bbc--2020-08-02--Edouard hat-trick eases Celtic to opening win over Hamilton

Odsonne Edouard 's hat-trick helped Celtic begin their quest for a 10th straight Scottish Premiership title with a convincing win against Hamilton .
After Rangers won 1-0 at Aberdeen , Celtic responded in emphatic style .
Edouard converted Greg Taylor 's cross before the Scotland left-back laid on a tap-in for right-back Jeremie Frimpong .
Scott Martin 's deflected strike gave Hamilton hope , but Edouard added two more from close range after the break and Patryk Klimala completed the rout .
• How did the players rate ?
On the day they unfurled the Premiership flag to celebrate their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fireworks in the empty stands - Neil Lennon 's side looked vulnerable early on .
Andy Winter tested Scott Bain from distance and David Moyo glanced a header just wide as Hamilton impressed .
Martin 's shot - deflected in off Christopher Jullien - was no less than they deserved as they went in 2-1 down at half-time .
But thereafter , Celtic looked imperious , with Edouard 's clever movement allowing him to net two further simple goals , getting on the end of James Forrest 's cross for his second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a rebound to complete his hat-trick .
Frimpong 's pace and skill was another highlight , as he too finished from six yards for his team 's second after a curled cross from his fellow full-back Taylor , and his driving run initiated the move for Edouard 's opener .
Substitute Klimala capped a powerful attacking performance from Celtic as he got on the end of a defence-splitting pass from Jullien to slide his first goal for the club past Ryan Fulton .
What did we learn ?
Celtic looked incredibly slick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs allowing him to capitalise on the pace , skill and invention of adventurous full-backs Frimpong and Taylor , plus Forrest , Ryan Christie and Mohamed Elyounoussi .
It is a frightening attacking unit that will put many teams to the sword this season , and rendered Hamilton 's positive start ultimately meaningless .
The only concern for Lennon will be the number of chances the visitors managed to create , especially in the first half .
But ultimately if they hit their stride in attack , teams will need to score a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Klimala 's cameo and first competitive goal will also give the Celtic boss confidence in the depth of his forward options for the campaign ahead .
Hamilton , despite the scoreline , can take a huge amount from their performance .
Their line-up contained six academy graduates , and 18-year-old Winter up front performed admirably , while Hakeen Odoffin impressed at full-back following his arrival from Livingston .
Their season will not be defined by results away from home against the Old Firm .
What did they say ?
Celtic manager Neil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a brilliant start , three strikers ' goals .
`` It 's pivotal we hold onto him , we do n't want him to go anywhere .
That 's what 's pleased me over the last 12 to 18 months , his goal return as well as all the other things he brings to the game . ''
Hamilton head coach Brian Rice : `` I am disappointed to lose five goals , but Hamilton will not be judged in games against Celtic .
`` We created a lot of chances and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to be clinical and you 've got to keep the back door shut . ''
Celtic travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock at 16:30 BST next Sunday , while Hamilton host Ross County at 15:00 BST on Saturday .

Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership
Celtic keeping striker Odsonne Edouard is "pivotal" if they are to realise their ambitions this season, says manager Neil Lennon.
Edouard scored a hat-trick as Celtic began their quest for a 10th title in a row with a 5-1 home win over Hamilton.
He tapped in from two crosses, and then pounced on a rebound for his third - as the champions responded to Rangers' 1-0 win at Aberdeen on Saturday in style.
"We don't want him to go anywhere," Lennon said of Frenchman Edouard.
"That's what's pleased me over the last 12 to 18 months - his goal return as well as all the other things he brings to the game.
"He's scoring a lot of goals now and it's fantastic to see. He would be the first to say it was a real team effort."
Edouard converted Greg Taylor's cross before the Scotland left-back laid on a tap-in for right-back Jeremie Frimpong.
Scott Martin's deflected strike gave Hamilton hope, but Edouard added two more from close range after the break, getting on the end of James Forrest's cross and then side-footing in after Ryan Christie's shot was saved.
But on the day they unfurled the Premiership flag to celebrate their ninth title in a row - complete with fireworks in the empty stands - Neil Lennon's side looked vulnerable early on.
Andy Winter tested Scott Bain from distance and David Moyo glanced a header just wide as Hamilton impressed.
Martin's shot - deflected in off Christopher Jullien - was no less than they deserved as they went in 2-1 down at half-time.
But thereafter, Celtic looked imperious, with substitute Patryk Klimala adding to Edouard's goals as he got on the end of a defence-splitting pass from Jullien to slide his first goal for the club past Ryan Fulton.
Man of the match - Odsonne Edouard
None of Edouard's goals were difficult or spectacular finishes, but the Frenchman's movement and vision put him in the right place regularly. Celtic will be desperate to keep him for this season, even if he may not be in Scotland for much longer than that
What did we learn?
Celtic looked incredibly slick in attack, with Edouard's intelligent runs allowing him to capitalise on the pace, skill and invention of adventurous full-backs Frimpong and Taylor, plus Forrest, Ryan Christie and Mohamed Elyounoussi.
It is a frightening attacking unit that will put many teams to the sword this season, and rendered Hamilton's positive start ultimately meaningless.
The only concern for Lennon will be the number of chances the visitors managed to create, especially in the first half.
But ultimately if they hit their stride in attack, teams will need to score a hatful against them to have any chance.
Klimala's cameo and first competitive goal will also give the Celtic boss confidence in the depth of his forward options for the campaign ahead.
Hamilton, despite the scoreline, can take a huge amount from their performance.
Their line-up contained six academy graduates, and 18-year-old Winter up front performed admirably, while Hakeen Odoffin impressed at full-back following his arrival from Livingston.
Their season will not be defined by results away from home against the Old Firm.
What did they say?
'Pivotal' Celtic hold on to Edouard - Lennon
Celtic manager Neil Lennon: "I'm pleased with the second half; the first half was a bit passive. We got a great response second half.
"Considering it's the first game in four or five months it's a brilliant return. I think that stands them in good stead as we go on."
Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "I am disappointed to lose five goals, but Hamilton will not be judged in games against Celtic.
"We created a lot of chances and we scored as well, but you have to be clinical and you've got to keep the back door shut."
Hamilton showed 'naivety' in Celtic defeat - Rice
What's next?
Celtic travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock at 16:30 BST next Sunday, while Hamilton host Ross County at 15:00 BST on Saturday.


bbc--2020-08-02--Monday's gossip column - Arsenal target Brazilian defender Carlos

Arsenal will offer Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang , 31 , a £250,000-per-week three-year deal to stay with the club later this week .
( Mirror ) However , Aubameyang wants to see Arsenal make big signings before he agrees a new deal after firing the club to their 14th FA Cup .
( Le10 Sport , via Metro ) Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has been offered the chance to sign Watford 's English striker Troy Deeney , 32 , as back up to Harry Kane .
( Mail ) Liverpool have moved ahead of Paris St-Germain in the race for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now 'very likely ' to sign the Spain midfielder .
( Mundo Deportivo , via talkSPORT ) Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward has held talks with the agents of Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes over a transfer for the 22-year-old Brazilian defender .
( RMC Sport , via Express ) Meanwhile , United are hoping to use defender Chris Smalling , 30 , as part of a swap deal for Inter Milan 's 25-year-old Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar - but Roma continue to work on a deal for the Englishman after he impressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Star ) Italian giants AC Milan and Napoli are in talks with Norwich City 's English defender Ben Godfrey , 22 , after the Canaries were relegated from the Premier League .
( Calciomercato , via Mail ) Cardiff City are leading the race for 27-year-old Barnsley and Wales striker Kieffer Moore .
( WalesOnline ) • Match of the Day Top 10 : Robbie Keane talks Modric , Seedorf and Del Boy • Radio 1 's Dance Weekend : Listen to sets from the biggest names in dance

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
FA Cup winners Arsenal are targeting Sevilla's 27-year-old Brazilian centre-back Diego Carlos as manager Mikel Arteta plans a summer overhaul. (Telegraph - subscription required) external-link
Arteta has called Barcelona and Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic, 32, to discuss a potential move to the Gunners. (Le10 Sport - in French) external-link
Manchester United are considering a move for Leicester City and Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 33. (Sun) external-link
Liverpool have moved ahead of Paris St-Germain in the race for Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara and are now "very likely" to sign the Spain midfielder. (Mundo Deportivo, via talkSPORT) external-link
Tottenham Hotspur will compete with Everton to sign Lille's 23-year-old Turkey right-back Zeki Celik, 23, with Spurs considering selling Ivory Coast right-back Serge Aurier, 27. (Times - subscription required) external-link
What next for Eddie Howe? 'Rightly hailed for his outstanding work, but Howe is not a flawless hero'
Arsenal will offer Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 31, a £250,000-per-week three-year contract later this week. (Mirror) external-link
However, Aubameyang wants to see the Gunners make big signings before he agrees a new deal after helping the club win their 14th FA Cup. (Le10 Sport, via Metro) external-link
Crystal Palace's 27-year-old Ivory Coast winger Wilfried Zaha is a target for Arsenal. (Star) external-link
Aston Villa are targeting a summer move for Liverpool's 25-year-old Belgium striker Divock Origi. (Sun) external-link
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has held transfer talks with the agents of Lille's Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes, 22. (RMC Sport, via Express) external-link
Meanwhile, United are hoping to use England centre-back Chris Smalling, 30, as part of a swap deal for Inter Milan's 25-year-old Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar. (Star) external-link
Smalling is set to return to Old Trafford following his loan spell at Roma, with the Serie A club running out of time to complete a deal. (Manchester Evening News) external-link
Italian giants AC Milan and Napoli are in talks with Norwich City's English defender Ben Godfrey, 22, after the Canaries were relegated from the Premier League. (Calciomercato - in Italian) external-link
Eddie Howe will take a break from management after leaving Bournemouth. (Mail) external-link
Cardiff City are leading the race for 27-year-old Barnsley and Wales striker Kieffer Moore. (WalesOnline) external-link


bbc--2020-08-02--Thomas warms up for US PGA by winning WGC-St Jude in Memphis

Last updated on .From the section Golf Justin Thomas warmed up for next week 's US PGA Championship by winning the WGC-St Jude Invitational in Memphis .
Defending champion Koepka birdied 17 to get within one of Thomas but found water on the last to end his hopes .
The closing 65 gave Thomas , the 2017 US PGA champion , his 13th PGA Tour title and a return to world number one .
Koepka bogeyed 16 to give Thomas some breathing space but then made a huge birdie putt on the next to close to within a shot before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his way to a double bogey .
Thomas ' short game on the back nine was imperious , with a number of world-class pitches and high-class putting combining to make birdies and save par .
Overnight leader Todd struggled throughout and finished the day four over to tie for 11th .
Lewis finished in joint third after he managed to follow up his Saturday 61 with a fine 66 .
His compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick finished joint sixth on nine under alongside Open champion Shane Lowry of Ireland while Tommy Fleetwood was on three @ @

Last updated on .From the section Golf
Justin Thomas began the final day four shots behind overnight leader Brendon Todd
WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational final leaderboard -13 J Thomas (US); -10 B Koepka (US), D Berger (US), T Lewis (Eng), P Mickelson (US) Selected others: -9 S Lowry (Ire), M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -8 D Johnson (US); -3 T Fleetwood (Eng)
Justin Thomas returned to world number one by winning the WGC-St Jude Invitational in Memphis.
The American began four shots behind leader Brendon Todd but won by three from Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Daniel Berger and Englishman Tom Lewis.
Defending champion Koepka birdied 17 to get within one of Thomas but found water on the last to end his hopes.
The closing five-under 65 gave Thomas his 13th PGA Tour title four days before the US PGA Championship starts.
He won the US PGA in 2017, his only major title to date.
"It means a lot, especially with how I felt like I did it," he said. "In the past, I struggled with coming from behind. I got wrapped up in how far I was behind and how many people."
Three weeks ago at the Workday Charity Open, Thomas squandered a three-stroke lead with three holes to play and two bogeys dropped him into a play-off with Collin Morikawa, which he lost.
"I feel like I learned a lot from that," he said after moving up from third in the world rankings, overtaking Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, to take top spot for the first time since 2018.
"I just didn't get ahead of myself anytime those last two, three holes, where I felt like my mind was kind of wandering and maybe thinking about winning.
"I basically just told myself to shut up and figure out what you're doing because I could lose this tournament just as easily as I won it."
Koepka bogeyed 16 to give Thomas some breathing space but then made a huge birdie putt on the next to close to within a shot before driving into a stream on 18 on his way to a double bogey.
Thomas' short game on the back nine was imperious, with a number of world-class pitches and high-class putting combining to make birdies and save par.
Overnight leader Todd struggled throughout and finished the day four over to tie for 11th.
Lewis finished in joint third after he managed to follow his 61 on Saturday with a fine 66.
His compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick finished joint sixth on nine under alongside Open champion Shane Lowry of Ireland while Tommy Fleetwood was on three under.


bbc--2020-08-02--Israel Folau: Catalans Dragons player not taking knee was 'personal choice' - Steve McNamara

Last updated on .From the section Rugby League Israel Folau made a `` personal choice '' not to take a knee before Sunday 's Super League defeat by St Helens , says Dragons head coach Steve McNamara .
`` As a group of players and coaching staff , we spoke about it in depth , '' ex-England coach McNamara said after the 34-6 loss at Emerald Headingley .
`` As a club we are completely against racism and all for equal opportunity . ''
McNamara added : `` But there were some players and staff who made the decision not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was based on personal choice , they have their own reasons for doing that , and we decided we would respect anyone 's personal choice on the matter . ''
The sight of competitors taking a knee before events to highlight racial inequality has become a regular one in recent weeks , but a number of sportspeople have chosen not to do so .
Several Formula 1 drivers have worn anti-racism shirts and stayed standing during pre-race demonstrations since the sport 's return last month , while Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the national anthem since the league resumed last week .
Cross-code Australia international Folau , 31 , signed a one-year contract with Catalans in January , having been sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for making homophobic comments on social media .
The centre made three appearances for the French club before the suspension of the Super League season because of the coronavirus pandemic , and recently extended his deal by a further year .

Last updated on .From the section Rugby League
Israel Folau recently extended his contract with Catalans Dragons until the end of the 2021 season
Israel Folau made a "personal choice" not to take a knee before Sunday's Super League defeat by St Helens, says Dragons head coach Steve McNamara.
The majority of players from both sides took a knee before kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
"As a group of players and coaching staff, we spoke about it in depth," ex-England coach McNamara said after the 34-6 loss at Emerald Headingley.
"As a club we are completely against racism and all for equal opportunity."
McNamara added: "But there were some players and staff who made the decision not to take the knee.
"That was based on personal choice, they have their own reasons for doing that, and we decided we would respect anyone's personal choice on the matter."
The sight of competitors taking a knee before events to highlight racial inequality has become a regular one in recent weeks, but a number of sportspeople have chosen not to do so.
Several Formula 1 drivers have worn anti-racism shirts and stayed standing during pre-race demonstrations since the sport's return last month, while Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac became the first NBA player not to kneel during the national anthem since the league resumed last week.
Cross-code Australia international Folau, 31, signed a one-year contract with Catalans in January, having been sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for making homophobic comments on social media.
The centre made three appearances for the French club before the suspension of the Super League season because of the coronavirus pandemic, and recently extended his deal by a further year.


bbc--2020-08-03--Coronavirus: Iran cover-up of deaths revealed by data leak

The number of deaths from coronavirus in Iran is nearly triple what Iran 's government claims , a BBC Persian service investigation has found .
The government 's own records appear to show almost 42,000 people died with Covid-19 symptoms up to 20 July , versus 14,405 reported by its health ministry .
The number of people known to be infected is also almost double official figures : 451,024 as opposed to 278,827 .
The official numbers still make Iran the worst-hit in the Middle East .
In recent weeks , it has suffered a second steep rise in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iran from Covid-19 was recorded on 22 January , according to lists and medical records that have been passed to the BBC .
This was almost a month before the first official case of coronavirus was reported there .
Since the outbreak of the virus in Iran , many observers have doubted the official numbers .
There have been irregularities in data between national and regional levels , which some local authorities have spoken out about , and statisticians have tried to give alternative estimates.. A level of undercounting , largely due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , but the information leaked to the BBC reveals Iranian authorities have reported significantly lower daily numbers despite having a record of all deaths - suggesting they were deliberately suppressed .
Where did the data come from ?
The data was sent to the BBC by an anonymous source .
It includes details of daily admissions to hospitals across Iran , including names , age , gender , symptoms , date and length of periods spent in hospital , and underlying conditions patients might have .
The details on lists correspond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients already known to the BBC .
The source says they have shared this data with the BBC to `` shed light on truth '' and to end `` political games '' over the epidemic .
The discrepancy between the official figures and the number of deaths on these records also matches the difference between the official figure and calculations of excess mortality until mid-June .
Excess mortality refers to the number of deaths above and beyond what would be expected under `` normal '' conditions .
What does the data reveal ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest number of deaths with 8,120 people who died with Covid-19 or symptoms similar to it .
The city of Qom , the initial epicentre of the virus in Iran , is worst hit proportionally , with 1,419 deaths - that is one death with Covid-19 for every 1,000 people .
It is notable that , across the country , 1,916 deaths were non-Iranian nationals .
This indicates a disproportionate number of deaths amongst migrants and refugees , who are mostly from neighbouring Afghanistan .
The overall trend of cases and deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports , albeit different in size .
The initial rise of deaths is far steeper than Health Ministry figures and by mid-March it was five times the official figure .
Lockdown measures were imposed over the Nowruz ( Iranian New Year ) holidays at the end of the third week in March , and there was a corresponding decline in cases and deaths .
But as government restrictions were relaxed , the cases and deaths started to rise again after late-May .
Crucially the first recorded death on the leaked list occurred on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first case of coronavirus was officially reported in Iran .
At the time Health Ministry officials were adamant in acknowledging not a single case of coronavirus in the country , despite reports by journalists inside Iran , and warnings from various medical professionals .
In 28 days until the first official acknowledgement on 19 February , 52 people had already died .
Who were the first whistleblowers ?
Doctors with direct knowledge of the matter have told the BBC that the Iranian health ministry has been under pressure from security and intelligence bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their real name ) told the BBC that the ministry `` was in denial '' .
`` Initially they did not have testing kits and when they got them , they were n't used widely enough .
The position of the security services was not to admit to the existence of coronavirus in Iran , '' Dr Pouladi said .
It was the persistence of two brothers , both doctors from Qom , which forced the health ministry to acknowledge the first official case .
When Dr Mohammad Molayi and Dr Ali Molayi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should still be tested for Covid-19 , which turned out to be positive .
In Kamkar hospital , where their brother died , numerous patients were admitted with similar symptoms to Covid-19 , and they would not respond to the usual treatments .
Nevertheless , none of them were tested for the disease .
Dr Pouladi says : `` They got unlucky .
Someone with both decency and influence lost his brother .
Dr Molayi had access to these gentlemen [ health ministry officials ] and did not give up . ''
Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother with a statement .
The health ministry then finally acknowledged the first recorded case .
Nevertheless state TV ran a report criticising him and falsely claiming the video of his brother was months old .
The start of outbreak coincided both with the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and with parliamentary elections .
These were major opportunities for the Islamic Republic to demonstrate its popular support and not risk damaging it because of the virus .
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , the Supreme Leader , accused some of wanting to use the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event , the election had a very low turnout .
Before the global coronavirus pandemic hit , Iran was already experiencing a series of its own crises .
In November 2019 , the government increased the price of petrol overnight and cracked down violently on protests which followed .
Hundreds of protesters were killed in a few days .
In January this year , the Iranian response to the US assassination of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani , seen as one of the most powerful figures in Iran after its Supreme Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ armed forces - on high alert - mistakenly fired missiles at a Ukrainian airliner only minutes after it had taken off from Tehran 's international airport .
All 176 people on board were killed .
The Iranian authorities initially tried to cover up what happened , but after three days they were forced to admit it , resulting in considerable loss of face .
Dr Nouroldin Pirmoazzen , a former MP who also was an official at the health ministry , told the BBC that in this context , the Iranian government was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' when coronavirus hit Iran .
He said : `` The government was afraid that the poor and the unemployed would take to the streets . ''
Dr Pirmoazzen points to the fact that Iran stopped international health organisation Médecins Sans Frontières from treating coronavirus cases in the central province of Isfahan as evidence of how security-conscious its approach towards the pandemic is .
Iran was going through tough times even before the military showdown with the US and coronavirus hit .
The sanctions which followed Donald Trump 's withdrawal from the nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard .
Dr Pouladi says : `` Those who brought the country to this point do n't pay the price .
It is the poor people of the country and my poor patients who pay the price with their lives . ''
`` In the confrontation between the governments of the US and Iran we are getting crushed with pressures from both sides . ''
The health ministry has said that the country 's reports to the World Health Organization regarding the number of coronavirus cases and deaths are `` transparent '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The first death in Iran from Covid-19 was recorded on 22 January, according to lists and medical records that have been passed to the BBC. This was almost a month before the first official case of coronavirus was reported there.


bbc--2020-08-03--US entering 'different' phase of coronavirus outbreak

One of President Trump 's top medical advisers has warned that the US is entering a new phase in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic .
Deborah Birx told CNN the disease was `` extraordinarily widespread '' across the country and a greater threat than when the outbreak first began .
She said it was now affecting rural areas as well as big cities .
She said rural communities were not immune and should wear masks and practice social distancing .
• Where are the world 's coronavirus hotspots ?
The US has recorded more cases and deaths than any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Johns Hopkins University , more than 4.6 million infections and at least 154,834 deaths have been confirmed in America .
Worldwide , nearly 18 million cases and at least 687,072 deaths have been reported .
What did Birx say ?
`` To everybody who lives in a rural area , you are not immune or protected from this virus , '' said Dr Birx , a leading member of the White House 's coronavirus task force .
`` This epidemic right now is different and it 's more widespread and it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also shared her concerns about people taking holidays in hot spots , citing what she had seen while visiting 14 states during the last three weeks .
`` As I travelled around the country , I saw all of America moving , '' Dr Birx said .
`` If you have chosen to go on vacation into a hot spot , you really need to come back and protect those with co-morbidities and assume you 're infected . ''
America 's outbreak has gained pace over the summer , particularly in southern and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US House Speaker and leading Democrat Nancy Pelosi attacked Dr Birx , linking her to `` disinformation '' spread by President Trump .
Dr Birx responded that she always based her decisions on scientific data .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• IMPACT : What the virus does to the body • RECOVERY : How long does it take ?
• LOCKDOWN : How can we lift restrictions ?
• ENDGAME : How do we get out of this mess ?

"As I travelled around the country, I saw all of America moving," Dr Birx said. "If you have chosen to go on vacation into a hot spot, you really need to come back and protect those with co-morbidities and assume you're infected."


bbc--2020-08-03--Ningaloo Reef: Woman injured by humpback whale at Australian tourist spot

A woman has suffered serious injuries after being struck and injured while swimming with humpback whales off the coast of Western Australia .
The Australian woman , 29 , was with a tour group at the popular Ningaloo Reef on Saturday when she was struck .
St John 's Ambulance said the woman had suffered internal bleeding and upper torso injuries `` from the crush '' .
Unconfirmed reports said she was trapped between two of the giant mammals , which can grow up to 19m ( 62ft ) .
She was treated in the town of Exmouth before being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she was in a `` serious but stable condition '' on Monday .
Other guests on the snorkelling tour witnessed the incident but were uninjured , according to Western Australia Police .
The tour group had only been a few hundred metres from the shore when the incident happened .
Police said work safety regulators were investigating the incident , as it had involved a charter group .
Chartered swimming with humpback whales is currently undergoing a five-year trial in the region , monitored by the Department of Biodiversity , Conservation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operators have been licensed to take groups of nine swimming with the whales , with guidance in place advising the swimmers to stay at least 15m from the animals .
The DBCA said in a statement it was `` working closely with the industry and the tour operator involved to understand how the incident occurred '' , and that swimming with humpback whales involved `` some inherent risk '' .
It said nearly 10,000 participants had swum with humpback whales since the trial began in 2016 , with no previous incidents resulting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia 's Coral Coast is known for its diversity of marine life and is one of the state 's best-known tourist spots .
Snorkelling expeditions on the coral reef are popular .
Western Australia is home to the largest known population of humpback whales , which are typically regarded as safe to swim among despite their size .
The region 's borders are currently closed to international and interstate visitors as part of efforts to keep out the coronavirus .
• Correction : An earlier version of this story said the woman was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a humpback whale .

Western Australia is home to the largest known population of humpback whales, which are typically regarded as safe to swim among despite their size. The region's borders are currently closed to international and interstate visitors as part of efforts to keep out the coronavirus.


bbc--2020-08-03--Nasa SpaceX crew return: Dragon capsule splashes down

Two American astronauts have splashed down , as the first commercial crewed mission to the International Space Station returned to Earth .
The SpaceX Dragon Capsule carrying Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken came down in the Gulf of Mexico just south of Pensacola on Florida 's Gulf coast .
A recovery vessel moved in to pick up the vehicle and extricate the men .
The touchdown marks the first crewed US water landing since the final outing of an Apollo command module 45 years ago .
Hurley 's and Behnken 's capsule hit the water at about 14:48 EDT ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Private boats which came close to the Dragon were asked to leave amid concern over hazardous chemicals venting from the capsule 's propulsion system .
Nasa administrator Jim Bridenstine said the presence of the boats `` was not what we were anticipating '' .
`` What is not common is having passersby approach the vehicle close range with nitrogen tetroxide in the atmosphere ; that 's not something that is good , '' he said .
`` And we need to make sure that we 're warning people not to get close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photos of the boats were shared on social media .
• What is the SpaceX Crew Dragon ?
`` It 's truly our honour and privilege , '' said Hurley as the astronauts arrived home .
`` On behalf of the SpaceX and Nasa teams , welcome back to Planet Earth .
Thanks for flying SpaceX , '' SpaceX mission control responded .
President Donald Trump - who attended the capsule 's launch on 30 May - hailed its safe return .
`` Thank you to all ! ''
he tweeted .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth after very successful two month mission . ''
The successful end to the crew 's mission initiates a new era for the American space agency .
All its human transport needs just above the Earth will in future be purchased from private companies , such as SpaceX .
The government agency says contracting out to service providers in this way will save it billions of dollars that can be diverted to getting astronauts to the Moon , as part of its Artemis programme , and afterwards to Mars .
The Dragon capsule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of May on a Falcon 9 rocket , also supplied by SpaceX .
Hurley 's and Behnken 's mission served as an end-to-end demonstration of the astronaut `` taxi service '' the company , owned by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk , will be selling to Nasa from now on .
The Boeing corporation is also developing a crew capsule solution but has had to delay its introduction after encountering software problems on its Starliner vehicle .
The sight of the vehicle 's four main parachutes floating down over the Gulf of Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiery descent through the atmosphere .
The parachutes then slowed the capsule from about 350mph ( 560km/h ) to just roughly 15mph ( 7m/s ) at splashdown .
Rigging was used to hoist the capsule out of the water and on to the recovery vessel .
Technicians monitored `` remnant vapours '' around the spacecraft before the hatch was opened .
The men were checked over by medical staff before being flown to shore by helicopter .
• Who are Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken ?
• How is Nasa using commercial partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the space station at the end of May on a Falcon 9 rocket , also supplied by SpaceX .
It will now be refurbished to fly again next year .
Mr Bridenstine lauded the efforts of everyone involved in Hurley 's and Behnken 's mission , and then spoke of his agency 's shift in philosophy .
`` We do n't want to purchase , own and operate the hardware the way we used to , '' he said .
`` We want to be one customer of many customers in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But we also want to have numerous providers that are competing against each other on cost and innovation and safety , and really create this virtuous cycle of economic development and capability . ''
Gwynne Shotwell , the president of SpaceX , added : `` Today is a great day .
We should celebrate what we all accomplished here , bringing Bob and Doug back , but we should also think about this as a springboard to doing even harder things with the Artemis programme .
And then , of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter : @ BBCAmos

"What is not common is having passersby approach the vehicle close range with nitrogen tetroxide in the atmosphere; that's not something that is good," he said. "And we need to make sure that we're warning people not to get close to the spacecraft in the future."


bbc--2020-08-03--Islamic State group claims deadly attack on Afghanistan prison

The Islamic State ( IS ) group has said it was behind a high-profile attack on a central prison in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad that saw hundreds of prisoners try to flee .
The attack began on Sunday evening when car bombs were detonated at the prison 's entrance by gunmen .
It continued through the night and into Monday morning , with the IS militants battling security forces .
At least 21 people were killed , said a spokesman for Nangarhar province .
According to Attaullah Khogyani , 43 people were injured and taken to a regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been killed but others were continuing to resist security forces from the top floor of a residential building .
The prison holds more than 1,700 inmates - most of them Taliban and IS fighters , a security source told the AFP news agency .
It was not immediately clear if the attack had been staged to free specific prisoners from the complex .
The attack happened on the third and final day of a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban , with hundreds of Taliban prisoners released in an effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two sides .
The Taliban - which is a staunch rival of IS - had earlier said it was not responsible for the attack .
Sunday 's attack came a day after Afghanistan 's intelligence agency announced that the country had killed a top IS commander , Assadullah Orakzai , near Jalalabad .
Orakzai had allegedly been involved in several deadly attacks against Afghan security forces .
Nangarhar province was the Islamic State group 's first stronghold in Afghanistan .
It still has a foothold there despite government officials claiming last year that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Islamic State Khorasan - had been completely defeated in the province .
Nangarhar had already seen deadly attacks this year , including a 12 May suicide bomb that killed 32 mourners at a funeral for a police commander .

There were 1,793 prisoners in the jail at the time of the attack - most of them Taliban and IS fighters, a security source told the AFP news agency. It was not immediately clear if the attack had been staged to free specific prisoners.


bbc--2020-08-03--John Hume: Nobel Peace Prize winner dies aged 83

The Nobel Peace Prize winner and prominent Northern Ireland politician John Hume has died aged 83 .
He died in a Londonderry nursing home following a long period of illness .
One of the highest-profile politicians in Northern Ireland for more than 30 years , he helped create the climate that brought an end to the Troubles .
He was one of the founding members of the Social Democratic and Labour Party ( SDLP ) in 1970 and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001 .
Mr Hume played a major role in the peace talks which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1998 .
The former SDLP leader was widely admired for his steadfast commitment to peaceful , democratic politics during three decades of violence in Northern Ireland .
Tributes have been paid across the board by political leaders past and present , including former Prime Minister Tony Blair , who was in office when the peace deal was signed .
`` John Hume was a political titan ; a visionary who refused to believe the future had to be the same as the past , '' Mr Blair said .
`` His contribution to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will rightly be remembered for it .
`` He was insistent it was possible , tireless in pursuit of it and endlessly creative in seeking ways of making it happen . ''
In the late 1980s , Mr Hume took considerable risks for peace by holding talks with the then leader of Sinn Féin , Gerry Adams .
The talks were controversial at the time because the IRA was still heavily involved in violence , but Mr Hume 's aim was to persuade republicans to commit to exclusively democratic means .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 1994 IRA ceasefire and the later negotiations which resulted in the Good Friday Agreement .
On Monday , Mr Hume was hailed as a `` great hero and a true peacemaker '' by current Taoiseach ( Irish Prime Minister ) Micheál Martin .
`` During the darkest days of paramilitary terrorism and sectarian strife , he kept hope alive .
And with patience , resilience and unswerving commitment , he triumphed and delivered a victory for peace , '' Mr Martin said .
Northern Ireland 's First Minister Arlene Foster sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former SDLP leader as a `` giant in Irish nationalism '' .
`` In our darkest days he recognised that violence was the wrong path and worked steadfastly to promote democratic politics , '' the Democratic Unionist Party ( DUP ) leader added .
Following the 1998 peace deal , Mr Hume was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize , along with the then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party , David Trimble .
Lord Trimble also acknowledged Mr Hume 's commitment to peace efforts in Northern Ireland .
`` Right from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urging people to stick to their objective peacefully and was constantly critical of those who did not realise the importance of peace , '' he said .
`` He was a major contributor to politics in Northern Ireland , particularly to the process that gave us an agreement that we are still working our way through .
`` That is hugely important .
He will be remembered for that contribution for years to come . ''
Throughout his long career , the former SDLP leader spent decades fighting and winning elections to different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He served as member of the European Parliament ( MEP ) for more than 25 years , and held a seat in Westminster as MP for the Foyle constituency for almost 22 years .
Former Taoiseach ( Irish Prime Minister ) Bertie Ahern , who co-signed the 1998 peace deal with Tony Blair , said Mr Hume had faced widespread criticism for talking to the IRA in the early days of the peace process .
But he said the former SDLP leader took risks for peace and always `` saw the bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ahern also credited Mr Hume with the idea of ratifying the deal with different referenda on both sides of the Irish border .
`` When the Good Friday Agreement was signed by Tony and I , he [ Mr Hume ] said : 'You put this to the people north and south and it will get the legitimacy of the people ' .
`` That was singularly his idea and it really was a bright idea , '' Mr Ahern told BBC Radio Five Live .
Irish President Michael D Higgins said Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ireland '' and hailed his `` personal bravery and leadership '' .
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said Northern Ireland would not be where it is today `` without his leadership and his courage '' .
`` Few people deserved the Nobel Peace Prize more than John - he dedicated his life to peace , and for that the people of Northern Ireland will never forget him , '' he said .
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described him as a `` towering figure , a national icon '' .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many years .
He died in the early hours of Monday at Owen Mor nursing home in Derry .
In a statement , his family said : `` John was a husband , a father , a grandfather , a great grandfather and a brother .
`` He was very much loved , and his loss will be deeply felt by all his extended family . ''
There is no way you could overestimate John Hume 's contribution in the political development of Northern Ireland .
He was definitely , during those years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the peace process .
He worked on differing relationships , trying to solve problems which seemed for so many years to be completely without any possible solution .
He helped create the political space in which the different parties could manoeuvre their way towards what became the the Good Friday Agreement .
John Hume battled on at very hard times during the Troubles - when any kind of dialogue came under attack from opponents as being a sign of weakness .
He persevered with his efforts to bring about a solution .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing staff of Owen Mor nursing home in Derry .
`` The care they have shown John in the last months of his life has been exceptional , '' their statement said .
`` We can never adequately show them our thanks for looking after John at a time when we could not .
`` The family drew great comfort in being with John again in the last days of his life . ''

In a statement, his family said his loss would be greatly felt and they had drawn "great comfort" from "being with John again in the last days of his life".


bbc--2020-08-03--Apple Fire: Massive California wildfire forces evacuations

Fire crews in California are battling a massive wildfire that has forced thousands of people from their homes east of Los Angeles .
More than 1,300 firefighters , backed by helicopters and water-dumping planes , have been tackling the blaze dubbed the Apple Fire which started on Friday .
Parts of the fire are on steep , rugged hillsides , making it hard for fire engines to reach .
Around 7,800 residents have been told to evacuate the area .
Images show flumes of smoke filling the sky over the mountainous region .
In a tweet , the National Weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Phoenix , Arizona - nearly 300 miles ( 482km ) away .
• How do you fight extreme wildfires ?
The wildfire began as two adjacent blazes in Cherry Valley , an area near the city of Beaumont .
It has since stretched out to 20,516 acres ( 8,302 hectares ) , San Bernadino National Forest said in a tweet on Sunday .
The government body said the blaze had been fuelled by high temperatures , low humidity and dry vegetation in the area .
The US Forest Service told the Riverside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the fire was on rugged terrain , it was dangerous for firefighters to try and surround it .
`` We do n't want to put fire-fighters in a dangerous situation , '' said spokesperson Lisa Cox .
`` It 's burning in a straight line up a mountain . ''

Ms Cox on Monday told CBS News: "Given the fuel, given the weather, given the topography and where this is going, this fire is not going to stop tonight, it's going to keep going."


bbc--2020-08-03--Leon Fleisher: Pianist who battled hand condition dies at 92

Fleisher rose to prominence as a child prodigy in the 1940s but his playing career was disrupted by an injury to his right hand .
He later channelled his career into conducting , teaching and mastering the left-hand repertoire for piano .
Three decades later , after a series of therapies , he regained use of his right hand and flourished again with a two-handed career comeback .
Fleisher was born in San Francisco in 1928 , to parents who emigrated to the US from Eastern Europe .
He began learning the piano at age four , and by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a student of famous classical pianist Artur Schnabel .
At 16 he made his debut with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and went on to international fame and a prolific recording career .
But in 1964 Fleisher developed a neurological condition , focal dystonia , which left him unable to play with his right hand .
After a two-year hiatus , he focused his career on teaching and conducting at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore , and on performing music written for the left hand only .
`` I suddenly came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was greater than just as a two-handed piano player , '' he told National Public Radio during an interview in 2000 .
He returned to two-handed playing in 1995 and went on to record two highly acclaimed albums .
One of them , called Two Hands , is also the title of an Oscar-nominated documentary about his life .

He returned to two-handed playing in 1995 and went on to record two highly acclaimed albums. One of them, called Two Hands, is also the title of an Oscar-nominated documentary about his life.


bbc--2020-08-03--China sends first Covid-19 medical testing team to Hong Kong

Seven health officials have arrived in Hong Kong from mainland China , the first members of a 60-person team that will carry out Covid-19 testing .
This is the first time Chinese health officials have assisted in Hong Kong and comes as Hong Kong sees a sharp rise in new infections .
But some local councillors raised concerns that China may be collecting DNA samples for surveillance purposes , said Reuters .
Tensions are high between pro-democracy groups in Hong Kong and the Chinese government after Beijing imposed a new national security law in Hong Kong in June which critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was widely criticised internationally , allows for life in prison for those China determines to have engaged in acts of secession , subversion and collusion with foreign forces .
• Why Hong Kong 's 'third wave ' is a warning to all Members of the health team are mostly from public hospitals in southern Guangdong Province , according to Chinese state media the Global Times , and will help with mass testing in the region .
The Global Times said the team was established at the request of the Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources in Hong Kong are said to be overstretched .
The city reported 115 new cases on Sunday , continuing a streak of infections in the triple digits , and bringing the city 's total tally to 3,511 .
The overall numbers are still lower than those of many other places - but the spike comes after Hong Kong appeared to have contained the outbreak , with weeks of few or no local infections .
It 's now experiencing what 's been described as a `` third wave '' of infections .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary elections , originally due to be held in September , by a year .
The government said it was a necessary move amid the rise in infections but the opposition has accused it of using Covid-19 as a pretext to stop people from voting .
Beijing introduced the security law at the end of June despite facing global criticism , creating new offences which could see Hong Kong residents sent to mainland China for trial .
It introduces new crimes with severe penalties - up to life in prison - and allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong with impunity .
The law applies not only to residents of the region , but also to non-permanent residents and even those who live outside Hong Kong .
Hong Kong 's government says the law was required to bring order to a city that saw mass pro-democracy protests last year which often turned violent .
But critics feared that it would be used instead to target pro-democracy protesters .
Last week , these fears came true when Hong Kong police announced that they were seeking the arrest of six pro-democracy activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous protests .
They are now living in exile in Western countries .
• Why people are scared of Hong Kong 's new law • End of 'One Country , Two Systems ' ?
Hong Kong- a former British colony - was awarded certain freedoms when it was handed over to China in 1997 .
Under a 50-year agreement , China enshrined civil liberties - including the right to protest , freedom of speech and the independence of the judiciary - in Hong Kong 's Basic Law , an approach which came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two systems '' .
But critics say these freedoms have been eroded with the implementation of this new law .

The overall numbers are still lower than those of many other places - but the spike comes after Hong Kong appeared to have contained the outbreak, with weeks of few or no local infections.


bbc--2020-08-03--Coronavirus: Melbourne lockdown to keep a million workers at home

Melbourne is shutting down shops , factories and other non-essential businesses as authorities fight a second wave of coronavirus .
Other measures include a night-time curfew for the city 's five million residents , after an earlier lockdown failed to contain the virus .
About one million workers will soon be staying at home in the Australian city .
A payment for people instructed to isolate for 14 days who have run out of sick leave will also be introduced .
The A $ 1,500 ( $ 1,070 ; £815 ) is mainly aimed at those who can not access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than once , Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said .
Authorities hope the new restrictions will reduce transmission of the coronavirus .
Until recently , Australia had had more success than many other countries in tackling Covid-19 , but an outbreak in Victoria 's state capital has pushed the nation to its worst point yet .
More than half of the nation 's total 18,300 cases have been recorded in just the last month in Victoria .
There have been 215 deaths .
Melburnians endured their first night of curfew - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for six weeks - on Sunday .
The only valid reasons for leaving home during these hours are work , medical care or care-giving .
Many people say they have accepted the necessity of the restrictions but expressed anger and despair over the new measures .
`` I 'm sure there are a lot of people that are depressed including myself and my husband , '' Jane Baxter-Swale told the BBC .
`` We do n't know when these measures are going to finish .
There 's no finality to this virus which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four '' lockdown , Melbourne residents will also only be allowed to shop and exercise within 5km ( three miles ) of their home .
Exercise outside of the home will only be allowed for one hour at a time .
Only one person per household will be allowed to go grocery shopping , and this can only happen once a day .
Why the new workforce restrictions ?
In Melbourne , there are currently about 750,000 workers who are working from home or have been furloughed .
Forcing businesses such as construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Thursday - for the first time in the pandemic - means another 250,000 people will not be travelling for work .
`` That is when you are dramatically changing the number of people moving around the community , and therefore the number of points at which the virus can be transmitted , '' said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews .
Remote education is also set to resume from Wednesday , taking about one million students and teachers out of the city 's public transport system .
While the widespread restrictions have alarmed many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like supermarkets , petrol stations and banks would remain open and urged people not to panic buy .

Under "Stage Four" lockdown, Melbourne residents will also only be allowed to shop and exercise within 5km (three miles) of their home. Exercise outside of the home will only be allowed for one hour at a time.


bbc--2020-08-03--Microsoft and TikTok talks continue after Trump call

US tech giant Microsoft has confirmed that it is continuing talks to purchase the US operations of Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok .
Microsoft boss Satya Nadella had a conversation with President Donald Trump about the acquisition on Sunday , the tech firm said .
Microsoft stressed that it `` fully appreciates the importance '' of addressing President Trump 's concerns .
A full security review of the app will be conducted , the company added .
Microsoft will also have to provide the US government with a list of the `` proper economic benefits '' to the country , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech giant hopes to conclude discussions with TikTok 's parent firm ByteDance by 15 September .
• How would the US go about banning TikTok ?
• Should we be worried about TikTok ?
Microsoft said it was looking to purchase the TikTok service in the US , Canada , Australia and New Zealand , and would operate the app in these markets .
The tech firm added that it `` may '' invite other American investors to participate in the purchase `` on a minority basis '' .
Microsoft emphasised that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of TikTok 's American users '' was transferred to and remained in the US .
Further , it would ensure that any data currently stored or backed up outside the country would be deleted from servers after it was transferred to US data centres .
It also said that Microsoft `` appreciates the US Government 's and President Trump 's personal involvement as it continues to develop strong security protections for the country . ''
But the tech giant added that current discussions were still in the `` preliminary '' stage , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' that the purchase would proceed .
A possible sale of TikTok 's US operations to Microsoft was thought to be on hold after Donald Trump vowed to ban the video-sharing app , according to a Wall Street Journal report .
The potential sale had been seen close to agreement but was put in doubt after the US president 's warning on Friday .
And on Sunday , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that President Trump would take action `` in the coming days '' against Chinese-owned software that he believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaking to Fox News , Mr Pompeo said the action would be taken `` with respect to a broad array of national security risks that are presented by software connected to the Chinese Communist Party '' .
Short-form video app TikTok is thought to have about half a billion active users worldwide - and about 80 million in the US - with a huge proportion of these in their teens or early 20s .
Some US politicians are worried the app 's Chinese owner ByteDance poses a risk to national security because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal data .
Regulators have also raised their own safety concerns .
Late on Friday , Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One : `` As far as TikTok is concerned we 're banning them from the United States . ''
And in a statement on Saturday , a White House spokesman said : `` The administration has very serious national security concerns over TikTok .
We continue to evaluate future policy . ''
The Wall Street Journal said ByteDance tried to make significant concessions to the White House , including creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A sale of the US operation to Microsoft , which owns LinkedIn , would give the US tech giant a far greater presence in social media , an area dominated by rivals .
The value of TikTok 's US arm has been put at between $ 15bn and $ 30bn ( £11bn-£23bn ) .
According to the Financial Times , some executives at ByteDance believe Mr Trump 's intervention may just be a negotiating ploy to help Microsoft secure a better deal .
TikTok declined to discuss the possible Microsoft deal , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday : `` While we do not comment on rumours or speculation , we are confident in the long-term success of TikTok . ''
The statement re-iterated that the company was committed to protecting the privacy and safety of users .
The move to ban TikTok comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Trump administration and the Chinese government over a number of issues , including trade disputes and Beijing 's handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
The president 's announcement on Friday was criticised by some in the tech sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex Stamos , who questioned whether the move was spurred by national security concerns .
He tweeted : `` This is getting bizarre .
A 100 % sale to an American company would have been considered a radical solution two week ago and , eventually , mitigates any reasonable data protection concerns .
If the White House kills this we know this is n't about national security . ''
Mr Trump was also criticised by the American Civil Liberties Union .
`` Banning an app that millions of Americans use to communicate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expression and is technologically impractical , '' said the ACLU 's surveillance and cybersecurity counsel , Jennifer Granick .
`` Shutting one platform down , even if it were legally possible to do so , harms freedom of speech online and does nothing to resolve the broader problem of unjustified government surveillance , '' she said .
On Saturday , in a bid to reassure TikTok 's millions of US users , Vanessa Pappas , the country 's general manager said in a video message : `` We 're not going anywhere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ long run .
`` When it comes to safety and security , we 're building the safest app because we know it 's the right thing to do .
So we appreciate the support . ''

A sale of the US operation to Microsoft, which owns LinkedIn, would give the US tech giant a far greater presence in social media, an area dominated by rivals. The value of TikTok's US arm has been put at between $15bn and $30bn (£11bn-£23bn).


bbc--2020-08-03--Fyre Festival merchandise up for auction

The Fyre Festival was billed as a luxury weekend in the Bahamas , attended by celebrities and influencers alike .
But the 2017 event became infamous after thousands of partygoers were left stranded without sufficient food , water or proper accommodation .
With organiser Billy McFarland in prison for fraud , US Marshals are auctioning off Fyre merchandise , with proceeds going to McFarland 's victims .
The sale of souvenir clothing and other items began last week .
Branded clothing and other items were originally meant for sale at Fyre Festival `` but were kept by McFarland , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the funds to commit further criminal acts while he was on pre-trial release '' , US Marshal Ralph Sozio said in a statement .
• My front-row seat for the Fyre Festival chaos More than 100 items , including branded jumpers , trackpants , wristbands and tokens , will remain on sale until 13 August .
One black baseball cap featuring the festival 's logo and valued at $ 15 has already received bids of over $ 350 ( £263 ) .
A blue hoodie emblazoned with a hand-sewn label , meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is not clear which of McFarland 's fraud victims will benefit from the sale .
What was the Fyre Festival ?
Celebrities including Kendall Jenner , Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin had advertised the now infamous venture , with tickets costing up to $ 100,000 ( £75,000 ) , But instead of luxury food and accommodation , party-goers ended up staying in emergency tents and described the event as a `` complete disaster '' .
And they were not the only people to suffer .
Many local businesses and workers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling a Netflix documentary last year that she lost much of her life savings catering for the festival .
A crowdfunding page for the business later raised more than £176,000 .
Organiser Billy McFarland was sentenced to six years in prison for fraud in October 2018 , with the judge describing him as a `` serial fraudster '' .
Rapper Ja Rule , who was originally described as a co-organiser of the event , last year claimed he had also been scammed by McFarland .

Branded clothing and other items were originally meant for sale at Fyre Festival "but were kept by McFarland, with the intent to sell the items and use the funds to commit further criminal acts while he was on pre-trial release", US Marshal Ralph Sozio said in a statement.


bbc--2020-08-03--New covid and flu tests give results in 90 minutes

New 90-minute tests that can detect coronavirus and flu will be rolled out in hospitals and care homes from next week .
The `` on-the-spot '' swab and DNA tests will help distinguish between Covid-19 and other seasonal illnesses , the government said .
The health secretary said this would be `` hugely beneficial '' over the winter .
Currently , a third of tests take longer than 24 hours to process .
The announcement comes as the government pushed back a July target to regularly test all care home staff and residents - a key move to identify so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but do not show symptoms .
This is unlikely to be achieved until September because the number of testing kits had become more limited .
• How bad will winter really be ?
• How can I get a coronavirus test ?
• What symptoms should I look out for ?
The government said almost half a million of the new rapid swab tests , called LamPORE , will be available from next week in adult care settings and laboratories , with millions more due to be rolled out later in the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machines , which have already been used in eight London hospitals and can analyse nose swabs , will be rolled out across NHS hospitals from September .
Around 5,000 machines will provide 5.8 million tests in the coming months , the Department for Health said .
There is currently no publicly available data on the accuracy of the new tests .
But Sir John Bell , Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University , who has been advising the government on tests , said they produced the same `` sensitivity '' as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but breakthrough will be judged on results The breakthrough on testing is important for a number of reasons - not just because one has the ability to test for flu and other viruses too .
Firstly , speed .
The fact the tests do not have to be sent off to a lab means the processing times are much quicker .
In hospital , most tests - 9 in 10 - are currently turned around in 24 hours .
But those done in the community via regional drive-thru centres , using postal kits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer because they have to be sent away to labs for processing .
Results are only returned in 24 hours in half of cases .
The two tests will also help to increase capacity .
Currently around 300,000 tests a day can be processed , but the aim is to get to 500,000 .
But this is all dependent on delivery .
The DNA test will not be rolled out until September , while the LamPORE test is ready to go now but is still waiting for approval from regulators .
The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accuracy of the tests .
The testing system is complex and is reliant on many different factors , including multiple supply chains and having the workforce to carry them out .
If just one thing goes wrong - as the roll-out of the whole care home testing system shows - delivery can fall short of ambition .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock described these latest innovations as a `` big step forward '' and said the government was on target to reach 500,000 tests a day by the end of October .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in settings like schools and across the community where `` we want to test people who do n't have symptoms so we can find out where the virus is '' .
Mr Hancock added : `` The fact these tests can detect flu as well as Covid-19 will be hugely beneficial as we head into winter , so patients can follow the right advice to protect themselves and others . ''
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi told BBC Breakfast 450,000 Oxford Nanopore LamPORE tests will be rolled out from next week and then DnaNudge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labs and into other settings , with the hope of providing capacity for 5.8m tests in the coming months .
Asked on BBC Radio 4 's Today programme if the new tests could be used in schools to help pupils return safely , Mr Zahawi said they could be rolled out to `` other settings , including schools '' as they do not need medical expertise .
Dame Anne Johnson , professor of infectious disease and epidemiology at University College London , told Today the new tests were `` great news '' but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act rapidly overall .
Rapid diagnosis was useful , but the most important thing was for people to self isolate if they felt ill. Sir Paul Nurse , director of the Francis Crick Institute and a member of Scientists for Labour , said the government needed to `` treat the public as adults '' in Covid-19 communications .
`` We need openness , transparency , scrutiny , and a leadership of people taking responsibility for the decision-making , '' he said .
The testing news comes as : • Authorities in Greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a decision to declare a `` major incident '' on Sunday evening in response to rising rates of Covid-19 there .
• Scotland 's national clinical director warned of going `` backwards '' over easing lockdown after a cluster of coronavirus cases were linked to a pub in Aberdeen .
• Leicester - the first UK city to have a localised lockdown - will see pubs and restaurants reopen from Monday as a number of restrictions are lifted .
• A government scheme to encourage people to visit restaurants , cafes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched - giving customers of 72,000 establishments 50 % off meals bought from Monday to Wednesday in August .
• Groups of up to 30 people can now meet in Wales and pubs , cafes and restaurants can serve people inside as the lockdown rules were further eased on Monday .
• There `` might never be '' a `` silver bullet '' treatment for coronavirus , according to the director general of the World Health Organisation , Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
Coronavirus tests are currently carried out at drive-through or walk-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients and some NHS workers .
Home testing kits can also be delivered to someone 's door so that people can test themselves .
Swab samples are analysed at a laboratory before the result is passed on to the individual .
Unlike other seasonal illnesses , those infected with Covid-19 are required to self-isolate for 10 days .
Regular testing of care home residents and staff was meant to have started on 6 July but officials said this might not be in place until the end of the first week of September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` A combination of factors have meant that a more limited number of testing kits , predominantly used in care homes , are currently available for asymptomatic re-testing and we are working round the clock with providers to restore capacity . ''
Last month , the government withdrew one brand of home-testing kits used in care homes over safety concerns .
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are urgently appealing for recovered patients to donate their blood plasma - as part of a major trial looking at how effective transfusing blood plasma into patients struggling to develop their own immune response to Covid-19 could be .
A further eight deaths were reported in the UK on Sunday , taking the total number of people who have died after testing positive for the virus to 46,201 .
However figures tend to be lower at the weekend due to reporting delays .
The latest government statistics also showed 744 new cases had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 09:00 on Sunday .
• FORT SALEM : Fancy some escapism ?
Binge-watch the new series Have you been tested for coronavirus ?
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But this is all dependent on delivery. The DNA test will not be rolled out until September, while the LamPORE test is ready to go now but is still waiting for approval from regulators - which the government is expecting by the end of the week.


bbc--2020-08-03--Coronavirus: HSBC to speed up 35,000 job cuts as profits slump

HSBC plans to speed up job cuts after interim profits plunged and the bank said bad loans linked to the coronavirus could reach $ 13bn ( £9.8bn ) .
HSBC boss Noel Quinn said it will `` accelerate '' an earlier restructuring plan which included axing 35,000 jobs .
`` Our operating environment has changed significantly since the start of the year , '' he said .
Mr Quinn also said the bank would examine `` additional actions '' to strengthen its business .
Europe 's biggest bank reported a 65 % drop in pre-tax profits to $ 4.3bn for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much steeper than analysts had forecast .
• HSBC to press on with 35,000 job cuts HSBC also said it set aside between $ 8bn and $ 13bn this year for bad loans as it expects more people and businesses to default on their repayments because of the coronavirus pandemic .
This is higher than previously budgeted for , taking into account the effects of the economic downturn .
The bank said it had given more than 700,000 payment holidays on loans , credit cards and mortgages , providing more than $ 27bn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hit by the low interest rate environment , which squeezes a bank 's profit margins on the loans it provides .
The lower the interest rate , the less a bank makes on its lending .
In June , the UK 's largest bank said it would push ahead with its plan to cut 35,000 jobs from a global workforce of 235,000 as part of a major restructuring announced in February .
The job cuts had initially been put on hold during the coronavirus outbreak .
HSBC chairman Mark Tucker is overseeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s operations in Europe and the US .
The bank has previously said it could wind down or sell its US retail banking operations which could involve shrinking its 224-strong US branch network by about 30 % .
While HSBC is headquartered in London , more than half of its profits come from the Asian financial hub of Hong Kong .
The bank is dealing with a number of challenges , including tensions between China and the west .
It is currently embroiled in a political battle over its support of China 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing ahead with the major restructure of its global banking operations .
• Hong Kong 's new security law : Why it scares people '' We will face any political challenges that arise with a focus on the long-term needs of our customers and the best interests of our investors , '' said Mr Quinn .
`` Current tensions between China and the US inevitably create challenging situations for an organisation with HSBC 's footprint .
`` However , the need for a bank capable of bridging the economies of east and west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed to fulfil this role . ''
Caught between China and the West It 's Europe 's largest bank , headquartered in London , but the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation makes half of its money in Asia .
And it 's been caught in the midst of increasingly tempestuous relations between China and the West , with the bank expressing support for China 's controversial security laws in Hong Kong in June , breaking a tradition of neutrality .
Chief executive Noel Quinn attempted to reinstate that neutrality today , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges that arise with a focus on the long-term needs of our customers and the best interests of our investors . ''
But who are those customers ?
Mr Quinn also signalled the resumption of restructuring plans which will pivot the business further towards Asia , with job cuts expected in the UK investment bank and the American branch network .
Its branding is familiar around the globe , but HSBC is a bank that likes to stay out of the headlines .
However , as it chases its ambitions , more pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
HSBC , along with rival banking group Standard Chartered , have come under fire for their support of China ’ s controversial national security law for Hong Kong .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and UK politicians criticised HSBC for supporting China 's new legislation , which means people face prosecution for speaking out against Beijing .
Mr Pompeo said the Chinese Communist Party 's ( CCP ) `` browbeating '' of HSBC `` should serve as a cautionary tale '' .
Last week , Standard Chartered restated its commitment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
Standard Chartered 's group chairman José Viñals said : `` We are convinced that more collaboration - not less - is the best way to find a sustainable equilibrium in these complex situations , but we do not expect an easy or quick resolution .
`` We do believe , however , that Hong Kong will continue to play a key role as an international financial hub and we are fully committed to contributing to its continued success , '' he added .

HSBC also said it set aside between $8bn and $13bn this year for bad loans as it expects more people and businesses to default on their repayments because of the coronavirus pandemic.


bbc--2020-08-03--Here are just some of the records Taylor Swift's Folklore has broken

Taylor Swift 's surprise eighth album , Folklore , has broken several chart records in its first week on sale .
The record was written and recorded during the coronavirus lockdown , and swerves away from the pop sound that 's dominated her last three albums .
On Spotify , it achieved 80.6m streams in a single day , the highest-ever tally for a female artist .
In the US it sold 846,000 copies , making it the best-selling record of the year after just seven days on sale .
Swift also becomes the first artist in US chart history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500,000 copies in a single week ; and the first female artist to have seven albums debut at number one .
As well as topping the US Billboard chart , Folklore reached the summit in the UK , Finland , Australia , Norway , New Zealand and Belgium .
In Ireland , Swift now has five number one albums - more than any other female artist in the 21st Century - overtaking Madonna and Beyoncé .
The success of the record also gave Swift three top 10 singles in the UK , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by the Bon Iver duet Exile at eight , and Folklore 's opening track The 1 at number 10 .
Chart rules currently prevent an artist from having more than three tracks in the Top 100 at any given time .
Otherwise , Swift would have had another 12 new entries - at numbers 13 , 15 , 18 , 21 , 24 , 31 , 36 , 37 , 40 , 42 , 45 and 51 .
Recorded largely with Aaron Dessner of alternative rock band The National , Folklore has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career - with an average score of 89 % on review aggregation site Metacritic .
The album `` feels fresh , forward-thinking and , most of all , honest , '' said the NME in a four-star review .
`` The glossy production she 's lent on for the past half-decade is cast aside for simpler , softer melodies and wistful instrumentation . ''
Variety magazine called it `` a highly subdued but rich affair '' , although the New York Times said the 16-track album was occasionally `` suffocating '' , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tugging at Swift , slowing her down , sapping her vim '' .
Folklore 's record-breaking first week was achieved on the basis of streams and downloads alone .
The project was so secret that even employees of her own record label were unaware of its existence until hours before its release ; and so last-minute that physical copies of the album could not be manufactured in time .
The album could see a second sales boost when CDs become available at the end of this week ; while vinyl copies are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

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bbc--2020-08-02--First SpaceX crewed mission lands safely

What is SpaceX and why is it working with Nasa ?
Ahead of the launch of the Crew Dragon mission @ @ @ @ @ SpaceX actually does .

The first crewed SpaceX mission has splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico.
Nasa astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken were the first to return to Earth in the Dragon Capsule.
Read more: Nasa SpaceX crew return: Dragon capsule splashes down


bbc--2020-08-03--Coronavirus pandemic: Tracking the global outbreak

Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world , with more than 18 million confirmed cases in 188 countries .
Nearly 700,000 people have lost their lives .
Cases of the disease are continuing to surge in many countries , while others which had apparent success in suppressing initial outbreaks are now seeing infections rise again .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) says the pandemic seems to be unfolding in `` one big wave '' , with little sign of the seasonal variation seen with other viruses .
Several countries across Europe have reported a recent rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease .
The WHO says that increasing infections among young people may be behind the latest outbreaks , following the easing of lockdowns across Europe .
France , Belgium and Germany have seen increases , and there have been renewed appeals to the public to maintain social distancing and hygiene rules .
Latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC ) show the rate of infection to 28 July in Spain was 44 cases per million people - compared with 10.5 in the UK .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have controlled initial outbreaks , like Israel , Australia and Japan , are now seeing cases rise again .
In Australia , the state of Victoria has introduced new lockdown measures and Melbourne , the country 's second largest city , has imposed a night-time curfew .
Non-essential shops will be closed for six weeks from Wednesday as part of the lockdown .
Iran has been one of the worst-hit countries outside China .
Information leaked to the BBC Persian service revealed the number of deaths from coronavirus was 42,000 , nearly triple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's government .
Iranian authorities are believed to have reported significantly lower daily numbers despite having a record of all deaths - suggesting they were deliberately suppressed .
In the table below , countries can be reordered by deaths , death rate and total cases .
In the coloured bars on the right-hand side , countries in which cases have risen to more than 5,000 per day are those with black bars on the relevant date .
The US has seen record numbers of new cases in recent weeks and the death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewed surge is being driven by fresh outbreaks in the south and west of the country , which have seen infection rates go up since states started easing lockdown restrictions at the end of May .
The death toll stands at more than 150,000 - almost a quarter of the reported coronavirus deaths around the world .
President Donald Trump has warned that the US pandemic may `` get worse before it gets better '' .
A leading member of his coronavirus task force , Dr Deborah Birx , says the disease is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a greater threat than when the outbreak first began .
She told CNN coronavirus was now affecting rural areas as well as big cities .
The University of Washington predicts the death toll could hit more than 230,000 by the beginning of November - though it says this could be reduced to about 200,000 if 95 % of Americans wore masks in public .
The outbreak has had a devastating impact on the US economy , with GDP falling by a record annualised rate of 32.9 % in the three months from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida get so badly hit by Covid-19 ?
Where else are cases and deaths rising ?
The WHO says Latin America is the epicentre of the pandemic .
Brazil has the second highest number of cases in the world and has recorded more than 94,000 deaths .
Cases have also been rising sharply in Mexico , Peru , Colombia and Argentina .
In Asia , India now has about 1.8 million cases and several states have re-imposed partial lockdowns .
South Africa and Egypt have seen the largest outbreaks so far in Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth country in the world to record more than 500,000 confirmed cases .
But testing rates are reported to be extremely low in some parts of the continent , which could be distorting official estimates of how far the virus has spread .
How many cases and deaths have there been overall ?
There have been more than 18 million confirmed cases so far and nearly 700,000 people have died .
Note : The map , table and animated bar chart in this page use a different source for figures for France from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which results in a slightly lower overall total .
US figures do not include Puerto Rico , Guam or the US Virgin Islands .
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said the coronavirus pandemic is `` easily the most severe '' global health emergency the organisation has ever seen and that it `` continues to accelerate '' .
However , he has also pointed out that , though the virus has been detected in 188 countries , almost half of all cases reported so far were from just three : the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which causes the respiratory infection Covid-19 , was first detected in the city of Wuhan , China , in late 2019 .
The outbreak spread quickly across the globe in the first months of 2020 and declared a global pandemic by the WHO on 11 March .
A pandemic is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time .
Europe and North America saw their first major outbreaks in April but as they began to ease , Latin America and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the world have been forced to limit public movement and close businesses and venues in a bid to slow the spread of the virus .
This has had a devastating impact on the global economy .
The International Monetary Fund has said the world is in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression and warned that it could take two years for economic output to return to pre-pandemic levels .
The United Nations has said that up to 265 million people could face starvation by the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • COMPARING COUNTRIES : The pitfalls of doing so • R0 , FURLOUGH : The language of the outbreak • RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
The data used on this page comes from a variety of sources .
It includes figures collated by Johns Hopkins University , data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control , national governments and health agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations .
When comparing figures from different countries it is important to bear in mind that not all governments are recording coronavirus cases and deaths in the same way .
This makes like for like comparisons between countries difficult .
Other factors to consider include : different population sizes , the size of a country 's elderly population or whether a particular country has a large amount of its people living in densely-populated areas .
In addition , countries may be in different stages of the pandemic .

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


bbc--2020-08-03--TikTok: How would the US go about banning the Chinese app?

`` We may be banning TikTok , '' President Trump told reporters late on Friday .
Then on Sunday , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News that action would be taken in the coming days to address `` national security risks that are presented by software connected to the Chinese Communist Party '' , including the short-form video app .
So , how might a ban work ?
One obvious starting place would be to order Apple and Google to remove the app from their online stores .
This might be done by adding TikTok 's owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and forbidding US firms from working with it - a similar tactic was used to stop Google providing its apps to Huawei .
That would prevent new users from being able to download the app .
Existing users would be prevented from receiving notifications and installing updates , although they would still have the app on their devices .
One way to address this would be to tell Apple and Google to use a `` kill switch '' facility they both have , which lets them remotely wipe or prevent blacklisted apps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to force the two firms to use the power in 2014 , but ultimately backed off .
Apple and Google would likely be loath to take control of users ' smartphones in such a way and might even resist such an order .
So an easier alternative might be to compel local internet service providers to block access to TikTok 's servers .
This would have the added advantage of preventing TikTok 's videos being viewable via its website .
India took such a measure when it banned TikTok and dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported being unable to circumvent the block by using a virtual private network ( VPN ) .
But it 's not clear how Mr Trump would enforce such an order .
A less draconian approach would be to ban TikTok from being installed onto federal employees ' work phones .
Congress has already voted in favour of the idea and the Senate is still considering it .
But that would be a much less dramatic move than Trump seems to be hinting at .
• Microsoft to continue talks to buy TikTok 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crack down on Chinese software • TikTok : How app got caught up in the US-China clash A further possibility is that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ( Cfius ) - which is chaired by the US Treasury - rules against Bytedance 's takeover of the app Musical.ly , whose users were migrated over to TikTok in 2018 .
Musical.ly was owned by another Chinese start-up .
But Cfius has the power to review takeovers that potentially pose a national security risk .
And because Bytedance did not seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the committee was able to launch a post-deal probe last year .
If Cfius rejects the takeover , it could order Bytedance to shut down the service in the US .
The question is whether a spun-off TikTok would be allowed to continue under different ownership as an alternative , perhaps even with a rebrand .
Microsoft has confirmed it is in talks to acquire the business in the US , Canada , Australia , and New Zealand - some internet wags have already suggested it might be called Microsoft Teens ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Teams service ) .
The US tech giant would presumably be viewed as a more trustworthy guardian of the data the app collects , and assuage fears the China might still be somehow accessing its logs .
Microsoft has said it aims to complete talks with Bytedance by 15 September .
What does TikTok say ?
`` One hundred million Americans come to TikTok for entertainment and connection .
`` We 've hired nearly 1,000 people to our US team this year alone , and are proud to be hiring another 10,000 employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stored in the US , with strict controls on employee access .
TikTok 's biggest investors come from the US .
`` We are committed to protecting our users ' privacy and safety as we continue working to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform . ''
March 2012 : Bytedance is established in China and launches Neihan Duanzi - an app to help Chinese users share memes August 2017 : An international version of Douyin is launched under the brand TikTok in some parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this time May 2018 : TikTok declared world 's most downloaded non-game iOS app over first three months of the year , by market research firm Sensor Tower August 2018 : Bytedance announces it is shutting down Musical.ly and is moving users over to TikTok February 2019 : TikTok fined in US over Musical.ly 's handling of under-13s ' data May 2020 : TikTok hires Disney executive Kevin Meyer to become the division 's chief executive and chief operating officer of Bytedance July 2020 : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be banned August 2020 : Microsoft confirms it is in talks to buy and operate TikTok in the US and three other markets , adding it might invite other US investors to take minority stakes

Congress has already voted in favour of the idea and the Senate is still considering it. But that would be a much less dramatic move than Trump seems to be hinting at.


bbc--2020-08-03--Genoa readies new bridge two years after tragic collapse

Renzo Piano peers up at his creation - an elegant sweep of steel and concrete spanning more than a kilometre .
`` When you finish a job there is always a mix of feelings , '' the 82-year-old world-renowned architect muses .
`` Satisfaction but also a bit of sadness too , because it 's no longer your building - it belongs to everybody . ''
We speak beneath the hull of his soaring new bridge crossing the Polcevera river in Genoa , his design echoing a giant ship .
It is being readied for its inauguration almost two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people : one of the worst infrastructure disasters in modern Italian history .
`` I feel pride on one side but at the same time this bridge is born of tragedy .
And this will never be forgotten . ''
On 14 August 2018 , a heavy storm engulfed Genoa .
The Morandi bridge , crossing the Polcevera river in the centre of the city , was busy as ever , forming a vital section of the highway system connecting France and Italy .
Named after its engineer , Riccardo Morandi , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ architecture when it opened in 1967 .
It used an innovative technique to encase steel supports in concrete and became a landmark for the port city .
• Renzo Piano to lead construction of new Genoa bridge At 11:36 in the morning on that fateful day , a steel-enforced concrete cable stay broke and collapsed , taking a supporting tower and a 210m ( 690ft ) section of the bridge with it .
Vehicles cascaded to the ground .
Apartment blocks beneath were crushed .
Renzo Piano , a native of Genoa whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris 's Pompidou Centre , was working in Switzerland at the time .
`` When I got the news I was paralysed '' , he says .
`` The Morandi bridge was for me a fantastic , brave example of engineering , beautiful - everybody loved it .
But everybody was also a bit frightened by the fragility of the bridge . ''
Cracks in the concrete meant that the steel inside the bridge began corroding soon after construction .
By the late 1990s , the damage was so bad that Autostrade per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy 's motorways , began to refurbish it .
But Autostrade , which had been privatised and sold to the Italian fashion giant Benetton , failed to repair the pylon that subsequently collapsed .
Another company , Spea , was in charge of inspecting Italy 's infrastructure .
It too was owned by Benetton .
The accusation is that conflict of interest mixed with serial neglect led to an avoidable disaster .
Autostrade and Spea deny culpability .
Autostrade will now be renationalised and forced to pay compensation .
The preliminary investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 71 civil servants , employees of Autostrade and Spea , should finish by the end of the year .
That will form the basis of a trial , with charges announced including multiple manslaughter .
Renzo Piano 's new bridge contains sensors and robots that constantly monitor the structure and carry out basic maintenance .
Energy is provided by 2,000 solar panels .
`` This bridge is a place with light and breeze , but at the same time very strong : this is in some way the character of Genoa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatives of the 43 people killed , its construction can not heal the wounds .
On 14 August 2018 , Giorgio Robbiano was at his father 's house , waiting to celebrate the birthday of his brother Roberto , who was on his way with his wife Ersilia and their son Samuele .
Unusually , they were late .
`` When I got the news that the bridge had collapsed , I just knew that they were there , '' Giorgio says .
By the time he arrived at the hospital , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aged eight , was the youngest victim .
`` The worst thing was to tell my father that his son was dead , '' Giorgio tells me .
`` At first I could n't do it and I lied to him and said 'they 're fine ' but inside I was crying .
I feel like my heart is split in two and one part is missing .
My father does n't want to live any more . ''
Giorgio points out the names of the three in a memorial garden built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trees for each of the dead .
`` This new bridge is nothing to celebrate '' , he says .
`` It is just made with the blood of my brother , my nephew , my sister-in-law and another 40 people who lost their lives . ''
The need for justice is acute here .
That , says Stefano Puppo , a state prosecutor in Genoa , is `` absolutely understandable - and they want it quickly . ''
And in a country where the legal machine moves notoriously slowly , he believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to assure people we 're doing our utmost to deliver it , with all the resources and the latest technology we have : for the sake of those who lost their families , homes , work - and for the whole community of Genoa , '' he says .
But the reconstruction has come faster than justice .
It took just a year to build the new bridge from scratch , with work continuing even while Italy was floored by coronavirus .
Infrastructure projects here usually stretch for years .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not , '' says Renzo Piano .
`` If pride and knowledge get through complexity and bureaucracy , it 's possible .
Italy is able to do these kinds of things .
But I do n't understand why this simply becomes possible when you have a tragedy . ''

"The worst thing was to tell my father that his son was dead," Giorgio tells me. "At first I couldn't do it and I lied to him and said 'they're fine' but inside I was crying. I feel like my heart is split in two and one part is missing. My father doesn't want to live any more."