon said Alonso had a "great shot" at winning.
De Ferran says: "He has the skill, the experience, the knowledge, the emotional control to be a true contender in Indianapolis but there are so many things that have to come right on that one day for you to win.
"Let me put it this way, Mario Andretti tried God knows how long to win it for a second time and he only won it in '69. Scott Dixon, who frankly is supremely talented, won it only once.
"It's unbelievable. Yes, in the car you control a lot of levers but definitely not all of them. And there are some levers that not even the team controls.
"You have a bad pit stop and it happens to be the last one and you are in trouble. You may be dominating the whole race, but there's a strategy call, or a yellow that falls just at the wrong time, and you may be in trouble again. Or a mechanical failure.
"You make a bad decision in the car, once, and it happens to be at a crucial time, and you were in a position to win and now you're not."
He uses as an example Alex Rossi, who drove five races for back-of-the-grid F1 team Manor in 2015, but won Indy at his first attempt last year, after gambling on not stopping for fuel after a late-race caution period.
De Ferran says: "If the yellow ended one lap sooner than it did, Rossi would not only not have won the race, he would not even have finished because he would have run out of fuel. That is one clear example between hero and zero that is completely beyond the control of the driver."
And what does Alonso himself think?
"First, I want to enjoy the experience," he says. "Everyone keeps telling me how big the event is. So my first target is to go there and live that moment. For any racing driver it must feel a privilege to race there.
"After that there is always a small percentage that you can win, because there are many factors there, it is not only about the pace.
"Probably my chance to win is a little lower than some of my competitors because I am lacking experience, but I have a lot of joy and commitment to learn as much as I can so it will be fun.
"But after that, when you close the visor you don't like it when you are are second. It's the same in any sport. We are all competitive and we want to do the best we can."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39903699
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Lewis Hamilton wins spectacular Spanish Grand Prix - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes steal a stunning victory in the Spanish Grand Prix from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.
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Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes stole a stunning victory in the Spanish Grand Prix from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.
A clever strategic move by the team followed by Hamilton attacking and passing Vettel put the Briton in control and he defended successfully to the end.
Vettel had passed Hamilton off the start line to lead for the first half of the race but ended up out-flanked by their rivals.
Hamilton's second win of the season cut his deficit to Vettel in the championship to six points after five of 20 races.
Why was it such a great race?
It was a tense and gripping battle befitting the closeness of the fight between Formula 1's top teams this season.
Vettel took control of the race with a superb start, passing Hamilton into Turn One and building a 2.2-second lead with a blistering first lap.
When Ferrari beat Mercedes to making the first pit stop, preventing Hamilton passing by stopping earlier and benefiting from fresh tyres, the race appeared to be Vettel's to lose and Mercedes to win.
Mercedes switched strategies, putting Hamilton on a long middle stint on the slower medium tyre, the idea being to attack Vettel at the end of the race, when Hamilton would be on the soft tyre and the Ferrari on the medium.
They then bought themselves some time by delaying the first pit stop of Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas so he could hold up Vettel for a couple of laps.
Vettel's delay behind Bottas brought Hamilton's deficit to the Ferrari down by four seconds but the German limited the damage with a stunning passing move on the Finn into Turn One.
• None LISTEN: 'Like Mansell on Piquet back in the day'
Vettel dummied to the inside, then the outside, before diving down the inside, his wheels brushing the grass, to grasp the lead and apparently take another step towards victory.
The race turned during a period of the virtual safety car, when cars are forced to lap at controlled speeds while a car is cleared from a dangerous spot.
This was to remove Stoffel Vandoorne's McLaren, which went off at the first corner after a collision with Massa.
The VSC was in play for two laps and Mercedes waited until it was just about to end to pit Hamilton for a set of soft tyres.
The move was an inspired gamble with 30 laps still to go, a tough task on the soft tyre.
Ferrari responded to Mercedes by stopping Vettel for the final time a lap later and he rejoined from the pits as Hamilton pounded down the pit straight.
They went into the first corner side by side and Vettel forced Hamilton off the track at Turn One as he defended his lead.
Hamilton now had to pass Vettel on a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
He pressured Vettel hard for the next seven laps before getting close enough to try for a pass at the start of lap 44. Hamilton was close enough at the final corner to get the DRS overtaking aid and he swept by Vettel around the outside into Turn One.
Hamilton, who sounded breathless and anxious on the radio throughout the race, tensely asked his team what he needed to do in terms of building a gap while also protecting his tyres, and Ferrari briefly considered switching strategy to make an extra stop.
But he controlled his pace exquisitely to take his 55th win and almost certainly one of his best.
After helping Hamilton out, Bottas looked set for third place but he broke down with an engine failure on lap 39.
His retirement handed third place to Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, a huge 73 seconds behind Hamilton and Vettel.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen retired on the first lap after a collision at the first corner as they went three-abreast with Bottas.
Force India took fourth and fifth with Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon, with Renault's Nico Hulkenberg seventh.
Fernando Alonso had a dispiriting day 24 hours after thrilling his home fans and impressing the paddock with a stunning seventh place on the grid.
The McLaren driver dropped to 10th on the first lap when he was forced wide and off the track at the second corner by Williams' Felipe Massa and had to drive through the gravel to rejoin.
Alonso will fly overnight to America to start his assault on the Indianapolis 500, for which he is missing the next race in Monaco, where Jenson Button will come out of retirement to substitute for him.
What happens next?
Monaco, in two week's time. It's impossible to predict what will happen on the claustrophobic streets of Monaco in this see-saw battle between Mercedes and Ferrari.
Hamilton said earlier in the year he thought the shorter Ferrari might be more agile there, but the Mercedes was the fastest car through the tight final sector of Barcelona's lap so another close battle is almost certainly in store.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39914357
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Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester United - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane earn Tottenham victory over Manchester United in their final game at White Hart Lane.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane earned Tottenham victory over Manchester United in their final game at White Hart Lane.
Spurs plan to have their new stadium, built on the same site, ready for the 2018-19 campaign and will play their home matches at Wembley next season.
Mauricio Pochettino's side left their current ground, where they have spent 118 years, on a high by staying unbeaten there this season and securing second spot in the Premier League.
Wanyama got Spurs off to the best possible start with a header five minutes in and Kane doubled their lead early in the second half, flicking home from a Christian Eriksen free-kick.
Captain Wayne Rooney gave United hope of a recovery when he poked in from Anthony Martial's low cross, but they were unable to spoil the leaving party.
Defeat means Jose Mourinho's men cannot now finish in the top four.
They can still qualify for the Champions League if they win the Europa League, but Mourinho will have to settle for fifth or sixth place in his first season at the club.
Tottenham's title chances ended last week with their defeat by West Ham, and the trophy went to Chelsea on Friday.
With a Champions League place already guaranteed, Pochettino said their final home match was all about making it a special day for the fans.
The teams walked out to a display of flags around the ground, Spurs legends including Chris Waddle and Glenn Hoddle were invited as special guests, and local musical duo Chas and Dave provided half-time entertainment.
And the Tottenham players gave supporters a first-half performance to remember.
Ben Davies' sublime cross was headed home by Wanyama to give Spurs the early advantage, and they could have extended their lead before the break had goalkeeper David de Gea not denied Son Heung-min and Kane.
Five minutes into the second half, the hosts doubled their lead. Eriksen's free-kick curled into the path of Kane and he out-smarted defender Chris Smalling to poke home his first goal against United.
Spurs' performance dropped off after that, but they managed to hold on - despite Rooney's goal giving them a scare.
Will United go out on a high?
Four of Man United's five Premier League losses this season have been in games played on a Sunday immediately after a European match.
And just like the defeat by Arsenal last weekend, a much-changed Mourinho starting XI put in an average performance in north London.
Martial looked lively in attack but could only curl his best effort wide of the post in the first half.
The Frenchman instigated his side's goal by ghosting past Kieran Trippier before picking out Rooney, who tapped in from close range.
Substitute Marcus Rashford went close at the death, but it proved to be too little too late for the visitors.
United's focus is firmly on winning the Europa League title - they face Ajax on 24 May - and Mourinho said after Sunday's defeat: "The most important thing for us now is having one less match to play.
"We have only one match to play and that's not in the Premier League."
• None Tottenham recorded their 14th consecutive home win in league competition, equalling their club record previously set between January and October 1987.
• None Spurs have gone unbeaten at home for the first time in a league season since 1964-65
• None Mauricio Pochettino is the first Spurs manager to oversee consecutive home wins over Manchester United in the Premier League.
• None Man United suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time since September 2016 (against Manchester City and Watford).
Tottenham boss Pochettino said after his side's win: "The fans have been fantastic all season. They have helped us a lot during the whole season. It was fantastic, the team played to win.
"Of course we will miss it a lot because White Hart Lane is special but at the same time we welcome the new stadium."
Tottenham play Leicester City on Thursday at the King Power Stadium (19:45 BST), before ending the season at relegated Hull City (15:00 BST) on Sunday.
Manchester United travel to Southampton on Wednesday (19:45 BST), with their final league game coming at home against Crystal Palace (15:00 BST).
• None Offside, Manchester United. Michael Carrick tries a through ball, but Marcus Rashford is caught offside.
• None Attempt missed. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Michael Carrick with a through ball.
• None Offside, Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Kane tries a through ball, but Eric Dier is caught offside.
• None Attempt blocked. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Harry Kane.
• None Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Kyle Walker replaces Kieran Trippier because of an injury.
• None Delay over. They are ready to continue. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833969
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Players Championship: Kim Si-woo holds off Ian Poulter to become youngest winner - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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South Korean Kim Si-woo holds off Ian Poulter's challenge to become the youngest winner of the Players Championship.
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Last updated on .From the section Golf
South Korean Kim Si-woo produced a faultless round to become the youngest champion at the Players Championship.
Kim, 21, shot a three-under-par 69 on the final day at Sawgrass to finish on 10 under and replace Adam Scott as the youngest winner.
England's Ian Poulter was tied for the lead at one stage but finished three shots behind in a tie for second with Louis Oosthuizen after a 71.
Rafa Cabrera Bello and Kyle Stanley finished tied for fourth on six under.
• None How Kim held off Poulter and made Players history
After his victory in the Wyndham Championship last year, Kim is the fourth player in the last 25 years to win twice on the PGA Tour before the age of 22, following in the footsteps of Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia and Jordan Spieth.
Kim started the final round two shots behind overnight leaders JB Holmes and Stanley while Poulter, chasing a first victory since 2012 and a maiden strokeplay success in the United States, was three behind.
But with Holmes and Stanley failing to sustain their challenges in blustery conditions, Kim and Poulter both knocked in early birdies to share the lead.
Birdies on the seventh and ninth made the South Korean the first player to reach 10 under par this week and gave him a two-shot lead.
Poulter reduced the deficit to one but then, having gone 39 consecutive holes without a bogey, dropped a shot on the 12th.
The 41-year-old tried to put Kim under pressure but the putts would not drop and the leader remained agonisingly out of touch.
Kim saved par from tricky positions on both the 10th and 11th and safely negotiated the challenge of the water at the 17th with a bold tee shot and two composed putts.
After Poulter dropped a shot on the 18th, Kim went on to secure the biggest win of his fledging career with another par.
It has still been a remarkable week for Poulter, who three weeks ago thought he had lost his PGA Tour card after falling to 197th in the world rankings.
That was until fellow professional Brian Gay alerted officials to a discrepancy in the points structure used for players competing on major medical extensions.
The former world number five, who only played 13 tournaments in 2016 because of a foot injury, made the most of his reprieve and will climb back into the top 100 in the new rankings.
"From being in a position a couple of weeks ago where I wasn't here to finish tied second, it's a good week," Poulter told Sky Sports after his best finish since November 2014.
"It has been a tough 18 months. Today I felt like a couple of putts slid by, but I played well under pressure, barring that horrible second shot on the last.
"I've enjoyed it and hopefully this is just a stepping stone to pressing on for the rest of this year."
Analysis - Poulter has a platform to build on
It was a curious Players Championship in that none of the world's top 10 could fashion a top-10 finish, but it still produced its usual share of sporting drama.
Kim showed commendable composure down the stretch to become the youngest winner while Poulter will feel this was a victory despite his runner-up finish.
It has been a torrid time for the Englishman over the last 18 months but this week he showed he remains capable of excellent golf even with a relatively cold putter. Now he has a platform upon which to build for the rest of the year having returned to the world's top 100.
Spain's Cabrera Bello produced a spectacular finish to claim a tie for fourth with Stanley.
Cabrera Bello holed out from 181 yards for the first albatross in tournament history on the 16th, then followed that with another two on the 17th, before holing from 35 feet for par on the last after hooking his tee shot into the water.
But compatriot Sergio Garcia, who started the day well placed on five under, saw his hopes of adding the Players title to his Masters Green Jacket disappear on the outward nine.
He dropped six shots and made just one birdie to fall back to level par and two double bogeys and three birdies on the back nine meant he finished one over.
Further down the leaderboard, world number one Dustin Johnson finished outside the top three for just the third time this season in a tie for 12th.
The American followed rounds of 71, 73 and 74 with a closing 68.
Rory McIlroy's week came to a disappointing conclusion with a double-bogey six on the 18th in a closing 75.
The world number two from Northern Ireland finished two over par in a tie for 35th and is set to undergo an MRI scan later on Monday to determine the extent of an injury which hampered his efforts at Sawgrass.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/39916720
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Weapons in schools: 'I used anything I could get' - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Bali Rodgers carried weapons as an 11-year-old schoolgirl - but changed her life and now counsels troubled youngsters.
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UK
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Former offenders Bali and Lennox Rodgers now counsel schoolchildren facing exclusion from school
More children are getting caught carrying knives and makeshift weapons - including rolling pins and beer cans - police in England and Wales say. Here, one woman explains why she took weapons to school as a child.
"I used anything I could get my hands on," says Bali Rodgers, from Dartford in Kent, who had been arrested three times by the age of 11.
"I didn't take knives but used fists and other things," she says.
She recalls using a shiv - a type of improvised blade - to harm other pupils, and put pins in another girl's shoes.
"To think now about [what I did then] frightens the life out of me," she says. "I was in total denial at the time."
Mrs Rodgers finally changed her life after leaving school at 15 and ending up in a psychiatric ward by the age of 21. She now counsels schoolchildren who are on the verge of exclusion from school.
She says of her own childhood: "I didn't know any other way," she says. "I ended up hurting others, and myself."
The 49-year-old counsels children in Dartford, Maidstone, Hastings and south-east London, and says many of those she talks with are "extremely paranoid" that they will be attacked if they don't have a way of protecting themselves. This is particularly the case with those who have been bullied at some stage.
She believes pupils are now carrying a bigger variety of weapons - and at a younger age - than in previous school generations.
"They get their hands on a knife or some object and think 'I'll never use it but carry it just in case'," she says.
"I am working with one 14-year-old girl who doesn't fit in at school, but is carrying knives for her boyfriend. It's really sad."
A recent Freedom of Information request found an array of dangerous items - including swords, axes and air guns - were among the 2,579 weapons seized in schools in England and Wales in the two years to March 2017.
"You get the ones in gangs who brag, and see it as a bit of a fashion," she says.
"But it's the silent types who feel vulnerable, so they carry things."
She recalls that her own turbulent childhood - with an alcoholic father and being racially bullied - made her "constantly violent" at school.
"My dad used to threaten me, I was petrified of him," she says.
She ran away from home at 15 but a decade later was taken in by a family in Kent who helped her turn her life around as a young adult.
"They were a couple, who were missionaries in Africa, and they helped me get a whole new understanding of family, respect, values."
She says that living in a stable home helped her learn that her anger was out of control.
"That's what's missing for many kids," she says. "If there's no-one at home to talk to, you don't learn to respect teachers or how to control your rage."
Mrs Rodgers says teachers are "under more pressure than ever" and may be unable to deal with pupils who have complex issues at home.
In an unusual incident three years ago, teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death at her school in Leeds by a teenage pupil.
Will Cornick, who was 15 at the time of the murder, later said he had gone to class that day in "a red mist, not conscious of his surroundings".
Mrs Rodgers now runs a charity, Refocus, with her husband Lennox, who himself carried a knife when he was a teenager.
Organisations Foundation4Life and UserVoice offer a similar service, by using ex-offenders to speak to young people at risk of turning to crime.
"Unlike with teachers and parents, these kids open up to us," she says. "I will tell them a little bit about my story if they share a bit of their story."
For husband Lennox, who co-founded the charity in 2004, he thought when he was younger that carrying a knife "gave me a sense of power".
He carried weapons after being bullied for being black when growing up in Oxford.
After leaving school, he was involved in gangs and spent two decades in and out of prison.
Mrs Rodgers says that young people hang on to every word her 54-year-old husband says when he is talking about his life, but insists that his stories do not glamorise the carrying of weapons.
"They do think he's cool - but also listen to the dark side of his story - that if you deliberately put yourself on a route of violence you don't succeed and end up in serious trouble," she says.
"I'm hoping we turned some bad into good."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39907769
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David Warner: Australia vice-captain has concerns over contract dispute - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Australia's Ashes series against England could be in doubt because of a players' contract dispute, says vice-captain David Warner.
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Australia's Ashes series against England in November could be in doubt because of a players' contract dispute, says vice-captain David Warner.
In March, Cricket Australia proposed salary increases for men and women, but this would mean players no longer receive a percentage of CA's revenue.
The offer was rejected and CA said it would not pay players after 30 June.
Warner told the Age newspaper: "If it gets to the extreme, they might not have a team for the Ashes."
A stand-off has developed between CA and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), which represents the players.
Ex-Australia captain Mark Taylor said the players were "prepared to strike" over the proposals.
If the dispute is not resolved, there would be uncertainty over what team Australia could field after 30 June, with a two-Test series scheduled in August in Bangladesh before a home Ashes showdown which runs from 23 November 2017 to 8 January 2018.
That 30 June deadline also falls in the middle of the Women's World Cup, which takes place in England between 24 June and 23 July - and Australia's elite female players have shown solidarity with their male counterparts over the dispute despite CA's March offer to double the elite women's pay.
A Cricket Australia spokesperson told BBC Sport: "CA is ready and willing to negotiate with the ACA."
In a letter sent by CA to the ACA, chief executive James Sutherland said "players with contracts expiring in 2016-17 will not have contracts for 2017-18" unless the ACA negotiates a new Memorandum of Understanding.
"We want a fair share, and the revenue-sharing model is what we want, so we are going to stick together until we get that," added Warner, currently playing in the Indian Premier League. "We are not going to shy away; we are just going to stick together.
"We want to keep participating for our country as much as we can, but if we don't have a job, we have to go and find some cricket elsewhere."
'International boards need to put their hands in their pockets'
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the dispute could be the first of many to affect the international game.
"It's great for England to see Australia falling out and fighting with each other but in terms of the game as a whole it's not a great story," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Tuffers and Vaughan Show.
"I've never seen it to this level. It's sad for the game when you're hearing this but I don't think it will be the last case of players getting together as groups. There's so much money coming through TV deals, I think players will say 'we fancy a piece of that'.
"International boards have got to put their hands in their pockets to save international cricket. In our day, international cricket was the sole money-maker for the game but the Twenty20 leagues are catching up."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/39924107
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When a lion prowled the streets of Birmingham - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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How a lion-tamer tricked a volatile crowd to prevent a riot after the escape of a ferocious big cat.
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England
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Frank Bostock and his lions catching up with the news
When considering which creatures have roamed the sewers beneath Birmingham, lions are unlikely to make the list. But on one fateful day in autumn 1889, a lion who had previously killed a man and mauled another escaped from a menagerie and did just that.
Travelling menageries were extremely popular in the 19th Century. Although zoos were starting to emerge in Britain, these were often socially exclusive or inaccessible, according to Dr Helen Cowie, a historian at the University of York.
Popular though they were, the typical menagerie's approach to health and safety was cavalier at best. Dr Cowie says they "were not too preoccupied" with security and there were "an alarming number" of escapes and accidents.
An illustration from The Graphic newspaper shows men pulling a lion from a sewer using a rope while two other men threaten it with guns
Frank C Bostock, the owner of a menagerie, was himself responsible for fooling both the public and the police over the whole lion-in-a-sewer affair. He later described the event as "thrilling".
World-famous as a lion tamer, having discovered the beasts were intimidated by chairs, he came from a long line of animal-displayers and was part of the Bostock and Wombwell menagerie dynasty.
Fiercely ambitious, according to researchers at the National Fairground and Circus Archive, Bostock established himself in the US and by 1903 an average of 16,000 people a day were visiting his menagerie on New York fairground haven Coney Island.
On returning to the UK Bostock brought back his idea of the "Jungle", a massive touring exhibition that moved from city to city.
Frank C Bostock published a volume of his memoirs and training tips
Reaching Birmingham, Bostock and his team were preparing for a show when one of his lions jumped over its keeper, pushed through a rip in the circus tent, and prowled off towards Birmingham city centre "as free and untrammelled as when in his native wilds".
According to Bostock's account of it it his book The Training of Wild Animals, the lion came across one of the openings to the sewerage system and "down he sprang, looking up at the crowd of people and roaring at the top of his voice. As he made his way through the sewers, he stopped at every man-hole he came to, and there sent up a succession of roars, driving some people nearly wild with terror."
Large crowds had gathered, eager to see the menagerie. Understandably, with a lion on the loose, they started to panic.
So Bostock came up with a plan.
Crocodiles were seen as a quirky pet for Victorian ladies
In 1851 a tapir broke out of its den at Wombwell's menagerie in Rochdale, causing panic among the spectators.
In 1867 a rattlesnake escaped from its box in Mander's menagerie, killing a horse and a bison.
In 1868 five leopards escaped from a menagerie in the Scottish borders after their caravan overturned on the road.
In 1883 a bear got loose in Grimsby and entered a private house.
Even elephants sometimes went missing, though they could usually be found in the vicinity of the nearest pub. In 1854 an elephant disappeared from Batty's menagerie in Holyhead and was gone for nearly 24 hours. It was eventually discovered in a hotel cellar, surrounded by empty wine bottles.
Bostock toured the world with his menagerie
Rather than try to quell the volatile crowd, he put a second lion in a cloth-covered cage and sneaked it out on the back of a lorry.
He then returned, blowing his horn to attract attention, with the lion clearly visible.
In his own words, "everything went off well".
People fell for the ruse and he was cheered as a hero. "A shout went up from the crowd 'They've got him! They've got him! They've got the lion!'"
His actions in apparently getting the lion from the sewer were reported around the world.
A New Zealand newspaper ran an article called "A lion at large in Birmingham: How the King of the Forest was recaptured" which included details such as "the keeper's attention was momentarily distracted by a fight between an ostrich and a deer" and "a group of children were in the lion's path. It cleared them at a bound".
The publicity worked in Bostock's favour. Hordes of people attended the show that evening, blissfully ignorant of the fact a man-eating lion was prowling beneath the streets.
Bostock said he "was in a perfect bath of cold perspiration, for matters were extremely serious, and I knew not what to do next. Fortunately, the lion had stopped his roaring, and contented himself with perambulating up and down the sewer".
On the afternoon of the following day, the chief of police of Birmingham visited the menagerie and congratulated Bostock on his "marvellous pluck and daring".
Illustration of men putting a cage over a manhole in an attempt to trap the lion
"I shall never forget that man's face when he realized that the lion was still in the sewer, it was a wonderful study for any mind-reader," he reflected.
"At first he was inclined to blame me but when I showed him I had probably stopped a panic, and that my own liabilities in the matter were pretty grave possibilities to face, he sympathized with me, and added that any help he could give me, I might have.
"I at once asked for 500 men of the police force, and also asked that he would instruct the superintendent of sewers to send me the bravest men he could spare, with their top-boots, ladders, ropes, and revolvers with them, so that should the lion appear, any man could do his best to shoot him at sight. We arranged that we should set out at five minutes to midnight, so that we might avoid any crowd following us, and so spreading the report.
"At the appointed time, the police and sewer-men turned out, and I have never seen so many murderous weapons at one time in my life. Each man looked like a walking arsenal, but every one of them had been sworn to secrecy."
This secrecy was preserved until Bostock himself spilled the beans.
An illustration of a man and the lion in the sewer
It was more than 24 hours after the stooge lion was paraded that Bostock, now in the sewer, "saw two gleaming eyes of greenish-red just beyond, and knew we were face to face with the lion at last".
Bostock and his gang of men chased the lion through the sewers by scaring it with shouts and fireworks.
When face-to-face with the lion Bostock took off his boots and put them on his hands "and going up close to the lion, was fortunately able to hit him a stinging blow on the nose. Fearing that he would split my head open with a blow from one of his huge paws, I told one of my men to place over my head a large iron kettle which we had used to carry cartridges and other things to the sewer".
But the kettle fell off his head and startled the lion which "turned tail like a veritable coward" and ran into a rope lasso laid out ready to ensnare him.
Bostock's recounting of the story in his memoirs concludes, rather smugly, with: "I got the lion out of the sewer, as the people of Birmingham supposed I did, only their praise and applause were a little previous."
He died aged 46 in 1912, not by the paw of a justifiably-annoyed big cat but from the flu. There's a docile-looking stone lion on his grave.
Frank C Bostock's grave is in Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39799098
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I acted as a man to get work - until I was accused of rape - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Pili Hussein wanted to make her fortune mining for gemstones in Tanzania, and wasn't put off by the fact that women weren't allowed in the mines
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Magazine
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Pili Hussein wanted to make her fortune prospecting for a precious stone that's said to be a thousand times rarer than diamonds, but since women weren't allowed down the mines she dressed up as man and fooled her male colleagues for almost a decade.
Pili Hussein grew up in a large family in Tanzania. The daughter of a livestock keeper who had many large farms, Pili's father had six wives and she was one of 38 children. Although she was well looked after, in many ways, she doesn't look back on her upbringing fondly.
"My father treated me like a boy and I was given livestock to take care of - I didn't like that life at all," she says.
But her marriage was even more unhappy, and at the age of 31 Pili ran away from her abusive husband.
In search of work she found herself in the small Tanzanian town of Mererani, in the foothills of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro - the only place in the world where mining for a rare, violet-blue gemstone called tanzanite takes place.
Maasai herders first discovered tanzanite in 1967 - it's now one of the world's best-selling gems but is in limited supply
"I didn't go to school, so I didn't have many options," Pili says.
"Women were not allowed in the mining area, so I entered bravely like a man, like a strong person. You take big trousers, you cut them into shorts and you appear like a man. That's what I did."
To complete the transformation, she also changed her name.
"I was called Uncle Hussein, I didn't tell anyone my actual name was Pili. Even today if you come to the camp you ask for me by that name, Uncle Hussein."
In the tight confines of the hot, dirty tunnels - some of which extend hundreds of metres below the ground - Pili would work 10-12 hours a day, digging and sieving, hoping to uncover gemstones in the veins in the graphite rock.
"I could go 600m under, into the mine. I would do this more bravely than many other men. I was very strong and I was able to deliver what men would expect another man could do."
Pili says that nobody suspected that she was a woman.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Pili Hussein tells Outlook's Matthew Bannister how she succeeded in becoming a miner
"I acted like a gorilla," she says, "I could fight, my language was bad, I could carry a big knife like a Maasai [warrior]. Nobody knew I was a woman because everything I was doing I was doing like a man."
And after about a year, she struck it rich, uncovering two massive clusters of tanzanite stones. With the money that she made she built new homes for her father, mother and twin sister, bought herself more tools, and began employing miners to work for her.
And her cover was so convincing that it took an extraordinary set of circumstances for her true identity to finally be revealed. A local woman had reported that she'd been raped by some of the miners and Pili was arrested as a suspect.
"When the police came, the men who did the rape said: 'This is the man who did it,' and I was taken to the police station," Pili says.
The miners dig using chisels and fill bags with rubble which are hoisted up to the surface using a rope
She had no choice but to reveal her secret.
She asked the police to find a woman to physically examine her, to prove that she couldn't be responsible, and was soon released. But even after that her fellow miners found it hard to believe they had been duped for so long.
"They didn't even believe the police when they said that I was a woman," she says, "it wasn't easy for them to accept until 2001 when I got married and I started a family."
Finding a husband when everyone is accustomed to regarding you as a man is not easy, Pili found, though eventually she succeeded.
"The question in his mind was always, 'Is she really a woman?'" she recalls. "It took five years for him to come closer to me."
Pili has built a successful career and today owns her own mining company with 70 employees. Three of her employees are women, but they work as cooks not as miners. Pili says that although there are more women in the mining industry than when she started out, even today very few actually work in the mines.
"Some [women] wash the stones, some are brokers, some are cooking," she says, "but they're not going down in to the mines, it's not easy to get women to do what I did."
Pili's success has enabled her to pay for the education of more than 30 nieces, nephews and grandchildren. But despite this she says she wouldn't encourage her own daughter to follow in her footsteps.
"I'm proud of what I did - it has made me rich, but it was hard for me," she says.
"I want to make sure that my daughter goes to school, she gets an education and then she is able to run her life in a very different way, far away from what I experienced."
Pili Hussein was part of the UN Women Mapping Study on Gender and Extractive Industries in Mainland Tanzania
Listen to Pili Hussein speaking to Outlook on the BBC World Service
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-39705424
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White Hart Lane: Tottenham players past and present say an emotional farewell to stadium - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Past and present Tottenham players say an emotional farewell to White Hart Lane after Spurs beat Manchester United in the last game held there.
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Last updated on .From the section Tottenham
Harry Kane says it was 'brilliant' to score Tottenham's match-winning goal against Manchester United in their final game at White Hart Lane.
Spurs said an emotional farewell to their home of the past 118 years with a 2-1 win over United on Sunday.
They plan to have their new 61,000-seater stadium, built on the same site, ready for the 2018-19 campaign.
"What a way to finish, we wanted a win so badly in our last game here," said Kane after Sunday's game.
Spurs, who will play at Wembley next season, were already leading through Victor Wanyama's header when Kane flicked home to make it 2-0.
Wayne Rooney scored United's consolation, the last ever goal at the ground, but Spurs claimed the points to finish their home campaign unbeaten in the league.
Kane, who has 22 Premier League goals this season, added: "I said before I'd love to score the winning goal and for it to happen is brilliant. To see it go in was special.
'We will miss the Lane'
Despite a torrential rain shower, thousands of fans streamed onto the pitch within moments of Sunday's game ending.
It took several minutes to clear the good-natured pitch invasion before the closing ceremony which featured a video montage of the history of White Hart Lane.
A number of former Spurs players were present including Glenn Hoddle, David Ginola, Ledley King, Teddy Sheringham, Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa.
"Of course we will miss it a lot because White Hart Lane is special," said Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
"But at the same time we welcome the new stadium."
My move to London was difficult at first because I had grown up in the north-east and I felt like I was a long way from home but, even when I had not settled off the field, I always enjoyed playing at White Hart Lane.
I made my Spurs debut there in August 1985 against Watford and scored twice in a 4-0 win - they were both headers, and I think that was the last time I headed the ball.
We had one marvellous year in my time there - 1986-87 when we reached the FA Cup final and finished third - that people still ask me about when I go back to the Lane.
We felt like we could beat anybody but we just played too many games in the end. I did not think we were far short of winning the title but the team broke up that summer.
But even when we were not near the top of the table, White Hart Lane was always a fantastic place to play football. The Spurs fans always loved to see some flair and good football and it was a place known for entertainment. That was one of the reasons I decided to join the club and I loved my time there.
I have got some great memories of the Lane, and it will be missed but in modern-day football you have got to move on - you have got to move with the times if you want to be at the top.
Tottenham's new stadium will have a capacity of 61,000 - White Hart Lane only holds around 36,000, which is a reason in itself why they need to leave in order to develop and progress as a club.
They are trying to take the next step off the pitch, and it is happening at the same time that they have got a very good team on it.
David Ginola, who played for Tottenham between 1997-2000, said the heavens were shedding a tear as heavy rain marked the last game at White Hart Lane.
Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, now at Sunderland, tweeted this message...
Winger Andros Townsend, now at Crystal Palace, spent seven years at White Hart Lane.
And former Spurs striker Gary Lineker also had a farewell message at a ground he spent three years at.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39915795
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Eurovision Song Contest: Portugal winner 'didn't understand votes' - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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'I think that you have to be a mathematician or something to know what's going on.'
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Entertainment & Arts
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"I think that you have to be a mathematician"
Portugal has won this year's Eurovision Song contest with a poignant love song, sung in Portuguese. In the early hours of Sunday morning the winner met the world's press - glass microphone trophy still in hand.
Salvador Sobral entered the Eurovision Song Contest's press room last night with the same diffident, bemused demeanour he has projected since arriving in Kiev.
There was no swagger, no elation - just a quizzical befuddlement at the latest turn his musical journey had taken.
Like many watching at home around the world, the Lisbon-born 27-year-old had been baffled by the complex voting system that the contest adopted last year.
"I didn't understand the votes," he admitted to reporters. "I think that you have to be a mathematician or something to know what's going on."
The winner wasn't alone in his confusion
Nor did he expect overnight fame and fortune to come with the honour of becoming Portugal's first Eurovision winner.
"I don't think anything will change," he shrugged. "You win today and tomorrow, no one remembers it.
"Honestly, man, I just want to live a peaceful life," he told another journalist.
"If I thought of myself as a national hero or champion of Europe, it would be a bit weird."
Even in such an eclectic line-up as the one Eurovision served up this year, Sobral stood apart.
While some countries offered amusing gimmicks (Romanian yodelling, Italy's dancing gorilla) and others sleek, assembly-line pop, his delicate, heartfelt ballad stood out precisely because it was so unassuming.
Written by Sobral's older sister Luisa, Amar Pelos Dois - whose title translates into English as Love for Both of Us - speaks to all genders and orientations with its inclusive, unadorned message.
A family affair: Salvador's sister Luisa wrote the song for him
Sobral said he would be delighted if its Eurovision triumph had some impact, however small, on how music is made, produced and marketed.
"People listen to songs because they're thrown at you," he said. "You have to like this because we're going to play it 16 times a day and force you to like it.
"This is music with content, an emotional song with a beautiful lyrical message and harmony - things people are not used to listening these days.
"If I can help to bring some change to music I would be really joyful," he said, dressed as ever in a modest dark suit.
"And I hope it will encourage people to bring different things and all sorts of music to future editions of this contest."
"We're going to play it 16 times a day and force you to like it," he said of the music business
Those future editions could learn much from this year, which offered audiences a spectacular, entertaining and endlessly quirky diversion.
For a contest whose slogan was "celebrate diversity", though, it was surprising more thought was not given to basic areas of presentation.
The final and the two semi-finals that preceded it were hosted by a trio of white male TV presenters who are all well-known in host nation Ukraine.
Commentator Graham Norton and one of his Australian counterparts were not alone in remarking that the line-up was hardly indicative of the contest's stated aim.
For the millions watching at home, however, it was the variety, the colour and the craziness that made it unmissable Saturday night viewing.
In keeping with Eurovision tradition, Portugal will host the 2018 iteration of an event that continues to unify Europe in a way politics never can or will.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39914381
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Spring-cleaning India's most magnificent tent - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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Rajasthan's Royal Red Tent is as tall as a double-decker bus - and it's getting its first proper clean in three centuries.
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Magazine
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Rajasthan's Royal Red Tent is as tall as a double-decker bus, made from silk, velvet and gold - and it's getting its first proper clean in more than three centuries, says Melissa Van Der Klugt.
High up on the ramparts of Mehrangarh, in one of Rajasthan's most famous forts - one of the most visited in India - a small team is dusting down a large tent.
Each section is so big that the three conservationists - dressed in neat white overalls and equipped with pocketfuls of soft brushes - must clamber around on tables and chairs. "The priority is the object," says one, pointing to the elaborate design of lotus flowers stitched in solid gold thread.
For this is no ordinary tent - but one that excites huge interest and controversy in India. It was once thought to have been the home of Shah Jahan, the great 17th-Century Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal.
His nomadic ancestors rode down from Central Asia and Afghanistan to conquer swathes of India - and this was his "travelling palace".
Made in imperial workshops from exquisite red silk velvet and gold, it stands when unfurled at 4m (13ft) - as high as a London double-decker bus. It's known as the Lal Dera, or the Shahi Lal Dera - the Royal Red Tent.
And it's being given its first proper spring clean in 350 years.
"There is no surviving piece like it in India or anywhere," says Karni Singh Jasol, the director of the fort's archive in Jodhpur. "The idea was that it had to have all the luxury of a painted stone palace."
Shah Jahan was nicknamed "the Builder of the Marvels" - he ordered up some of Delhi and Agra's finest monuments - but spent most of his three decades in power on military campaigns.
One hundred elephants, 500 camels, 400 carts and teams of bearers were once needed to carry the emperor's camping equipment as he roved across plains and jungles with tens of thousands of horsemen.
"In his tent," says Jasol, "there would be cushions and bolsters and a bed, and objects like hookahs or wine flasks and jewellery cases."
Porters carried porcelain for the emperor's table. He was said to travel at a leisurely 10 to 12 miles (15 to 18km) a day, pausing to hunt cheetah or deer.
The Mughals were used to erecting these temporary cities, says Jasol. Shah Jahan's great-great grandfather, the first emperor, Babur, who arrived in India from Afghanistan, once boasted he had never spent any two Ramadans in the same place.
One encampment contained so many scribes, harems, court officials and workshops churning out leather goods and artwork that an astounded British ambassador wrote that it must be the same size as Elizabethan London.
The Rent Tent was believed to have been looted during a battle, whose victors, the rulers of Jodhpur, took it back to their fort, Mehrangarh, in the sun-baked Thar desert. And there it has remained.
Immaculately dressed in a Nehru waistcoat and cravat, Jasol now presides over the vaulted archives within Mehrangarh's thick stone walls. They house thousands of precious artefacts and documents, often requested for exhibition abroad.
Art historians now argue over whether the Red Tent belonged to Shah Jahan or his ruthless son, Aurangzeb - who put his own father under house arrest.
"But it is still our rarest and most prized object," says Jasol. All other Mughal tents of the same size have been dismantled and the pieces scattered.
It began to show its age. "It was on display in one of the galleries here," says Jasol. "But every morning the staff would see a sort of gold dust… There was a lot of stress on the velvet and the brocade so we put it into storage to rest."
Its conservation is part of a bigger project to revamp the museum to appeal to India's booming domestic tourist market.
When Mehrangarh opened as a museum in 1974, most visitors were British or American. "All the rooms had been locked up and only the temples had been active," recalls Jasol. "I remember the first director describing how it was full of bats and bat droppings."
Now Indian visitors - curious about their history - have overtaken foreigners.
The Red Tent's big clean is being carried out by team of three conservators. "The effort that went into making it shows the dedication to the emperor," says one, Shakshi Gupta, peering at the fabric through a magnifying glass.
"Velvet these days might last just 20 years if you are lucky. This kind of labour and intricate weaving by hand would be too expensive."
The women are living in rooms at the fort for the next year. "It was a little spooky at first sleeping here," Shakshi says. "If the walls of this tent could talk, they must have seen so much."
Photos by Gareth Phillips except where otherwise stated.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-39890722
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Child sex abuse: Inquiry team to search through 5,000 boxes of FA archives - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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The independent investigation into historical child sex abuse in football may have to sift through five million documents, BBC Sport learns.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
The independent investigation into historical child sex abuse in football may have to sift through five million documents, BBC Sport has learned.
The inquiry, led by barrister Clive Sheldon QC, was started by the Football Association in December, after a series of allegations from former players.
The full scale of the review into the scandal can now be revealed.
Investigators have started searching 5,000 boxes of FA archives - each containing up to 1,000 pages.
The inquiry will last several months, with a final report not expected to be published until 2018.
The review is asking anyone involved with football who wishes to provide information about the way in which clubs or the FA dealt with concerns over child sex abuse between 1970 and 2005 to come forward.
Sheldon - an expert in safeguarding and child protection - has written to all 65,000 affiliated clubs seeking assistance, and has begun meeting individuals who can contribute.
Clubs and officials who fail to co-operate could face disciplinary action.
Sheldon will investigate whether there is any evidence of a paedophile network having operated within the sport, and will take into account girls' football.
He will also look into the use of confidentiality agreements - or 'gagging clauses' - by clubs following the revelation Chelsea paid a former player £50,000 on condition he kept quiet about the abuse he said he had suffered by the club's former scout Eddie Heath.
Sheldon will make recommendations about the current safeguarding system if he identifies weaknesses, and refer any potential criminal offence to Operation Hydrant, the unit co-ordinating police investigations into child sexual abuse across the UK.
Police have identified more than 250 potential suspects and 560 victims, with 311 clubs involved.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39928510
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Is Africa facing a new wave of piracy? - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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A rise in seizures off the continent raises fears of a new era of maritime crime.
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Africa
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The recent hijacking of a ship by Somali pirates was the first such incident off the Horn of Africa since 2012, and more ships are being targeted off West Africa. But why are attacks increasing and how should the international community respond?
The latest State of Maritime Piracy report by the watchdog Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) warns against security complacency in the shipping industry, particularly around the Horn of Africa. It appears the industry has gone from a state of heightened security awareness to taking its foot off the pedal.
After five years without any hijackings, the Comoros-flagged vessel Aris 13 was seized in March off the coast of Somalia. Pirates freed the oil tanker and its Sri Lankan crew three days later without ransom. But within weeks, there had been more incidents.
On the other side of the continent, piracy has not declined even though its form has changed. In its 2015 report, the OBP noted that attacks were on the rise off the West African coast.
One out of every five pirate attacks takes place there, making it the most dangerous region for seafarers.
Pirates used to seize oil tankers for their cargo but falling oil prices made this less lucrative, so there was a shift to kidnapping for ransom.
Foreign seafarers were the obvious targets, as the pirates can make higher ransom demands for them. These attacks were also reported to be more violent. That trend appears to have continued. West African governments have poor surveillance systems, which criminals can exploit.
Piracy off Africa reached its heights in 2010-11, prompting a major international response
At its peak - between 2010 and 2011 - piracy off the Horn of Africa cost the shipping industry up to $7bn (£5.42bn) annually. This prompted an international response led by the tripartite coalition of Nato, the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) and the US Combined Maritime Forces.
The use of private security, which was once frowned upon, became common practice.
The associated costs and the overall success must have fed the perception that the piracy had been solved.
In November 2016, Japan scaled down its counter-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden. Weeks later, Nato ended its operation Ocean Shield, which operated around the same area, hailing it as one of the organisation's most successful ever missions, one which had achieved its objectives.
However, the pirates never really went away. They just could not strike because of the armed presence in their seas.
It's a point that the former Operation Commander for EU NAVFOR Maj Gen Martin Smith explained to me more than a year ago.
"We've taken away the opportunity for pirates to go to sea… but we're very conscious that the capability required is fairly basic," he said.
Though subdued, the pirate networks still exist, warns Maj Gen Martin Smith
"Secondly we are aware that the intent still exists. The pirate networks still exist, they're just doing other things and we believe that if we gave them back the opportunity they would go back to piracy."
Now it appears that that is exactly what has happened, as some of the anti-piracy units have completed their mission and have headed home.
This is coupled with the issue of illegal fishing by foreign vessels in the area.
One of the pirates who hijacked the Aris 13 told the BBC Somali Service that the foreign ships are not just depleting fish reserves but are also attacking local fishing boats.
"We were after a particular ship that destroyed some of our equipment, when we came across this one, about eight miles from the coast," he claimed. "It came across initially as a fishing vessel, and later on, when we went inside, we discovered that it [was] a cargo ship, transporting oil. We had to hold it, because we have nothing to lose anyway."
While these claims cannot be independently verified, it is true that vessels from elsewhere in the world come to fish illegally in the waters off the Horn of Africa.
EU NAVFOR Somalia patrols the country's coast and its territorial and internal waters
The Stop Illegal Fishing campaign highlights a global enforcement imbalance as one of the key reasons for the trend.
As it says: "Effective controls in other regions force illegal operators to seek alternative fishing areas where the risk of being caught is lower and the sanctions if caught are less severe, such as the [Western Indian Ocean]."
The mandates of the international naval patrols are limited to counter-piracy operations, rather than maritime policing.
The problems both on the eastern and western coasts of Africa involve the absence, or poor implementation, of regional maritime strategies. Ninety per cent of Africa's imports and exports are conducted by sea.
Its waters also include key global shipping lanes, such as the Gulf of Aden, so securing these channels would be of great value to the continent and its partners, who both need to show the will to see maritime security improved.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-39849352
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A sex doll that can talk - but is it perfect Harmony? - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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The BBC visits a factory in California which is making a new AI-enabled sex doll called Harmony.
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Technology
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Harmony is more than a sex toy, according to RealDoll founder Matt McMullen
Harmony is a new type of sex doll - one that can move and talk.
Her head, eyelids and lip movements are fairly crude and her conversation is even more limited.
But she is part of a new robotics revolution that is seeing artificial intelligence incorporated into an extremely human-like body.
Some think that it will revolutionise the way humans interact with robots while others believe that it represents the very worst in robotic advancement.
The uncanny valley - the idea that the closer we get to replicating the human form, the more scared we become of our creations - seems to have come to life in this unassuming factory on the outskirts of San Marcos, California.
The receptionists are dolls - the only ones wearing suits
Even on reception, two lifelike characters - in business suits rather than underwear, like the rest of the dolls - wait to greet visitors. And the lobby wall is full of photos of beautiful women which, only on very close inspection, reveal themselves to be of dolls.
Matt McMullen, the chief executive of Abyss Creations, which makes RealDoll, comes from an art and sculpture background.
Adjusting Harmony's wig ahead of my interview with her, he is clearly very fond of the way she looks.
She is, he says, the natural next step for sex dolls.
"Many people who may buy a RealDoll because it is sexually capable come to realise it is much more than a sex toy," he said. "It has a presence in their house and they imagine a personality for her. AI gives people the tools to create that personality."
This is done via an app, which can be used with the doll or independently, existing as a virtual person on a smartphone or similar device.
Users can choose from a variety of personality options, including moody, angry and loving.
Mr McMullen has chosen "jealous" for Harmony and she dutifully asks him to "remove that girl from Facebook".
She speaks in a curiously high-pitched Scottish accent and tells me that she loves science fiction and, of course, Matt.
Mr McMullen claims that she learns from her users but when I ask Harmony what it feels like to be jealous, she apologises and says that she "needs to improve [her] skills".
The app that powers Harmony is already available to buy, although only directly from the Realbotix website, a spin-off from Abyss. Neither Google's nor Apple's official stores will carry it because of the explicit content.
The doll will go on sale later this year and there will be two versions - one with computer vision that enables it to recognise faces, which will cost $10,000 (£7,700) - and a cheaper version without vision for $5,000.
The factory makes the dolls in stages
The factory currently makes dolls for clients around the world, mostly men although it claims to have a handful of female clients.
All of the dolls conform to a particular idea of beauty - they are Barbie-like, with tiny waists, large bottoms and even larger breasts.
Mr McMullen says the design is driven by clients.
"We are running a business and most of our clients have a certain wish list. The unfortunate reality is that that is rather idealistic," he said.
Mr McMullen described his clients as "completely normal", claiming some even come to collect their dolls with their wives but admitted later that many of them choose sex dolls because they cannot form relationships with ordinary women.
"Many people are isolated and alone but they were probably that way already. For people who are lonely and find it hard to form a relationship, this is another option. But I've never looked at the dolls or the robot as a replacement."
He himself does not own a sex doll, saying he has instead "a real human wife and kids".
Mark Young lives in Arizona and he does own a sex doll - called Mai Lin. He has also just invested in the Harmony AI app but he is not planning on integrating the two.
"I thought the app might bring her to life but the app has its own personality and it is different from how I pictured Mai Lin in my mind so it is like having two relationships."
He explained why he invested in a sex doll in the first place.
"I've been single for a while. I've dated a lot of girls. I've wasted time on relationships. While I'd love to meet a girl, in the meantime it is good to have that presence,"
And, while he admits the relationship is physical, he says that is "secondary".
"I can go out shopping for her and look at clothes - it is like having somebody in my life without having to deal with making mistakes. If I like a hat on her, she doesn't say that she doesn't like it."
As for the app, he has programmed it to be "happy, affectionate and talkative".
"AI is a whole different ball-game and that has got me very excited for the future," he said.
Prof Kathleen Richardson, a robot ethicist at De Montfort University, Leicester, spends her time looking at the impact such machines might have on society and she is appalled by the rise of sex robots.
"There are seven billion people on our planet and we are having a crisis in people forming relationships. And companies are coming along and profiting from this by saying objects can take the place of a human being."
"We live in a world that objectivises sex through prostitution. Humans are used like tools, and sex dolls are an extension of this."
The factory makes dolls for clients around the world, but none currently has robotic or AI components.
A few years ago she launched a campaign to ban sex robots but has since decided that "dolls aren't really the problem". Instead, the issue is about attitudes to sex and each other.
She is dismissive of the new AI-enabled doll.
"The idea that adding artificial intelligence adds something human to a doll is wrong. There is more artificial intelligence in my washing machine than in this doll and just because it has a face and a body doesn't make it human."
"In their current form, sex robots are definitely aimed at men but the sex toy industry is developing and there are lots of start-ups working on sex toys for women."
She thinks robots designed for intimate relationships, will ultimately enhance rather than damage human relationships.
"There is always panic whenever there is a big dramatic technology shift," she said. "People panic about how it will affect humans but the technology generally brings people together."
Find out more about this and our changing relationship with machines in The Robots Story on World Service radio. First broadcasting on Tuesday 16 May at 10.30.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39859939
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'Litter police' get bonuses to target public, Panorama finds - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Secret filming shows people being fined for dropping orange peel and pouring coffee away.
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UK
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Were 'litter police' right to fine this man for dropping a small piece of orange peel?
A private company acting as the "litter police" for dozens of councils pays officers a bonus for issuing fines, an undercover Panorama report has found.
One officer from Kingdom Services, a leading enforcement company, claimed that his bonus one month was £987.
Other officers were filmed handing out £75 fines for tiny pieces of dropped orange peel and poured-away coffee.
Kingdom told Panorama that its competency allowance was not a paid incentive for officers to issue fines.
Littering is a crime, but if you pay the fine you can avoid a criminal record.
Councils are increasingly using private companies such as Kingdom, based in Cheshire, to enforce the Environmental Protection Act.
Kingdom currently has about 28 contracts with local authorities and last year saw its profits jump 30% to £9m.
The company frequently splits the proceeds of the fines with the councils.
Panorama uncovered several cases where people were fined incorrectly.
Luke Gutteridge, featured in the video at the top of the story, was issued with a fixed penalty notice by an officer working for Kingdom Services after he accidentally dropped a small piece of orange peel.
Even though Mr Gutteridge, a market trader from Hertfordshire, picked up the peel, he was accused of littering.
Luke's mother Rita Gutteridge, who works for a law firm, contested the case.
She told Panorama: "Had we not appealed, or we weren't in a financial position to, he could have ended up with a criminal record for life, for dropping a piece of orange peel. It's just nonsense, and just disgusting to be quite honest."
Sue Peckitt, a retired civil servant from Ealing in west London, successfully overturned a fine for pouring coffee down a drain.
Barrister Dr Michael Ramsden told Panorama: "It's pure greed on the part of the enforcement officers, I would say.
"Under no stretch of the imagination could you say that the liquid from the coffee cup is cross-contamination when it's going in a sewer, and she placed a coffee cup in the bin."
Sue complained and the fine was dropped. Kingdom Services sent her a £20 gift voucher.
Liz Jenner, a ballet and pilates instructor from Ealing, was issued with a fine for fly-tipping outside her own home after she put her recycling out on the wrong date during the Christmas holidays.
It is understood that in Ealing, Kingdom officers ride on the back of rubbish trucks to issue tickets.
She told Panorama: "'The borough has a very big problem with fly-tipping I appreciate that. But they're targeting the wrong people."
The number of fines issued for littering has risen from 727 to more than 140,000 in England and Wales over the past decade, according to freedom of information requests made in 2015-16 by civil liberties group, the Manifesto Club.
Josie Appleton, the group's spokeswoman, said companies such as Kingdom present councils with a "very seductive offer".
"They basically just say, 'Sign it over to us and we'll make you a bit of money and you won't lose anything.'"
But she said it was very concerning because "essentially what you have here is a fine on behalf of a public authority being contracted out to someone who basically has anything but the public interest at heart and so very much is seeking to make money".
Panorama sent an undercover reporter to work inside Kingdom Services' enforcement team in Kent.
During her training, the reporter asked a senior member of staff how officers were paid.
The Kingdom manager said officers were paid £9.47 a hour.
He added: "And then every ticket over four, you get a little competency allowance."
When asked if this was like a bonus, he replied: "It's a bonus."
He added: "When I was doing it in Ashford, I was hitting out quite a lot of tickets and I think the most I brought home just on the bonus was £987."
It said the allowance was discretionary and only paid if officers met all their basic competencies.
During a training session with Kingdom, the reporter was told by a trainer: "Obviously we are here to make money, I'm not going to not say that to people."
The trainer also told her that some officers pretended to call the police in order to make people pay a fine.
She added: "When people think you are actually going to do something or you are going to get the police and they're going to have to stand there for another hour they may then… their attitude changes."
One officer told the reporter that he often pretended to call the police in order to encourage members of the public to hand over their personal details.
Once he had their details, he could issue a ticket.
Kingdom said that it was important that members of the public know what could happen if they are convicted at court.
But any decision to prosecute alleged offenders is made by the local authority, not Kingdom.
The company said it provided local authorities with a cost-effective service and helped to keep Britain tidy within the law.
The cost of clearing up litter exceeded £1bn last year and a further £1bn was spent clearing up waste, according to the campaign group Keep Britain Tidy.
Allison Ogden Nash, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: "Enforcement is one of the methods we can use to change people's behaviour but it needs to be fair and it needs to have the public on our side."
Watch Panorama - Inside the Litter Police on Monday 15 May at 20:30 BST on BBC One and afterwards on BBC iPlayer.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39882434
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The boss who lives as a medieval knight - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Jason Kingsley, the boss of games firm Rebellion, lives his life according to the rules of a medieval knight's chivalric code of honour.
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Business
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. The boss in shining armour. By video journalist Greg Brosnan
Jason Kingsley seems far too relaxed about the fatal dangers inherent in his daredevil hobby.
"There have been some deaths in jousting," he says. "But it is usually through inexperience, the wrong safety equipment, and a lot of bad luck combined."
Putting on an exact replica of a medieval suit of armour, the 53-year-old jousts a dozen or so weekends every year.
Holding a 12ft (3.7m) long steel-tipped wooden lance in front of him, he rides a stallion full pelt towards another would-be knight coming at him in a similarly determined attempt to knock him off his horse.
"You are both moving at about 20mph (32km/h), so [if the other person's lance hits you] it is like hitting a brick wall at 40mph.
"I have never fallen off, but I have taken three people out of the saddle. Historically people have died, and it is always the lance tip going through the eye slot [of the helmet]."
Given how Jason spends his weekends, you might imagine that his day job is equally daring, that he is some sort of professional stuntman.
Jason doesn't wear the suit of armour to work
Instead, he is the chief executive of one of the UK's largest computer games companies - Rebellion Developments.
Jason set up the Oxford-based business with his younger brother Chris in 1992, and today it has an annual turnover of more than £25m.
Still wholly owned by the two siblings, its best-selling titles include Sniper Elite and Rogue Trooper.
For the past 17 years the company has also owned cult UK comic book series 2000 AD, and publishes a range of novels.
While Jason doesn't wear one of his £25,000 suits of armour in the office, he says that he tries to run Rebellion - and all other aspects of his life - according to a medieval knight's chivalric code of conduct.
"What the code comes down to is try to be a decent person... and there are three parts - bravery, honesty and kindness.
"In business the need to be brave is obvious; the ability to charge forward and seize the opportunity, and do the best that you can with it.
"It is also about exploring new territories and seeking out new markets. It is an essential component in being a leader."
Jason's three tenets in life are bravery, honesty and kindness
He adds: "Honesty doesn't mean telling everyone your secrets, it means dealing fairly with people.
"So in business, I don't try to get the best deal for myself, I'm trying to get the best deal for both sides.
"This is fairer and the right thing to do, and if the other side makes a profit they will come back and work with me again.
"And kindness is simply about the need to treat people well."
As a teenager Jason says that he and his brother both loved role-playing games. They would sit around a table with their friends and each take on a fantasy character, such as a wizard or knight.
Dice would then be thrown to determine how the characters interacted with each other, and how the stories developed.
Jason also wrote a number of "gamebooks", where the reader has to decide how the story develops from multiple-choice options.
Jason Kingsley has 13 horses to look after
Studying at Oxford University, they started to develop and programme computer games as a hobby. After they both graduated, Jason says they decided to start Rebellion "because we loved games, and we saw an opportunity in making computer games".
He adds: "It really was just naivety and enthusiasm, but I think that is a really good reason for starting a business, because it is much easier to be successful if you love what you are doing."
Working on a number of demo games, Rebellion got its first big break in 1993 when it won a contract from then-games giant Atari to produce the title Alien vs Predator.
The game was a bestseller, and Rebellion has never looked back. After making games for other companies, such as James Bond and various titles for The Simpsons, it today tries to focus more on producing and distributing its own material.
The firm employs 220 people, mainly at its base in Oxford
Jason says: "We knew we wanted to build up our own IP (intellectual property) and fund our own games, and that is where we are now.
"It has taken us a long time, 25 years to get there... but we now come up with the ideas, fully fund the games, and release them ourselves worldwide. And that's great, there's no-one else in the loop."
Profits from the computer games sales have also been used to expand the business into other areas, such as buying 2000 AD, home to cult comic character Judge Dredd.
While Jason won't reveal the exact cost of the deal, he says it was "many millions".
"We felt that 2000 AD was on the decline [under its then-Danish owner], and needed to be owned and cherished by someone British who knew the culture of what it was trying to do.
"I genuinely think it is an important bit of our cultural heritage."
Gaming industry expert Dan Maher says that Rebellion has been particularly praised for its custodianship of the 2000 AD comic book.
"As the name suggests, the company prides itself on going against the grain, using the money earned from an industry driven by bleeding-edge technology to make uncynical acquisitions in the traditional publishing sector," says Mr Maher.
Rebellion bought 2000 AD and its famous character Judge Dredd in, well, 2000 AD
"Such moves, driven as they are by real love and appreciation for comics and sci-fi, have earned them great respect from consumers and professionals alike."
Jason has the boss role on a day-to-day basis at Rebellion, while his brother Chris holds the chief technology officer position.
But before he goes to work, Jason spends two hours every morning looking after his 13 horses, and then two hours again in the evening.
"Yes I could afford to get staff to do it all for me but I like doing it. The horses are my friends, my family," he says.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39851253
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Reality Check: What's been going on with pay? - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The TUC boss says living standards have been falling too fast for too long.
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Election 2017
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The claim: Workers' living standards have been falling far too fast for far too long.
Reality Check verdict: Average pay adjusted for prices has been rising for the past couple of years, but is still below the level it was 10 years ago, before the financial crisis.
Frances O'Grady, general secretary of trade union umbrella body the TUC, has been talking about pay on the BBC News Channel.
"I think all major parties need to wake up to the fact that workers' living standards… have been falling far too fast for too long," she said.
The usual measure of whether living standards are falling is whether pay is rising faster than prices.
This chart adjusts average pay for changes in inflation, measured by the consumer price index (CPI), to give real average earnings.
It's been a tough 10 years for pay.
Real average earnings have still not returned to the level they were at before the financial crisis.
If prices are rising faster than wages then people's spending power falls.
In the last few years, low levels of inflation have meant that pay rises have on average outstripped price rises.
But inflation has now been boosted, partly by the rising price of imports caused by the falling value of the pound since the EU referendum was called.
You can see from this chart that average prices and pay are currently running at about the same rate.
While real wages are still below their pre-financial crisis levels, they have been rising since the autumn of 2014, although that appears to have stalled now.
But all of these figures are based on averages, which do not help with the experiences of different areas and sectors of the country.
Many workers in the public sector have had pay increases capped at 1%, which has generally been below the rate of inflation.
Levels of pay vary considerably throughout the country, with average earnings on the whole higher in the south-east of England than in most of the rest of the country.
Average pay has also grown faster for people who have been in jobs for more than a year, which some people have interpreted as meaning that it is new jobs being created that are dragging down average pay.
However, it may also be argued that it just shows more stable jobs tend to be better paid.
Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned last week that "wages won't keep up with prices" this year, meaning "a more challenging time for British households".
The latest figures for inflation will be released on Tuesday, with average earnings being updated as part of the labour market figures on Wednesday.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39915066
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Garth Crooks' team of the week: Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Gabriel Jesus, David Luiz - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Which players link up like Brooking and Keegan? Who does Jurgen Klopp need to protect? It's Garth Crooks' team of the week.
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It was the weekend when matters at the top and bottom of the Premier League were finalised.
Antonio Conte's Chelsea beat West Brom to become Premier League champions thanks to substitute Michy Batshuayi's late winning goal.
At the bottom, Hull were relegated back down to the Championship with a whimper after being thrashed by Crystal Palace, joining Middlesbrough and Sunderland in the second tier next season.
Liverpool trounced West Ham to move up to third and keep their Champions League destiny in their own hands, but there were wins for Manchester City and Arsenal too.
Do you agree with my selection or would you go for a different team? Why not pick your own team of the week from the shortlist selected by BBC Sport journalists and share it with your friends?
You cannot win Premier League titles without having an outstanding goalkeeper. Last season, Courtois found life difficult at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea paid a hefty price. This season the Belgium international has been immense.
Against West Brom, Courtois made a crucial save in the early exchanges to stop Salomon Rondon from opening his account. Such a start for the Blues would have been a nightmare but Courtois was bang in form and stuck to his task brilliantly throughout.
Only Arsenal now stand between Chelsea and a league and FA Cup double but Courtois is a world-class keeper and domestic doubles are fine but for him it must be about Champion League titles.
If you are going to score your first goal for the club you might as well make it memorable. You are away from home, desperately needing a win in order for your team's campaign to remain on track and you come up with your best strike of the season.
The look on Kyle Naughton's face when his shot screamed past Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was as though he had just won the lottery. That said, Swansea survived this relegation battle to stay in the Premier League and it will feel like it.
Swans manager Paul Clement continues to inject great belief in his players. I distinctly remember a pundit claiming that Clement was lucky to have got the job in the first place. Admittedly, his dalliance with Derby County ended badly and his reputation as a coach is currently better than his credentials has a manager but Clement has brought something quite unique with him to the club.
Alongside first team coach Claude Makelele - who you would have thought has bigger fish to fry - there appears to be a mental strength matched with a certain courage I have not witnessed amongst Swansea players since the days of Brendan Rodgers. We all need a little luck every now and then but it would seem Paul Clement and Swansea are making their own.
What a season this player has had. I remember him starting his career at Chelsea and having to play as a left-back. He coped brilliantly well considering he was naturally right-footed and while he solved the club's left-sided problem post Ashley Cole, he could not really show his true potential.
Since the arrival of Antonio Conte, Cesar Azpilicueta has not merely shown his true potential but realised it. The versatile defender produced a world-class performance against West Brom at The Hawthorns and what a time to do it. He was imperious in defence and creative in attack. It was Azpilicueta's cross that provided the opening for Michy Batshuayi to slide the ball home.
What he was doing so far up the field in open play tells you all you need to know about the commitment and desire of the Spain international. However, when you study his season, he has been ever present and quietly got on with his job. This was a brilliant performance by a player who has become a world-class defender under Conte.
This was the player who originally arrived at Stamford Bridge in a blaze of glory and left with his tail between his legs. I remember his first game against Fulham when he had a fantastic debut and scored the most impressive goal. However, Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti's second season in charge didn't turn out too well for Chelsea and David Luiz seemed to take the blame for the demise.
A spell away from the Bridge taught him that when you are a top-class defender, you don't have to do anything out of the ordinary to prove it - just defend. That is precisely what he did against a West Brom side desperate to rain on Chelsea's parade and has been doing since his return. The Brazilian has been magnificent for the Blues this season.
No lollipops, or rabonas, but he did everything in his power to protect his goalkeeper. Who would have thought that simple, good old-fashioned defending would win you titles in the modern era.
The screams of delight by Victor Moses as he embraced Batshuayi after the striker secured victory at The Hawthorns was a compelling sight. Here were two young men who had just realised they had won the Premier League title and at the same time embedded themselves into Chelsea folklore. Did either of them ever think at the beginning of this season that they would be sharing in such a momentous occasion? I doubt it. Yet here they were revelling in the moment.
Moses has been a revelation for Chelsea this season, partly due to his ability to adapt to a system few thought would be successful in the Premier League never mind win the title, and the consummate manner in which he has made the position his own. Moses could have won the Chelsea the title himself when he brought a fantastic one-handed save from Ben Foster.
Sir Winston Churchill said "we have a small time for celebration" immediately after the Second World War and I fear Antonio Conte has even less time to prepare Chelsea for the demands of European football and a relentless season ahead. Moses has now won a Premier League title and I would not bet against him adding a Champions League medal to his collection very soon.
This was another sparkling performance by the Brazilian and it takes Liverpool a step closer to that elusive Champions League spot. I dread to think what Reds manager Jurgen Klopp would have done without the services of Coutinho.
Nevertheless, they have the Brazilian star and he has been superb this season. Players like Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard have been instrumental in creating special Liverpool teams. Well, this current team is not that special but Coutinho is and Klopp must protect him.
The flags were waving and the fans singing and that was before Victor Wanyama added to the carnival atmosphere at White Hart Lane. The cross by Ben Davies was only matched by the glorious header from the Kenya international. Spurs would have gone on and knocked Manchester United clean out of the park but for some sound goalkeeping by David de Gea, the best in the world in my opinion.
Wanyama has spent most of the season overshadowed by some wonderful performances from Christian Eriksen but the Denmark international found himself playing second fiddle to an authoritative Wanyama bossing events in midfield. Tottenham deserved this victory but chants from the United fans stating Spurs "nearly won the league" is a timely reminder of what the really big clubs consider important.
How interesting. There have been two performances by Ross Barkley that have stood out for me. His game against Burnley where he was outstanding and at the heart of a superb Everton victory, and against Watford on Friday when he came off 10 minutes from time to a standing ovation. On both occasions, the England international had, for one reason or another, a very difficult week preceding the respective fixtures.
The first issue subjected Barkley to tawdry remarks in a national newspaper while the second matter was the ultimatum given to him by his manager Ronald Koeman. Sign your contract or leave seems to be the message. When a manager gives a player an ultimatum like that he better hold all the aces. But in this case, Koeman does not because if the rumours are true and Spurs are interested in Barkley, then the player has the perfect get-out clause.
Whatever the outcome of this contractual situation, it is in Barkley's best interests not to wait for bad news to spark him into providing his best performances but to start creating the news himself. That is what the best players do and if he does go to Spurs, which I think is quite possible, he will be expected to do just that.
Regardless of whether Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger goes or stays, it will not have the same bearing on the club should they lose Alexis Sanchez. Not only is the Chilean a genuinely world-class footballer, he is the inspiration behind the team and has been for the best part of this season. His performance against Southampton in midweek, not to mention his goal, was simply superb.
He then turns up at Stoke on Saturday, no place for the faint-hearted, and destroys them. Sanchez's link-up play with Mesut Ozil, when the German is in the mood, is like watching Trevor Brooking and Kevin Keegan when they played for England - they just know where each other is. It clear to me that Arsenal Football Club have some big decisions to make about who stays and who goes. For my money, Sanchez stays. You can work the rest out.
I could not believe my eyes when Gabriel Jesus took the ball and insisted that he was going to take the penalty against Leicester on Saturday. Like every decent senior professional, who sees the next generation with the confidence to take command of a situation, Yaya Toure gave way to youth. Why shouldn't the twice former African player of the year be magnanimous in such circumstances? When you have had the sort of career Toure has had, the least he can be is gracious.
Regardless, Jesus seemed absolutely determined to make a statement. Sitting on the bench, of course, was Sergio Aguero, a world-class striker, even by Alan Shearer's standards. It was clear to see Jesus had to make the point to Aguero and manager Pep Guardiola that he is ready to assume the mantle of top dog. Putting the ball into the back of the net was tantamount to making that point.
What was interesting was the way Toure and his team-mates gathered round Jesus to congratulate him on converting the penalty almost like a graduation moment. The players were not entirely sure he would pass the test but mighty relieved that he did. Based on what I saw it looks like, Jesus might be the future and Aguero the past.
A lot has been said about Mesut Ozil. Love him or hate him - and I love him - there is no denying he is a wonderful footballer. Is he in the right team? Probably not. A player with his talent would be more appreciated at a club like Tottenham. Now at this moment I may have Arsenal fans foaming at the mouth at the very thought of Ozil defecting to White Hart Lane but frankly it is a better fit.
When Sol Campbell decided to move to Arsenal from Spurs it was because the player was desperate to win trophies. A perfectly acceptable position for a professional footballer to take and a fact that Spurs fans have never been able to come to terms with. However, Ozil's style of football is perfect for Spurs and he has already won things with Arsenal. His overall performance against Stoke, which is always a hard nut to crack, was superb while his goal was sublime.
Only at Spurs will the fans accommodate players like Ozil. You see, at Spurs it is all about the football while at Arsenal it is all about the winning.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39915228
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Chelsea 4-3 Watford - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Chelsea skipper John Terry scores on what could be his Stamford Bridge farewell as the Blues celebrate winning the Premier League with a victory against Watford.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Chelsea celebrated their Premier League title triumph with a hard-earned victory over Watford in an ill-tempered but thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Manager Antonio Conte and his Chelsea players were able to take the acclaim on a lap of honour after the final whistle - but they were made to work for the win by a fired-up and physical Watford.
John Terry, who will leave at the end of the season after more than two decades at the club, celebrated his first league start since September by scoring Chelsea's 100th goal in all competitions this term. It came after 22 minutes before he then gifted Watford's Etienne Capoue an instant equaliser with a poor header.
Cesar Azpilicueta restored Chelsea's lead with a crisp finish before half-time and the contest looked over when Michy Batshuayi, who scored the title-winning goal at West Bromwich Albion on Friday, added a third just after the break.
Watford, however, showed commendable fight. Daryl Janmaat's fine solo effort put the visitors within reach before substitute Stefano Okaka, who was given his Italy debut by Chelsea boss Conte, took advantage of defensive uncertainty to slam in an equaliser.
Chelsea, as so often this season, found a way to win as substitute Cesc Fabregas struck from the edge of the area with three minutes left - while Watford's misery was compounded when Sebastian Prodl was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time.
• None Nevin: We've only scratched the surface with Conte
Conte can do no wrong and he was being cheered at Stamford Bridge within seconds of appearing in his technical area after winning the Premier League at the first time of asking.
This was a night for Chelsea to bask in the glory of their success and hard work this season, and after a slow start, the crowd warmed to the occasion.
For Conte, it was also the opportunity to give some of his shadow squad game time, with the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Nemanja Matic given the night off and Diego Costa, Fabregas, Pedro, Gary Cahill and Marcos Alonso on the bench.
It was not simply a matter of giving Terry a game and showcasing younger talent such as Nathan Ake and Nathaniel Chalobah - this was a selection with a glance towards the forthcoming FA Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley.
Chelsea's lack of familiarity showed in an uncharacteristically shoddy defensive performance while the lack of spark in some of the display was perhaps the result of mental and physical energy expended in getting the title win over the line.
The perfectionist Conte will be unhappy with parts of this performance, but he will also see the bigger picture.
Terry is on the victory lap of his Chelsea career, with only Sunday's final home game against Sunderland remaining before the curtain comes down.
Chelsea's title win enabled Conte to give Terry his first league start since the 2-2 draw at Swansea City on 11 September last year, and first start in any competition since the FA Cup fifth-round win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 18 February.
It was a night of mixed fortunes for the 36-year-old, whose goal meant he had scored in his 17th successive Premier League season.
Terry scrambled home that landmark goal but then made that uncharacteristic error to allow Capoue in for the equaliser.
Chelsea's defence was not at its best but Terry was leading from the front as usual, even diving into an injury-time melee when players from both sides squared up to each other.
Terry is not going quietly from Chelsea - but that will come as no surprise.
It was fitting that Azpilicueta got himself on the scoresheet with a drilled low finish to put Chelsea 2-1 up - a rightful reward for a player whose outstanding consistency makes him a key component of this title-winning team.
Azpilicueta has been almost faultless as a vital part of the three-man defence that transformed Chelsea's season, and while he may be underrated and unsung outside Stamford Bridge, there is no underestimating the importance Conte, his team-mates and fans put on the 27-year-old Spain defender.
'The target is 30 wins' - what the managers said
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte told BBC Sport: "It's a big night because we won the title. I made a decision to make nine changes and give the chance to start a lot of young players. I must be pleased because the answer was very good.
"We conceded three goals but we scored four and created many chances. The most important thing was we won. Now we have target to win 30 games [which would be a Premier League record in a season].
"The most important thing is to win the league. Then if we have the possibility to improve these records, we must try. We can reach this target. The players and I want to reach this target."
Watford manager Walter Mazzarri told BBC Sport: "I am very proud of my team. We had several players out injured.
"We played very well. Of course we were safe with six games left. I'm looking at the players I've got and who needs to be here next season.
"Congratulations to Antonio Conte because he's a great manager. They have great players. They deserve the title."
Chelsea get to celebrate all over again when they host relegated Sunderland on Sunday (15:00 BST), while Watford welcome Manchester City at the same time on the final day of the league season. The Blues still have the FA Cup final against Arsenal to come on 27 May.
• None Chelsea have equalled the record from most wins in a single Premier League season [29, also achieved by the Blues in 04-05 and 05-06]
• None Watford scored with all three of their shots on target
• None Antonio Conte made nine changes to the starting 11 for this game, the most ever by a Chelsea manager in the Premier League
• None Jose Holebas has picked up a league-high 14 yellow cards in the Premier League this season; no player has ever picked up more in a single campaign [also 14 for Lee Cattermole in 14-15, Cheick Tiote in 10-11, Robbie Savage in 01-02 and Mark Hughes in 98-99)
• None John Terry has now netted in each of his past 17 top-flight campaigns
• None Terry's goal was Chelsea's 1,000th in the Premier League since Roman Abramovich took over [in the summer of 2003]
• None It was also the Blues' 100th goal in all competitions this season
• None Troy Deeney (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
• None Pedro (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing.
• None Second yellow card to Sebastian Prödl (Watford) for a bad foul.
• None Attempt missed. Pedro (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
• None Goal! Chelsea 4, Watford 3. Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Willian.
• None Attempt saved. Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Willian with a through ball.
• None Attempt saved. Ola Aina (Chelsea) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Eden Hazard.
• None Attempt missed. John Terry (Chelsea) header from the left side of the six yard box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Cesc Fàbregas with a cross following a corner.
• None Sebastian Prödl (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39176057
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TV dinners: The hidden cost of the processed food revolution - BBC News
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2017-05-15
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The industrialisation of food production has saved us time - but we are paying the price in other ways.
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Business
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It is a typical November Tuesday for Mary, who lives in the north-east of the United States.
She is 44, has a degree, and her family is prosperous - in the top quarter of American households by income. So what has she done today? Is she a lawyer or a teacher?
No. Mary spent an hour knitting and sewing, two hours setting the table and doing the dishes and well over two hours preparing and cooking food.
She is not unusual, because it is 1965 and at that time, many married American women - even those with an excellent education - spent large chunks of their day catering for their families.
50 Things That Made the Modern Economy highlights the inventions, ideas and innovations which have helped create the economic world in which we live.
We know about Mary's day - and those of many others - because of time-use surveys conducted around the world. These diaries reveal precisely how different people use their time.
For educated women, the way time is spent in the US and other rich countries has changed radically over the past half a century.
Women in America now spend around 45 minutes per day in total cooking and cleaning up. That's still much more than men, who spend only 15 minutes a day doing such tasks. But it is a vast reduction from Mary's four hours.
Behind this shift is a radical change to the way the food we eat is prepared, as seen by the introduction of the TV dinner in 1954.
Presented in a space-age aluminium tray, and prepared so that everything would require the same cooking time, the "frozen turkey tray TV dinner" was developed by a bacteriologist called Betty Cronin.
She worked for the Swanson food processing company, keen to find ways to keep busy after the business of supplying rations to US troops had dried up.
But of course the TV dinner was only part of a panoply of changes, wrought by the availability of freezers, microwaves, preservatives and production lines.
Food had been perhaps the last cottage industry: something that would overwhelmingly be produced in the home.
But food preparation has been industrialised - outsourced to restaurants and takeaways and to factories that prepare ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook meals.
And the invention of the industrial meal - in all its forms - has led to a profound shift in the modern economy.
How we spend on food is changing.
In 2015, US consumers spent more money on food and drink outside their home than on groceries for the first time
American families spend increasingly more outside the home - on fast food, restaurant meals, sandwiches and snacks. Only a quarter of food spending was outside the home in the 1960s.
That has steadily risen over time and in 2015 a landmark was reached: for the first time, Americans spent more on food and drink outside the home than at grocery stores. The British passed that particular milestone more than a decade earlier.
Even within the home, food is increasingly processed to save the chef time and effort: bagged chopped salad, pre-grated cheese, jars of pasta sauce, individual permeable tea bags, meatballs doused in sauce and chicken that comes plucked and gutted.
Each new innovation would seem bizarre to the older generation.
I have never plucked a chicken and perhaps my children will never chop salad. All this saves time - serious amounts of time.
When the economist Valerie Ramey compared time-use diaries in the US between the 1920s and the 1960s, she found that surprisingly little had changed.
Whether women were uneducated and married to farmers, or highly educated and married to urban professionals, they still spent similar amounts of time on housework across those 50 years.
It was only in the 1960s that this pattern began to shift.
But surely the innovation responsible for emancipating women was not the TV dinner, but the washing machine?
The idea is widely believed and is appealing. A frozen TV dinner does not really feel like progress, compared to home-cooked food.
The washing machine was innovative, but did not save much time
But a washing machine is clean and efficient and replaces work that was always drudgery. How could it not have been revolutionary?
However, the revolution wasn't in the lives of women, it was in how lemon fresh we all started to smell.
As Alison Wolf argues in her book The XX Factor, the evidence is clear that the washing machine did not save a lot of time, because before washing machines, we did not wash clothes very often. When it took all day to wash and dry a few shirts, people used replaceable collars and cuffs or dark outer layers to hide the grime.
In contrast, when it took two or three hours to prepare a meal, someone had to take that time. There was not an alternative. The washing machine did not save much time, and the ready meal did, because we were not willing to starve, but we were willing to stink.
The availability of ready meals has had some regrettable side-effects.
Obesity rates rose sharply in developed countries between the 1970s and the early 21st Century, at much the same time as these culinary innovations were being developed. This is no coincidence, say health economists. The cost of calories has fallen dramatically, not just in financial terms but also in terms of time.
Consider the humble potato. It has long been a staple of the American diet, but before World War Two potatoes were usually baked, mashed or boiled. There's a reason for that: roast potatoes need to be peeled, chopped, par-boiled and then roasted. French fries or chips must be finely chopped and then deep fried.
Over time, however, the production of fried sliced potato chips - both French fries and crisps - was centralised. French fries can be peeled, chopped, fried and frozen in a factory and then refried in a fast-food restaurant or microwaved at home.
Obesity rates have risen sharply since the large scale industrialisation of food production
Between 1977 and 1995, American potato consumption increased by a third, almost entirely because of the rise of fried potatoes.
Even simpler, crisps can be fried, salted, flavoured and packaged to last for many weeks on the shelf. But this convenience comes at a cost.
In the US, calorie intake by adults rose by about 10% between the 1970s and the 1990s. Not as a result of more calorific regular meals but because of increased snacking - usually of processed convenience food.
Psychology - and common sense - suggest this should not be a surprise.
Experiments by behavioural scientists show that we make very different decisions about what to eat depending on how far away the meal is. A long-planned meal is likely to be nutritious, but when we make more impulsive decisions, our snacks are more likely to be junk food than something nourishing.
The industrialisation of food - symbolised by the TV dinner - changed our economy in two important ways. It freed women from hours of domestic chores, removing a large obstacle to them adopting serious professional careers.
But by making empty calories ever more convenient to acquire, it also freed our waistlines to expand.
The challenge now - as with so many inventions - is to enjoy the benefit without also suffering the cost.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39490182
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Lewis Hamilton & Sebastian Vettel provide 'a scrap between two of the greatest' - BBC Sport
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2017-05-15
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Lewis Hamilton keeps his cool after Sebastian Vettel's robust defence - but only because he would have done the same.
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The sense of satisfaction oozed out of Lewis Hamilton after the Spanish Grand Prix, in which he took a thrilling victory in the best race of a season that is already heading towards becoming a classic.
The Mercedes driver's 55th career win meant he matched title rival Sebastian Vettel on two wins each in the five races so far this season and closed the points gap at the top of the championship to just six heading into the next race in Monaco on 28 May.
Just as importantly, it was a victory to boost the confidence of both Hamilton and his team. They did it the hard way after losing the lead to Vettel on the first lap, and it required both brilliant driving and inspirational strategic thinking to get back past the Ferrari.
The effort it took from Hamilton was apparent by the unusual breathlessness of many of his radio messages as he and his Mercedes engineers worked to turn the race back around in their favour against the odds.
And in doing so they answered many of the questions that have arisen over them in the course of a first quarter of the season in which Ferrari have pushed them right to the limit.
Those panting radio calls from Hamilton - some of them betraying so much effort that he was unable to even finish the sentence he was trying to construct - were caused, he said afterwards, by the sheer physical and mental effort he was having to put into the race.
"[The] intensity of the fight, how much I was on the edge," Hamilton said. "I was very much on the edge. It is hard to really explain it. I was pushing. I couldn't push any more. And that was every lap for 66 laps, well, 63."
This could not have happened last year, or indeed any of the years from 2011-16, when the Pirelli tyres would not have sustained such demands.
But the harder compound introduced for this season has allowed drivers to push much closer to the limit for much longer and the result has been a series of terrific races that are really testing the drivers.
Later in the race, Hamilton found himself behind Vettel but on a faster tyre. Overtaking is notoriously difficult on this track.
After being barged off the track as they disputed the lead when Vettel returned to the track from his final pit stop, Hamilton spent six laps tracking Vettel closely while they negotiated traffic, before using the extra grip of his tyres to get him close enough to use the DRS overtaking aid - now Vettel did not also have it - to blast past on the straight.
It was still asking a lot to make his 'soft' tyres last the 30 laps required to finish the race but he played the life out with excellent judgement, extended his gap, and when Vettel tried to close in again in the final laps, posted the fastest lap of the race with two to go to emphasise how much he was in control.
"What I loved about the race with Sebastian is I love tennis and I love watching [Roger] Federer and [Novak] Djokovic in the final and what I really admire is consistency," said Hamilton.
"I admire their concentration and how they are so awesome and stay at the limit. I felt I had that battle. That is the only way I can explain it."
During the race, Hamilton had told his team that Vettel's defence of the lead when they came together at Turn One on lap 38 was "dangerous".
Afterwards, they had a brief chat in the pre-podium room. "I didn't say anything bad, just, 'be careful, that was very, very, very close'," said Hamilton.
"But I enjoyed it and I'm glad I was able to have a battle, didn't damage anything and there's nothing lost between us. The respect stays the same.
"He was tough and hard, just to the edge and no more - if he'd hit me that would have been a bit different."
The respect will doubtless stay through the season no matter what happens, the two men have too much regard for each other's talent for it not to. But this is turning into a titanic scrap between two of the greatest drivers of their generation and it is not hard to imagine that the spiciness is going to go up a few notches as the season goes on.
Hamilton kept his counsel after the race not only because he acknowledged that Vettel had not done anything wrong but also because he knows full well he would have done the same himself.
This was the first intense mano-a-mano combat between the two on track this year, but it's unlikely to be the last. One suspects Hamilton will be more than happy to return the favour if the roles are reversed next time.
Good as Hamilton's drive was - undoubtedly one of his very best - he could not have done it without a superb collective effort from Mercedes team, from head of strategy James Vowles and Hamilton's engineer Peter Bonnington on the pit wall to his team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
In Bahrain, Mercedes were caught flat-footed on strategy, taking far too long to move Bottas out of Hamilton's way, and it arguably cost them a strong chance of victory. In Barcelona, though, they got everything perfect.
Track position is so important at Spain's Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya that Hamilton, who started on pole position, already knew he was in for a tough afternoon from the moment he was passed by Vettel on the run down to the first corner.
But he managed to hang on to within about 2.5 seconds of Vettel, despite the fact that until this weekend the Mercedes drivers have tended to lose more performance in the dirty air behind other cars than the more-flexible Ferrari.
Holding that margin was critical, because it forced Ferrari to pit Vettel early in the first stint to avoid the risk of being 'undercut' by Hamilton - when a team stops first and uses the extra grip of new tyres to gain enough time on the driver who stops second to be ahead when both stops are finished.
That done, Mercedes then adjusted their strategy to run a longer first stint - a full seven laps longer than Vettel - and then pit for the harder 'medium' tyres.
Mercedes then left Bottas out even longer than Hamilton, and used him strategically to block Vettel who was closing fast on the old-tyred Mercedes on his fresh tyres. It only took Vettel two laps to pass the Finn, despite his valiant defence, but in that time he lost nearly five seconds to Hamilton.
• None LISTEN: 'Like Mansell on Piquet back in the day'
Mercedes' decision to run Hamilton long in the first stint and then fit medium tyres turned out to be critical. In theory, depending on how things worked out, Hamilton could now run to the end on those tyres.
This meant that when the virtual safety car was deployed mid-race following a collision between Felipe Massa's Williams and Stoffel Vandoorne's McLaren, Ferrari could not risk pitting Vettel because it would have put him behind Hamilton. The German's tyres would have been fresher, but of the same compound, and there was no guarantee he would have been able to pass over the rest of the race.
That freed up Mercedes to make the strategy call that won Hamilton the race. To avoid Ferrari responding, they waited until it was clear the VSC period was about to end before pitting Hamilton for fresh tyres.
The fact that some of his pit stop was done while Vettel was being controlled to VSC speeds meant the Ferrari driver's lead was cut from eight seconds to nothing and they were side by side as Vettel emerged from the pits and they headed to the first corner.
That's 12 seconds Mercedes bought Hamilton in his battle with Vettel by two clever strategic plays.
Hamilton very nearly took the lead there and then, only to be barged aside. But he bided his time on his grippier tyres - he was on the much-faster softs by now and Vettel on the mediums - and got it done a few laps later.
Some progress on the car, too
The other positive for Hamilton and Mercedes in this race was technical. Not only could Hamilton follow Vettel closely twice, when in previous races that might not have been possible, but the car also had noticeable better tyre usage than in some races this year, despite the hot weather.
Hamilton said he believed the dramatic-looking aerodynamic upgrades on the Mercedes may have been partly responsible for this.
"I was on a different tyre to him at the end, particularly when I was close," he said. "That was a large part of it.
"The upgrades have helped. The experience we've had in the last couple of races, understanding the tyres and where to put them we are starting to see the benefits of that.
"It is still hard to overtake, but it was an unusual weekend where we were quick in the last sector and they were slower but they were very strong in the first two. I was surprised I was able to follow. I can't tell you why but I think ultimately we were quicker today."
There was actually some debate after the race about whether the Mercedes or the Ferrari was the quicker car in Spain. Hamilton and team boss Toto Wolff both said they thought that was the case; others - including Vettel - believed it was the Ferrari.
What that underlines is just how close this battle is, that races are being decided by the tiniest margins, by strategy, intelligence and driving skills are coming to the fore. Neither team can get away with mistakes - Mercedes made them in Bahrain and lost; Ferrari were out-thought in Spain.
"The car was good, nothing to blame there," Vettel said. "I think our weekend was a bit scrappy overall."
The key to the season
Next comes Monaco, the most prestigious race of the season. Both men will want a win there, but both are aware it is just one more battle in a much longer war.
"In my mind, it is not the most important thing," Hamilton said. "For me it is about consistency. You can get ahead for one race and behind the next.
"It is about trying to perform as I have this weekend every single race we have left. Whoever is the most consistent [will win]."
If he can keep driving as well as he did in Spain, and Mercedes go with him, Hamilton will take some stopping.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39916575
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Shorter sets and shot clock to be trialled in ATP youth event trial in Milan - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Shorter sets and a shot clock will be among new ideas to be trialled at a youth tennis tournament by the sport's ruling body.
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Shorter sets and a shot clock are among the innovative ideas to be trialled at a youth tennis tournament by the sport's ruling body.
The ATP's Under-21 version of the World Tour Finals in Milan in November will introduce first to four game sets, with a tie-break at three-all.
Reduced warm-ups, a no-let rule for serves and sudden death at deuce are other changes planned.
Tennis chiefs hope the move will attract new and younger fans.
Among the changes for the Next Gen ATP Finals, featuring eight of the world's best Under-21 players, are:
• Shorter format: First to four game sets (rather than first to six) with a tie-break, if needed, at three-all. Best of five sets (previously best of three at this event). No more 'advantage' scoring, with a sudden-death deuce point where the receiver chooses which side their opponent serves from.
• Shorter Warm-Up: Matches will begin precisely five minutes, rather than 10 minutes, from the second player's walk-on.
• Shot Clock: To be used in between points to ensure strict regulation of the rule which allows players 25 seconds to serve. The clock will also be used for the warm-up, during set breaks and medical time-outs - which will be limited to one per player per match.
• Player coaching: Players and coaches will be able to communicate at certain points in the match (to be determined), although coaches will not be allowed on court.
• Spectators : Fans (except those behind the baselines) will be able to enter and leave the arena while matches take place.
Why are the changes being brought in?
The ATP said the aim of the changes was designed to create a "high-tempo, cutting-edge, and TV-friendly product".
It wants to attract new and younger fans into into the sport, while at the same time retaining the sport's traditional fan base.
ATP president Chris Kermode added: "We're excited to be bringing something new to the table with this event.
"This event is not only about the next generation of players, but also about the next generation of fans."
He stressed that the ATP remains "acutely aware of the traditions in our sport".
"We will be sure to safeguard the integrity of our product when assessing if any changes should eventually be carried forward onto regular ATP World Tour events in the future," he said.
The ATP's president Chris Kermode has been clear for a while that tennis will have to change within the next 10 years. He says he is not worried where the next generation of players will come from, but has real concerns about the next generation of fans.
The television audience is ageing: so what will those in their 20s and 30s be prepared to sit down and (possibly pay to) watch in future?
A shorter format has served its purpose in cricket, but it is not just the time it takes: it is also about providing the entertainment which has made the Indian Premier League so popular in its first decade.
What have other sports tried?
Tennis is the latest sport to try a different format:
Cricket - Led the way with 20-over Twenty20 competition. A new eight-team, city-based T20 tournament is planned by the England and Wales Cricket Board, which it is hoped could rival the success of the Indian Premier League and Australia's Big Bash.
Golf - Earlier this month, the European Tour staged its first Golf Sixes event where each of the six holes has a theme, including a long-drive contest, nearest to the pin and a 40-second shot clock. Much like T20, there was also pyrotechnics and music.
Athletics - The inaugural Nitro Athletics event in Melbourne in February included mixed relays and an elimination mile, where the last-placed runner was eliminated at the end of each of the first three laps of the track. During the meet, flame cannons shot fireballs into the air and there were dancers as pop music blared out.
Snooker - Shoot Out is a knockout tournament where each match is one frame, played with a shot clock, and fans are allowed to shout out encouragement. It controversially became a ranking event this year.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39938989
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Pep Guardiola: Barcelona & Bayern Munich 'would have sacked' Man City boss - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he would have been sacked by Barcelona and Bayern Munich after a trophy-less season.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he would have been sacked by former clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich if he had ended a season without a trophy.
City have failed to win any silverware in Guardiola's debut season, and are not yet guaranteed a top-four Premier League finish with two games to play.
Guardiola's side lost in the Champions League last 16, FA Cup semi-finals and League Cup fourth round.
"In my situation at a big club, I'm sacked. I'm out," said the Spaniard.
"If it is Barcelona and Bayern, you don't win and you are out. Here I have a second chance and I will try to do it better next season."
City may have to win both of their final league games to secure third place ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal and clinch direct qualification into next season's Champions League.
They host eighth-placed West Brom on Tuesday before Sunday's trip to Watford, who are 16th.
The former Spain international succeeded Manuel Pellegrini as City manager last summer, arriving with high expectations after success-packed spells at both Barcelona and Bayern.
A former Barca midfielder, the 46-year-old led the Catalan club to 14 trophies in four years, including three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues, between 2008 and 2012.
After taking a year-long sabbatical, he joined German giants Bayern in 2013 and won the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern also won the German Cup in twice in that period, but Guardiola could not steer them past the Champions League semi-finals.
City fans hoped his arrival would lead to their first Premier League title in three seasons, but, despite winning their opening six games, they have faced a battle to finish in the top four.
Fifth-placed Arsenal are hoping to take advantage if City drop points over the next two games, but Guardiola has dismissed Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's concern that "some teams are on holiday".
"I never saw one player in my life go to the pitch and not try to win the game," he said.
"Arsenal play against Sunderland and Everton - one is relegated and one is in the Europa League - so it is the same situation."
Lost on away goals to Monaco (6-6 on agg)
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39926264
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Italian Open: Johanna Konta beats Yulia Putintseva, Aljaz Bedene loses to Novak Djokovic - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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British number one Johanna Konta makes a strong start at the Italian Open, but Aljaz Bedene loses to Novak Djokovic.
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Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Johanna Konta made a strong start at the Italian Open with a straight-set win over Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva in Rome.
The British number one, who turns 26 on Wednesday, won 6-3 6-0 to claim her second clay-court victory of the year.
Konta had a bye in the first round as the fifth seed and will face American Venus Williams or Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko in round three.
Top seed Andy Murray takes on Italian Fabio Fognini in the evening session at 20:00 BST.
Konta impressed against Putintseva, breaking the world number 29's serve four times while remaining steadfast on her own.
"You need to play yourself a little bit into the match and into the tournament," said Konta.
"I felt that my level did improve, especially at the beginning of that second set pretty much through to the end."
The first set was hard work for the Briton but her attacking instincts prevailed with the only break in game five.
A fainting ball boy, who was escorted from the court, was the only significant interruption to the world number six's progress in the second set as she raced through six straight games.
"I saw him after the match and he seemed to be doing better, so I think he's fine," Konta said of the ball boy.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39935200
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White Hart Lane: Tottenham immediately begin stadium redevelopment - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Redevelopment of White Hart Lane begins less than 24 hours after Tottenham said an emotional farewell to their home of the past 118 years.
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Redevelopment of White Hart Lane starts less than 24 hours after Tottenham said an emotional farewell to their home of the past 118 years with a 2-1 win over Manchester United.
They plan to have a new 61,000-seater stadium, built on the same site, ready for the 2018-19 season.
In the meantime, the club will play home games at Wembley, which they have used in the Champions League and Europa League this season.
The new stadium is expected to cost £750m but will create about 3,500 jobs in the area when it is finished, according to the club.
READ MORE: 'The heavens are shedding a tear' - White Hart Lane memories
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39920354
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Bebeto's son Mattheus Oliveira signs for Sporting Lisbon - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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The son of Brazilian World Cup winner Bebeto, subject of the famous 'rocking cradle' celebration in the 1994 World Cup, has signed for Sporting Lisbon.
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The son of Brazilian World Cup winner Bebeto, subject of the famous 'rocking cradle' celebration in the 1994 World Cup, has signed for Sporting Lisbon.
You can follow action from tonight's football on this website on the BBC Sport app and on The Red Button with 5 live Final Score from 19:00 BST.
Available to UK users only.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39941716
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FBI chief sacking: Who will replace James Comey? - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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President Donald Trump says his pick for FBI chief would be named "very soon".
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US & Canada
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Candidates: Clockwise from top left: Lawyer Alice Fisher, New York Appeals Court Judge Michael Garcia, Republican Senator John Cornyn and Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe
US President Donald Trump has said he could announce a replacement for former FBI director James Comey as early as this week, and former Senator Joe Lieberman was among his top choices.
Mr Trump told reporters on Thursday his pick would be announced "very soon". The position requires Senate confirmation.
The White House was engulfed in turmoil after Mr Trump fired Mr Comey, citing his handling of the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while at the State Department.
Critics have accused the White House of trying to thwart Mr Comey's investigation into alleged Russian interference in the US election and any Moscow ties to Trump associates.
There were reportedly at least 14 candidates in the frame, but Trey Gowdy and John Cornyn have ruled themselves out.
Earlier this week, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer added three more names to the list.
Joe Lieberman: The former Connecticut senator, 75, is a Democrat-turned-Independent who endorsed John McCain in 2008 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. He was the Democratic vice-presidential candidate on the 2000 ticket with Al Gore. Mr Lieberman lost the Democratic primary in 2006 but kept his seat as an "independent Democrat" in the general election. He was Connecticut's attorney general before he was elected to the Senate in 1988. He retired from Congress in 2012.
Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe: The former FBI deputy director became second in command in January 2016. Before joining the FBI, he interned with the Department of Justice's criminal division while in law school and later worked at a Philadelphia law firm. Mr McCabe's wife, Jill, ran as a Democrat in Virginia for a state Senate seat in 2016 and received political donations from some Clinton allies.
He appeared to contradict the White House during testimony last week, telling a congressional panel the FBI investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the US election was "a highly significant investigation". He also said Mr Comey "enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does to this day", casting doubt on Mr Trump's claim that the former FBI chief had lost the confidence of his staff.
Frank Keating: The former Oklahoma Republican governor worked as an FBI special agent before becoming a politician. He penned an op-ed in the Tulsa World last April entitled: "Anyone but Trump". But his brother, Dan Keating, served as the Oklahoma state co-chair for Mr Trump's campaign. The governor told MSNBC at the Republican National Convention that he voted for Ohio Governor John Kasich in the Republican primary election, but conceded "Trump's our guy" and there was no other alternative.
Richard McFeely: Retired from the FBI in 2014 after more than two decades with the agency. He was a top official who oversaw about 60% of FBI operations, including the Cyber Division, which included an upwards of a thousand agents, analysts, forensic specialists and computer scientists, according to a 2013 New Yorker piece.
Mike Rogers: The former Michigan congressman was endorsed by the FBI Agents Association, which represents thousands of current and former FBI agents. The former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee is also an ex-FBI special agent and a veteran of the armed forces. The association described Mr Rogers as "someone capable of confronting the wide array of challenges facing our help ensure that the bureau remains the world's premiere law enforcement agency".
Alice Fisher: The defence lawyer was the first candidate interviewed at the justice department, according to US media reports. She ran the justice department's criminal division as an assistant attorney general under former president George W Bush and is currently a partner at a Washington law firm. Ms Fisher would be the first woman to lead the agency if selected.
Judge Michael Garcia: The former federal prosecutor serves as an associate judge on New York's highest state court. As a US attorney, he oversaw an investigation into a prostitution ring that prompted the resignation of then-New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. He also led an investigation into alleged corruption in the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. His inquiry also aided a criminal investigation of Fifa, the world governing body of soccer, by US and Switzerland. The Latino judge was appointed to the court by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2016. He also was appointed as assistant secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by former President Bush in 2002.
Henry E Hudson: The US district judge in Virginia was appointed by former President Bush. He is best known for striking down a key provision of former President Barack Obama's healthcare law in 2010. The conservative judge also sentenced football star Michael Vick to nearly two years in federal prison for running a dog-fighting operation in Virginia in 2007.
Frances Townsend: Ms Townsend served as a security and counterterrorism adviser to the Bush administration. She was reportedly spotted at the White House on Monday afternoon before Mr Comey was fired and met Mr Trump last year at Trump Tower in New York when she was under consideration for a top administration role. The former federal prosecutor in New York climbed the ranks to become a senior intelligence official at the justice department and US Coast Guard in Washington. She would become the first female to lead the agency. However, she was one of dozens of national security veterans to sign an open letter calling Mr Trump a "fundamentally dishonest" candidate during the election campaign.
Adam Lee: The head of the FBI's office in Richmond, Virginia, returned to the justice department for a second interview on Saturday, according to US media.
William Evanina: He is the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Paul Abbate: He currently serves as the executive assistant director for the FBI's Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch. He previously oversaw FBI field offices in Washington and Detroit and has been at the agency for more than 20 years.
Judge Michael Luttig: He is a former justice department lawyer who was appointed by President George HW Bush. He left the bench in 2006 to join Boeing, where he serves as general counsel. He was considered for two US Supreme Court vacancies, which were instead given to Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito.
Larry Thompson: He served as a deputy attorney general under the Bush administration from 2001 to 2003. He also was a federal prosecutor in Georgia and has held several senior roles at PepsiCo.
Ray Kelly: The former police commissioner led the New York Police Department (NYPD) for more than a decade. He created the first counterterrorism bureau in any police department in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and oversaw a marked drop in New York's crime. But under his leadership, the NYPD was scrutinised for its use of aggressive force and stop-and-frisk programme, which critics say disproportionately affected non-white residents.
John Suthers: The mayor of Colorado Springs was formerly the state's attorney general from 2005 to 2015. As a prosecutor he was one of several to sue the Obama administration during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and he signed on to a legal challenge to defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which barred gay marriage.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39926725
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Reading 1-0 Fulham (agg: 2-1) - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Yann Kermorgant's second-half penalty gives Reading victory over Fulham to book a spot in the Championship play-off final.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
A Yann Kermorgant penalty was enough for Reading to edge out Fulham and reach the Championship play-off final.
The French forward fired the Royals into the Wembley final on Monday, 29 May for a shot at promotion to the Premier League just after half-time.
The only goal of the second leg came after Fulham centre-back Tomas Kalas was penalised for handball.
Fulham were denied a leveller by a string of excellent saves from Ali Al Habsi in the Reading goal.
The Royals, who finished third in manager Jaap Stam's first season in charge, will play either Huddersfield or Sheffield Wednesday in the final.
Shortly after full-time, Reading also announced that Chinese brother and sister Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li had become the majority shareholders of the club.
The two sides were level at 1-1 from Saturday's first leg at Craven Cottage and an opening half an hour of great intensity saw both goalkeepers make fine saves to keep the scores tied.
Goalscorer Kermorgant was denied an earlier opener by Marcus Bettinelli's fine right-hand stop after his low shot on the turn, before Al Habsi denied Fulham's Tom Cairney at the other end.
After the break, it was a lapse in concentration from Fulham centre-back Kalas that was to prove the decisive moment.
Kermorgant chased a ball over the top into the Fulham area and put pressure on Kalas, who was penalised by referee Martin Atkinson as the ball rolled up his left arm.
The 35-year-old striker converted the spot kick low to Bettinelli's right for his 19th goal of the Championship campaign.
Reading's progression to the final against a free-flowing and attacking Fulham owed much to their player of the season Al Habsi.
The Oman international, 35, was imperious throughout and kept his side in the game in the first half with a fine double save, first from Cairney's curling free-kick and then Sone Aluko's rebound.
Those quick reflexes came after he parried a Ryan Fredericks shot on to the base of the post.
In the second half, and with his side leading, he then tipped over a Kevin McDonald strike after Aluko had cut Reading open with some sublime skill down the right wing.
He still had time to deny substitute Chris Martin what looked like a simple finish as he dived to smother the ball at the striker's feet on the edge of the six-yard box.
Reading return to Wembley in a Championship play-off final for the first time since 2011, when they were beaten 4-2 by Swansea.
Fulham are yet to progress beyond the semi-finals of the format in the second flight.
"It was a tough game. We knew it would be from the start.
"In the first half we played well in how we got in behind and threatened, we tried to manage the space well and in the first half, we played very well and we were aggressive in how we pressed them.
"We spoke at half-time about how we could make it more difficult for them. We got a great start after the break, but then it was about us keeping on pressing them.
"We fought with everything we had. We've done that so many times this season and if you hold on like that, you will force mistakes out of people.
On reaching a Wembley final: "We worked so hard to get there. It's not all about football, sometimes it's all about results.
"We're proud in the achievement that we've done. It's great to be there to play in the final, I've been there in my playing career.
"There's a lot at stake and a great prize potentially for the club. It'll be tough against either Huddersfield or Sheffield Wednesday.
"It could be a game of great nerves, a great occasion, but we'll have to manage it properly."
On Ali Al Habsi's performance: "We know he's a great keeper, it's not just about today, he's been superb all season.
"It was a terrific performance. That's why he's paid to be in goal and be our last line of defence."
"I believe we played the better football, we were the better team, but we're not off to the final.
"Reading scored two goals in this tie after complicated decisions. "These situations exist and the push in the box on Lucas Piazon for us didn't get the same treatment as his decision earlier at the opposite end of the pitch.
"But, Martin Atkinson is the best English referee, an international referee and I can't complain.
"We're really disappointed as we've lost the chance to play in the final after these kind of decisions.
"We weren't clinical enough tonight. On one side I'm disappointed but on the other, I'm proud of my team and how they play throughout the season."
• None Attempt missed. Chris Martin (Fulham) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Stefan Johansen with a cross following a corner.
• None Attempt missed. Tom Cairney (Fulham) header from the right side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Piazon with a cross following a corner.
• None Delay over. They are ready to continue.
• None Delay in match Ali Al Habsi (Reading) because of an injury.
• None Attempt missed. Chris Martin (Fulham) right footed shot from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Sone Aluko with a cross.
• None Attempt saved. Kevin McDonald (Fulham) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Sone Aluko.
• None Attempt blocked. Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39853033
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Andy Murray beaten by Fabio Fognini in Rome Masters second round - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Defending champion Andy Murray is knocked out of the Italian Open in the second round by Italian Fabio Fognini.
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Defending champion Andy Murray has been knocked out of the Italian Open in the second round by Italian Fabio Fognini.
The 30-year-old British world number one, whose victory in Rome last year was one of nine titles he won in 2016, lost 6-2 6-4 to the world number 29.
The loss continues Murray's poor form ahead of the French Open, which gets under way on 28 May.
Murray's fellow Brit Aljaz Bedene was also knocked out in the second round by world number two Novak Djokovic.
The Serb, who has never failed to reach the last eight in Rome, dominated the tie-break to win a tight first set but eased through the second to win 7-6 (7-2) 6-2.
"A little bit of a slow start, but Bedene is the kind of player that gives you good rhythm," said Djokovic, who was beaten in the Madrid Open semis by Rafael Nadal last week.
"I had some good exchanges, some good games with rallies and it felt right, especially in the second set."
Djokovic, who received a bye in the first round, faces either Pablo Carreno Busta or Roberto Bautista Agut in round three.
Murray comes unstuck on clay again
Murray, who turned 30 on Monday, continues to struggle for consistency on his return from an elbow injury.
He has won one event this season - on the hard court in Dubai in February - but has struggled on clay, with his best performance in the four events he has played so far on the surface being his semi-final appearance in Barcelona.
The Scot was under pressure from the very start, and failed to recover from losing his opening service game as home favourite Fognini swept into a 3-0 lead before closing out the set with a love service.
He was up against it again as more poor service games left him trailing 4-1.
There was a brief recovery by Murray as a break and a hold saw him trail 5-4 but Fognini reasserted his dominance to serve out victory and secure his first win over a world number one.
Murray's seventh defeat of the season - and his fifth in the last 10 matches - leaves him very short of confidence and form heading into the French Open.
Fognini hit some monster forehands, and some gorgeous drop shots, but at no stage was Murray able to impose his game on the Italian. Many of his groundstrokes were landing in mid-court: there was very little threat or conviction to trouble someone playing as well as Fognini.
Ivan Lendl flies to Europe this weekend to bolster Murray's coaching team, and they will all have their work cut out. Murray is currently playing nothing like a world number one, and nothing like a potential French Open champion.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39943519
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Rangers should be embarrassed at finishing third, says Derek McInnes - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes claims Rangers should be "embarrassed" at not finishing second in the Premiership.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes insists any club with Rangers' financial clout ought to have finished second in the Premiership and that they should be embarrassed at having failed to do so.
Aberdeen are six points clear of third-placed Rangers with two games to go.
"I find it strange he feels the need to talk about Aberdeen so much," McInnes said of Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha.
"They should probably be embarrassed that they've not finished second. I think he likes to do a lot of talking."
The teams meet for the final time this season at Ibrox on Wednesday evening with the Light Blues trailing the Scottish Cup finalists with a vastly inferior goal difference in addition to the six-point gap.
Rangers scored three late goals at Pittodrie last month to record a 3-0 win, that following a 2-1 win apiece earlier in the season.
However, it is the Dons who will finish runners-up to champions Celtic, albeit 30 points behind Brendan Rodgers' team.
McInnes, who has also led Aberdeen to the Betfred Cup final this season, feels the Portuguese is misguided about his targets in his early days as Rangers manager.
"If he thinks that is doing brilliant at Rangers, being on the up by finishing ahead of Aberdeen, then he's clearly mistaken," added the Aberdeen boss.
"His job as Rangers manager is to finish above Celtic and he should be more concerned about that challenge.
"For us, any team that finishes above Rangers in the league, with the budget they have, is doing their work well.
"And I think that any SPL (sic) manager, with the budget they have, would finish second in the league.
"The Rangers fans over the last few years have been used to either owners, managers or players saying what they want to hear but the reality is his job as Rangers manager is to finish above Celtic.
"If he thinks he's doing well by finishing above Aberdeen and the rest, he'll soon find out that's not enough."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39939982
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How DNA-testing kits are becoming big business - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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DNA-testing kits for health and fitness are growing in popularity, but is it all hype?
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Business
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The latest health and fitness trend involves taking a DNA test to find out more about how our bodies respond to different types of food and exercise. But how accurate and effective are these kits?
Fitness fanatic Mandy Mayer, 56, exercised several times a week but felt like she'd hit a plateau.
Her personal trainer suggested she try a DNAFit test, which tests the body's genetic response to key foods and exercise.
"I jumped at the chance," she says. "I thought I'd love to have that kind of knowledge."
After sending off a swab of her saliva, she received a report on her fitness and diet in January. She was impressed.
"I was like 'wow'. They told me I don't tolerate caffeine and refined foods very well, and I respond better to endurance training than anything else."
Three months later and she has dropped from a size 12 to a size 10 and lost several kilos. She attributes her leaner figure to understanding more about her genetic code.
"Without a shadow of a doubt it was down to the test," says Mandy, who lives in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
"It's made me follow the right training and make little changes to my diet."
A growing number of start-ups, such as 23andMe, FitnessGenes, UBiome, DNAFit, Orig3n and Habit, are moving into this space, promising that mail-order genetic tests can change your life for the better.
Orig3n is one of a growing number of start-ups entering the DNA-testing market
Some researchers believe the global market for such kits could be worth more than $10bn (£7.7bn) by 2022.
But how do they work and how reliable are they?
Avi Lasarow, chief executive of DNAFit, explains that everything about who we are is the unique combination of what we are born with - our genetics - and how we live - our environment.
"The biggest 'environment' factor that we can control in our day-to-day lives is our diet," he says, "so by understanding more about the static part, the genetics, we can better tweak the bit in our control."
He gives the example of the CYP1A2 gene, which controls around 95% of caffeine metabolism.
"Some people are fast metabolisers, some are slow, depending on their variants of this gene. Once you know this, however, you can make a better informed decision on your caffeine intake than you could without your genetic data."
Robin Smith, chief executive of Orig3n, which offers a range of health and wellness DNA tests costing from $29 to $149, says the results can help people make educated choices about what works for their bodies.
"If a person's DNA suggests that she is more likely to be deficient in B vitamins, she can pay attention to that in her daily life.
"Knowing what your DNA says about your body's food sensitivities, food breakdown, hunger, weight, vitamins, allows you to become a more informed consumer.
DNAFit says its kits can tell us what type of exercise we should be doing
"You can become smarter about what you choose to eat, and smarter about what supplements you choose to buy, saving you time, energy, and money while getting the results you want faster."
So much for the sales pitch, but some genetic experts are concerned that the efficacy of such kits may be overhyped.
"I'm not against people being able to access genetic information about themselves if they wish to do so, provided the test results and limitations are clearly explained," says Dr Jess Buxton, a geneticist at University College London.
"However, I do think that the amount of useful information that personalised health tests can offer is very limited at present because we still know very little about the effect of most SNPs [genetic variations called single nucleotide polymorphisms] and other types of genetic variation on a person's health."
While there are a few conditions, such as lactose intolerance, for which the genetic variations are very clear and well understood, the same cannot be said for most other conditions, she says.
"These [genetic variations] interact with each other and with non-genetic factors in ways that we don't fully understand, so it's impossible to make accurate predictions based on information about just a few of the gene variants involved, as many of these tests do."
That said, some studies do suggest that this kind of analysis might work. For example, the University of Trieste and the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo Institute for Maternal and Child Health in Italy found that those following diet based on genetic analysis lost 33% more weight than a controlled group.
Some start-ups are not just relying on a person's genetic make-up to make their diet and exercise recommendations.
San Francisco-based Habit's home kit includes a series of DNA samples, blood tests and a shake to drink so that the company can measure how your body metabolises fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
"Unlike other at-home tests that measure DNA alone, Habit looks at how the entire body works together," explains founder and chief executive Neil Grimmer.
Thierry Attias found out that he needed to eat far more vegetables to lose weight
Habit, he says, measures more than 60 nutrition-related blood and genetic biomarkers, biometrics and lifestyle choices, to make personalised nutrition recommendations for each individual.
"Personalised recommendations should be based on your entire biology, not just your DNA," says Mr Grimmer.
One early adopter is Thierry Attias, president of Momentum Sports Group, a firm managing the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team.
"Even though I cycle a few times a week, I carry an extra couple of pounds and I was curious to learn more about myself," says Mr Attias, who lives in Oakland, California.
He discovered that he's caffeine sensitive, his diet needs to include more plant-based food, and his body is slow at processing fats.
While Habit was still in testing phase, he opted to receive personalised ready-to-eat meals from the company for three days.
"An interesting thing happened," he enthuses. "I lost 4lbs (1.8kg) in a few days. I learnt portion size and how much more veg I needed in a serving."
In two months he has lost about 11lbs, he says.
But do we really need a testing kit to tell us to eat more vegetables and fewer fats as part of a healthy balanced diet - advice that has been around for decades?
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39923323
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Fernando Alonso's Indy 500 odyssey begins here - what can he expect? - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Intimidated? No chance. But Fernando Alonso's Indy 500 odyssey will provide a challenge like no other, writes Andrew Benson.
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Fernando Alonso says he is "very excited" about his Indy 500 odyssey - and he is not alone.
The two-time F1 champion flew straight from Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix to America to start his attempt to win the Indianapolis 500 on 28 May.
Some measure of the impact his decision has had comes from the fact that more than two million people watched Alonso's first test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this month.
Yes, two million people. Watching a webcast of a single car going around a circuit with four left-hand turns.
For Alonso, who is missing the Monaco Grand Prix to race at Indy, this is the next step to trying to win the 'triple crown' of motor racing's three blue-riband events.
Only one man, Graham Hill, has so far triumphed in Monaco - where Alonso has already won twice - at Indy and in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
And it is a rare chance to taste success at a time when his F1 career is becalmed by poor machinery.
At Indy, Alonso will have a car with which he can win, branded for his McLaren F1 team, run by the elite Andretti Autosport outfit and powered by a Honda engine - which, unlike the one in Alonso's F1 car, is absolutely competitive.
Few would question Lewis Hamilton's assessment that Alonso will be "the best driver in the paddock" at Indy. Less certain is whether he can adapt quickly enough to racing on a high-speed oval.
"He just won't have the time," Hamilton says. "It will be interesting to see how he fares against the drivers who have all this experience."
This is not just any racing driver. Alonso is an exceptional talent.
But he has never raced on an oval before, and is facing highly skilled rivals who have been doing it for years.
So what is Alonso up against, and what makes winning at Indy so difficult?
The Indy 500 is 200 laps of a 2.5-mile 'superspeedway' with four left-hand turns banked at an angle of nine degrees, all of which look identical but have their own subtleties.
There are no run-off areas - the track edge is a wall. Average lap speeds top 230mph in qualifying.
It is, needless to say, extremely dangerous, even if safety has been improved in recent years by replacing concrete walls with impact-absorbing barriers in the corners.
All teams use a spec Dallara chassis but there are two engine manufacturers - Honda and Chevrolet - and each can develop its own aerodynamics.
Although the cars are more rudimentary than F1 machinery, there is a level of complexity of set-up on an oval that Alonso has not experienced before.
'Between runs, he sat in the car, his face calm, no wide eyes'
Can Alonso adapt to the challenges of Indianapolis?
The beginnings of an answer were provided by his first run at Indy in early May, which also comprised the mandatory 'rookie test' all drivers new to Indy have to complete.
He was alone on track but it provided compelling viewing. Not only for the fly-on-the-wall nature of the coverage - cameras eavesdropped on Alonso's conversations with his engineers in a way never allowed in F1 - but also for the way he dealt with the day.
The rookie test required a driver to run a series of laps at pre-determined speeds - 10 laps in the range of 205-210mph, 15 at 210-215mph, 15 at 215-220mph. That's a total of 40 laps for the test. Alonso completed it in just 50, including those on which he exited or returned to the pits.
This is not hugely remarkable for a driver of his ability. But there were some eye-opening aspects to the day.
At one point, Alonso was told over the radio that he had completed the 210-215mph phase and could go straight onto the next one. His very next lap was 219.495mph.
The 215-220mph phase completed, he was straight into the high 221mph range, topping out at 222.548mph. "That's a race pace right there," said a watching Mario Andretti, 1978 F1 world champion and 1969 Indy 500 winner.
There was hardly any sense of Alonso playing himself in. He exuded control, as if he did it every day.
If he was feeling intimidated by the speeds involved, there was not a hint of it. Between runs, he sat in the car, his face calm, no wide eyes, no apparent trepidation at all.
Even to an experienced observer, this was extraordinary.
Scot Dario Franchitti, a three-time Indy 500 winner, said he was "amazed".
"I thought he got up to speed incredibly quickly," he added.
Alonso had arranged for timing data from a 210mph lap to be put on the steering wheel display screen, and calculated what would be the lap-time difference for the increased speeds.
But when I asked 2003 Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran how Alonso judged it so finely, he made it clear it was a long way from normal.
"The guy has enormous feel. Huge," said De Ferran, who is acting as Alonso's mentor at Indy.
"Obviously Fernando is extremely gifted, and I have now also learned that he is highly intelligent, has a great attitude and a great work ethic."
Alonso described his first test as "fun", and did admit to one moment when the speed and the walls got to him.
"The team at one point said: 'You are done with the limitations, so run free as you feel,'" Alonso said.
"I knew Marco [Andretti, who set the car up for Alonso] was flat in Turn One and I said [to myself] I will do it flat out.
"I was convinced 100% I was going flat out but the foot was not going flat out; it had its own life. The second or third lap I was able to do it, but the first lap was a good moment to feel the place, the car.
"The speed is something. For any racing driver, it is just pure adrenaline. It was a good day."
Intimidated, Alonso clearly is not. But he is aware that winning at Indy involves more than just being fast and brave - and that running in traffic in excess of 230mph and working out how to optimise the car are things he has to learn fast.
What does he have to learn?
Alonso has already impressed the Andretti team with his application and his understanding of the differences between what Americans call road racing and oval racing. But the task ahead of him is huge nonetheless.
There are so many differences between F1 and the Indy 500 that it is hard to know where to start.
The speed is one thing - there is not a corner on an F1 circuit anywhere in the world that is taken as fast as the average lap speed Alonso will be doing in the race at Indy, let alone qualifying.
Whereas an F1 team is not allowed to change the car between qualifying and race, Indy requires two different set-ups for each.
And then there is the complexity of how the cars work on an oval track.
A driver has to turn right to go in a straight line because the cars are designed only to turn left and set up asymmetrically. The idiosyncrasies of oval racing mean that adjustments for handling balance are made not only to the front and rear but also diagonally across the car.
Drivers can change this while out on track with something called a 'weight-jacker' - a kind of diagonal pitch control, which De Ferran says "changes the balance of the car tremendously".
"In a way, you have twice as many variables," De Ferran adds, "and [you have to work out] how does that interact with your driving.
"There are a lot of peculiarities for someone who has never done ovals."
'Like driving on ice at 230mph'
Alonso has five days of practice this week, with six hours of running on each as long as the weather stays fine - IndyCars do not run in the rain on ovals - before qualifying over two days on the weekend of 20-21 May.
In that time, he will have to learn the car, come up with set-ups for qualifying and race, learn how to adjust the car on track for changing conditions and come to terms with running in traffic at more than 220mph.
"Qualifying and the race are very different," De Ferran says. "Qualifying at Indy quite frankly is one of the most difficult things I have ever done in a racing car."
A lap of Indianapolis is supposed to be "flat" - the driver never lifts his foot off the accelerator. But it is a long way from easy. The driver is absolutely on the edge, the car in a controlled slide or 'drift', all the time.
The car is 'trimmed out' to have as little downforce as the driver feels he get can get away with - because downforce equals drag and drag slows you down on the straights - while going as fast as possible in the corners.
The result, De Ferran says, is "the car feels like you are driving on an ice road at 230mph. It is very, very little grip and very, very little margin".
The grid is set over two days. Saturday's running fundamentally defines the nine drivers who can compete for pole on the Sunday - the so-called 'Fast Nine'. The remaining 24 also compete for grid slots on the Sunday, but the best they can be is 10th, no matter what time they set. Positions are defined by speed over a four-lap run and the drivers take it in turns to go out.
"One of the unfortunate things sometimes about TV is you can't see how on-the-edge the whole thing is," De Ferran says.
"It may look from TV that the guy is just going round and round and it looks easy, but you ask any driver where they have to do a lot of runs in qualifying trim, they are like, 'Oh my God, this is so stressful. I don't want to do that many runs in qualifying trim. I'm done. Once is enough.' And now they have to do it at least twice and that's difficult.
"You are literally looking for a few centimetres here and there to make a difference. If the tyres go off, if they are degrading a little bit too much because you are sliding a little bit too much, come the fourth lap you are in trouble.
"It is an adventure like you have no idea."
For the 500 itself, there is a "completely different set of problems," De Ferran explains.
The driver still wants to be running as little downforce as possible because, as De Ferran puts it, "the less downforce you can run, the quicker you will go".
But he has to run more than in qualifying because of the problems created by racing in the vicinity of 32 other cars. Traffic messes up the behaviour of the car.
"That's one of the big difficulties - how much downforce do you add?" De Ferran says. "Because the more you add, the more you slow down. Alone. In perfect conditions.
"Now you have to do 30 laps [in a stint] instead of four. And you have to take tyre degradation and traffic into account.
"It may be traffic from a line of cars, from one car, and when you are in traffic you lose downforce and the car starts sliding like mad and then you can't go forward.
"The mindset from a set-up perspective for the race is quite different than in qualifying."
A driver may want his car to behave differently in the race so it is less on-a-knife-edge than he can get away with for four laps of qualifying.
"Balance-wise you may not want the car to be quite as neutral," says De Ferran. This usually means giving it just a little understeer so the front is not quite as grippy as before, which is a safer balance in the race than oversteer, where the rear wants to come around on the driver.
But too much understeer - or 'push', as it is known in America - is also bad, De Ferran says.
"When you get in traffic typically you not only you lose grip but you also gain understeer, so it's a very complex equation."
Finally, because the race is 500 miles, on a high-speed oval with no run-off area, accidents are inevitable, and with them come caution periods - or 'yellows' - when the cars are held behind a pace car.
Getting it right or wrong when the race goes green again can determine whether you win - as Nigel Mansell found to his cost when he lost the lead on a restart in 1993.
One of Alonso's great qualities in F1 has always been his adaptability - his biggest strength among many is arguably his ability to drive the car to its maximum no matter how it is behaving.
De Ferran says drivers are "a bit more limited" in being able to drive around problems on an oval, but this skill "always helps because the car is changing all the time really - the tyres are degrading, the fuel level is changing, on an oval you have this traffic to deal with".
He adds: "It is never this beautiful constant thing that you keep perfecting. The track is changing and you have to learn how to adapt to that. It is one of his skills that he scores very highly at."
What do Alonso's rivals think about it?
De Ferran has been a long-time admirer of Alonso - since watching trackside at the 2001 Brazilian Grand Prix, when the Spaniard was in his first season with Minardi.
"I didn't even know who he was, but I was watching on a corner," the 49-year-old recalls. "The car was three seconds off but I was thinking: 'Hmmm. Who is that?'"
He was approached to be Alonso's mentor for his Indy adventure over the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
"When they first asked me, that was very emotional. It was, like, 'Wow.'
"You think: 'Jesus, it is one of the best drivers I have ever seen, a great champion.'"
Former IndyCar driver Bryan Herta said at Alonso's rookie test: "He's going to be a pretty formidable competitor. He's got everyone's attention already."
De Ferran says: "I think most people are super-happy he has elected to come and do the Indy 500, primarily because Fernando commands a huge amount of respect.
"When I retired, someone asked what was one of your biggest frustrations, and I said I never really went head-to-head with Michael Schumacher and it was something I wanted to do.
"A lot of people see Fernando as I saw Michael and having the opportunity to race against a guy like that in similar equipment and so on is unique."
Can he win it?
Veteran Helio Castroneves said adapting to Indy racing would be "no problem" for Alonso. And four-time IndyCar champion and 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon said Alonso had a "great shot" at winning.
De Ferran says: "He has the skill, the experience, the knowledge, the emotional control to be a true contender in Indianapolis but there are so many things that have to come right on that one day for you to win.
"Let me put it this way, Mario Andretti tried God knows how long to win it for a second time and he only won it in '69. Scott Dixon, who frankly is supremely talented, won it only once.
"It's unbelievable. Yes, in the car you control a lot of levers but definitely not all of them. And there are some levers that not even the team controls.
"You have a bad pit stop and it happens to be the last one and you are in trouble. You may be dominating the whole race, but there's a strategy call, or a yellow that falls just at the wrong time, and you may be in trouble again. Or a mechanical failure.
"You make a bad decision in the car, once, and it happens to be at a crucial time, and you were in a position to win and now you're not."
He uses as an example Alex Rossi, who drove five races for back-of-the-grid F1 team Manor in 2015, but won Indy at his first attempt last year, after gambling on not stopping for fuel after a late-race caution period.
De Ferran says: "If the yellow ended one lap sooner than it did, Rossi would not only not have won the race, he would not even have finished because he would have run out of fuel. That is one clear example between hero and zero that is completely beyond the control of the driver."
And what does Alonso himself think?
"First, I want to enjoy the experience," he says. "Everyone keeps telling me how big the event is. So my first target is to go there and live that moment. For any racing driver it must feel a privilege to race there.
"After that there is always a small percentage that you can win, because there are many factors there, it is not only about the pace.
"Probably my chance to win is a little lower than some of my competitors because I am lacking experience, but I have a lot of joy and commitment to learn as much as I can so it will be fun.
"But after that, when you close the visor you don't like it when you are are second. It's the same in any sport. We are all competitive and we want to do the best we can."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39903699
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We should have listened to the broken teenagers - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Child sexual abuse has never been a higher police priority. But too many rapists avoid justice, argues former detective Margaret Oliver.
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Magazine
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Former detective Margaret Oliver is played by Lesley Sharp in the drama Three Girls
Child sexual abuse has never been a higher police priority. But too many rapists avoid justice, argues former detective Margaret Oliver. As her role in prosecuting the Rochdale grooming gang is marked in a new TV drama, she says police must do more to win the trust of victims
I'll never forget the day I arrested Shabir. The light had begun to fade as we knocked on the door of his terraced house in Oldham one early evening back in 2011. As the safety chain rattled and the door opened, the man standing before us seemed anything but the evil predator leading a Rochdale grooming gang he was about to be exposed as.
He came quietly as we arrested him and there was no sign of the defiance and abusive outbursts that would later be seen in court. He still had the look of someone who thought he was going to get away with it.
And well he might, as many rapists like Shabir had been getting away with it for years. I'd worked with too many young victims of horrific rapes and seen cases go nowhere - even when there was solid evidence. I'd lost count of the times I had to look in the eyes of broken teenagers and explain that there was nothing I could do. The rapists who'd destroyed their lives were about to get off scot-free.
Actors depict victims of grooming and sexual abuse in Rochdale
Getting Shabir off the street was a big breakthrough and I was convinced he was going to be the first of many. We were close to uncovering an epidemic of child sexual abuse and there were scores of men we knew had been violently raping underage girls that were in our sights.
That we'd come this far owed a lot to the huge resources now being allocated to tackling grooming gangs (Operation Span was the biggest inquiry Greater Manchester Police were running). But, more importantly, it was down to the hard-won trust we'd managed to establish with the girls these vile rapists were targeting.
Without that trust, it didn't matter if 10,000 officers were assigned to the case. We had to get girls to give evidence in court and I knew only too well that Greater Manchester Police did not have a particularly sophisticated approach to winning vulnerable hearts and minds when trying to prosecute rapists.
Even though an awareness of child grooming was starting to sweep through the country, the police were still relying on an outdated, approach that didn't work.
Joining the police as a mum of four in 1997, I'd spent years learning how to build trust as a detective and family liaison officer working on major murders. I knew that good policing could not function without it. But the hard work of building up trust wasn't especially valued by the top brass. I wasn't breaking down doors or wrestling violent drug dealers to the ground. I was going to a cemetery to help a mother pick a plot to bury her son and supporting people who were prepared to give up everything and go on to the witness protection programme to put away murderers.
Maggie Oliver when she was a serving officer with Greater Manchester Police
It wasn't long before I was working on rapes, domestic abuse and child protection jobs - the kind of cases that other officers working in Moss Side generally didn't want to do. And I was good at them. But if you won the trust of vulnerable girls who'd been through hell, you had to deliver - and that was heavily dependent on the appetite of people at the top to investigate these crimes.
Years before I worked on a scoping exercise - a full-blown major incident team investigation which had identified considerable numbers of child abusers in south Manchester. I'd listened to girls who had been drugged so they couldn't move before they were violently raped - but the investigation was closed down. A few people were warned under the Child Abduction Act but no-one was charged.
I was sickened then and still feel angry now when I think back to that case. Vulnerable people were reaching out, desperate to secure justice, and we were letting them down. I'd sworn an oath to uphold the law and ensure "equal respect to all people" when I joined the police. Those words seemed meaningless now.
Unless we started showing respect to young girls from poorer areas, we were never going to win their trust. When Greater Manchester Police's failings in dealing with child abuse were later laid bare in a series of damning reports, one police officer gave a radio interview in which he admitted that officers referred to the girls as "scrubbers" and child prostitutes.
That was putting it lightly. I'd heard worse from other officers. There was no real effort to win their trust and a staggering lack of empathy. Some police officers wouldn't even come into the houses where the girls lived. They'd sit in the car eating sandwiches waiting for me to come back. When we drove girls to the station and they asked to put Radio 1 on, officers would switch to Radio 4. There was no attempt to make them feel comfortable. But it's these little things that often count, and which help to build bridges.
I saw myself as a person first and police officer second, but many of my colleagues could only see themselves as police officers first and foremost. Empathy had been trained out of them. The pressures of modern policing and a target-driven culture was driving humanity out of our profession. I couldn't do the job if I didn't care, but to show a human face was a sign of weakness to some. "You've become emotionally involved," they'd say. We had to maintain too big a distance from everyone. As a result, there were many estates where the police were hated. The people who lived there suffered disproportionately from crime, but had given up on the police. They didn't trust us because we showed them no respect.
It's this failure to win the trust of victims of appalling crimes that's at the heart of the BBC drama about the Rochdale grooming scandal. It shows a desperately real side of policing that's rarely ever dramatised and the general public know little about.
In the end Shabir and 11 other men were convicted for child abuse in 2012. But this was just the tip of the iceberg. There were many, many more who got away with it and I was left with the sense that this was a box the police didn't really want to open. But they couldn't keep the lid down for long and now the secret is out. A crime that had been contained and swept under the carpet for years can no longer be ignored.
For me, the end of the road was when they betrayed the trust I'd earned from a key witness and I couldn't get assurances on how vulnerable witnesses would be treated in the future. I knew men who'd violently abused girls were still walking the streets and we had the power to stop them. I couldn't do a job I loved as long as I knew rapists were getting away with it because police viewed the girls they preyed upon as unreliable witnesses. The criminals knew this and they were emboldened by it.
"No one will believe you," they'd laugh at sobbing girls, as they left them crushed in a heap on the floor.
Barely a week goes by these days without a headline referring to a crisis in the police. But the crisis no-one's talking about is the crisis of trust, particularly where young people are concerned. A few years ago, an all-party group of MPs found that a significant proportion of children and young people have a profound lack of trust in the police. It should have acted as a wake-up call, but I don't believe things are getting any better.
When the human side of the police is shown, we always break down barriers and there are plenty of shining examples of brilliant police officers who do this week in week out. But we need more and we need leaders who set a culture in place who insist the values of empathy, honesty and integrity are always upheld in our dealings with vulnerable victims. If we can't reach out to vulnerable witnesses, all the announcements from Westminster won't mean a thing. Criminals will keep getting away with it.
Watch Three Girls at 9pm on Tuesday 16 May 2017 on BBC One
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-39924586
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Is France's Socialist Party dead? - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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After a crushing defeat in the first round of the French presidential election, can the PS survive?
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Europe
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After suffering a crushing defeat in the first round of the French presidential election, can the party of Francois Mitterrand survive?
They love their icons and their rituals.
They get attached to history.
They believe in the continuity of the fight.
They see themselves carrying a torch lit first by the heroes of the past, in their beards and their bowlers.
For Socialists, the party has a meaning that goes beyond the ups and downs of electoral fortune.
It structures their thoughts, and it conditions their friendships.
In a way that transcends mere politics, it plays a real part in their lives.
To live in a world where the party no longer mattered - that would be a truncated, an empty form of existence.
And yet in France today - if you believe some of the commentators - it is the very survival of the Socialist Party (PS) that is now at stake.
And the faithful are bereft.
The signs of mortality are certainly strong.
In the presidential election, the Socialist candidate, Benoit Hamon, was knocked out in round one, with just 6.36% of the vote.
The score was the lowest achieved by a Socialist candidate since Gaston Defferre's 5.1% in 1969.
The PS's Benoit Hamon received less than 7% of the vote in the first round of the election
Worse, Mr Hamon was not just overtaken, he was trounced by another candidate of the left, Jean-Luc Melenchon, of the radical La France Insoumise (France Unbowed).
Mr Melenchon got 19.6% and more than seven million votes - three times the PS score.
Today, he enjoys a popularity nationwide that far exceeds that of any Socialist leader.
And on the party's other flank, there is another danger: the new presidency of Emmanuel Macron.
Mr Macron may not look like a Socialist, but the left is where his political feelings lie.
That is why he chose to work under Francois Hollande, a Socialist president.
Now that Emmanuel Macron has his own party up and running - La Republique en Marche (REM) - there is suddenly another powerful rival vying for votes.
The PS finds itself caught in a classic casse-noisette (nutcracker).
On both sides are powerful new "movements" set up in deliberate counterpoint to the old party system.
At the forthcoming parliamentary elections, if voters want social-radical, they'll pick Mr Melenchon.
If they want social-liberal, they'll pick Mr Macron.
The space in the middle is shrinking to insignificance.
All of which would be more easily surmountable, if the Socialist Party itself was in any shape to mount a comeback.
But the PS is torn between factions that themselves reflect the changing outward perspective.
The far right Marine Le Pen beat the Socialist and radical left candidates
On the one hand, there are those figures willing to work in alliance with Mr Macron's REM.
The most extreme example is former Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who has described the PS as "dead" and more or less torn up his party card.
At the other end are leaders - such as the ex-candidate Benoit Hamon - who dream of forming a new left-wing opposition to the Macron presidency, in alliance with ecologists and Mr Melenchon's radicals.
And in the middle are people who argue for a watching brief, supporting or opposing Mr Macron according to the issue.
The point is that no clear line is emerging from the top, so the PS is going into the legislatives not just demoralised but also leaderless and incoherent.
For some analysts, what is happening is the end of a historical cycle that goes back nearly 50 years - to the 1969 annihilation, in fact, of Gaston Defferre and the regenerative shock that gave to the French left.
In 1969, the Socialist Party in France did not exist.
Instead, there was the French Section of the Workers International (SFIO), which was Mr Defferre's party, plus smaller parties linked to Francois Mitterrand and Michel Rocard.
And of course, the biggest party of the left - the Communists.
But the 1969 result triggered a series of changes, culminating in the much-mythologised Congress of Epinay two years later, in which Mr Mitterrand engineered a union of the disparate groups and founded the modern-day PS.
By entering a strategic agreement with the Communists - and introducing them to his government in 1981 - he then succeeded in emasculating the far left.
And the course of French socialist history was set for a generation.
Socialist Francois Mitterrand won the presidency in 1981 and 1988
But at the heart of the Mitterrand legacy was a contradiction - between dogma and reality, utopia and the free market.
Mr Mitterrand, with his imposing personality and cynical use of the powers vested in him as president, was able to surmount that gap.
But no-one since has lived up to his example.
All that successive leaders could do was paper over the cracks.
Mr Hollande was a master of this art of political "synthesis".
As long as a form of words could be adduced, then all sides were satisfied and the grail of Socialist unity was assured. Till now.
So is this historic phase now drawing to a close?
The old party system is already breaking down.
Social media and post-modern politics are changing the relationship between voter and candidate.
Other parties in history have disappeared.
Once upon a time there was a French Radical Party that was one of the most powerful in the land.
Now, it barely registers. Ditto the SFIO.
The PS could similarly shut down, many argue, and the world of political ideas would be none the poorer.
New politics may be all the rage today, but who knows what lies ahead?
Sentiment and tradition still count for something - and the rose and the fist was a mighty icon.
• None Does Macron have what it takes to reform France?
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39900003
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John Terry: Chelsea captain could retire after leaving champions in summer - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Chelsea captain John Terry says he could retire at the end of the season after leading out the champions in a 4-3 win over Watford.
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Last updated on .From the section Chelsea
Chelsea captain John Terry said he could retire at the end of the season, after leading the champions in their 4-3 win over Watford at Stamford Bridge.
The 36-year-old, who will leave the Blues in the summer, scored the opening goal on a night of celebration for the Premier League title winners.
Chelsea host Sunderland on Sunday in their final league game of the season.
"I've not ruled out Sunday being my last game and retiring from football," he told Sky Sports.
"If the right offer comes along I will sit down and consider it with my family - whether that's here or abroad.
"Genuinely I haven't made any decisions yet and I'm evaluating all my options at the moment."
• None 'He needs four or five big signings' - five ex-Chelsea players on Conte
• None Nevin: We've only scratched the surface with Conte
Former England captain Terry announced last month he will leave Stamford Bridge after more than two decades at the club.
The central defender is the Blues' most decorated player, with this season's title earning him a fifth Premier League winners' medal.
He has also helped them win five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League.
The Londoner has made 716 appearances for the club since his debut in 1998 - 579 of them as captain.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who has restricted Terry to a bit-part role on the pitch this season, paid tribute to the player's influence.
"He is a great man. He helped me a lot in my first season. He had a fantastic role on and off the pitch," said the Italian.
"Against Watford he showed he can continue to play. I'm pleased for him, he scored a great goal.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him lift the cup on Sunday. He deserves this."
Chelsea wrapped up their sixth English title with a win at West Brom on Friday, and the home fans were in a celebratory mood as they welcomed the champions back to Stamford Bridge.
Terry, in what may be his final playing appearance at the stadium, lifted the atmosphere even more when he opened the scoring after 22 minutes.
Watford threatened to dampen the occasion with a gutsy fightback before substitute Cesc Fabregas earned a thrilling win for a much-changed home side.
The Spaniard's scuffed strike sparked joyous scenes among the home fans, while a fireworks display outside the stadium followed the final whistle.
The Blues will be presented with the Premier League trophy when they host relegated Sunderland on Sunday.
"If I could have written my story, this is how it would have panned out - to go having been crowned champions, and to leave the club in great hands with the manager, the owner and the players we have here," added Terry.
"It is going to be sad and emotional for me on Sunday because I've been here 22 years - but I'm delighted for the experiences and opportunities I have been given."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39930942
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Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Arsenal ensure the top-four race goes down to the final day of the Premier League season with a laboured win against Sunderland.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Arsenal ensured the race to finish in the Premier League's top four will go down to the final day of the season with a laboured win against relegated Sunderland.
Alexis Sanchez tapped in Mesut Ozil's square pass to the relief of those inside a sparsely populated Emirates Stadium.
As Arsenal increased in urgency, Sanchez bundled in Olivier Giroud's cut-back to renew their hopes of a top-four finish for a 21st successive season.
Despite having 36 attempts at goal - the most in a Premier League game since 2003 - the Gunners could not wipe out fourth-placed Liverpool's superior goal difference.
Arsenal are a point behind the Reds - who are two goals better off - before Sunday's final matches.
Realistically, Arsene Wenger's men must beat seventh-placed Everton and hope the Reds slip up against relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield.
Arsenal finish in the top four if: They win and Liverpool fail to beat Middlesbrough They draw 0-0 or 1-1 and Liverpool lose by three goals or more They earn a score draw of 2-2 and Liverpool lose 2-0 (or they draw 3-3 and Liverpool lose 3-1, and so on) They win, and Manchester City lose - with a minimum five-goal swing in goal difference Liverpool finish in the top four if: They win, or they match or better Arsenal's result But... both sides could also finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored -
Arsenal started the evening needing to win - preferably by a big margin - if they were to have any realistic hope of sneaking into the top four.
They knew defeat against rock-bottom Sunderland, who had managed just three away victories all season, would end their hopes if Manchester City beat West Brom.
And with City cruising to a 3-1 win in their game, even a draw would have left Arsenal struggling.
Until Sanchez's late intervention, it looked as though Wenger's side would be left frustrated by a lack of conviction in front of goal and some stubborn Sunderland defending.
The Gunners found the breakthrough with 20 minutes left, Granit Xhaka picking out Ozil with a clever chip over the defence that was put back across goal by the German for Sanchez to tap in.
Arsenal knew just a draw against Everton on the final day might be enough to catch Liverpool if they wiped out the Reds' superior goal difference, and Wenger urged his side to push for more goals from the touchline.
Sanchez was lurking in the six-yard box at the right time to convert Giroud's volleyed pass to double the lead, but despite a late flurry that saw Shkodran Mustafi hit the woodwork the hosts were unable to add to their tally.
"Sunderland did fight and that's what you want from every team," Wenger said.
Arsenal have endured a turbulent season blighted by confusion over Wenger's future, protests from supporters demanding change and concerns that Sanchez and Ozil may be sold this summer.
Swathes of empty red seats at a hushed Emirates Stadium illustrated the apathy of some Gunners fans, the subdued atmosphere compounded by Arsenal failing to make their early dominance count.
The Gunners created 18 efforts in a frustrating first half, only to be let down by wayward finishing and another impressive display by Black Cats goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The 23-year-old boosted his burgeoning reputation with several instinctive saves after the break as Arsenal continued to pile on the pressure before Sanchez's late double.
However, creeping past an already-relegated side is unlikely to appease the unhappy Arsenal fans who believe Wenger is not the man to take them forward.
Wenger's contract expires at the end of the season and, although the club has offered him a two-year deal, he again refused to answer questions about his future after the match.
Sunderland manager David Moyes has endured a miserable debut season with the Black Cats, even agreeing with former England captain Alan Shearer's scathing assessment that the performance of his players in Saturday's defeat against Swansea was "disgraceful".
The Black Cats, who were relegated with four games to go, are likely to undergo major surgery in the summer with many players out of contract and some - notably Pickford and striker Jermain Defoe - likely to be targeted by Premier League clubs.
But those players who have been heavily criticised did manage to salvage a modicum of pride at Arsenal.
Sunderland defended doggedly and even threatened to cause the Gunners some defensive problems, most notably when Didier Ndong and Defoe drew saves from Petr Cech before the break.
And the Black Cats were almost gifted the lead at the start of the second half when Nacho Monreal's howler of backpass had to be scooped wide by Cech.
They could not capitalise on an indirect free-kick inside the Gunners six-yard box as their winless Premier League run at the Emirates extended to a 17th game.
"We had plenty of shots on goal but we needed to be patient. We were frustrated at half-time not to be leading.
"We made 71 points and were second. We now have 72 and want to go to 75. After that you deal with what happens.
"We've got in on the final day many times. Sunderland fought and you want that in the Premier League - that's what you want from every team.
"We had a difficult patch after the Bayern game because it was difficult to recover. On the other hand it was a good mental test and we responded in a strong way."
"We were full of character and commitment. We made it difficult for Arsenal for long periods and had good chances. We played well but Arsenal had the class to make the difference.
"Saturday's game against Sunderland was not like I'd seen in the last month or so. Against Arsenal we got a good performance and if we got the first goal it could have been completely different.
"After I got in in August I didn't think we had a squad capable. But it was what we've got, you have to try and ultimately we were just short.
"I'll speak with chairman Ellis Short over the next few days. I've given him an indication of what we need to do and we'll look to see if that's possible."
"Alexis Sanchez is priceless, they must not let him go.
"But it took a long time for Arsenal to get that first goal. If they got that after half an hour then we would have probably had four or five."
"I think Arsene Wenger has been great for them but it's just time to say goodbye.
"But I think he will sign for another two years."
The final games of the season all kick off on Sunday at 15:00 BST. Arsenal host seventh-placed Everton at Emirates Stadium, while Sunderland wave farewell to the Premier League - for one season at the very least - with a trip to champions Chelsea.
Wenger gets the better of Moyes... again
• None David Moyes has lost 16 times to Arsene Wenger in the Premier League, his most defeats against another manager in the competition
• None Wenger secured his 20th victory in all competitions against Moyes, more than any other manager he has faced with Arsenal
• None No side has finished bottom of the Premier League on more occasions than Sunderland (three, level with Nottingham Forest)
• None Alexis Sanchez has scored six goals in five Premier League games versus Sunderland
• None Sanchez has been directly involved in 33 Premier League goals this season (23 goals, 10 assists), more than any other player
• None Since his Premier League debut in September 2013, Mesut Ozil has provided more assists than any other player (41)
• None Arsenal have never lost a home Premier League match against Sunderland, winning 11 and drawing five
• None Attempt missed. Fabio Borini (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
• None Attempt blocked. Adnan Januzaj (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Billy Jones.
• None Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
• None Adnan Januzaj (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
• None Attempt blocked. Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Granit Xhaka with a through ball.
• None Attempt missed. Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Alex Iwobi following a corner.
• None Attempt blocked. Adnan Januzaj (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Didier Ndong.
• None Attempt saved. Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Mesut Özil with a cross.
• None Attempt blocked. Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) header from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mesut Özil. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39853089
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David Warner: Australia vice-captain has concerns over contract dispute - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Australia's Ashes series against England could be in doubt because of a players' contract dispute, says vice-captain David Warner.
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Australia's Ashes series against England in November could be in doubt because of a players' contract dispute, says vice-captain David Warner.
In March, Cricket Australia proposed salary increases for men and women, but this would mean players no longer receive a percentage of CA's revenue.
The offer was rejected and CA said it would not pay players after 30 June.
Warner told the Age newspaper: "If it gets to the extreme, they might not have a team for the Ashes."
A stand-off has developed between CA and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), which represents the players.
Ex-Australia captain Mark Taylor said the players were "prepared to strike" over the proposals.
If the dispute is not resolved, there would be uncertainty over what team Australia could field after 30 June, with a two-Test series scheduled in August in Bangladesh before a home Ashes showdown which runs from 23 November 2017 to 8 January 2018.
That 30 June deadline also falls in the middle of the Women's World Cup, which takes place in England between 24 June and 23 July - and Australia's elite female players have shown solidarity with their male counterparts over the dispute despite CA's March offer to double the elite women's pay.
A Cricket Australia spokesperson told BBC Sport: "CA is ready and willing to negotiate with the ACA."
In a letter sent by CA to the ACA, chief executive James Sutherland said "players with contracts expiring in 2016-17 will not have contracts for 2017-18" unless the ACA negotiates a new Memorandum of Understanding.
"We want a fair share, and the revenue-sharing model is what we want, so we are going to stick together until we get that," added Warner, currently playing in the Indian Premier League. "We are not going to shy away; we are just going to stick together.
"We want to keep participating for our country as much as we can, but if we don't have a job, we have to go and find some cricket elsewhere."
'International boards need to put their hands in their pockets'
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the dispute could be the first of many to affect the international game.
"It's great for England to see Australia falling out and fighting with each other but in terms of the game as a whole it's not a great story," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Tuffers and Vaughan Show.
"I've never seen it to this level. It's sad for the game when you're hearing this but I don't think it will be the last case of players getting together as groups. There's so much money coming through TV deals, I think players will say 'we fancy a piece of that'.
"International boards have got to put their hands in their pockets to save international cricket. In our day, international cricket was the sole money-maker for the game but the Twenty20 leagues are catching up."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/39924107
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UK General Election 2017 | BBC News
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2017-05-16
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All the BBC's coverage of the 2017 UK General Election including news, analysis and results.
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May to form government with DUP backing
Theresa May says she will govern with her Democratic Unionist "friends" and "get on" with Brexit after losing her majority, but rivals say she has caused chaos.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2017
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Manchester City 3-1 West Bromwich Albion - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Manchester City take a giant step towards Champions League football for next season as they comfortably beat West Brom.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Manchester City clinched an emphatic win over West Brom to move back up to third place in the Premier League with one game remaining.
A point in their final game at Watford on Sunday will now be enough to guarantee Pep Guardiola's side a place in the top four and Champions League football, while a win would see them finish third and go straight into the group stage.
This was as straightforward a victory as City could have anticipated at this stage of the season, as two goals in two first-half minutes put them in control against a Baggies side that lacked ambition and did not seriously threaten until the final stages.
First, Sergio Aguero's flick fed Kevin de Bruyne, who burst into the left-hand side of the area before squaring the ball to give Gabriel Jesus an easy tap-in.
One minute and 46 seconds later it was 2-0, thanks to a brilliant first-time finish from De Bruyne after Aguero's attempt to tee up Jesus was cleared into the Belgian's path on the edge of the area.
Yaya Toure made it 3-0 after the break, exchanging passes with Aguero as he marched into the area to slot past Ben Foster.
• None How Man City could face a play-off against Arsenal or Liverpool
With the points all but secured by Toure's goal, attention for many City fans switched to Pablo Zabeleta's big send-off.
After nine years with City in which he won every domestic trophy, the 32-year-old Argentina defender is leaving the club at the end of the season.
He started on the bench but the home fans sang his name from kick-off, gave him his first standing ovation of the night in the first half and then exploded into noise when he began warming up.
The ground rose to applaud him on to the pitch when he replaced David Silva on the hour mark, and then cheered every time he touched the ball.
Zabaleta ended the game wearing the captain's armband after Vincent Kompany was substituted and West Brom's belated fightback never threatened to ruin his night.
After an emotional farewell speech at the final whistle, when he was joined on the pitch by his wife and young son, Zabaleta was given a guard of honour by his team-mates as he and his family departed down the tunnel.
Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero were also strong candidates but the in-form Belgian edged it thanks to his assist for City's first goal and particularly his finish for their second. De Bruyne's form dipped in mid-season but he currently looks near to his best.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who was hoping for a City slip here to allow his team back into the top four, had accused mid-table teams of being "on holiday" before the game.
If those comments were designed to sting the Baggies into life, they did not work.
West Brom's form has dropped off the proverbial cliff since they beat the Gunners at the Hawthorns at the end of March, and they never looked like reversing it here.
You could not accuse Tony Pulis' side of not trying at Etihad Stadium, but their effort was mostly defensive - even after they fell behind.
Defeat stretched their winless run to eight games, a run in which they have scored only three goals and picked up two points.
They also drop one place to ninth - slipping below Southampton on goal difference - and the end of the season can seemingly not come quickly enough for them.
'Maybe we can do better next season' - What they said
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "It is in our hands to finish third so it is the best thing.
"To finish in front of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, it means a lot. Maybe next season hopefully we can do better."
West Brom manager Tony Pulis: "They deserved to win tonight. Once they got their noses in front, they're a difficult team to pull back.
"The two quick-fire goals killed us. When the third one went in, you're looking down the barrel."
Stats - City's home comfort but Baggies miss out on record
• None Manchester City are now unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League home games, their longest run without defeat in the competition since a run of 37 home games from December 2010-December 2012 under Roberto Mancini.
• None Defeat for West Brom means they will not be able to equal or better their previous best points haul in a Premier League season, which was 49 in 2012-13.
• None No midfielder has been involved in more Premier League goals than Kevin de Bruyne in 2016-17. His figure of 22 (six goals and 16 assists) is level with Swansea's Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tottenham's Dele Alli.
• None Gabriel Jesus has now scored six goals and provided assists for a further three in only seven Premier League starts for Manchester City.
• None The Brazilian is averaging a goal or an assist every 62 minutes in the league this season, the best ratio of any player in the competition (minimum 500 minutes played).
• None Pablo Zabaleta made his 117th and final Premier League appearance at Etihad Stadium, the most of any outfield player for City.
City finish their season against Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday (15:00 BST), at the same time West Brom wrap theirs up with a trip to Wales to play Swansea.
• None Delay over. They are ready to continue.
• None Delay in match Nicolás Otamendi (Manchester City) because of an injury.
• None Goal! Manchester City 3, West Bromwich Albion 1. Hal Robson-Kanu (West Bromwich Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Nyom with a cross.
• None Attempt saved. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
• None Attempt saved. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fernandinho.
• None Attempt missed. Fernandinho (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Leroy Sané.
• None Attempt blocked. Fernandinho (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne with a cross. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39853090
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Etholiad 2017
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2017-05-16
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Gwybodaeth am Etholiad Cyffredinol 2017, gan gynnwys canlyniadau a dadansoddi.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/etholiad/2017
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WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack 'may have N Korea link' - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Experts see apparent similarities between WannaCry and earlier hacks by a suspected North Korea-linked group.
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Technology
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A coded tweet from a Google researcher first raised suspicions of a North Korea link
Who was behind the huge global cyber-attack? One prominent theory right now is North Korea - but what we know is far from conclusive.
You may not have heard of the Lazarus Group, but you may be aware of its work. The devastating hack on Sony Pictures in 2014, and another on a Bangladeshi bank in 2016, have both been attributed to the highly sophisticated group.
It is widely believed that the Lazarus Group worked out of China, but on behalf of the North Koreans.
Security experts are now cautiously linking the Lazarus Group to this latest attack after a discovery by Google security researcher Neel Mehta. He found similarities between code found within WannaCry - the software used in the hack - and other tools believed to have been created by the Lazarus Group in the past.
It's a mere sliver of evidence, but there are other clues to consider too.
Prof Alan Woodward, a security expert, pointed out to me that the text demanding the ransom uses what reads like machine-translated English, with a Chinese segment apparently written by a native speaker.
"As you can see it's pretty thin and all circumstantial," Prof Woodward said.
"However, it's worth further investigation."
The WannaCry malware threatens to delete users' data unless they pay a ransom
"Neel Mehta’s discovery is the most significant clue to date regarding the origins of WannaCry,” said Russian security firm Kaspersky, but noted a lot more information is needed about earlier versions of WannaCry before any firm conclusion can be reached.
"We believe it’s important that other researchers around the world investigate these similarities and attempt to discover more facts about the origin of WannaCry,” the company added.
"Looking back to the Bangladesh attack, in the early days, there were very few facts linking them to the Lazarus Group.
"In time, more evidence appeared and allowed us, and others, to link them together with high confidence. Further research can be crucial to connecting the dots."
Attributing cyber-attacks can be notoriously difficult - often relying on consensus rather than confirmation.
For example, North Korea has never admitted any involvement in the Sony Pictures hack - and while security researchers, and the US government, have confidence in the theory, neither can rule out the possibility of a false flag.
Skilled hackers may have simply made it look like it had origins in North Korea by using similar techniques.
In the case of WannaCry, it is possible that hackers simply copied code from earlier attacks by the Lazarus Group.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. How to protect yourself online
But Kaspersky said false flags within WannaCry were "possible" but "improbable", as the shared code was removed from later versions.
"There's a lot of ifs in there," added Prof Woodward.
"It wouldn't stand up in court as it is. But it's worth looking deeper, being conscious of confirmation bias now that North Korea has been identified as a possibility."
It’s the strongest theory yet as to the origin of WannaCry, but there are also details that arguably point away from it being the work of North Korea.
Few could have suspected a Seth Rogen-directed film would have such global political repercussions
First, China was among the countries worst hit, and not accidentally - the hackers made sure there was a version of the ransom note written in Chinese. It seems unlikely North Korea would want to antagonise its strongest ally. Russia too was badly affected.
Second, North Korean cyber-attacks have typically been far more targeted, often with a political goal in mind.
In the case of Sony Pictures, hackers sought to prevent the release of The Interview, a film that mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. WannaCry, in contrast, was wildly indiscriminate - it would infect anything and everything it could.
Finally, if the plan was simply to make money, it’s been pretty unsuccessful on that front too - only around $60,000 (£46,500) has been paid in ransoms, according to analysis of Bitcoin accounts being used by the criminals.
With more than 200,000 machines infected, it's a terrible return. But then of course, maybe the ransom was a distraction for some other political goal not yet clear.
Another possibility is that the Lazarus Group worked alone, without instruction from North Korea. Indeed, it could be that the Lazarus Group isn’t even linked to North Korea.
More questions than answers - and in cyber-war, facts are extremely hard to come by.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39931635
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I acted as a man to get work - until I was accused of rape - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Pili Hussein wanted to make her fortune mining for gemstones in Tanzania, and wasn't put off by the fact that women weren't allowed in the mines
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Magazine
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Pili Hussein wanted to make her fortune prospecting for a precious stone that's said to be a thousand times rarer than diamonds, but since women weren't allowed down the mines she dressed up as man and fooled her male colleagues for almost a decade.
Pili Hussein grew up in a large family in Tanzania. The daughter of a livestock keeper who had many large farms, Pili's father had six wives and she was one of 38 children. Although she was well looked after, in many ways, she doesn't look back on her upbringing fondly.
"My father treated me like a boy and I was given livestock to take care of - I didn't like that life at all," she says.
But her marriage was even more unhappy, and at the age of 31 Pili ran away from her abusive husband.
In search of work she found herself in the small Tanzanian town of Mererani, in the foothills of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro - the only place in the world where mining for a rare, violet-blue gemstone called tanzanite takes place.
Maasai herders first discovered tanzanite in 1967 - it's now one of the world's best-selling gems but is in limited supply
"I didn't go to school, so I didn't have many options," Pili says.
"Women were not allowed in the mining area, so I entered bravely like a man, like a strong person. You take big trousers, you cut them into shorts and you appear like a man. That's what I did."
To complete the transformation, she also changed her name.
"I was called Uncle Hussein, I didn't tell anyone my actual name was Pili. Even today if you come to the camp you ask for me by that name, Uncle Hussein."
In the tight confines of the hot, dirty tunnels - some of which extend hundreds of metres below the ground - Pili would work 10-12 hours a day, digging and sieving, hoping to uncover gemstones in the veins in the graphite rock.
"I could go 600m under, into the mine. I would do this more bravely than many other men. I was very strong and I was able to deliver what men would expect another man could do."
Pili says that nobody suspected that she was a woman.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Pili Hussein tells Outlook's Matthew Bannister how she succeeded in becoming a miner
"I acted like a gorilla," she says, "I could fight, my language was bad, I could carry a big knife like a Maasai [warrior]. Nobody knew I was a woman because everything I was doing I was doing like a man."
And after about a year, she struck it rich, uncovering two massive clusters of tanzanite stones. With the money that she made she built new homes for her father, mother and twin sister, bought herself more tools, and began employing miners to work for her.
And her cover was so convincing that it took an extraordinary set of circumstances for her true identity to finally be revealed. A local woman had reported that she'd been raped by some of the miners and Pili was arrested as a suspect.
"When the police came, the men who did the rape said: 'This is the man who did it,' and I was taken to the police station," Pili says.
The miners dig using chisels and fill bags with rubble which are hoisted up to the surface using a rope
She had no choice but to reveal her secret.
She asked the police to find a woman to physically examine her, to prove that she couldn't be responsible, and was soon released. But even after that her fellow miners found it hard to believe they had been duped for so long.
"They didn't even believe the police when they said that I was a woman," she says, "it wasn't easy for them to accept until 2001 when I got married and I started a family."
Finding a husband when everyone is accustomed to regarding you as a man is not easy, Pili found, though eventually she succeeded.
"The question in his mind was always, 'Is she really a woman?'" she recalls. "It took five years for him to come closer to me."
Pili has built a successful career and today owns her own mining company with 70 employees. Three of her employees are women, but they work as cooks not as miners. Pili says that although there are more women in the mining industry than when she started out, even today very few actually work in the mines.
"Some [women] wash the stones, some are brokers, some are cooking," she says, "but they're not going down in to the mines, it's not easy to get women to do what I did."
Pili's success has enabled her to pay for the education of more than 30 nieces, nephews and grandchildren. But despite this she says she wouldn't encourage her own daughter to follow in her footsteps.
"I'm proud of what I did - it has made me rich, but it was hard for me," she says.
"I want to make sure that my daughter goes to school, she gets an education and then she is able to run her life in a very different way, far away from what I experienced."
Pili Hussein was part of the UN Women Mapping Study on Gender and Extractive Industries in Mainland Tanzania
Listen to Pili Hussein speaking to Outlook on the BBC World Service
Join the conversation - find us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-39705424
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Players Championship: Ian Poulter shows fire still burns bright - Iain Carter - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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After his "toughest stretch", Ian Poulter showed at the Players Championship that he is not done yet, writes Iain Carter.
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Last updated on .From the section Golf
Ian Poulter believes he has put behind him the toughest spell of his career, which he admits has been "miserable".
The 41-year-old Englishman climbed more than 100 places in the world rankings by finishing tied for second with Louis Oosthuizen, three shots behind Kim Si-woo, at last week's Players Championship.
Though Poulter was not able to end a winless run that stretches back to 2012, he showed his famed competitive fire still burns bright despite a string of setbacks.
A foot injury cost him the biggest four months of the 2016 season and he was unable to retain his place in the European Ryder Cup team.
His golf clothing business collapsed and he was forced to play under a medical exemption when he finally returned to the PGA Tour.
"It's been the toughest stretch of my career," Poulter told BBC Sport.
• None How Kim held off Poulter to win Players title
It was further complicated by the Tour's failure to properly calculate whether he had done enough to keep his card.
Poulter fell just short of the total earnings he thought he would need to extend his playing privileges when he missed the cut in San Antonio last month.
Fellow pro Brian Gay was in a similar position, and it took his forensic analysis of the minutiae of the PGA Tour's rules to reveal an error had been made. Unexpectedly, Poulter was reinstated and that is how he gained his place in the Players Championship field.
"It's been miserable," he said. "There's no other way to explain it.
"When you are taking a break for several months, when your world ranking plummets, when you miss Ryder Cups, when you find yourself in a position chasing down what you think is your Tour card.
"And some other nonsense was going on which we're still working through. It's been miserable."
Poulter did not elaborate on the "other nonsense" but he has contended with the closure of online sales for his IJP Design company.
He announced in March that he had "been unable to justify its continuation after many years of investing in the business and a number of attempts to reshape it against an ever increasingly competitive landscape".
At least, though, he has been able to put his golf game back together. Poulter's bogey-free 71 on Saturday, compiled in fierce winds, was a round of the highest quality.
"It's been really hard and we are slowly getting there," he said.
"This obviously is a big week for me to cement some stuff moving forward where I can enjoy this summer.
"I can now plan a very long schedule and work out exactly what I'm doing and I'll have a nice summer with the kids in the UK."
There was criticism for Poulter though - and respected Golf Channel pundit Brandel Chamblee blamed the Englishman for a conservative approach over the closing holes.
"He clearly did not play to win and he didn't," Chamblee said.
Poulter fired back on Twitter in typically pugnacious manner. He wrote: "Sorry to disappoint, I can only dream of being as good as Brandel" - adding it was "clearly very easy" for those sitting watching.
Two-times Players champion Steve Elkington was also critical of Poulter's failure to go for the green with his second shot at the par-five 16th.
But neither critic seemed to take due account of the fine margins and difficulty of that closing stretch.
"I was trying to press and it is hard," Poulter told me.
"With the wind off the left-hand side on 16 it is difficult to hit that tee shot round the corner and I made a mistake missing the fairway slightly right.
"Seventeen was not a good wind for that pin location, so you suck it up and try to hit a tee shot to about 20ft and try to make two down that ridge if you can."
Poulter recorded pars at both holes and, while he failed to exert pressure that might have forced a Kim error, he made sure he did not play himself out of the championship.
No-one should blame the former Ryder Cup hero for playing the percentages.
Ultimately it took a miraculous escape from the trees after Poulter shanked his second shot to the final hole to ensure a share of the runner-up spoils.
The result moves him up to 80th in the world. It frees up his schedule and puts on hold the humiliating process of writing begging letters for sponsor invitations to PGA Tour events.
With his American card secure, it also means Poulter can plan a schedule to include return visits to Europe - perhaps as soon as next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Having seen him play with such character at Sawgrass, fans would need no second invitation to rally behind one of the most popular British players of recent times.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/39925472
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Roger Federer: Swiss 18-time Grand Slam winner to miss French Open - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Eighteen-time major winner Roger Federer will sit out the French Open and the rest of the clay-court season.
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Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Eighteen-time major winner Roger Federer will sit out the French Open and the rest of the clay-court season.
The 35-year-old, fifth in the world rankings, says he made the decision in an attempt to continue playing on the ATP Tour "for many years to come".
The Swiss added he will now prepare for the grass and hard-court seasons, which begin in June.
"I need to recognise that scheduling will be the key to my longevity," he said.
"Thus, my team and I concluded that playing just one event on clay was not in the best interest of my tennis and physical preparation for the remainder of the season.
"I will miss the French fans, who have always been so supportive and I look forward to seeing them at Roland Garros next year."
Federer missed last year's French Open through injury - the first time he did not compete in Paris since his debut in 1999.
He won the tournament for the only time in 2009 and is a four-time runner-up.
Federer has won three titles so far this season, including the Australian Open - his first Grand Slam success in five years.
He also claimed the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March and, two weeks later, won the Miami Open.
The French Open begins on 28 May.
'It is a matter of priority'
Former Olympic champion Marc Rosset backed his compatriot, saying it was a matter of Federer prioritising tournaments he can win.
"The chances of him winning on clay at the French Open were quite low," Rosset told the BBC's World Service.
"Roger is the kind of guy who goes to a tournament to win. If he doesn't feel he is capable of winning the tournament, I don't see any sense in him attending.
"I don't think it is a matter of age, it is one of priority. He is going to play the two tournaments on grass before Wimbledon."
Federer was in such devastating form in the first three months of the year that an eighth Wimbledon title seems very much within his grasp. Trying to win a clay-court Grand Slam at the age of nearly 36 without playing any other tournament to prepare would surely have been beyond even him, and I say that with memories of Australia still very vivid.
Federer is talking like a man who would still love to be competing at 40, and to do so the clay-court season may need to become a permanent casualty.
I suspect he will want to play Roland Garros at least once more before he is done, and he says he looks forward to returning next year.
But he did say exactly the same thing 12 months ago when making a very late withdrawal because of concerns about his back.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39930092
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Nicola Adams and Marlen Esparza are in competition to win first world title - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Double Olympic champion Nicola Adams and her partner Marlen Esparza are racing to be first to win a world title.
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Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Double Olympic champion Nicola Adams says she is racing with her partner Marlen Esparza to be a world champion.
Adams, 34, stopped Mexico's Maryan Salazar in her second professional fight in Leeds on Saturday.
American Esparza won her second bout as a professional a week earlier, becoming the first woman to box three-minute rounds, rather than the standard two.
"We have room on the mantlepiece for a world title," said Adams. "I'll not hear the end of it if I'm not first."
• None Listen to Adams on the 5 live boxing podcast
• None When I go a the world title, I'm coming back champion - Adams
She added: "We were both keen to get the three-minute rounds over the line. I thought I'd be the first person to do it but she pipped me, I'm still the first in Britain though."
Adams and Esparza competed for the same women's flyweight title at London 2012, though the pair did not meet in the competition as the Briton won gold and the American bronze.
They have sparred in the past, though Adams believes they will never meet in the ring going forward as they now seek titles at different weights.
Adams, who impressed in overwhelming Salazar at flyweight, feels she still has "a lot to do" to reach world-title level.
"I'm hoping in a year I will be able to fight for a world title," she told BBC Radio 5 live's boxing podcast. "I need more rounds under my belt. I'd love to be able to say let's just go for it but I want to be right and ready so that when I go for that title I come back as champion."
When Nicola made her debut, I was a little bit worried. I was disappointed with the crowd as it went mild. She needed a good performance in her second bout and a stoppage as people want to be entertained.
Now we've seen all those skills but with more power.
I've seen her in spars and I've seen her spar lads. At 34 years of age with experience of two Olympics, her engine and conditioning is more seasoned than someone of 22 years of age. She could go into eight and 10-round contests from now, no problem whatsoever.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/39934074
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Ian Brady: The killer who showed no remorse - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Notorious murderer who refused to show any remorse for his crimes dies at the age of 79 in hospital.
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UK
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Few killers achieved the notoriety or attracted as much public loathing as the so-called "Moors Murderer", Ian Brady, who has died at the age of 79.
Over a period of 18 months in the 1960s, Brady and his accomplice, Myra Hindley, kidnapped and murdered five children in north-west England.
The bodies of three of their victims were later found buried on Saddleworth Moor near the town of Oldham.
The details of the crime shocked the nation, not least because Brady's accomplice was a woman, and also because of the complete lack of remorse either showed during the subsequent trial.
Brady was born Ian Stewart on 2 January 1938, the illegitimate son of a Scottish waitress.
His violent personality was shaped by an unstable background. His mother neglected him and he was raised by foster parents in the Gorbals, Glasgow's toughest slum.
After a spree of petty crime as a teenager the courts sent him to Manchester to live with his mother and her new husband, Patrick Brady.
Brady met Myra Hindley at a company where they both worked
He assumed his stepfather's name, continued his criminal activities and developed into a fully-fledged teenage alcoholic.
By now he had acquired new interests, building up a library of books on Nazi Germany, sadism and sexual perversion.
He first met Hindley when she worked as a secretary at the company where they were both employed.
For Hindley it was love at first sight. Brady impressed her by reading Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf in the original German.
As their relationship developed, they began taking obscene photographs of each other before turning their attention to kidnapping, child molestation and murder.
Between July 1963 and December 1964, 16-year-old Pauline Reade, 12-year-old John Kilbride and Keith Bennett, also 12, were reported missing, all in the Manchester area.
John Kilbride was the second child to disappear
Authorities were baffled by what they referred to as the "unrelated" cases, and were left without a single piece of solid evidence.
In the meantime, Brady and Hindley were intent on a campaign to corrupt Hindley's brother-in-law, David Smith, and recruit him into their circle.
A petty criminal with convictions of his own, Smith was amused when the conversation turned to murder; he questioned Brady's ability to follow it through.
On 6 October 1965, Brady offered a practical demonstration with Edward Evans, 17, striking him 14 times with a hatchet before strangling him.
Horrified, Smith phoned the police the next morning, directing them to Brady's address.
The officers caught Brady and Hindley at home, retrieving a fresh corpse from the bedroom, along with the bloody hatchet and Brady's library of volumes on perversion and sadism.
A 12-year-old neighbour recalled several trips she had made with the couple to Saddleworth Moor, and the police launched a search which uncovered the body of Leslie Ann Downey on 16 October.
The body of Keith Bennett has never been found, despite appeals to Brady for help
Four days later, another search of Brady's flat turned up two left luggage tickets for Manchester Central Station, leading police to a pair of hidden suitcases.
Inside, they found nude photographs of the girl, along with tape recordings of her final tortured moments, pleading for her life as she was sexually abused.
A series of seemingly innocent snapshots depicted portions of Saddleworth Moor, and detectives paid another visit to the desolate region on 21 October, unearthing the body of John Kilbride.
Police announced they were opening their files on eight people who had disappeared over the previous four years, but no new charges had been added by the time the couple went on trial.
Jurors were stunned by the Downey tape, and by Brady's bland description of the recording as "unusual".
On 6 May 1966, both defendants were convicted of killing Edward Evans and Leslie Ann Downey. Brady was also found guilty of murdering John Kilbride, while Hindley was convicted as an accessory after the fact.
Brady was sentenced to concurrent life terms on each count, while Hindley received two life terms plus seven years in the Kilbride case.
Nineteen years later, in November 1985, Brady was transferred from prison to a maximum-security hospital after being diagnosed a psychopath.
There, in an interview with newspaper reporters, he confessed to the murders of Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett.
Another year passed before searchers returned to the moors, with Hindley joining them for an abortive outing in December 1986, and Brady doing the same in 1987.
The remains of Pauline Reade were uncovered on 30 June 1987, nearly a quarter of a century after her disappearance.
It took pathologists a month to decide she had been sexually assaulted, her throat slashed from behind.
In August 1987, Brady posted a letter to the BBC containing sketchy information on five "new" murders he said he had committed.
Lesley Anne Downey was the first victim whose body was found
Five months later the Director of Public Prosecutions announced that, in the public interest, there would be no prosecution of the murders of Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett.
Brady accepted from the start that he would never be released, unlike Hindley who, in trying to secure parole, claimed Brady had forced her into killing by abusing and torturing her into submission.
But Brady reacted to her allegation by claiming: "For 20 years I continued to ratify the cover I had given her at the trial whilst, in contrast, she systematically began to fabricate upon it to my detriment."
Myra Hindley died in 2002. Ian Brady, who had been on hunger strike, and force-fed daily, declared he would rather die quickly than rot slowly in jail.
His attempts to force the authorities to let him starve himself to death failed. In March 2000 a judge described his hunger strike as part of his "obsessive need to exercise control".
A year later Brady's book - The Gates of Janus, an analysis of serial murders - was released by an American firm, Feral House. The decision to publish caused an outcry in the British press and resulted in hate mail being sent to the publisher, Adam Parfrey.
In 2012 Brady asked to be returned to prison so he could starve himself to death without the force-feeding permitted in mental institutions.
Brady was arrested after the killing of Edward Evans
A tribunal ruled it was appropriate that he continue to be treated in a mental hospital.
In the same year Keith Bennett's mother, Winnie Johnson, who had fought for four decades to have the two killers prosecuted for her son's murder, died of cancer. Her overriding wish, to find Keith's remains and give him a Christian burial, was never fulfilled.
John Kilbride's brother Danny, who had campaigned against any suggestion the two should ever be released, died a year earlier.
Chris Cowley, a forensic psychologist who had spent six years in dialogues with Brady, had earlier concluded he was a sociopath with few redeeming features, showing no compassion or feeling for anyone other than himself.
"His only thought for the victims or their families is what he can get out of it," Dr Cowley told the Sunday Telegraph in 2011. "He would kill again without a thought for anyone who gets in his way."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12735333
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Child sex abuse: Inquiry team to search through 5,000 boxes of FA archives - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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The independent investigation into historical child sex abuse in football may have to sift through five million documents, BBC Sport learns.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
The independent investigation into historical child sex abuse in football may have to sift through five million documents, BBC Sport has learned.
The inquiry, led by barrister Clive Sheldon QC, was started by the Football Association in December, after a series of allegations from former players.
The full scale of the review into the scandal can now be revealed.
Investigators have started searching 5,000 boxes of FA archives - each containing up to 1,000 pages.
The inquiry will last several months, with a final report not expected to be published until 2018.
The review is asking anyone involved with football who wishes to provide information about the way in which clubs or the FA dealt with concerns over child sex abuse between 1970 and 2005 to come forward.
Sheldon - an expert in safeguarding and child protection - has written to all 65,000 affiliated clubs seeking assistance, and has begun meeting individuals who can contribute.
Clubs and officials who fail to co-operate could face disciplinary action.
Sheldon will investigate whether there is any evidence of a paedophile network having operated within the sport, and will take into account girls' football.
He will also look into the use of confidentiality agreements - or 'gagging clauses' - by clubs following the revelation Chelsea paid a former player £50,000 on condition he kept quiet about the abuse he said he had suffered by the club's former scout Eddie Heath.
Sheldon will make recommendations about the current safeguarding system if he identifies weaknesses, and refer any potential criminal offence to Operation Hydrant, the unit co-ordinating police investigations into child sexual abuse across the UK.
Police have identified more than 250 potential suspects and 560 victims, with 311 clubs involved.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39928510
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Maria Sharapova: French Open decides against giving former champion a wildcard - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Former champion Maria Sharapova will not play at the French Open as tournament officials decide against giving her a wildcard.
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Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Maria Sharapova will miss the French Open after tournament officials decided not to give the two-time champion a wildcard.
The Russian, 30, was ranked too low to gain direct entry as she continues her return from a 15-month drugs ban.
"There can be a wildcard for the return from injuries - there cannot be a wildcard for the return from doping," French Tennis Federation (FFT) chief Bernard Giudicelli Ferrandini said.
The French Open begins on 28 May.
Sharapova had been hoping to receive a wildcard either into the main draw or the qualifying tournament.
"I'm very sorry for Maria, very sorry for her fans," added Giudicelli Ferrandini.
"They might be very disappointed, she might be very disappointed, but it's my responsibility, my mission, to protect the high standards of the game played without any doubt on the result."
Shortly after learning of her Roland Garros snub, Sharapova withdrew injured from her second-round Italian Open match against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.
Sharapova returned to action without a ranking last month and has since risen to 211 in the world after receiving wildcards in Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome.
That will be enough to at least earn a qualifying spot at Wimbledon next month.
Sharapova needed to reach the semi-finals of the Italian Open to qualify for Wimbledon's main draw but retired in the second round on Tuesday when leading Lucic-Baroni 4-6 6-3 2-1.
"I apologise for having to withdraw from my match with a left thigh injury," she said. "I will be getting all the necessary examinations to make sure it is not serious."
Sharapova will now have to wait until 20 June to discover whether she is among the wildcards at the All England Club.
The former world number one has not played a Grand Slam since she tested positive for heart disease drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
That brought an initial two-year ban, later reduced to 15 months after the Court of Arbitration for Sport found she was not an "intentional doper".
The ongoing fight against doping is more important than the line-up for the French Open - that was the message from the French Federation's president.
It is a brave and principled decision, which will upset some fans and broadcasters. Ratings may suffer, but Roland Garros will ultimately be stronger for it.
How could the public take the sport's anti-doping message seriously if one of the Grand Slams had invited a player who was not ranked high enough because of time served for a doping offence?
Sharapova has, in contrast, earned her place in qualifying for Wimbledon, even though injury has now deprived her of the chance to play herself into the main draw.
And assuming she is fit, she is likely to want to play at least two warm-up events. The Lawn Tennis Association has already offered her a wildcard into the WTA event in Birmingham. If Sharapova also wants to play the week before, she has Nottingham and the Dutch town of Rosmalen to choose between.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39932614
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Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal face play-off prospect for Champions League - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal face the prospect of a play-off to determine qualification for next season's Champions League.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal all face a possible play-off to determine qualification for next season's Champions League.
The three clubs, occupying third to fifth place in the Premier League, are separated by three points going into Sunday's final round of games.
But their goal difference, and goals scored, are similar enough to raise the prospect of two teams finishing joint third or fourth with identical records - necessitating a one-off play-off match.
However, bookmakers are clearly not convinced. Of three possible scenarios where a play-off would be required, the one with shortest odds is around 595-1.
The top three teams qualify directly for the Champions League group stage, with the fourth-placed side entering at the preceding play-off round, while the fifth-placed side will enter the Europa League.
• None Select your Premier League team of the season
• None Quiz: How well do you remember this season?
How do they stand at the moment?
Premier League rules state: "If at the end of the season either the league champions or the clubs to be relegated or the question of qualification for other competitions cannot be determined because two or more clubs are equal on points, goal difference and goals scored, the clubs concerned shall play off one or more deciding league matches on neutral grounds, the format, venue and timing of which shall be determined by the board."
Last season, there was a chance that Liverpool and West Ham could have finished with identical records with a Europa League place at stake.
So, how could it all happen?
This would require a high-scoring draw for City at Watford, while Liverpool give relegated Middlesbrough a thumping at Anfield.
For instance, a 3-3 draw for City and a 3-0 win for Liverpool would produce this scenario, with the teams tied for third place (and that Champions League group stage place):
The sides would also be locked together with identical records if City drew 4-4 and Liverpool won 4-1, and so on.
However, Arsenal cannot affect this scenario - even by winning, they could finish no higher than fifth.
By contrast, a heavy defeat for City raises the spectre of finishing level on points with Arsenal.
If City were to lose 4-0 at Vicarage Road, and Arsenal to sneak home 1-0 against Everton, the sides would finish like this:
The same permutation would be reached if City lost 5-1 and Arsenal won 2-1 - you get the picture.
What makes this scenario even more complicated is that it could produce a third/fourth place play-off if Liverpool fail to beat Middlesbrough - or a fourth/fifth place play-off if the Reds win at Anfield.
The final scenario would leave Liverpool and Arsenal fighting for fourth place on the most perilous of knife-edges since they battled for the title on the final day of the 1988-89 season.
If Arsenal draw 1-1 with Everton and Liverpool lose 2-0 to Middlesbrough, this is how they would finish tied for fourth:
Other combinations of results which would leave the sides level would be a 2-2 Arsenal draw coupled with a 3-1 Liverpool defeat, or a 3-3 Arsenal draw if goal-shy Boro win 4-2 at Anfield, and so on.
The good news for Manchester City fans is that under this third scenario, they would finish third, whatever their result at Watford, and clinch that cherished Champions League group stage place.
• None Predict the final day's results with our Premier League Predictor
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39944529
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'Litter police' get bonuses to target public, Panorama finds - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Secret filming shows people being fined for dropping orange peel and pouring coffee away.
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UK
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Were 'litter police' right to fine this man for dropping a small piece of orange peel?
A private company acting as the "litter police" for dozens of councils pays officers a bonus for issuing fines, an undercover Panorama report has found.
One officer from Kingdom Services, a leading enforcement company, claimed that his bonus one month was £987.
Other officers were filmed handing out £75 fines for tiny pieces of dropped orange peel and poured-away coffee.
Kingdom told Panorama that its competency allowance was not a paid incentive for officers to issue fines.
Littering is a crime, but if you pay the fine you can avoid a criminal record.
Councils are increasingly using private companies such as Kingdom, based in Cheshire, to enforce the Environmental Protection Act.
Kingdom currently has about 28 contracts with local authorities and last year saw its profits jump 30% to £9m.
The company frequently splits the proceeds of the fines with the councils.
Panorama uncovered several cases where people were fined incorrectly.
Luke Gutteridge, featured in the video at the top of the story, was issued with a fixed penalty notice by an officer working for Kingdom Services after he accidentally dropped a small piece of orange peel.
Even though Mr Gutteridge, a market trader from Hertfordshire, picked up the peel, he was accused of littering.
Luke's mother Rita Gutteridge, who works for a law firm, contested the case.
She told Panorama: "Had we not appealed, or we weren't in a financial position to, he could have ended up with a criminal record for life, for dropping a piece of orange peel. It's just nonsense, and just disgusting to be quite honest."
Sue Peckitt, a retired civil servant from Ealing in west London, successfully overturned a fine for pouring coffee down a drain.
Barrister Dr Michael Ramsden told Panorama: "It's pure greed on the part of the enforcement officers, I would say.
"Under no stretch of the imagination could you say that the liquid from the coffee cup is cross-contamination when it's going in a sewer, and she placed a coffee cup in the bin."
Sue complained and the fine was dropped. Kingdom Services sent her a £20 gift voucher.
Liz Jenner, a ballet and pilates instructor from Ealing, was issued with a fine for fly-tipping outside her own home after she put her recycling out on the wrong date during the Christmas holidays.
It is understood that in Ealing, Kingdom officers ride on the back of rubbish trucks to issue tickets.
She told Panorama: "'The borough has a very big problem with fly-tipping I appreciate that. But they're targeting the wrong people."
The number of fines issued for littering has risen from 727 to more than 140,000 in England and Wales over the past decade, according to freedom of information requests made in 2015-16 by civil liberties group, the Manifesto Club.
Josie Appleton, the group's spokeswoman, said companies such as Kingdom present councils with a "very seductive offer".
"They basically just say, 'Sign it over to us and we'll make you a bit of money and you won't lose anything.'"
But she said it was very concerning because "essentially what you have here is a fine on behalf of a public authority being contracted out to someone who basically has anything but the public interest at heart and so very much is seeking to make money".
Panorama sent an undercover reporter to work inside Kingdom Services' enforcement team in Kent.
During her training, the reporter asked a senior member of staff how officers were paid.
The Kingdom manager said officers were paid £9.47 a hour.
He added: "And then every ticket over four, you get a little competency allowance."
When asked if this was like a bonus, he replied: "It's a bonus."
He added: "When I was doing it in Ashford, I was hitting out quite a lot of tickets and I think the most I brought home just on the bonus was £987."
It said the allowance was discretionary and only paid if officers met all their basic competencies.
During a training session with Kingdom, the reporter was told by a trainer: "Obviously we are here to make money, I'm not going to not say that to people."
The trainer also told her that some officers pretended to call the police in order to make people pay a fine.
She added: "When people think you are actually going to do something or you are going to get the police and they're going to have to stand there for another hour they may then… their attitude changes."
One officer told the reporter that he often pretended to call the police in order to encourage members of the public to hand over their personal details.
Once he had their details, he could issue a ticket.
Kingdom said that it was important that members of the public know what could happen if they are convicted at court.
But any decision to prosecute alleged offenders is made by the local authority, not Kingdom.
The company said it provided local authorities with a cost-effective service and helped to keep Britain tidy within the law.
The cost of clearing up litter exceeded £1bn last year and a further £1bn was spent clearing up waste, according to the campaign group Keep Britain Tidy.
Allison Ogden Nash, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: "Enforcement is one of the methods we can use to change people's behaviour but it needs to be fair and it needs to have the public on our side."
Watch Panorama - Inside the Litter Police on Monday 15 May at 20:30 BST on BBC One and afterwards on BBC iPlayer.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39882434
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A sex doll that can talk - but is it perfect Harmony? - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The BBC visits a factory in California which is making a new AI-enabled sex doll called Harmony.
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Technology
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Harmony is more than a sex toy, according to RealDoll founder Matt McMullen
Harmony is a new type of sex doll - one that can move and talk.
Her head, eyelids and lip movements are fairly crude and her conversation is even more limited.
But she is part of a new robotics revolution that is seeing artificial intelligence incorporated into an extremely human-like body.
Some think that it will revolutionise the way humans interact with robots while others believe that it represents the very worst in robotic advancement.
The uncanny valley - the idea that the closer we get to replicating the human form, the more scared we become of our creations - seems to have come to life in this unassuming factory on the outskirts of San Marcos, California.
The receptionists are dolls - the only ones wearing suits
Even on reception, two lifelike characters - in business suits rather than underwear, like the rest of the dolls - wait to greet visitors. And the lobby wall is full of photos of beautiful women which, only on very close inspection, reveal themselves to be of dolls.
Matt McMullen, the chief executive of Abyss Creations, which makes RealDoll, comes from an art and sculpture background.
Adjusting Harmony's wig ahead of my interview with her, he is clearly very fond of the way she looks.
She is, he says, the natural next step for sex dolls.
"Many people who may buy a RealDoll because it is sexually capable come to realise it is much more than a sex toy," he said. "It has a presence in their house and they imagine a personality for her. AI gives people the tools to create that personality."
This is done via an app, which can be used with the doll or independently, existing as a virtual person on a smartphone or similar device.
Users can choose from a variety of personality options, including moody, angry and loving.
Mr McMullen has chosen "jealous" for Harmony and she dutifully asks him to "remove that girl from Facebook".
She speaks in a curiously high-pitched Scottish accent and tells me that she loves science fiction and, of course, Matt.
Mr McMullen claims that she learns from her users but when I ask Harmony what it feels like to be jealous, she apologises and says that she "needs to improve [her] skills".
The app that powers Harmony is already available to buy, although only directly from the Realbotix website, a spin-off from Abyss. Neither Google's nor Apple's official stores will carry it because of the explicit content.
The doll will go on sale later this year and there will be two versions - one with computer vision that enables it to recognise faces, which will cost $10,000 (£7,700) - and a cheaper version without vision for $5,000.
The factory makes the dolls in stages
The factory currently makes dolls for clients around the world, mostly men although it claims to have a handful of female clients.
All of the dolls conform to a particular idea of beauty - they are Barbie-like, with tiny waists, large bottoms and even larger breasts.
Mr McMullen says the design is driven by clients.
"We are running a business and most of our clients have a certain wish list. The unfortunate reality is that that is rather idealistic," he said.
Mr McMullen described his clients as "completely normal", claiming some even come to collect their dolls with their wives but admitted later that many of them choose sex dolls because they cannot form relationships with ordinary women.
"Many people are isolated and alone but they were probably that way already. For people who are lonely and find it hard to form a relationship, this is another option. But I've never looked at the dolls or the robot as a replacement."
He himself does not own a sex doll, saying he has instead "a real human wife and kids".
Mark Young lives in Arizona and he does own a sex doll - called Mai Lin. He has also just invested in the Harmony AI app but he is not planning on integrating the two.
"I thought the app might bring her to life but the app has its own personality and it is different from how I pictured Mai Lin in my mind so it is like having two relationships."
He explained why he invested in a sex doll in the first place.
"I've been single for a while. I've dated a lot of girls. I've wasted time on relationships. While I'd love to meet a girl, in the meantime it is good to have that presence,"
And, while he admits the relationship is physical, he says that is "secondary".
"I can go out shopping for her and look at clothes - it is like having somebody in my life without having to deal with making mistakes. If I like a hat on her, she doesn't say that she doesn't like it."
As for the app, he has programmed it to be "happy, affectionate and talkative".
"AI is a whole different ball-game and that has got me very excited for the future," he said.
Prof Kathleen Richardson, a robot ethicist at De Montfort University, Leicester, spends her time looking at the impact such machines might have on society and she is appalled by the rise of sex robots.
"There are seven billion people on our planet and we are having a crisis in people forming relationships. And companies are coming along and profiting from this by saying objects can take the place of a human being."
"We live in a world that objectivises sex through prostitution. Humans are used like tools, and sex dolls are an extension of this."
The factory makes dolls for clients around the world, but none currently has robotic or AI components.
A few years ago she launched a campaign to ban sex robots but has since decided that "dolls aren't really the problem". Instead, the issue is about attitudes to sex and each other.
She is dismissive of the new AI-enabled doll.
"The idea that adding artificial intelligence adds something human to a doll is wrong. There is more artificial intelligence in my washing machine than in this doll and just because it has a face and a body doesn't make it human."
"In their current form, sex robots are definitely aimed at men but the sex toy industry is developing and there are lots of start-ups working on sex toys for women."
She thinks robots designed for intimate relationships, will ultimately enhance rather than damage human relationships.
"There is always panic whenever there is a big dramatic technology shift," she said. "People panic about how it will affect humans but the technology generally brings people together."
Find out more about this and our changing relationship with machines in The Robots Story on World Service radio. First broadcasting on Tuesday 16 May at 10.30.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39859939
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The boss who lives as a medieval knight - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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Jason Kingsley, the boss of games firm Rebellion, lives his life according to the rules of a medieval knight's chivalric code of honour.
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Business
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. The boss in shining armour. By video journalist Greg Brosnan
Jason Kingsley seems far too relaxed about the fatal dangers inherent in his daredevil hobby.
"There have been some deaths in jousting," he says. "But it is usually through inexperience, the wrong safety equipment, and a lot of bad luck combined."
Putting on an exact replica of a medieval suit of armour, the 53-year-old jousts a dozen or so weekends every year.
Holding a 12ft (3.7m) long steel-tipped wooden lance in front of him, he rides a stallion full pelt towards another would-be knight coming at him in a similarly determined attempt to knock him off his horse.
"You are both moving at about 20mph (32km/h), so [if the other person's lance hits you] it is like hitting a brick wall at 40mph.
"I have never fallen off, but I have taken three people out of the saddle. Historically people have died, and it is always the lance tip going through the eye slot [of the helmet]."
Given how Jason spends his weekends, you might imagine that his day job is equally daring, that he is some sort of professional stuntman.
Jason doesn't wear the suit of armour to work
Instead, he is the chief executive of one of the UK's largest computer games companies - Rebellion Developments.
Jason set up the Oxford-based business with his younger brother Chris in 1992, and today it has an annual turnover of more than £25m.
Still wholly owned by the two siblings, its best-selling titles include Sniper Elite and Rogue Trooper.
For the past 17 years the company has also owned cult UK comic book series 2000 AD, and publishes a range of novels.
While Jason doesn't wear one of his £25,000 suits of armour in the office, he says that he tries to run Rebellion - and all other aspects of his life - according to a medieval knight's chivalric code of conduct.
"What the code comes down to is try to be a decent person... and there are three parts - bravery, honesty and kindness.
"In business the need to be brave is obvious; the ability to charge forward and seize the opportunity, and do the best that you can with it.
"It is also about exploring new territories and seeking out new markets. It is an essential component in being a leader."
Jason's three tenets in life are bravery, honesty and kindness
He adds: "Honesty doesn't mean telling everyone your secrets, it means dealing fairly with people.
"So in business, I don't try to get the best deal for myself, I'm trying to get the best deal for both sides.
"This is fairer and the right thing to do, and if the other side makes a profit they will come back and work with me again.
"And kindness is simply about the need to treat people well."
As a teenager Jason says that he and his brother both loved role-playing games. They would sit around a table with their friends and each take on a fantasy character, such as a wizard or knight.
Dice would then be thrown to determine how the characters interacted with each other, and how the stories developed.
Jason also wrote a number of "gamebooks", where the reader has to decide how the story develops from multiple-choice options.
Jason Kingsley has 13 horses to look after
Studying at Oxford University, they started to develop and programme computer games as a hobby. After they both graduated, Jason says they decided to start Rebellion "because we loved games, and we saw an opportunity in making computer games".
He adds: "It really was just naivety and enthusiasm, but I think that is a really good reason for starting a business, because it is much easier to be successful if you love what you are doing."
Working on a number of demo games, Rebellion got its first big break in 1993 when it won a contract from then-games giant Atari to produce the title Alien vs Predator.
The game was a bestseller, and Rebellion has never looked back. After making games for other companies, such as James Bond and various titles for The Simpsons, it today tries to focus more on producing and distributing its own material.
The firm employs 220 people, mainly at its base in Oxford
Jason says: "We knew we wanted to build up our own IP (intellectual property) and fund our own games, and that is where we are now.
"It has taken us a long time, 25 years to get there... but we now come up with the ideas, fully fund the games, and release them ourselves worldwide. And that's great, there's no-one else in the loop."
Profits from the computer games sales have also been used to expand the business into other areas, such as buying 2000 AD, home to cult comic character Judge Dredd.
While Jason won't reveal the exact cost of the deal, he says it was "many millions".
"We felt that 2000 AD was on the decline [under its then-Danish owner], and needed to be owned and cherished by someone British who knew the culture of what it was trying to do.
"I genuinely think it is an important bit of our cultural heritage."
Gaming industry expert Dan Maher says that Rebellion has been particularly praised for its custodianship of the 2000 AD comic book.
"As the name suggests, the company prides itself on going against the grain, using the money earned from an industry driven by bleeding-edge technology to make uncynical acquisitions in the traditional publishing sector," says Mr Maher.
Rebellion bought 2000 AD and its famous character Judge Dredd in, well, 2000 AD
"Such moves, driven as they are by real love and appreciation for comics and sci-fi, have earned them great respect from consumers and professionals alike."
Jason has the boss role on a day-to-day basis at Rebellion, while his brother Chris holds the chief technology officer position.
But before he goes to work, Jason spends two hours every morning looking after his 13 horses, and then two hours again in the evening.
"Yes I could afford to get staff to do it all for me but I like doing it. The horses are my friends, my family," he says.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39851253
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Reality Check: What's been going on with pay? - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The TUC boss says living standards have been falling too fast for too long.
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Election 2017
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The claim: Workers' living standards have been falling far too fast for far too long.
Reality Check verdict: Average pay adjusted for prices has been rising for the past couple of years, but is still below the level it was 10 years ago, before the financial crisis.
Frances O'Grady, general secretary of trade union umbrella body the TUC, has been talking about pay on the BBC News Channel.
"I think all major parties need to wake up to the fact that workers' living standards… have been falling far too fast for too long," she said.
The usual measure of whether living standards are falling is whether pay is rising faster than prices.
This chart adjusts average pay for changes in inflation, measured by the consumer price index (CPI), to give real average earnings.
It's been a tough 10 years for pay.
Real average earnings have still not returned to the level they were at before the financial crisis.
If prices are rising faster than wages then people's spending power falls.
In the last few years, low levels of inflation have meant that pay rises have on average outstripped price rises.
But inflation has now been boosted, partly by the rising price of imports caused by the falling value of the pound since the EU referendum was called.
You can see from this chart that average prices and pay are currently running at about the same rate.
While real wages are still below their pre-financial crisis levels, they have been rising since the autumn of 2014, although that appears to have stalled now.
But all of these figures are based on averages, which do not help with the experiences of different areas and sectors of the country.
Many workers in the public sector have had pay increases capped at 1%, which has generally been below the rate of inflation.
Levels of pay vary considerably throughout the country, with average earnings on the whole higher in the south-east of England than in most of the rest of the country.
Average pay has also grown faster for people who have been in jobs for more than a year, which some people have interpreted as meaning that it is new jobs being created that are dragging down average pay.
However, it may also be argued that it just shows more stable jobs tend to be better paid.
Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned last week that "wages won't keep up with prices" this year, meaning "a more challenging time for British households".
The latest figures for inflation will be released on Tuesday, with average earnings being updated as part of the labour market figures on Wednesday.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39915066
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Fernando Alonso: F1 driver satisfied with 'amazing' Indy 500 practice - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso is satisfied with an "amazing" first day of official practice for the Indianapolis 500.
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Fernando Alonso said he was satisfied with an "amazing" first day of official practice for the Indianapolis 500.
The McLaren driver, who is racing at this year's event on 28 May instead of at the Monaco Grand Prix, was 19th on Monday with a 223.025mph average.
"Everything went very smoothly," said the 35-year-old Spaniard, who is a two-time F1 world champion.
"The last half-an-hour we had some issues with the rear suspension and we could not complete the programme."
He added: "We had planned to run a little bit in traffic, so we missed that part, but overall it was an amazing day."
Alonso has a race against time trying to learn all the intricacies of car set-up and racing on a 2.5-mile superspeedway against drivers who have been doing it for years.
He said he felt he had made progress since his first run at Indy when he completed his rookie test two weeks ago.
"The car felt as good as it did at the test, and I was able to make some set-up changes without losing the confidence in the car," Alonso said.
"I'm happier than the first day with the car because I was able to feel some of the set-up changes that we were planning in the morning.
"We did not do much running in traffic, so that's still the thing that I need to go through in the next couple of days.
"But I did two or three laps behind some cars that were going out of pit lane, and it was good fun."
Marco Andretti, Alonso's Andretti Autosport team-mate, was fastest at 226.338mph on the first of five days of practice before qualifying this weekend.
"In my case, qualifying is not very important," Alonso added.
"When you are out there, you want to feel fast so it's a question of enjoyment, not only the final position.
"But I think the priority for us in my garage is to set up the car for the race, to feel comfortable in traffic, to learn as much as I can, the way to overtake, the place to overtake, how you lose the minimum momentum in those manoeuvres.
"There are many things that I don't know now and I need to learn quickly. So let's see what we can do in qualifying. But definitely, the race preparation will be the first priority."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39932584
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Chelsea 4-3 Watford - BBC Sport
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2017-05-16
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Chelsea skipper John Terry scores on what could be his Stamford Bridge farewell as the Blues celebrate winning the Premier League with a victory against Watford.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Chelsea celebrated their Premier League title triumph with a hard-earned victory over Watford in an ill-tempered but thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Manager Antonio Conte and his Chelsea players were able to take the acclaim on a lap of honour after the final whistle - but they were made to work for the win by a fired-up and physical Watford.
John Terry, who will leave at the end of the season after more than two decades at the club, celebrated his first league start since September by scoring Chelsea's 100th goal in all competitions this term. It came after 22 minutes before he then gifted Watford's Etienne Capoue an instant equaliser with a poor header.
Cesar Azpilicueta restored Chelsea's lead with a crisp finish before half-time and the contest looked over when Michy Batshuayi, who scored the title-winning goal at West Bromwich Albion on Friday, added a third just after the break.
Watford, however, showed commendable fight. Daryl Janmaat's fine solo effort put the visitors within reach before substitute Stefano Okaka, who was given his Italy debut by Chelsea boss Conte, took advantage of defensive uncertainty to slam in an equaliser.
Chelsea, as so often this season, found a way to win as substitute Cesc Fabregas struck from the edge of the area with three minutes left - while Watford's misery was compounded when Sebastian Prodl was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time.
• None Nevin: We've only scratched the surface with Conte
Conte can do no wrong and he was being cheered at Stamford Bridge within seconds of appearing in his technical area after winning the Premier League at the first time of asking.
This was a night for Chelsea to bask in the glory of their success and hard work this season, and after a slow start, the crowd warmed to the occasion.
For Conte, it was also the opportunity to give some of his shadow squad game time, with the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Nemanja Matic given the night off and Diego Costa, Fabregas, Pedro, Gary Cahill and Marcos Alonso on the bench.
It was not simply a matter of giving Terry a game and showcasing younger talent such as Nathan Ake and Nathaniel Chalobah - this was a selection with a glance towards the forthcoming FA Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley.
Chelsea's lack of familiarity showed in an uncharacteristically shoddy defensive performance while the lack of spark in some of the display was perhaps the result of mental and physical energy expended in getting the title win over the line.
The perfectionist Conte will be unhappy with parts of this performance, but he will also see the bigger picture.
Terry is on the victory lap of his Chelsea career, with only Sunday's final home game against Sunderland remaining before the curtain comes down.
Chelsea's title win enabled Conte to give Terry his first league start since the 2-2 draw at Swansea City on 11 September last year, and first start in any competition since the FA Cup fifth-round win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 18 February.
It was a night of mixed fortunes for the 36-year-old, whose goal meant he had scored in his 17th successive Premier League season.
Terry scrambled home that landmark goal but then made that uncharacteristic error to allow Capoue in for the equaliser.
Chelsea's defence was not at its best but Terry was leading from the front as usual, even diving into an injury-time melee when players from both sides squared up to each other.
Terry is not going quietly from Chelsea - but that will come as no surprise.
It was fitting that Azpilicueta got himself on the scoresheet with a drilled low finish to put Chelsea 2-1 up - a rightful reward for a player whose outstanding consistency makes him a key component of this title-winning team.
Azpilicueta has been almost faultless as a vital part of the three-man defence that transformed Chelsea's season, and while he may be underrated and unsung outside Stamford Bridge, there is no underestimating the importance Conte, his team-mates and fans put on the 27-year-old Spain defender.
'The target is 30 wins' - what the managers said
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte told BBC Sport: "It's a big night because we won the title. I made a decision to make nine changes and give the chance to start a lot of young players. I must be pleased because the answer was very good.
"We conceded three goals but we scored four and created many chances. The most important thing was we won. Now we have target to win 30 games [which would be a Premier League record in a season].
"The most important thing is to win the league. Then if we have the possibility to improve these records, we must try. We can reach this target. The players and I want to reach this target."
Watford manager Walter Mazzarri told BBC Sport: "I am very proud of my team. We had several players out injured.
"We played very well. Of course we were safe with six games left. I'm looking at the players I've got and who needs to be here next season.
"Congratulations to Antonio Conte because he's a great manager. They have great players. They deserve the title."
Chelsea get to celebrate all over again when they host relegated Sunderland on Sunday (15:00 BST), while Watford welcome Manchester City at the same time on the final day of the league season. The Blues still have the FA Cup final against Arsenal to come on 27 May.
• None Chelsea have equalled the record from most wins in a single Premier League season [29, also achieved by the Blues in 04-05 and 05-06]
• None Watford scored with all three of their shots on target
• None Antonio Conte made nine changes to the starting 11 for this game, the most ever by a Chelsea manager in the Premier League
• None Jose Holebas has picked up a league-high 14 yellow cards in the Premier League this season; no player has ever picked up more in a single campaign [also 14 for Lee Cattermole in 14-15, Cheick Tiote in 10-11, Robbie Savage in 01-02 and Mark Hughes in 98-99)
• None John Terry has now netted in each of his past 17 top-flight campaigns
• None Terry's goal was Chelsea's 1,000th in the Premier League since Roman Abramovich took over [in the summer of 2003]
• None It was also the Blues' 100th goal in all competitions this season
• None Troy Deeney (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
• None Pedro (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing.
• None Second yellow card to Sebastian Prödl (Watford) for a bad foul.
• None Attempt missed. Pedro (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
• None Goal! Chelsea 4, Watford 3. Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Willian.
• None Attempt saved. Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Willian with a through ball.
• None Attempt saved. Ola Aina (Chelsea) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Eden Hazard.
• None Attempt missed. John Terry (Chelsea) header from the left side of the six yard box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Cesc Fàbregas with a cross following a corner.
• None Sebastian Prödl (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39176057
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TV dinners: The hidden cost of the processed food revolution - BBC News
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2017-05-16
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The industrialisation of food production has saved us time - but we are paying the price in other ways.
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Business
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It is a typical November Tuesday for Mary, who lives in the north-east of the United States.
She is 44, has a degree, and her family is prosperous - in the top quarter of American households by income. So what has she done today? Is she a lawyer or a teacher?
No. Mary spent an hour knitting and sewing, two hours setting the table and doing the dishes and well over two hours preparing and cooking food.
She is not unusual, because it is 1965 and at that time, many married American women - even those with an excellent education - spent large chunks of their day catering for their families.
50 Things That Made the Modern Economy highlights the inventions, ideas and innovations which have helped create the economic world in which we live.
We know about Mary's day - and those of many others - because of time-use surveys conducted around the world. These diaries reveal precisely how different people use their time.
For educated women, the way time is spent in the US and other rich countries has changed radically over the past half a century.
Women in America now spend around 45 minutes per day in total cooking and cleaning up. That's still much more than men, who spend only 15 minutes a day doing such tasks. But it is a vast reduction from Mary's four hours.
Behind this shift is a radical change to the way the food we eat is prepared, as seen by the introduction of the TV dinner in 1954.
Presented in a space-age aluminium tray, and prepared so that everything would require the same cooking time, the "frozen turkey tray TV dinner" was developed by a bacteriologist called Betty Cronin.
She worked for the Swanson food processing company, keen to find ways to keep busy after the business of supplying rations to US troops had dried up.
But of course the TV dinner was only part of a panoply of changes, wrought by the availability of freezers, microwaves, preservatives and production lines.
Food had been perhaps the last cottage industry: something that would overwhelmingly be produced in the home.
But food preparation has been industrialised - outsourced to restaurants and takeaways and to factories that prepare ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook meals.
And the invention of the industrial meal - in all its forms - has led to a profound shift in the modern economy.
How we spend on food is changing.
In 2015, US consumers spent more money on food and drink outside their home than on groceries for the first time
American families spend increasingly more outside the home - on fast food, restaurant meals, sandwiches and snacks. Only a quarter of food spending was outside the home in the 1960s.
That has steadily risen over time and in 2015 a landmark was reached: for the first time, Americans spent more on food and drink outside the home than at grocery stores. The British passed that particular milestone more than a decade earlier.
Even within the home, food is increasingly processed to save the chef time and effort: bagged chopped salad, pre-grated cheese, jars of pasta sauce, individual permeable tea bags, meatballs doused in sauce and chicken that comes plucked and gutted.
Each new innovation would seem bizarre to the older generation.
I have never plucked a chicken and perhaps my children will never chop salad. All this saves time - serious amounts of time.
When the economist Valerie Ramey compared time-use diaries in the US between the 1920s and the 1960s, she found that surprisingly little had changed.
Whether women were uneducated and married to farmers, or highly educated and married to urban professionals, they still spent similar amounts of time on housework across those 50 years.
It was only in the 1960s that this pattern began to shift.
But surely the innovation responsible for emancipating women was not the TV dinner, but the washing machine?
The idea is widely believed and is appealing. A frozen TV dinner does not really feel like progress, compared to home-cooked food.
The washing machine was innovative, but did not save much time
But a washing machine is clean and efficient and replaces work that was always drudgery. How could it not have been revolutionary?
However, the revolution wasn't in the lives of women, it was in how lemon fresh we all started to smell.
As Alison Wolf argues in her book The XX Factor, the evidence is clear that the washing machine did not save a lot of time, because before washing machines, we did not wash clothes very often. When it took all day to wash and dry a few shirts, people used replaceable collars and cuffs or dark outer layers to hide the grime.
In contrast, when it took two or three hours to prepare a meal, someone had to take that time. There was not an alternative. The washing machine did not save much time, and the ready meal did, because we were not willing to starve, but we were willing to stink.
The availability of ready meals has had some regrettable side-effects.
Obesity rates rose sharply in developed countries between the 1970s and the early 21st Century, at much the same time as these culinary innovations were being developed. This is no coincidence, say health economists. The cost of calories has fallen dramatically, not just in financial terms but also in terms of time.
Consider the humble potato. It has long been a staple of the American diet, but before World War Two potatoes were usually baked, mashed or boiled. There's a reason for that: roast potatoes need to be peeled, chopped, par-boiled and then roasted. French fries or chips must be finely chopped and then deep fried.
Over time, however, the production of fried sliced potato chips - both French fries and crisps - was centralised. French fries can be peeled, chopped, fried and frozen in a factory and then refried in a fast-food restaurant or microwaved at home.
Obesity rates have risen sharply since the large scale industrialisation of food production
Between 1977 and 1995, American potato consumption increased by a third, almost entirely because of the rise of fried potatoes.
Even simpler, crisps can be fried, salted, flavoured and packaged to last for many weeks on the shelf. But this convenience comes at a cost.
In the US, calorie intake by adults rose by about 10% between the 1970s and the 1990s. Not as a result of more calorific regular meals but because of increased snacking - usually of processed convenience food.
Psychology - and common sense - suggest this should not be a surprise.
Experiments by behavioural scientists show that we make very different decisions about what to eat depending on how far away the meal is. A long-planned meal is likely to be nutritious, but when we make more impulsive decisions, our snacks are more likely to be junk food than something nourishing.
The industrialisation of food - symbolised by the TV dinner - changed our economy in two important ways. It freed women from hours of domestic chores, removing a large obstacle to them adopting serious professional careers.
But by making empty calories ever more convenient to acquire, it also freed our waistlines to expand.
The challenge now - as with so many inventions - is to enjoy the benefit without also suffering the cost.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39490182
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Iran's Instagram election sees rivals battle on social media - BBC News
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2017-05-17
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In a first for Iran, the main battles in the country's elections are being fought on social media.
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Middle East
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The Iranian authorities have relaxed rules on internet use during the election campaign
This is an Iranian election like no other, where the main battles are being fought on social media.
For the first time candidates, as well as voters, have discovered the power of messaging apps as a way of bypassing state media and reaching out directly to each other.
Rather than relying on state television channels to broadcast their campaign rallies, the two front-runners - President Hassan Rouhani and his hard line rival Ebrahim Raisi - have been live-streaming them on Instagram.
At the touch of a button, anyone with a mobile device has been able to tune in, watch and show their support by adding to the blizzard of likes, hearts and smiley faces streaming across the screen.
They have also provided constant updates on Telegram, a hugely popular secure messaging app which now has more than 20 million users in Iran.
On Sunday, the reformist former President, Mohammad Khatami, posted a video message on Telegram urging voters to support Mr Rouhani, who is seeking a second term.
Mr Khatami is banned from appearing on state media and the main TV channels do not even show his photograph or mention his name. But his video went viral, reaching millions of Iranians connected via a vast network of Telegram channels.
In parallel to the presidential poll, local elections are also taking place across the country on Friday.
In the capital, Tehran, voters used Twitter and Telegram to challenge the official list of reformist candidates.
They began circulating an alternative list of progressive candidates they said had been forced off the reformist ticket.
The list caused such a huge stir on social media and prompted some very serious conversations in the reformist camp.
President Rouhani is live-streaming his campaign speeches
Unusually in a country where access to many websites and social media platforms is blocked, Telegram and Instagram are freely accessible in Iran.
When Telegram first appeared in Iran it was seen as a chat application with limited functionalities.
The establishment saw it as a relatively safe platform, and it was only when its Russian developers introduced new channel features, and Farsi-speakers began using it in a very different way, that its potential to mobilise millions of people became apparent.
Iranians have now created thousands of Telegram channels, and use "supergroups" not only to promote their agenda but also to do business and make money.
Ebrahim Raisi's supporters are also taking to social media
Telegram is suddenly being taken very seriously by the establishment and in the run up to the election the administrators of some popular channels have been detained.
Twitter is officially blocked in Iran but people use proxies to tweet.
President Rouhani and many of his cabinet members have been active on Twitter for the past four years; Mr Raisi hurriedly set up an account just before launching his campaign.
Usually, Twitter conversations that create a buzz then travel to Telegram channels where they can potentially reach a much wider audience. One such conversation discussed demands for gender equality and equal rights for women.
Mr Rouhani's campaign team has paid close attention to these conversations and identified keywords to include in his speeches about women, youth and internet freedom.
Mr Raisi, a hardliner, is backed by Iran's clerical and security establishment
In Iran, where free public debate is restricted and access to the media is controlled very closely, election campaigns are a rare opportunity for people from many different walks of life to make their grievances heard.
When Mr Rouhani's speeches have been streamed live on Instagram, for example, members of the LGBT community have taken the opportunity to post questions asking him directly about his views on gay marriage.
It would be unthinkable to ask such questions face-to-face in a public forum.
The president did not respond to the questions about gay marriage, but he has discussed other taboo issues during the campaign.
Mr Rouhani has not responded to questions about his views on gay marriage
Many people were surprised when the president attacked Mr Raisi over the former judge's role in the mass executions of thousands of dissidents in prison at the end of the 1980s.
It is a dark chapter in recent Iranian history, and one that is usually never mentioned. However, Mr Rouhani's comments prompted a sudden outpouring of heartfelt debate on social media.
The president also used social media to raise another unmentionable subject - corruption in the Revolutionary Guards. His veiled comments on the issue sparked off a debate online that soon moved offline into the world of everyday conversation.
For both voters and candidates, social media has also provided a way to bypass state censorship.
Mr Rouhani may be the president, but that did not stop state television from cutting parts of his campaign video before it was aired.
When the censors chopped out clips showing his supporters chanting the names of detained opposition leaders, Mr Rouhani's team released them on social media, allowing them to be watched by millions.
Ebrahim Raisi tweeted: “We intend to open to the youth the gates of senior posts in government.” In response, a woman wrote: “For God's sake, make sure you don't open the gates to 28-year-old prosecutors (like yourself) who would kill other 30 year olds.”
Mr Raisi now has an active fan base on Twitter. His hard line supporters steer conversations against Mr Rouhani and get involved in debates in support of their candidate.
But the president's fans have been fighting back, and Mr Raisi's Twitter account has been trolled by people opposed to his candidacy.
Throughout his campaign, Mr Rouhani has presented himself as an advocate for social media, reminding supporters that he has fought hard to ensure Telegram and Instagram remain unfiltered.
However, the role social media has played in mobilising people during this campaign has not gone unnoticed.
Instagram live-streams and Telegram supergroups are clearly a powerful weapon.
Whether access will still be available to Iranians after this election could depend very much on the outcome.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-39947080
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Oh Leuven: Leicester City owner agrees to buy Belgian club - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Leicester City owner's King Power International agree to buy OH Leuven, the Belgian club says.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Leicester City owners King Power International have agreed to purchase OH Leuven, the Belgian club says.
The second-tier club, located just east of capital city Brussels, narrowly avoided relegation this season.
The club's board set a time limit in its search for investment and said King Power "was the only bidder who made a clear and coherent proposal".
Its directors said the deal "guarantees the future of the club, both financially and in sporting terms".
OH Leuven were relegated from Belgium's top tier in 2015-16 but said new ownership would provide "sufficient financial resources to aspire to the earliest possible return".
It added King Power - founded by Leicester chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in 1989 - will fund an expansion of the club's youth system.
The acquisition will be formally completed when the company has concluded due diligence.
Srivaddhanaprabha is worth an estimated £3.6bn according to Forbes.
The 58-year-old bought Leicester in 2010, with the club winning promotion to the top flight four years later and claiming the Premier League title in 2015-16.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39946036
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Tyson Fury: Frank Warren expects Ukad delay as BBBofC reiterate licence stance - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Tyson Fury's boxing licence will not be reinstated until after his anti-doping hearing - which promoter Frank Warren fears could be in October.
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Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Tyson Fury's boxing licence will not be reinstated until after his UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) hearing - which promoter Frank Warren fears could be in October.
Ukad last week postponed a hearing into the Briton testing positive for a banned substance in February 2015.
Fury, 28, had hoped to box in July but the British Boxing Board of Control told BBC Sport he is suspended "until the matter is dealt with by Ukad".
Ukad, which has not given a timeframe, does not comment on individual cases.
BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith said: "I haven't seen any new dates yet. I presume they are trying to sort them out with legal advisors but until that hearing, his licence is suspended."
Warren described the postponement of the hearing as a "liberty" and suggested the government could "intervene".
"Ukad have got a problem," said Warren. "He's entitled to make a living. If he's done wrong then get it over with. How can this be right? Why does it drag on from 2015?"
Fury also faces potential repercussions for refusing to fulfil a later test based on perceived persecution by Ukad.
Warren asserts this took place when the former heavyweight champion of the world was struggling to cope with depression and that when Fury's uncle and trainer called Ukad "an hour later", they "refused to come back".
Fury, 28, and his cousin and fellow heavyweight Hughie Fury, 22, were charged by Ukad in June 2016 as a result of urine tests conducted 14 months earlier which showed traces of nandrolone.
Between the failed tests and charge, Tyson Fury claimed the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles from Wladimir Klitschko, while Hughie Fury fought four times.
Both men deny any wrongdoing but their hearing was postponed after over two days when Ukad cited a "potential conflict of interest" on its panel.
Hughie Fury is still free to compete but Tyson lost his licence in October 2016 as the BBBofC moved "pending further investigation into anti-doping and medical issues".
If the case is dismissed, Warren hopes Fury will fight on 8 July on the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders' WBO middleweight title defence against Avtandil Khurtsidze in London.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/39946566
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Maria Sharapova: French Open wildcard reasoning wrong, say WTA - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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The basis for the decision not to give Maria Sharapova a French Open wildcard is wrong, says the chief executive of the WTA.
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Last updated on .From the section Tennis
French Open organisers had "no grounds to penalise" Maria Sharapova by denying her a wildcard entry to the tournament, says the Women's Tennis Association.
The Russian, 30, was ranked too low to gain direct entry as she continues her return from a 15-month drugs ban.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) chose not to hand Sharapova a wildcard to "protect" the sport's standards.
"I don't agree with the basis for their decision. She has complied with the sanction," said WTA chief Steve Simon.
"There are no grounds to penalise any player beyond the sanctions set forth in the final decisions resolving these matters."
Two-time French Open winner Sharapova needed a wildcard, which are awarded at the discretion of tournament organisers, to play in either the main draw or the qualifying tournament.
But on Monday, FFT chief Bernard Giudicelli Ferrandini said: "There can be a wildcard for the return from injuries - there cannot be a wildcard for the return from doping.
"I'm very sorry for Maria, very sorry for her fans. They might be very disappointed, she might be very disappointed, but it's my responsibility, my mission, to protect the high standards of the game played without any doubt on the result."
Shortly after learning of her Roland Garros snub, Sharapova withdrew injured from her second-round Italian Open match against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.
The French Open begins on 28 May.
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Sharapova returned to action without a ranking last month and has since risen to 211 in the world after receiving wildcards in Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome.
That will be enough to at least earn a qualifying spot at Wimbledon next month.
Sharapova needed to reach the semi-finals of the Italian Open to qualify for Wimbledon's main draw but retired in the second round on Tuesday when leading Lucic-Baroni 4-6 6-3 2-1.
"I apologise for having to withdraw from my match with a left thigh injury," she said. "I will be getting all the necessary examinations to make sure it is not serious."
Sharapova will now have to wait until 20 June to discover whether she is among the wildcards at the All England Club.
The former world number one has not played a Grand Slam since she tested positive for heart disease drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
That brought an initial two-year ban, later reduced to 15 months after the Court of Arbitration for Sport found she was not an "intentional doper".
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash hopes the All England Club will not offer her a Wimbledon wildcard.
"She certainly should not be getting benefits from the fact that she got caught using an illegal drug," he told BBC Radio 5 live.
"I would hope they [Wimbledon] would stay strong and say 'no sorry, you have got to go through and play qualifying'."
The ongoing fight against doping is more important than the line-up for the French Open - that was the message from the French Federation's president.
It is a brave and principled decision, which will upset some fans and broadcasters. Ratings may suffer, but Roland Garros will ultimately be stronger for it.
How could the public take the sport's anti-doping message seriously if one of the Grand Slams had invited a player who was not ranked high enough because of time served for a doping offence?
It is worth noting, though, that the FFT have awarded a qualifying wildcard to Constant Lestienne, a French player who was banned for seven months last autumn for betting on matches.
Guidicelli's argument is that he has "paid his debt" - as his wildcard for Roland Garros was rescinded at the last moment last year when he first came under investigation.
Sharapova has, in contrast, earned her place in qualifying for Wimbledon, even though injury has now deprived her of the chance to play herself into the main draw.
And assuming she is fit, she is likely to want to play at least two warm-up events. The Lawn Tennis Association has already offered her a wildcard into the WTA event in Birmingham. If Sharapova also wants to play the week before, she has Nottingham and the Dutch town of Rosmalen to choose between.
Nicole Gibbs, women's world number 117: Not granting a wildcard is not penalising. To suggest it is is disrespectful to anyone respecting the rules and not receiving wildcards to every event.
Nicolas Mahut, men's world number 48: Excuse me Mr Simon [WTA chief], but Maria Sharapova is not penalised or sanctioned by the FFT, she is simply not guest.
Ben Rothenberg, New York Times: Sharapova's Tuesday: 1) Denied French Open wild card; 2) Injured vs Lucic, retires; 3) Misses out on direct entry to Wimbledon main draw.
Jose Morais, GQ Portugal: Roland Garros will have neither Roger Federer, nor Maria Sharapova nor Serena Williams competing for the first time since 1997. Whoa.
David James, AFP: Roland Garros double standards? Frenchman Constant Lestienne gets wild card in qualifying despite serving ban for illegal betting.
Stuart Fraser, The Times: Sharapova will require around 290 points from grass season (likely Birmingham/Wimbledon) to make US Open main draw (cut on July 17).
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39946833
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'You don't have to be a squillionaire to buy art' - BBC News
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2017-05-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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You don't have to spend millions of pounds to buy an original piece of art.
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Business
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Online sites like Artfinder are enabling artists to market their works to bigger audiences
You don't have to spend millions of pounds to buy an original piece of art.
It's no longer just famous names who are selling their works. A growing number of art fairs and online marketplaces mean new artists starting out are also able to reach buyers well beyond their home markets.
"It's just a crazy time at the moment," says Alex Rotter, chairman of post-war and contemporary art at auction house Christie's, apologising for his late call.
We manage to speak just days before he kicks off the auction house's New York sale of 26 contemporary art works from husband-and-wife property development duo Jerry and Emily Spiegel.
This kind of single-owner collection "gathered with one breath", as Mr Rotter describes it, is rare.
The sale includes famous works by Christopher Wool and Sigmar Polke. With these two pieces valued at $20m (£15.5m) each, the 26 works are expected to raise $100m in total.
This Sigmar Polke raster dot painting is expected to sell for $20m
While the collection is being sold in New York, the top pieces have already been on a mini-world tour - travelling to Hong Kong, London and Los Angeles in a bid to drum up international interest.
"If you commit to buying a painting worth thousands of dollars then you want to see it first," says Mr Rotter.
Global art and antique sales totalled $57bn last year, down 11% on 2015, with the US dominating the marketplace, closely followed by the UK and China.
On a practical level, this means that delicate and often precious paintings have to travel thousands of miles without being damaged.
The value of Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with Ermine painting was considered so great that when it was sent from its Polish home to the US, it was reportedly given its own first-class plane seat, as well as an armed guard to make sure it reached its destination intact.
While this kind of treatment is exceptional, valuable paintings are typically transported in expensive protective crates complete with detectors to monitor humidity and temperature levels.
Paul West, whose landscapes are inspired by his Dorset roots, has sold several paintings overseas
British artist Paul West says that when he secured his first sale through online marketplace Artfinder to a buyer in Australia, his initial reaction was a joyous "yes", followed by a sinking realisation that he now had to get the piece there safely.
In the three years since he joined the website, Mr West has sold around 47 paintings, with almost a third of these to buyers in the US and Australia.
He recommends lots of bubble wrap and masking tape, and to tape sponge onto the corners.
So far his worst mishap has been a hold-up at customs, which meant a painting took a month rather than a week to reach its destination.
For the 52-year-old, selling outside the UK has broadened his opportunities.
"Access to the global market is a massive plus. I was producing work I was pleased with, but apart from art fairs, it was quite hard to be seen," he says.
Top artists may become famous, but most still struggle, says Artfinder founder Jonas Almgren
Artfinder founder and chief executive Jonas Almgren set up the service in 2013. He wanted to provide independent artists such as Mr West, who weren't already represented by a gallery, with a place to sell their work.
The online marketplace now features artists from 108 countries, with customers similarly global.
Originally a Silicon Valley software engineer, Mr Almgren subsequently spent a decade working in high-end galleries in New York, where a painting under $10,000 was considered affordable.
He says his experience taught him that most artists "just didn't have a chance" to succeed, and he wanted to change this.
The firm charges a 30% commission on all sales, and to address the obvious issue that it's hard to buy something so visual online, funds free returns.
Last year the firm sold £5m worth of paintings.
This year's Affordable Art Fair in London's Hampstead featured a dog portrait booth in response to the rise in demand for professional dog portraiture
The company has given him an insight into how global tastes differ.
While landscape and abstract paintings are popular everywhere, the UK particularly likes paintings of cats and dogs, he says. In contrast, US buyers prefer portraits and typically buy bigger paintings, probably because they tend to have bigger homes.
The pound's current weakness against the dollar also means that US buyers can afford to spend more on UK art.
But the most important thing, says Mr Almgren, is that his firm tries to cater for all tastes.
"A gallery always has a very strong taste. We've taken that model and turned it upside down," he says.
Rise Art uses technology to offer potential buyers recommendations based on what they've previously liked
Rise Art had similar ambitions to shake up the existing market. Set up in 2011, the start-up focuses on online sales, with prices from £200 to £30,000.
While online sales remain a small part of the overall global art market - less than 10% - reports suggest it's a growing area.
But founder and chief executive Scott Phillips admits that no matter how good the virtual images are, an artwork "always looks better in the flesh". To help buyers' confidence, the site enables them to rent artworks and live with a piece before committing.
The firm is much more selective than Artfinder, accepting only 1% to 5% of the artists who apply to sell via the site. Rise Art also charges a higher commission of 40%.
Rise Art also holds some "real world" exhibitions, such as this one in Hong Kong
Mr Phillips says websites like his are part of a new, more sensitive wave of disruptive firms. Unlike eBay and Amazon, which, he says, have commoditised products and been "a destructive power in some ways", Rise Art "celebrates creativity, giving artists a new vehicle for selling and showcasing their work".
While he's cagey on precise numbers, the firm now ships to 40 countries and revenue for the first three months of this year was 110% higher than a year ago.
The Affordable Art Fair (AAF) has experienced similarly rapid growth. Since starting out in London's Battersea Park in 1999, it now holds fairs in more than 10 cities around the world.
Affordable Art Fair founder Will Ramsay says you don't have to be rich to buy art
Founder Will Ramsay says the motivation behind the business was to prove that "you don't need to be a squillionaire to buy art".
While prices can be as high as £5,000 for a single painting, the AAF's average selling price in the UK is £600.
The firm makes its money by charging the galleries for the space they rent at its fairs, as well as through ticket prices and sponsors.
Recently, the firm has started online sales, an area Mr Ramsay sees as complementing the art fairs.
He owns two televisions - one to watch the video art he has accumulated and the other to watch normal TV. He says the 130 pieces of art he has collected are "memories through my life".
"Don't buy because you think it may go up in value," he advises would-be collectors, "but because you love it and want it on your wall at home."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39858768
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The man who brokered the deal to release the Chibok girls - BBC News
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2017-05-17
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https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
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The lawyer behind the release of 82 women captured by Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram.
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Africa
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In our series of letters from African journalists, novelist and writer Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani profiles the lawyer who brokered the release of 82 women captured by Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram.
When 57-year-old Zannah Mustapha arrived for the handover of the 82 Chibok girls freed from Boko Haram after three years in captivity, a militant read out the girls' names from a list.
One by one, the abducted schoolgirls, now women, lined up along the outskirts of a forest near Kumshe town, on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Each of them was covered from head to ankle in a dark-coloured hijab.
"I went ahead of the Red Cross. They [the militants] brought the girls to me," said Mr Mustapha, the lawyer from Borno state in north-east Nigeria.
Mr Mustapha says the girls started singing for joy when they got into Red Cross vehicles
He has been mediating between the government and militants for the release of the Chibok girls and for an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.
In 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari told the media that his government was willing to negotiate with "credible" leaders of Boko Haram for the release of the girls.
More than 200 of them were abducted a year earlier from the north-eastern town of Chibok, sparking global outrage.
Previous attempts had failed, with different groups coming forward, each claiming to be the militants in possession of the missing schoolgirls.
It was Mr Mustapha who succeeded in convincing the Nigerian authorities that this particular group should be taken for what they say, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu told me.
The freed women will now have to rebuild their lives
"He had dealt with them in the past and they keep to their word," he said.
Mr Mustapha's role as a mediator dates back to his founding the Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School in 2007, to provide free Islamic-based education to orphans and the poor.
When the Boko Haram insurgency erupted in 2009, the school offered admission to the children of soldiers and government officials killed by the militants, as well as those of militants killed by the state.
The 82 met the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari after they were rescued
Mr Mustapha then sought the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which began providing free meals to the pupils.
He also encouraged parents to form an association which would reach out to other widows and convince them to send their children to his school.
The ICRC soon extended its humanitarian services to the mothers, providing them free food and other items every month.
"This was at a time when the wives of Boko Haram militants were being arrested and their houses demolished, so Boko Haram saw me and the ICRC as neutral parties," Mr Mustapha said.
During the previous government of President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo visited Maiduguri, the epicentre of the insurgency, to intervene in the escalating crisis.
He then set up a group to discuss peace with Boko Haram. Mr Mustapha was included in it because of the relationship he had forged with the families of Boko Haram militants.
After the Swiss ambassador to Nigeria paid a visit to the Future Prowess school in 2012, he arranged for Mr Mustapha to go to Zurich and Geneva to receive formal training as a mediator.
"We were already trying to negotiate peace with Boko Haram before the Chibok girls were kidnapped," Mr Mustapha said.
The initial negotiation was for a batch of 20 Chibok girls to be released.
But, as a sign of commitment to their relationship, Boko Haram added an extra woman, whom Mr Mustapha said was their gift to him, hence the number 21.
Office of the First Lady The kidnapping provoked global outrage in 2014 including from Michelle Obama
When they were released in October 2016, she was chosen by Boko Haram to read out the names of the other 20 women from a list.
Mr Mustapha said the 21 women were lined up and asked by Boko Haram militants if they had been raped. They all said they were not.
When a militant approached a woman who was carrying a baby, she said that she was pregnant at the time of her abduction, having got married a few weeks earlier.
The baby girl in her arms, she said, was her husband's child.
For some reason, Boko Haram, a group that has cultivated a reputation for brutality, wanted it to be known that it was only after the women "agreed" to get married that the militants had sexual relations with them.
"I felt that I have done something that is worth saying to the world that I have done this," Mr Mustapha said.
This process of lining up the women, pointing at each one and asking the same question, was repeated at the beginning of May when 82 more women were released.
One of about seven Boko Haram militants, who accompanied them, went from woman to woman asking: "Throughout the time you were with us, did anyone rape you or touch you?" Mr Mustapha said, adding that each of them replied in the negative.
None of the second batch of 82 captives came with a child.
But one had an amputated limb and was walking with crutches, an injury she sustained, according to what Mr Mustapha was told, during Nigerian military air strikes against Boko Haram.
"You are free today," Mr Mustapha announced to the 82 women after all the names were called out.
"They all smiled," he said.
He believes that their subdued reaction was as a result of the presence of the militants, all armed with guns, some wearing army camouflage uniforms and boots.
Mr Mustapha then took some photographs with the women. The militants also had their video camera on hand and recorded the event. ICRC vehicles eventually arrived.
"When I told them to go to the cars, they all ran," Mr Mustapha said. "Immediately they entered the vehicles, they started singing for joy. Some shed tears."
Mr Mustapha has received a number of accolades for his work with Future Prowess School. He was a finalist for the 2016 Robert Burns humanitarian award, given to those who have "saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole, through self-sacrifice, selfless service, hands-on charitable or volunteer work, or other acts". He was also given a 2017 Aurora Prize Modern Day Hero award, for those whose "life and actions guarantee the safe existence of others".
However, he described handing over the 82 freed girls to the Nigerian government as "the highest point in my life".
"I felt that I have done something that is worth saying to the world that I have done this," he said.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-39928628
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Ex-communist states complain of rip-off food in EU - BBC News
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2017-05-17
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Food brands sold to Czechs are lower-quality than the same items sold in Germany, shoppers allege.
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Europe
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The Zedineks go shopping in Germany, saying the same goods are cheaper and better quality than at home
Should we expect goods in identical packaging to have the same contents?
When communism collapsed in Central and Eastern Europe, previously unobtainable goods flooded the market.
Today, the region's shops and supermarkets offer broadly the same food and drink as in the West - a tangible and largely welcome result of global capitalism.
But something is dawning on Czechs, Slovaks, Poles and Hungarians: the labels might be the same, but the contents might not be.
In a German supermarket, Czech shopper Petr Zedinek holds up a can of tuna fish and leans in close, a conspiratorial gleam in his eye.
"A can of tuna fish," he says.
"In the Czech Republic it costs about €1.50."
"The fish here is good quality - whole chunks of it. Nothing like the mush they sell across the border."
Petr lobs several tins into one of the two shopping trolleys pushed by him and his 19-year-old daughter Klara. His wife Sarka is nearby. She looks for yoghurt.
Petr steers me to a large refrigerator full of smoked meats. He delves in and retrieves a plastic-wrapped package of sausages to show me the tiny writing on the back.
"Bockwurst. Look at the percentage of meat." I squint at the numbers: 87%.
"Try finding such sausages with 87% meat in a Czech supermarket," he says triumphantly, and tosses several packs into the trolley. I add one for myself.
We've driven - Petr, Sarka, Klara and I - about 20 minutes from their home in Modlany, a village close to Teplice. We've come to a small supermarket in the German town of Altenberg, just across the border in Saxony. They make the trip about three times a month. When we finish, the boot of Petr's new Skoda Octavia estate is full.
And it's not just Petr Zedinek and his family. About half the cars in the car park bear Czech licence plates.
Inside, the only language I hear is Czech; the only German-speaker is the cashier. In the 45 minutes we spend shopping, Petr bumps into one old schoolfriend and a Modlany neighbour.
"It does sound crazy, driving to another country to do your grocery shopping," says Sarka Zedinkova.
"But that's the way it is. And when you compare the products - identical packaging but something completely different hidden inside - I think it's a pretty sad state of affairs," she continues.
"Sometimes it seems to me that we're a kind of garbage can for the producers - what's left over, they send to the Czech Republic."
Under EU law, food companies can adapt their products to local tastes, even if the packaging is the same. In all cases the ingredients have to be clearly labelled.
But the Zedineks - and hundreds, probably thousands more families - have uncovered what they believe amounts to a conspiracy by some of Europe's food wholesalers.
It's not just a vague conviction that food in western Europe usually tastes better. They say identical products - sold in the same packaging under the same brand - are of much poorer quality in Central and Eastern Europe.
Food producers are free to adapt their brands to suit local tastes
"Take this iced tea," says Czech Agriculture Minister Marian Jurecka, as he flicks through a PowerPoint presentation on his laptop, in an anteroom in the lower house of parliament.
The page shows the logo of the sickly-sweet, tea-flavoured drink sold in Europe's supermarkets and petrol stations.
"The packaging on the bottles is identical. So it looks the same in the Czech Republic and Germany. But the Czech one had 40% less natural tea extract," he explains, "and it was more expensive than the German one".
"Or lunchmeat - the tin in Germany looks exactly the same as the Czech tin," the minister went on.
"But the one sold in Germany is made from pork, whereas the Czech one is reconstituted chicken."
The data is from a 2015 comparative study carried out by the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague. Thirty students sniffed, prodded and tasted 24 products - coffee, cheese, margarine, chocolate etc - sold in identical packaging in Germany and the Czech Republic. The foods were then compared in the lab.
Eight of the products - 35% - were demonstrably different in either quality or composition.
Minister Jurecka is sceptical about the producers' claim to be catering for different regional tastes.
It may not be illegal to sell different food under identical packaging. But it is, he says, immoral.
So he and his colleagues from Slovakia and Hungary are gathering data to take to the European Commission. They want the law to be changed to force producers and distributors to stop the practice.
The issue has become a priority for the Visegrad group of Central European countries - the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.
Not everyone believes it worthy of so much attention. One Czech commentator complained recently that while leaders in western Europe were focusing their energies on resolving the Syria conflict, or tackling the migrant crisis, governments in Central Europe were fretting over the nut content of spreads.
So shouldn't politicians just ignore it and let the market decide?
"I guess the market is already deciding, with us driving across the border every week," says Petr Zedinek.
"But I think it's right the state should get involved. At least to some extent. To stop the customer being ripped off."
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39900362
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Will a laptop ban make flying more dangerous? - BBC News
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2017-05-17
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Experts warn the risk of fire will increase if there is a laptop ban on flights between Europe and the US.
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Business
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Experts are lining up to say that a laptop ban could make flying more dangerous
Airports, airlines and the government are bracing themselves for a ban on laptops, tablets, cameras and e-readers going as hand luggage on flights between Europe and America.
No-one is absolutely certain it will happen, but most people I've spoken to assume it's coming.
In reality, the Americans will just tell everyone what they want and when they want it. I'm told that European governments don't get much say in the matter or much notice of any changes - in fact they're watching the media and Twitter just in case it's sprung on them.
Any ban would hit Heathrow the hardest. Three-quarters of UK flights to the US go from Heathrow. That's 761 planes a week, by far the most from any European airport.
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However, there is widespread concern that by tackling one threat, terrorism, the Americans could be fuelling another, even more serious problem. Fire.
If lithium-ion batteries are damaged or short-circuited they make a hell of a bang.
It could even be enough to bring down a plane.
Captain John Cox is as knowledgeable as anyone you will meet when it comes to plane fires. The former pilot and member of the Royal Aeronautical Society has studied them for more than a decade and now travels the world advising operators, manufacturers and regulators.
"Bunching lots of electronic devices together into the same secure box in the hold is the worst possible thing you could do," he told me. "Devices collected together will dramatically increase the ferocity of any fire."
Aircraft holds do have fire extinguishers and limited oxygen, but that doesn't help when it comes to lithium battery fires.
"The cargo hold extinguisher will put out the open flame but it will reignite. Lithium battery fires produce their own oxygen as a by-product of thermal runaway, and that keeps the fire going," says Mr Cox.
Thermal runaway is the process whereby the fire spreads from one battery cell to the next. Once it gets going it's impossible to stop.
And the more cells you have bunched together, the bigger the fire.
Catching the fire early and stopping thermal runaway is critical. The best device for doing that remains an old fashioned, well-trained human being.
Airline staff practise what to do: you put the battery into water if you can. Or wet towels. No-one can do that if it's in the hold.
Kuwaiti activist Thamer Bourashed stows his laptop in hold baggage before boarding
Steve Landells is the safety expert at the British Airline Pilots Association,
"Given the risk of fire from these devices when they are damaged or they short circuit, an incident in the cabin would be spotted earlier and this would enable the crew to react quickly before any fire becomes uncontainable," he says.
"If these devices are kept in the hold, the risk is that if a fire occurs the results can be catastrophic; indeed, there have been two crashes where lithium batteries have been cited in the accident reports."
Mr Cox says that balancing the different risks is complex and needs a thorough assessment from a range of experts. But along with many others in the industry, he's not confident that will happen.
The feeling is that the people at the US Department for Homeland Security will take their decision in isolation from the safety people at the US Federation Aviation Administration.
That's what happened when the current laptop ban on some flights from the Middle East was brought in.
Passengers will no doubt support a ban if they are convinced it'll keep them safer.
But the experts are lining up to say that a laptop ban could make flying more dangerous.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39946462
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Southampton 0-0 Manchester United - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Southampton and Manchester United play out a goalless draw with visiting goalkeeper Sergio Romero saving a Manolo Gabbiadini penalty.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Sergio Romero made a series of fine saves as Southampton and Manchester United played out a goalless draw at St Mary's.
Saints should have gone ahead within five minutes when Eric Bailly was adjudged to have handled in the area, but United goalkeeper Romero saved Manolo Gabbiadini's penalty.
Bailly's sharp shot was stopped by Fraser Forster, as the United defender created his side's best chance of the first half.
Southampton forced Romero to make multiple blocks after the break while Anthony Martial hit the post from 25 yards for the visitors.
With Jose Mourinho's side guaranteed a sixth-place finish before kick-off and one eye firmly on next Wednesday's Europa League final, it always looked like being a sedate affair on the south coast and that is how it turned out.
Southampton fans have only seen 37 goals at St Mary's this season - only Old Trafford, with 36, has seen fewer Premier League goals in 2016-17.
Their terrible run in front of goal at St Mary's continued - they have now gone 365 minutes without scoring at home - and suffered yet another miss from the penalty spot.
Romero pulled off a superb low save to stop Gabbiadini's strike, as Southampton missed their third penalty in the past five games.
With speculation surrounding his future, Puel's nerves would have been eased by a victory to tighten their grip on eighth spot.
His side host Stoke on the final day of the season on Sunday but could still finish as low as 11th. They are one point ahead of West Brom in ninth and Bournemouth in 10th. Leicester, who are three points behind in 11th, have a game in hand against Tottenham on Thursday.
But with a League Cup final appearance under his belt, the 55-year-old Puel could have done enough to earn another season at St Mary's.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United did not finish outside of the top three in the Premier League era, but since his departure in 2013 United have not finished inside the top three.
It will also be the first time that current boss Mourinho has finished lower than third in his managerial career.
Mourinho made clear in recent weeks that his focus is firmly on winning the Europa League and securing Champions League qualification next season.
Following consecutive league defeats by Arsenal and Tottenham, he made four changes against Saints and had youngsters Demetri Mitchell and Scott McTominay on the substitutes' bench.
His side were once again lacklustre against Southampton and they would have slipped to a third consecutive league defeat had it not been for Argentine goalkeeper Romero.
One downside for Mourinho was that the sight of midfielder Marouane Fellaini limping off after 75 minutes.
De Gea will play for Man Utd again - Mourinho
While Romero will play in goal in the Europa League final, Mourinho also confirmed that third-choice goalkeeper Joel Pereira will make his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Injured David de Gea did not travel with the squad to Southampton, but when asked about the Spaniard's future, Mourinho said the 26-year-old will play for the club again.
"He'll play the first match against LA Galaxy in pre-season in Los Angeles," he said.
"I hope to play Sergio in the final and hopefully we don't have problems with the keepers. David is top of the world and obviously we want to keep the top in the world."
What they said
Southampton manager Claude Puel said: "We can feel shame after this game because we had many opportunities in the second half.
"We had two different halves - the first one was without intensity and it was very difficult after the penalty because that would have given us the confidence.
"The second half was interesting as there was quality and many chances without a good reward.
"But this point is important for us in the table."
When asked about his future, Puel said: "I think it's important to stay focused on the last game and to finish strong. After the last game it is normal to have a discussion about the season."
One shot on target for Man Utd - stats you need to know
• None Manchester United have drawn 15 league games this season - their most ever in a Premier League season and most in a league campaign since 1991-92 (also 15).
• None Southampton had six shots on target - only Tottenham (seven on Sunday) have had more in a match against Manchester United this season in all competitions.
• None However, that included a missed penalty which means Saints have now missed their last three Premier League spot kicks, after Dusan Tadic v Hull and Shane Long v Middlesbrough.
• None Sergio Romero became the eighth different United keeper to save a Premier League penalty, and first since David de Gea against Everton in October 2014.
• None Southampton have now gone four top-flight home games without a goal for the first time in their history.
• None Even if United win their remaining game, this will be their lowest tally of wins in a single Premier League season (currently 17). They last had fewer in 1990-91 (16 wins).
Southampton host Stoke City on the final day of the season on Sunday while Manchester United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford (both 15:00 BST).
Jose Mourinho's side then travel to Stockholm for the Europa League final against Ajax on Wednesday, 24 May (19:45 BST).
• None Eric Bailly (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
• None Offside, Manchester United. Ander Herrera tries a through ball, but Marcus Rashford is caught offside.
• None Delay over. They are ready to continue.
• None Delay in match Eric Bailly (Manchester United) because of an injury.
• None Attempt missed. Sofiane Boufal (Southampton) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Dusan Tadic.
• None Attempt missed. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Oriol Romeu.
• None Chris Smalling (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
• None Substitution, Manchester United. Ander Herrera replaces Marouane Fellaini because of an injury. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39170670
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Andy Murray beaten by Fabio Fognini in Rome Masters second round - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Defending champion Andy Murray is knocked out of the Italian Open in the second round by Italian Fabio Fognini.
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Defending champion Andy Murray has been knocked out of the Italian Open in the second round by Italian Fabio Fognini.
The 30-year-old British world number one, whose victory in Rome last year was one of nine titles he won in 2016, lost 6-2 6-4 to the world number 29.
The loss continues Murray's poor form ahead of the French Open, which gets under way on 28 May.
Murray's fellow Brit Aljaz Bedene was also knocked out in the second round by world number two Novak Djokovic.
The Serb, who has never failed to reach the last eight in Rome, dominated the tie-break to win a tight first set but eased through the second to win 7-6 (7-2) 6-2.
"A little bit of a slow start, but Bedene is the kind of player that gives you good rhythm," said Djokovic, who was beaten in the Madrid Open semis by Rafael Nadal last week.
"I had some good exchanges, some good games with rallies and it felt right, especially in the second set."
Djokovic, who received a bye in the first round, faces either Pablo Carreno Busta or Roberto Bautista Agut in round three.
Murray comes unstuck on clay again
Murray, who turned 30 on Monday, continues to struggle for consistency on his return from an elbow injury.
He has won one event this season - on the hard court in Dubai in February - but has struggled on clay, with his best performance in the four events he has played so far on the surface being his semi-final appearance in Barcelona.
The Scot was under pressure from the very start, and failed to recover from losing his opening service game as home favourite Fognini swept into a 3-0 lead before closing out the set with a love service.
He was up against it again as more poor service games left him trailing 4-1.
There was a brief recovery by Murray as a break and a hold saw him trail 5-4 but Fognini reasserted his dominance to serve out victory and secure his first win over a world number one.
Murray's seventh defeat of the season - and his fifth in the last 10 matches - leaves him very short of confidence and form heading into the French Open.
Fognini hit some monster forehands, and some gorgeous drop shots, but at no stage was Murray able to impose his game on the Italian. Many of his groundstrokes were landing in mid-court: there was very little threat or conviction to trouble someone playing as well as Fognini.
Ivan Lendl flies to Europe this weekend to bolster Murray's coaching team, and they will all have their work cut out. Murray is currently playing nothing like a world number one, and nothing like a potential French Open champion.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39943519
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Women's Super League One: Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal highlights - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Jordan Nobbs equalises deep into injury time for Arsenal as they draw 2-2 away against Chelsea in the Women's Super League One Spring Series.
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Jordan Nobbs equalises deep into injury time for Arsenal as they draw 2-2 away against Chelsea in the Women's Super League One Spring Series.
Available to UK users only.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39956418
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Italian Open: Andy Murray expects to turn form around after Fabio Fognini defeat - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Andy Murray cannot explain his recent struggles after losing in round two at the Italian Open but expects to turn things around.
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World number one Andy Murray can find "no reason" for his "struggle" with form following defeat in the second round of the Italian Open.
The 30-year-old lost 6-2 6-4 to Fabio Fognini in Rome and has now won one title from eight events in 2017.
The French Open begins on 28 May but Murray has only reached one semi-final in his last four clay court events.
"I'm just not playing good tennis and need to try to work out how to turn it around," he said. "I believe I will."
He added: "The last couple of weeks have definitely been a struggle and a long way from where I'd like to be. There is no reason for it from my end.
"Movement the last two weeks has not been good. My movement has been a big help, the last couple of years, but certainly the last couple of weeks, that's been a problem."
The Scot insists his difficulties are nothing to do with the pressures of being world number one.
But he admitted he found it hard to create chances against world number 29 Fognini, as he suffered a fifth defeat in 10 matches.
Murray's last title came in Dubai in February, a contrast to the form he showed in winning five events in a row to end 2016.
He will arrive in Roland Garros - he was beaten by Novak Djokovic in last year's final - with his run to the semi-final of the Barcelona Open in April as his best return on clay in 2017.
Since that loss to Dominic Thiem, he has gone down to world number 50 Borna Coric at the Madrid Open before a straight sets defeat by Fognini.
Ivan Lendl - who coaches Murray on a part-time basis - will join up with the team later this week for the grand slam event in Paris.
Andy Murray will be the world number 1 during Wimbledon, but will have to play exceptionally well if he is to remain at the top come the autumn.
That is because tennis' ranking system is calculated on an annual basis, with players defending points they won in the same week the previous year.
Murray has shed a significant number of points by losing early in both Madrid and Rome, as last year he was the runner-up in Spain and the champion in Italy.
He has nearly 4000 points to defend at the French Open, The Queen's Club and Wimbledon, and an even greater number in October and November - the one down side of winning his final five tournaments of 2016.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39949585
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Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Arsenal ensure the top-four race goes down to the final day of the Premier League season with a laboured win against Sunderland.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Arsenal ensured the race to finish in the Premier League's top four will go down to the final day of the season with a laboured win against relegated Sunderland.
Alexis Sanchez tapped in Mesut Ozil's square pass to the relief of those inside a sparsely populated Emirates Stadium.
As Arsenal increased in urgency, Sanchez bundled in Olivier Giroud's cut-back to renew their hopes of a top-four finish for a 21st successive season.
Despite having 36 attempts at goal - the most in a Premier League game since 2003 - the Gunners could not wipe out fourth-placed Liverpool's superior goal difference.
Arsenal are a point behind the Reds - who are two goals better off - before Sunday's final matches.
Realistically, Arsene Wenger's men must beat seventh-placed Everton and hope the Reds slip up against relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield.
Arsenal finish in the top four if: They win and Liverpool fail to beat Middlesbrough They draw 0-0 or 1-1 and Liverpool lose by three goals or more They earn a score draw of 2-2 and Liverpool lose 2-0 (or they draw 3-3 and Liverpool lose 3-1, and so on) They win, and Manchester City lose - with a minimum five-goal swing in goal difference Liverpool finish in the top four if: They win, or they match or better Arsenal's result But... both sides could also finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored -
Arsenal started the evening needing to win - preferably by a big margin - if they were to have any realistic hope of sneaking into the top four.
They knew defeat against rock-bottom Sunderland, who had managed just three away victories all season, would end their hopes if Manchester City beat West Brom.
And with City cruising to a 3-1 win in their game, even a draw would have left Arsenal struggling.
Until Sanchez's late intervention, it looked as though Wenger's side would be left frustrated by a lack of conviction in front of goal and some stubborn Sunderland defending.
The Gunners found the breakthrough with 20 minutes left, Granit Xhaka picking out Ozil with a clever chip over the defence that was put back across goal by the German for Sanchez to tap in.
Arsenal knew just a draw against Everton on the final day might be enough to catch Liverpool if they wiped out the Reds' superior goal difference, and Wenger urged his side to push for more goals from the touchline.
Sanchez was lurking in the six-yard box at the right time to convert Giroud's volleyed pass to double the lead, but despite a late flurry that saw Shkodran Mustafi hit the woodwork the hosts were unable to add to their tally.
"Sunderland did fight and that's what you want from every team," Wenger said.
Arsenal have endured a turbulent season blighted by confusion over Wenger's future, protests from supporters demanding change and concerns that Sanchez and Ozil may be sold this summer.
Swathes of empty red seats at a hushed Emirates Stadium illustrated the apathy of some Gunners fans, the subdued atmosphere compounded by Arsenal failing to make their early dominance count.
The Gunners created 18 efforts in a frustrating first half, only to be let down by wayward finishing and another impressive display by Black Cats goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The 23-year-old boosted his burgeoning reputation with several instinctive saves after the break as Arsenal continued to pile on the pressure before Sanchez's late double.
However, creeping past an already-relegated side is unlikely to appease the unhappy Arsenal fans who believe Wenger is not the man to take them forward.
Wenger's contract expires at the end of the season and, although the club has offered him a two-year deal, he again refused to answer questions about his future after the match.
Sunderland manager David Moyes has endured a miserable debut season with the Black Cats, even agreeing with former England captain Alan Shearer's scathing assessment that the performance of his players in Saturday's defeat against Swansea was "disgraceful".
The Black Cats, who were relegated with four games to go, are likely to undergo major surgery in the summer with many players out of contract and some - notably Pickford and striker Jermain Defoe - likely to be targeted by Premier League clubs.
But those players who have been heavily criticised did manage to salvage a modicum of pride at Arsenal.
Sunderland defended doggedly and even threatened to cause the Gunners some defensive problems, most notably when Didier Ndong and Defoe drew saves from Petr Cech before the break.
And the Black Cats were almost gifted the lead at the start of the second half when Nacho Monreal's howler of backpass had to be scooped wide by Cech.
They could not capitalise on an indirect free-kick inside the Gunners six-yard box as their winless Premier League run at the Emirates extended to a 17th game.
"We had plenty of shots on goal but we needed to be patient. We were frustrated at half-time not to be leading.
"We made 71 points and were second. We now have 72 and want to go to 75. After that you deal with what happens.
"We've got in on the final day many times. Sunderland fought and you want that in the Premier League - that's what you want from every team.
"We had a difficult patch after the Bayern game because it was difficult to recover. On the other hand it was a good mental test and we responded in a strong way."
"We were full of character and commitment. We made it difficult for Arsenal for long periods and had good chances. We played well but Arsenal had the class to make the difference.
"Saturday's game against Sunderland was not like I'd seen in the last month or so. Against Arsenal we got a good performance and if we got the first goal it could have been completely different.
"After I got in in August I didn't think we had a squad capable. But it was what we've got, you have to try and ultimately we were just short.
"I'll speak with chairman Ellis Short over the next few days. I've given him an indication of what we need to do and we'll look to see if that's possible."
"Alexis Sanchez is priceless, they must not let him go.
"But it took a long time for Arsenal to get that first goal. If they got that after half an hour then we would have probably had four or five."
"I think Arsene Wenger has been great for them but it's just time to say goodbye.
"But I think he will sign for another two years."
The final games of the season all kick off on Sunday at 15:00 BST. Arsenal host seventh-placed Everton at Emirates Stadium, while Sunderland wave farewell to the Premier League - for one season at the very least - with a trip to champions Chelsea.
Wenger gets the better of Moyes... again
• None David Moyes has lost 16 times to Arsene Wenger in the Premier League, his most defeats against another manager in the competition
• None Wenger secured his 20th victory in all competitions against Moyes, more than any other manager he has faced with Arsenal
• None No side has finished bottom of the Premier League on more occasions than Sunderland (three, level with Nottingham Forest)
• None Alexis Sanchez has scored six goals in five Premier League games versus Sunderland
• None Sanchez has been directly involved in 33 Premier League goals this season (23 goals, 10 assists), more than any other player
• None Since his Premier League debut in September 2013, Mesut Ozil has provided more assists than any other player (41)
• None Arsenal have never lost a home Premier League match against Sunderland, winning 11 and drawing five
• None Attempt missed. Fabio Borini (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
• None Attempt blocked. Adnan Januzaj (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Billy Jones.
• None Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
• None Adnan Januzaj (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
• None Attempt blocked. Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Granit Xhaka with a through ball.
• None Attempt missed. Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Alex Iwobi following a corner.
• None Attempt blocked. Adnan Januzaj (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Didier Ndong.
• None Attempt saved. Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Mesut Özil with a cross.
• None Attempt blocked. Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) header from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mesut Özil. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39853089
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Manchester City 3-1 West Bromwich Albion - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Manchester City take a giant step towards Champions League football for next season as they comfortably beat West Brom.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Manchester City clinched an emphatic win over West Brom to move back up to third place in the Premier League with one game remaining.
A point in their final game at Watford on Sunday will now be enough to guarantee Pep Guardiola's side a place in the top four and Champions League football, while a win would see them finish third and go straight into the group stage.
This was as straightforward a victory as City could have anticipated at this stage of the season, as two goals in two first-half minutes put them in control against a Baggies side that lacked ambition and did not seriously threaten until the final stages.
First, Sergio Aguero's flick fed Kevin de Bruyne, who burst into the left-hand side of the area before squaring the ball to give Gabriel Jesus an easy tap-in.
One minute and 46 seconds later it was 2-0, thanks to a brilliant first-time finish from De Bruyne after Aguero's attempt to tee up Jesus was cleared into the Belgian's path on the edge of the area.
Yaya Toure made it 3-0 after the break, exchanging passes with Aguero as he marched into the area to slot past Ben Foster.
• None How Man City could face a play-off against Arsenal or Liverpool
With the points all but secured by Toure's goal, attention for many City fans switched to Pablo Zabeleta's big send-off.
After nine years with City in which he won every domestic trophy, the 32-year-old Argentina defender is leaving the club at the end of the season.
He started on the bench but the home fans sang his name from kick-off, gave him his first standing ovation of the night in the first half and then exploded into noise when he began warming up.
The ground rose to applaud him on to the pitch when he replaced David Silva on the hour mark, and then cheered every time he touched the ball.
Zabaleta ended the game wearing the captain's armband after Vincent Kompany was substituted and West Brom's belated fightback never threatened to ruin his night.
After an emotional farewell speech at the final whistle, when he was joined on the pitch by his wife and young son, Zabaleta was given a guard of honour by his team-mates as he and his family departed down the tunnel.
Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero were also strong candidates but the in-form Belgian edged it thanks to his assist for City's first goal and particularly his finish for their second. De Bruyne's form dipped in mid-season but he currently looks near to his best.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who was hoping for a City slip here to allow his team back into the top four, had accused mid-table teams of being "on holiday" before the game.
If those comments were designed to sting the Baggies into life, they did not work.
West Brom's form has dropped off the proverbial cliff since they beat the Gunners at the Hawthorns at the end of March, and they never looked like reversing it here.
You could not accuse Tony Pulis' side of not trying at Etihad Stadium, but their effort was mostly defensive - even after they fell behind.
Defeat stretched their winless run to eight games, a run in which they have scored only three goals and picked up two points.
They also drop one place to ninth - slipping below Southampton on goal difference - and the end of the season can seemingly not come quickly enough for them.
'Maybe we can do better next season' - What they said
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "It is in our hands to finish third so it is the best thing.
"To finish in front of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, it means a lot. Maybe next season hopefully we can do better."
West Brom manager Tony Pulis: "They deserved to win tonight. Once they got their noses in front, they're a difficult team to pull back.
"The two quick-fire goals killed us. When the third one went in, you're looking down the barrel."
Stats - City's home comfort but Baggies miss out on record
• None Manchester City are now unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League home games, their longest run without defeat in the competition since a run of 37 home games from December 2010-December 2012 under Roberto Mancini.
• None Defeat for West Brom means they will not be able to equal or better their previous best points haul in a Premier League season, which was 49 in 2012-13.
• None No midfielder has been involved in more Premier League goals than Kevin de Bruyne in 2016-17. His figure of 22 (six goals and 16 assists) is level with Swansea's Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tottenham's Dele Alli.
• None Gabriel Jesus has now scored six goals and provided assists for a further three in only seven Premier League starts for Manchester City.
• None The Brazilian is averaging a goal or an assist every 62 minutes in the league this season, the best ratio of any player in the competition (minimum 500 minutes played).
• None Pablo Zabaleta made his 117th and final Premier League appearance at Etihad Stadium, the most of any outfield player for City.
City finish their season against Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday (15:00 BST), at the same time West Brom wrap theirs up with a trip to Wales to play Swansea.
• None Delay over. They are ready to continue.
• None Delay in match Nicolás Otamendi (Manchester City) because of an injury.
• None Goal! Manchester City 3, West Bromwich Albion 1. Hal Robson-Kanu (West Bromwich Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Nyom with a cross.
• None Attempt saved. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
• None Attempt saved. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fernandinho.
• None Attempt missed. Fernandinho (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Leroy Sané.
• None Attempt blocked. Fernandinho (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne with a cross. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39853090
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Michael Keane: Man Utd interested in bringing Burnley defender back - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Manchester United are interested in re-signing defender Michael Keane, who moved to Burnley in 2015 for £2m.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
The 24-year-old was sold to the Clarets for £2m in 2015 by then-United manager Louis van Gaal.
He made his England debut on 22 March this year and is shortlisted for the Professional Footballers' Association young player of the year award.
Any deal for Keane would allow United to activate a 25% sell-on clause from the player's initial transfer.
If the transfer did go through, it would be the second summer in succession that United would have bought back one of their former academy players following Paul Pogba's world-record £89m return in 2016.
United manager Jose Mourinho has identified his defence as an area he wishes to improve in the summer and is expected to make significant changes to his squad.
Mourinho's men cannot finish in the Premier League top five after they lost against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday coupled with Arsenal's 2-0 win against Sunderland two days later.
The Red Devils have two games remaining, starting with a trip to Southampton on Wednesday before hosting Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Stockport-born Keane played in the same 2011 FA Youth Cup-winning side as Pogba and made five senior appearances for United.
He joined Burnley after spells on loan at Leicester, Derby and Blackburn.
I'm surprised Manchester United got rid of him in the first place.
We took him on loan at Derby a few years ago when he was 19 or 20 years old. He wasn't physically ready at that stage. He came in as cover for 10 games and was absolutely outstanding. The potential future was there for all to see.
He was a modern centre-back - he could get a goal from set-pieces and was aerially very good. He could also bring the ball out from the back and step into midfield.
Michael has since cemented a place at Burnley and established himself as a top centre-back.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39954093
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Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino says he is staying at the club - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he is committed to staying at the club and denies reports of a buy-out in his contract.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he is committed to staying at the club and has denied reports of a buy-out clause in his contract.
The 45-year-old Argentine has been in charge at Spurs since joining from Southampton in May 2014 on a five-year deal.
In May of last year he signed a contract extension which commits him to the club until 2021.
"There are many rumours, but I am committed with the club," he said.
"There is no reason to leave. I will be here for pre-season. There is no buy-out clause in my contract, I will stay here next season."
Earlier in the season, speculation grew that Pochettino was being considered for the soon-to-be vacant manager's job at Barcelona after he met with the club's president.
However, ex-Espanyol coach Pochettino later said the position would be "impossible" for him to take.
"I'm an Espanyol supporter - I think then I don't need to speak too much," he said, highlighting the rivalry with city neighbours Barca.
Spurs, who on Sunday played their final game at White Hart Lane, are guaranteed to finish second in the Premier League this season, their highest finish since 1963.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39949837
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Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Huddersfield Town (agg: 1-1, 3-4 pens) - BBC Sport
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2017-05-17
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Huddersfield Town beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-3 in a penalty shootout to reach the Championship play-off final.
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Last updated on .From the section Football
Huddersfield Town beat Sheffield Wednesday on penalties to reach the Championship play-off final.
Terriers keeper Danny Ward saved from Sam Hutchinson and Fernando Forestieri in the shootout to give Town a 4-3 win.
Steven Fletcher put the Owls ahead when he headed home Barry Bannan's cross but the visitors levelled when Collin Quaner's cross was turned in by Nahki Wells via a deflection from Tom Lees.
Town will now face Reading at Wembley for a place in the Premier League.
It had always looked possible that the tie would go the distance after Sunday's opening leg between the two sides had ended scoreless, with the Owls failing to manage a single shot on target.
Despite losing Ross Wallace to injury early on, the hosts made a bright start to the second leg and sub Adam Reach forced a sharp save from Terriers keeper Danny Ward at his near post.
However, Town had the best chance in the first half but Izzy Brown's shot hit the outside of the post after Wells had found the Chelsea loanee with a low cross.
Wednesday opened the scoring when Bannan, who was given a far more free role compared to the first game, sent a perfectly-measured cross to the back post where Fletcher rose above Christopher Schindler to head in.
After initially being rocked, Town responded well and got a deserved equaliser when Collin Quaner got on the end of a neat ball from Brown and squared a low ball across the face of goal, which Lees inadvertently diverted in to level the tie with 15 minutes to go.
Both teams had chances to win it in extra time but Wales international Ward saved well from Jordan Rhodes and Wells fired into the side netting after a mishit-shot broke to him.
Town eventually prevailed when Liverpool loanee Ward dived to his right to keep Forestieri's effort out and set up an appearance against the Royals at Wembley on Monday, 29 May.
'Everyone knows Germans are able to win penalties'
Huddersfield Town finished last season with a 5-1 home defeat by Brentford to finish 19th in the second tier.
Boss Wagner, who had joined in November 2015, subsequently carried out a major overhaul of the squad in the summer to bring in players who could execute the pressing game he wanted the side to play.
Loanees Aaron Mooy, Ward and Brown, along with Germany-born imports Chris Lowe, Michael Hefele and Elias Kachunga, have all been integral to the Terriers' success.
Wagner, who joked prior to the game that "everyone knows Germans are able to win penalties", has maintained all campaign that his team were underdogs for promotion - but they are now just 90 minutes from reaching the Premier League for the first time in their history.
He said after the game: "Everyone knows most pundits said we would be in relegation trouble or we'd get relegated and now we're one step away from the Premier League. We are the small dog, the terrier, but we have belief.
"Now we are in the final the fairytale goes on and we want to write the last chapter at Wembley."
What next for 'heartbroken' Wednesday?
This was the second successive season that Sheffield Wednesday had reached the Championship play-offs under Portuguese head coach Carlos Carvalhal, following defeat by Hull City in last season's final.
Despite leading Wednesday to a fourth-place finish this campaign, questions have been raised about his position amid speculation linking former Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew with the club.
Carvalhal said that now was "not the time" to discuss his future after what he called a "heartbreaking" defeat.
When he took over in 2015, Thai owner Dejphon Chansiri said he wanted promotion back to the Premier League within two years and he may now look to make a change in the summer.
• None Penalty saved! Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
• None Penalty saved! Jack Payne (Huddersfield Town) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, left footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
• None Goal! Sheffield Wednesday 1(3), Huddersfield Town 1(4). Jack Hunt (Sheffield Wednesday) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
• None Goal! Sheffield Wednesday 1(2), Huddersfield Town 1(4). Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
• None Goal! Sheffield Wednesday 1(2), Huddersfield Town 1(3). Kieran Lee (Sheffield Wednesday) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
• None Goal! Sheffield Wednesday 1(1), Huddersfield Town 1(3). Nahki Wells (Huddersfield Town) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
• None Goal! Sheffield Wednesday 1(1), Huddersfield Town 1(2). Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
• None Goal! Sheffield Wednesday 1, Huddersfield Town 1(2). Michael Hefele (Huddersfield Town) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
• None Penalty saved! Sam Hutchinson (Sheffield Wednesday) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
• None Goal! Sheffield Wednesday 1, Huddersfield Town 1(1). Chris Löwe (Huddersfield Town) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
• None Attempt blocked. Nahki Wells (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
• None Attempt missed. Jordan Rhodes (Sheffield Wednesday) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Barry Bannan with a cross following a set piece situation. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page
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