bbc--2020-07-15--Norway stabbings: Woman killed and two more injured in Sarpsborg

A woman has died and two more have been injured after a series of late night stabbings in Norway .
First reports of the attacks came in just before midnight in the city of Sarpsborg , south of the capital Oslo .
Police have arrested a 31-year-old Norwegian citizen who has a criminal record .
A press release said the attacker had a relationship with two of the women , although not with the woman who was killed .
The victim was in her 50s , police said .
Another woman was seriously hurt while a third suffered lighter injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the perpetrator 's mental health was a factor in the attacks .
Local media reported armed police , helicopters and nine ambulances were deployed early in the morning in Sarpsborg .
Officers locked down the city centre and asked residents to stay indoors via Twitter .
One woman was stabbed at the central bus station while waiting in her car .
Another was stabbed in her own home .
`` We were sitting watching TV and there was a knock at the door .
When I opened it he tried to stab me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband told local newspaper Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad .
His wife was then stabbed in the arm .
One of the victims recognised the attacker , which led to his arrest at his home address .
One resident , Ole Martin Gilde , said he witnessed the arrest .
`` The police blocked off the street , and I counted up to 12 police cars here , '' he told Verdens Gang newspaper .
`` I also saw up to 10 armed police officers at the intersection here , and then they searched with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Police have launched a full investigation and have appealed for witnesses to come forward .

Another was stabbed in her own home. "We were sitting watching TV and there was a knock at the door. When I opened it he tried to stab me, but I got away," her husband told local newspaper Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad. His wife was then stabbed in the arm.


bbc--2020-07-15--Huawei: China attacks UK's 'groundless' ban of 5G kit

The Chinese government has said it is `` strongly opposed '' to the UK 's `` groundless '' ban of Huawei 's 5G kit .
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying added Beijing would `` take measures to safeguard '' the `` legitimate interests '' of Chinese companies .
`` We convinced many countries , many countries - and I did this myself for the most part - not to use Huawei because we think it 's an unsafe security risk , '' the US leader said .
Mr Trump made the comments as he attempted to increase pressure on Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for Hong Kong in response to a new security law brought in by China .
Huawei has repeatedly said it would not cause harm to any country .
The UK 's digital secretary announced on Tuesday the country 's telecoms networks would not be allowed to buy new Huawei 5G kit from 31 December and all such equipment should be stripped out of mobile networks by 2027 .
In addition , it wants BT 's Openreach and other broadband infrastructure providers to stop using Huawei 's gear in the rollout of full-fibre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China 's ambassador to the UK had earlier called the decision `` disappointing and wrong '' .
But the foreign ministry briefing upped the stakes .
`` The UK side has used groundless risks as an excuse to co-operate with the United States ... violating the relevant commitments made by the UK , '' Ms Hua said .
`` Any decisions and actions must come at a cost , '' she added , without being more specific .
Mr Huiyao Wang - an adviser to the Chinese government - told BBC Radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2027 ban might be reversed before it came into effect .
But , as things stood , it could have an impact on other Chinese investment in Britain .
`` It goes against the UK tradition as the open liberal leader in free trade , '' the founder of the Centre for China and Globalisation think tank said .
`` This is going to probably have very negative implications . ''
The UK government said it had based its decision on the advice of security chiefs who had judged they could no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's equipment in light of new US sanctions .
The sanctions are designed to prevent the company having its own chips manufactured , making it buy in supplies from elsewhere .
And GCHQ 's National Cyber Security Centre said this meant Huawei 's equipment was likely to face more `` security and reliability problems '' as a consequence .
Robert Hannigan , the former director of GCHQ , told BBC News the sanctions had indeed made `` a critical difference '' .
`` [ It ] really pushes all the production and design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely difficult for anyone to see what is going on , '' he said .
But he did not believe any Chinese retaliation would come in the form of a hack attack .
`` No doubt China will want to express its displeasure , '' Mr Hannigan said .
`` But there 's no particular reason to think that will be in cyber-space '' There will be a lot of a lot of sound and fury .
`` It may not amount to that much in the end . ''
• Huawei : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The UK accounts for a only small fraction of Huawei 's revenue , which grew 13 % in the first half of the year despite earlier efforts by Washington to disrupt its business .
However , its concern is Westminster 's move will motivate other countries to take similar measures .
What does the ban entail ?
Announcing the ban to the House of Commons on Tuesday , Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said it had not been an easy decision but was the right one for UK telecoms networks , national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Huawei being banned from the UK 's 5G network ?
He said the cumulative cost , when coupled with earlier restrictions announced against Huawei , would be up to £2bn , and the total delay to 5G 's rollout would be two to three years .
5G technology promises faster internet speeds and the capacity to support more wireless devices , which should be a boon to everything from mobile gaming to higher-quality video streams .
5G connections are already available in dozens of UK cities and towns , but coverage can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huawei 's role in its telecoms infrastructure in January , when it was decided to let the company remain a supplier but introduced a cap on its market share .
But in May the US introduced new sanctions designed to disrupt Huawei 's ability to get its own chips manufactured .
The Trump administration claims that Huawei provides a gateway for China to spy on and potentially attack countries that use its equipment , suggestions the company strongly rejects .
The US has called for members of the Five Eyes alliance - which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia and New Zealand - to avoid Huawei kit .

"We convinced many countries, many countries - and I did this myself for the most part - not to use Huawei because we think it's an unsafe security risk," the US leader said.


bbc--2020-07-15--Assam: Fifty dead and two million hit by India monsoon floods

At least 50 people have been killed and more than two million affected by heavy monsoon flooding in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam , officials say .
A video of a minister wading into muddy waters to rescue people has highlighted the plight of those hit by the floods .
Heavy rain has submerged thousands of villages .
Hundreds of relief camps have been set up to shelter those displaced .
A heavy monsoon in the region is common , but this year comes as India battles rising Covid-19 infections .
The minister , Mrinal Saikal , is seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman out of their flooded home and onto a boat .
`` Flood is creating havoc in my constituency , '' he wrote on Twitter .
`` We have been rescuing stranded people from interior places . ''
In another video he posted on Sunday , he is seen saving goats .
On Tuesday , officials said that swathes of the Kaziranga National Park in the state , a Unesco World Heritage site , had been submerged and that at least 51 wild animals had died .
Officials rescued 102 animals , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhinos strayed into nearby villages to avoid flooding .
Kaziranga is home to two-thirds of the world 's population of the one-horned rhinoceros .
Officials deployed nearly 100 boats across the state in the past few days , according to local media reports .
Authorities have also set up 480 relief camps across 20 districts , providing temporary shelter for more than 60,000 people .
Roads , homes and buildings have been inundated by flood waters in parts of the state .
• Forgotten floods : Why India ca n't afford to ignore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurrence in Assam , resulting in flooding and landslides which force residents to flee their homes , often leaving behind their belongings .
In fact , when a controversial citizenship act last year required residents to prove their Indian citizenship via documentation , many feared they would n't be able to do so due to the rains either destroying documents or families being displaced .
Around the same time in 2019 , millions were stranded or displaced as devastating floods ravaged large parts of India , Nepal and Bangladesh .
Assam and Bihar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brunt , with officials saying that nearly 100 people were killed .

A heavy monsoon is a yearly occurrence in Assam, resulting in flooding and landslides which force residents to flee their homes, often leaving behind their belongings. In fact, when a controversial citizenship act last year required residents to prove their Indian citizenship via documentation, many feared they wouldn't be able to do so due to the rains either destroying documents or families being displaced.


bbc--2020-07-14--Coronavirus in South Africa: Inside Port Elizabeth's 'hospitals of horrors'

An exclusive , weeks-long BBC investigation inside filthy hospitals in South Africa has exposed an extraordinary array of systemic failures showing how exhausted doctors and nurses are overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients and a health service near collapse .
With key staff on strike or sick with coronavirus in the Eastern Cape province , nurses are forced to act as cleaners , surgeons are washing their own hospital laundry and there are alarming reports of unborn babies dying in overcrowded and understaffed maternity wards .
As doctors , unions and management fight over scarce resources , one senior doctor described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deeply corrupt system '' , while another spoke of `` institutional burn-out… a sense of chronic exploitation , the department of health essentially bankrupt , and a system on its knees with no strategic management '' .
The revelations come just as South Africa - which held the coronavirus back for months with an early , tough , and economically devastating lockdown - now sees infection rates soar nationwide , prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to warn that `` the storm is upon us '' .
The health crisis , focused on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about how those extra months were used , or wasted , by officials .
`` There 's a huge amount of fear , and of mental and emotional fatigue .
We were working with a skeleton staff even before Covid-19 and now we 're down another 30 % , '' said Dr John Black .
`` Services are starting to crumble under the strain .
Covid has opened up all the chronic cracks in the system .
It 's creating a lot of conflict , '' he said , confirming reports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' supplies in a ward at Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth .
Dr Black - one of only two infectious disease specialists in a province with a population of about seven million - was the only doctor in Port Elizabeth who agreed to talk to us on the record , but a dozen nurses and doctors spoke on condition of anonymity , fearing they would lose their jobs if they were identified .
At Livingstone Hospital - designated as the main Covid-19 hospital in the district - doctors and nurses described scenes `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and waste on the floors , a lack of Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) , oxygen shortages , a severe shortage of ambulances , no ventilation and patients sleeping `` under newspaper '' .
Rats have also been spotted feeding on dark red hospital waste pouring into an open drain .
`` Doctors scrabbled to do the most urgent of surgeries , portering , scrubbing the floors , working with one or two remaining nursing staff .
Matrons were washing linen , '' one doctor wrote by email .
`` Every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said a senior nurse who had just finished her shift .
`` The [ infection ] numbers are going up .
Every day we 've got chaos .
There are a lot of pregnant women all over the wards , '' said another nurse .
Several doctors said staff had been left deeply traumatised by a recent episode where a maternity ward at Port Elizabeth 's Dora Nginza Hospital became so overwhelmed that several mothers and infants died .
`` I was personally involved in the delivery of two dead infants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very unusual .
To have several mummies and babies dying in one week in one hospital is totally unheard of and unacceptable , '' said one medic .
They were convinced the deaths were almost certainly the result of severe understaffing , which left many pregnant women waiting for days , sometimes lying in corridors , for urgent surgery .
Three other medical officials with knowledge of the relevant wards confirmed the reports of an unusual number of stillborn infants in recent weeks .
The sense of a deepening crisis has been compounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has seen departments turning on each other , and using Covid-19 as an `` opportunity to air every grievance that ever happened '' , according to one official .
Livingstone Hospital has been without a permanent chief executive officer or management team for a year and a half , after the last team was sacked for alleged corruption .
`` We 've been rudderless for some time now , '' said Dr Black bemoaning the lack of `` strong leadership '' to stabilise escalating conflicts between different departments at the hospital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions .
South Africa 's powerful unions have been extremely active in Port Elizabeth during the crisis .
Laundry workers , cleaning staff , porters and some nurses have all - at various times - gone on strike .
The sudden , union-backed , closure of smaller clinics , in particular , has pushed more patients towards the city 's three big hospitals , quickly overloading them .
`` We have seen unions shut down hospital after hospital .
Each time one staff member or patient tests positive , all staff down tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being met , nothing happens… for up to two weeks , '' one doctor complained .
`` It 's not true at all that we 're exploiting the situation , '' said Khaya Sodidi , provincial secretary of the nurses ' union , the Democratic Nurses Organisation of South Africa .
`` Our nurses are overwhelmed , having to clean floors or cook because kitchen staff are not working .
We can not risk the lives or nurses .
They 're human beings . ''
Several doctors defended the strike action , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the limit , not just by Covid-19 , but by years of exploitation .
`` I 'm grateful to the unions right now .
Sometimes they focus on the wrong issues but at least they 're highlighting the problems , '' said one senior doctor .
Another criticised the repeated closure of community clinics because of `` one or two infections '' as an `` over-reaction , '' but said the situation needed to be put in context .
`` [ Staff ] have been chronically exploited , abused and neglected for years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do something that could potentially kill them .
There 's an institutional burn-out , '' said the doctor .
There is general agreement among unions and medical staff that the current crisis is the direct result of many years of systematic underfunding , mismanagement and corruption in one of South Africa 's most notoriously badly-run provinces .
Estimates vary , but Livingstone Hospital is currently fighting the pandemic with about a third of what 's considered appropriate staffing numbers .
`` We have historic issues of staff-shortages , labour problems , lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cronyism , and fiscal mismanagement .
Health services were circling the drain for 10 years .
Now they 've collapsed , '' said Cole Cameron of the Igazi Foundation , a local health non-governmental organisation .
'We are on track to fight Covid-19' Asked about these criticisms , the secretary general of the Eastern Cape 's Health Department , Dr Thobile Mbengashe , acknowledged `` a number of very critical structural issues that are really affecting our response '' , and said staff were `` anxious , fearful… and overwhelmed . ''
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deciding who lives and dies in a Cape Town township • How fast is coronavirus spreading in Africa ?
But he cited historic issues of underfunding dating back to white-minority rule , and insisted that his department was rising to the challenge of Covid-19 .
`` It 's very true that some of our teams are very stretched and actually stressed .
But the health system in the Eastern Cape has not collapsed .
We 've really been building up [ for the pandemic ] and I think we are still on track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show we can do this , '' he said .
The provincial government has cited the rapid construction of a giant new coronavirus field clinic in Port Elizabeth by the German car manufacturer , Volkswagen , as a sign of effective public-private partnership .
But doctors at Livingstone hospital expressed some scepticism .
`` They 've got 1,200 beds , but only 200 are oxygenated , and there are currently only enough staff for 30 beds , '' said one doctor , complaining that new staff were now being poached from Livingstone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility had been opened before it was ready .
The speed with which VW built the facility has , in the eyes of many , simply underlined the provincial government 's own failings .
Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed that the provincial health department was generally seen as so inept and dysfunctional that private donors , businesses and charitable funds anxious to help in the fight against Covid-19 were refusing to deal directly with it .
`` You ca n't administer anything through them because it 'll go missing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the department is dysfunctional beyond belief and has no money , '' said one source .
As infection numbers rise across much of South Africa , the dire situation in the Eastern Cape offers some important lessons for other provinces .
One doctor cited a `` culture of not wanting to discomfort your superiors which means people do n't often tell it like it really is .
Others spoke of a desire by government `` to be seen to be doing the right thing '' , rather than making tough decisions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing for Covid-19 , despite the fact that it immediately pushed the entire testing system - including , crucially at hospitals - into a week-long backlog that rendered it almost useless .
But the clearest lesson from Port Elizabeth may well prove to be about human nature , and how we respond under extreme pressure .
The dutiful , the fearful and the obstructive It appears that staff at Livingstone hospital , for instance , have split into three distinct groups : • There are a small number of the `` willing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite the risks , out of a profound sense of duty .
`` I ca n't say I will give up .
They are our families , our children , our mothers , '' said one nurse of her patients .
• There is a second group of people whose fear and frustration has overwhelmed them and who are not prepared to return to work .
`` They 're not necessarily unwilling , they 're just afraid , '' said a doctor .
• And then there is a third group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ element , passive or overtly aggressive , '' said another source .
For them , any sense `` of altruism , or duty , has gone .
It went a long time ago '' .

"It's very true that some of our teams are very stretched and actually stressed. But the health system in the Eastern Cape has not collapsed. We've really been building up [for the pandemic] and I think we are still on track and need to be given an opportunity to show we can do this," he said.


bbc--2020-07-15--Benjamin Keough: Coroner says Elvis's grandson took his own life

Benjamin Keough 's cause of death has been confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner 's Office .
The 27-year-old , who was the son of Lisa Marie Presley and grandson of the late Elvis Presley , was found dead in Calabasas , California , on Sunday .
After an autopsy , his cause of death was listed as a shotgun wound and his manner of death was listed as suicide .
Following his death , Lisa Marie 's manager said she was `` heartbroken , inconsolable and beyond devastated '' .
`` She adored that boy .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Roger Widynowski said , adding that she was `` trying to stay strong '' for her three daughters .
Benjamin was the younger of the two children Lisa Marie Presley had with her first husband , musician Danny Keough , before their divorce in 1994 .
The other is Mad Max actress Riley Keough , 31 .
Lisa Marie had previously described Keough 's resemblance to her famous father as `` just uncanny '' .
Footage of Keough and his siblings featured in the 2012 music video for Lisa Marie Presley 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I Love You Because .
Her close relationship with her son , whose middle name was Storm , also apparently inspired the title track on her third album , Storm & Grace , released in 2012 .
He reportedly signed his own record deal with Universal in 2009 , although no music was ever released .
In 2013 , Lisa Marie told the Huffington Post she was letting Keough do `` his own thing '' .
`` I 'm going to let him decide when he wants to go out and do what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Lisa Marie also has twin 11-year-old daughters with her fourth husband , musician and producer Michael Lockwood , who she wed in 2006 after brief marriages to pop star Michael Jackson and actor Nicolas Cage .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"I'm going to let him decide when he wants to go out and do what he wants to do," she said.


bbc--2020-07-15--Trump: 'What a terrible question to ask'

'If you do n't break the chain , then who will ? '
Across the US , street artists have @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd earlier this year .

US President Donald Trump was asked by an interviewer why African Americans are still dying at the hands of law enforcement.
"What a terrible question to ask," he told CBS News correspondent Catherine Herridge. "So are white people."
In fact, many studies have shown that black Americans are disproportionately likely to be killed in an encounter with US police.
Find out more about how African Americans are treated under the law.


bbc--2020-07-15--Russia’s young liberals confronted by MeToo moment

When a Russian woman shared a detailed account of an abusive relationship with a former partner on social media this week , it touched a nerve .
Within hours , Twitter was filled with stories of drunken harassment , unwanted attention and even sexual assault that women and men said they had suffered at the hands of partners , colleagues or acquaintances .
Many of those named responded with apologies and regret .
Some of the allegations related to a circle of people in Moscow 's liberal media .
Several women complained that a leading journalist , Sergey Prostakov , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of occasions , including in the office .
He was editor of opposition website MBKh Media , funded by exiled Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky .
One incident dates back to an alleged sexual assault in 2014 during a party at Prostakov 's flat .
He is said to have stood by but is not alleged to have taken part .
By Tuesday morning , Prostakov had resigned and posted an extended apology , saying he was ashamed of what had happened .
`` I know how this sounds but I really do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen something I did not see , perhaps I should have reacted differently to something .
I do not remember .
Alcohol is not a justification and is a poor explanation . ''
An MBKh Media colleague , Andrey Zolotov , who was at the party has also resigned and denies wrongdoing .
Editor-in-chief Veronika Kutsyllo said she had not been aware of problems with Prostakov 's treatment of female colleague and said their resignations were the right step to take .
• Journalists in shock as Russia hunts enemy within 'No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal journalists were caught up in the flurry of allegations .
Pavel Lobkov , a veteran journalist on national TV in the 1990s who later joined opposition channel TV Rain , was the subject of tweets from several men complaining of unsolicited attention and advances .
Lobkov apologised to everyone who had come forward , saying that he had come of age when `` students were sleeping with their teachers , and hugging or even kissing a colleague at a party was completely normal '' .
`` No has always meant no for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence or blackmail .
I have never abused my power of office , which I have never had , because I was never a boss .
`` But this does not justify me .
I have not noticed how things have changed and a new ethic has arrived with its new definitions of personal space and untouchability . ''
Russia 's biggest bank , Sberbank , has now opened an internal investigation amid allegations about two members of staff .
TV Rain is also looking into allegations involving its staff .
A similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the hashtag `` I am not afraid to speak '' ( Я не боюсь сказать ) swept social media even before the MeToo movement in the US .
What stands out here is the spontaneity .
There is no hashtag or name .
It seems to have started from a single tweet which reverberated with dozens of women and men , mostly very young and part of the hip , liberal Moscow circle .
They wanted to publicly call out the people who , they felt , violated or harassed them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who retweeted her friend 's testimony , naming her alleged abuser , and actively encouraged other women and men to come forward .
`` It started with my close friend writing about the emotional and sexual violence she had experienced while dating this man .
I wanted to name him because I knew about other incidents of abuse , '' she told BBC Russian .
Harassment is not limited to liberal media circles , says Ms Dekhtyarenko , but what makes it especially appalling is the hypocrisy .
`` These are the progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amongst Russia 's ruling elites . ''
As someone who works for an NGO offering citizens legal advice , she was sick of keeping her mouth shut and pretending everything was OK. After learning about her best friend 's experiences , she encouraged others to share their stories , in a private exchange or anonymously .
Many felt strongly enough to start sharing publicly .
Some observers wondered whether the campaign had been secretly instigated by Russian authorities - as the FSB searched the homes of Prostakov and some other independent journalists last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the case and `` there is no good time to revelations like this '' .
`` It became clear that if this is not shared publicly , the number of victims will grow and they will keep quiet for years . ''
But there is not universal backing for the campaign and some have spoken of a `` public hounding '' .
Ms Dekhtyarenko is adamant that naming and shaming is vital to help break the silence , when some people suspect there is a problem but do not interfere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologised to all the women he has wronged and says he will donate money to an anti-violence charity .
`` I hope the victims have the strength to keep going and to listen to themselves and to not be afraid , to ask for help and make these stories public , '' she says .

What stands out here is the spontaneity. There is no hashtag or name. It seems to have started from a single tweet which reverberated with dozens of women and men, mostly very young and part of the hip, liberal Moscow circle. They wanted to publicly call out the people who, they felt, violated or harassed them.


bbc--2020-07-15--Should US firms be worried about Hong Kong sanctions?

The future of American companies in Hong Kong has been thrown into doubt after Donald Trump signed an order to end the city 's preferential treatment .
The US president also signed legislation to impose sanctions on Chinese officials who crack down on rights in Hong Kong .
The measures came in response to Beijing imposing a new security law in the former British colony last month .
However , analysts are advising business leaders to take a considered approach .
`` We are telling clients to take a wait-and-see approach .
We just do n't have any details yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the time to freak out , '' Shanghai-based Kent Kedl , partner at consultancy firm Control Risks told the BBC .
`` The true impact is unknown .
Trump makes these statements and then rounds off the edges afterwards , '' he added .
• New York Times moving staff from Hong Kong to Seoul • The Hong Kong crisis and the new world order The decision by the Trump administration to scrap Hong Kong 's special status will force non-Chinese companies to re-evaluate their operations in the city .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will move some of its Hong Kong staff to Seoul .
And while growing tensions between the US and China are likely to make Hong Kong less attractive in many respects there are also several reasons why the city may remain popular with foreign businesses .
Many Western companies have picked Hong Kong as the location for their regional head offices , covering China as well as countries spanning Japan , Australia , Indonesia and India .
More than 1,500 foreign businesses have Asian headquarters in the city .
Of those firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more than 9,000 overseas and mainland Chinese companies operating in the city , according to the 2019 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong with Parent Companies Located outside Hong Kong ( SCoP ) .
That number rose by almost 10 % between 2017 and last year .
Of those firms more than 1,300 are US companies , with around 85,000 Americans living in Hong Kong .
Hong Kong is one of the world 's leading financial centres , with a stock market valued at HK $ 37.9tn ( $ 4.9tn ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of June .
According to the city 's stock exchange that figure rose by 16 % over the last year .
The exchange saw HK $ 87.5bn raised by Initial Public Offerings ( IPOs ) in the first six months of this year , a more than 20 % increase on the same same period in 2019 .
However , Hong Kong saw investment from overseas , known as foreign direct investment ( FDI ) , slump last year .
According to the the United Nation 's Investment Trends Monitor , FDI into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
In contrast rival Asian financial centre Singapore saw FDI increase last year by 42 % .
Mr Kedl concluded that , while company bosses should n't ignore Mr Trump 's announcement , they should hold fire on making a decision on whether to pull out of Hong Kong .
`` If we look at Hong Kong on a time scale with an explosion in the middle , our assessment is that we are 'left of boom ' .
They need to start thinking about this , but not to make a @ @ @ @

"If we look at Hong Kong on a time scale with an explosion in the middle, our assessment is that we are 'left of boom'. They need to start thinking about this, but not to make a decision yet."


bbc--2020-07-15--Premier League transfer window open from 27 July to 5 October

The Premier League and English Football League summer transfer windows will be open for 10 weeks between 27 July and 5 October , subject to Fifa approval .
In addition , the Premier League and EFL say there will be a domestic-only window between 5-16 October .
`` During this window , clubs will only be able to trade with EFL clubs ( either loans or permanent registrations ) , '' said a Premier League statement .
`` No transfers can take place between Premier League clubs in this period . ''
The EFL also said any new signings by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the 2020-21 season .
`` This is applicable to clubs involved in the Championship play-offs , '' it explained in a statement .
The EFL added : `` The window for international registrations closes at 23:00 BST on Monday , 5 October , with an agreement in place with the Premier League for an extended two-week domestic-only window , which will close at 17:00 on Friday , 16 October . ''
There has not yet been any announcement on a start date for the 2020-21 season .
Launching the new season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option , but that comes immediately after September 's round of international games .
The Football Association and EFL are concerned the reduced number of match dates will have an impact on their respective cup competitions .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
The 2019-20 Premier League season will end on 26 July
The Premier League and English Football League summer transfer windows will be open for 10 weeks between 27 July and 5 October, subject to Fifa approval.
In addition, the Premier League and EFL say there will be a domestic-only window between 5-16 October.
"During this window, clubs will only be able to trade with EFL clubs (either loans or permanent registrations)," said a Premier League statement.
"No transfers can take place between Premier League clubs in this period."
The EFL also said any new signings by its clubs could not play until the start of the 2020-21 season.
"This is applicable to clubs involved in the Championship play-offs," it explained in a statement.
The EFL added: "The window for international registrations closes at 23:00 BST on Monday, 5 October, with an agreement in place with the Premier League for an extended two-week domestic-only window, which will close at 17:00 on Friday, 16 October."
There has not yet been any announcement on a start date for the 2020-21 season.
Launching the new season on 12 September remains the most likely option, but that comes immediately after September's round of international games.
The Football Association and EFL are concerned the reduced number of match dates will have an impact on their respective cup competitions.


bbc--2020-07-15--Lions tour to South Africa to go ahead in 2021

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union The British and Irish Lions ' tour of South Africa will go ahead as planned in July and August 2021 .
They play eight matches in total on the tour , including five warm-up games against invitational sides and Super Rugby teams .
The tour will take place at the same time as the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics , which run from 23 July to 8 August .
The British and Irish Lions were open to moving the tour to the autumn to fit in with the new global rugby union calendar which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
But after being able to keep the original dates , British and Irish Lions managing director Ben Calveley said : `` An enormous amount of planning , especially from a logistical perspective , goes into putting on a Lions series , so it was crucial that a decision was agreed upon in good time . ''
South Africa Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux added : `` The whole of South Africa is looking forward to welcoming the Lions and we continue progressing our plans to provide travelling supporters with a once-in-a-lifetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa on 13 previous occasions , with the first Tour taking place in 1891 .
The Lions have won four Test series and lost eight - including their most recent tour in 2009 - with one drawn .

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
The British and Irish Lions' last tour was in 2017, when they tied the three-game series against New Zealand
The British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa will go ahead as planned in July and August 2021.
The Lions play three Test matches against the world champions in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Gauteng.
They play eight matches in total on the tour, including five warm-up games against invitational sides and Super Rugby teams.
The tour will take place at the same time as the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, which run from 23 July to 8 August.
The British and Irish Lions were open to moving the tour to the autumn to fit in with the new global rugby union calendar which is set to emerge after the coronavirus pandemic.
However calendar talks have slowed, and with time pressing British and Irish Lions managing director Ben Calveley said it was vital to make a decision one way or the other.
"An enormous amount of planning, especially from a logistical perspective, goes into putting on a Lions series, so it was crucial that a decision was agreed upon in good time," Calveley said.
"I am particularly pleased that we are able to provide some clarity for all those Lions supporters eager to travel to South Africa next summer."
The Lions had previously said they were unconcerned about touring at the same time as the rearranged Tokyo Games, saying there would be no "direct clashes".
South Africa Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux added: "The whole of South Africa is looking forward to welcoming the Lions and we continue progressing our plans to provide travelling supporters with a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
The Lions have toured South Africa on 13 previous occasions, with the first Tour taking place in 1891. The Lions have won four Test series and lost eight - including their most recent tour in 2009 - with one drawn.
Full 2021 tour schedule:
Saturday 3 July: Lions v Stormers - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Wednesday 7 July: Lions v South Africa 'Invitational' - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Saturday 10 July: Lions v Sharks - Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Wednesday 14 July: Lions v South Africa 'A' Team - Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Saturday 17 July: Lions v Bulls - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday 24 July (first Test): Springboks v Lions - FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 31 July (second Test): Springboks v Lions - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday 7 August (third Test): Springboks v Lions - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg


bbc--2020-07-14--The Financial Fair Play circus must end - Mourinho

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says the `` circus '' of Financial Fair Play should end after Manchester City overturned a European ban .
On Monday , City had a two-year European ban for `` serious breaches '' of Financial Fair Play quashed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ( Cas ) .
Managers including Liverpool 's Jurgen Klopp and Mourinho have since questioned the clarity of Uefa 's rules .
`` Consistency I like , clarity ...
I do n't like doubts , '' said Mourinho .
`` That is the only thing that disturbs .
My opinion about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion on VAR .
`` When I said a few years ago I like the concept , I like the concept .
What I do n't like is the interpretation of it , the people with the tools they have at their disposal .
`` And Financial Fair Play is the same thing .
When I say it should finish , it is not because I do not agree with the basic principle .
It 's because I do n't agree with the circus . ''
'We do n't have to apologise ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League , will be able to continue playing in European competition next season , having qualified for the Champions League .
Cas cleared City of `` disguising equity funds as sponsorship contributions '' and cut the club 's fine from 30m euros ( £26.9m ) to 10m euros ( £9m ) .
However , Cas also said City did `` fail to co-operate with Uefa authorities '' .
Manager Pep Guardiola now says his club deserves an apology because `` people said we were cheating and lying '' .
`` We were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the time , '' Guardiola said on Tuesday .
`` I do n't want to apologise for anything .
I 'm sorry guys .
Manchester City do n't have to apologise because three independent judges decided we have done everything properly .
It 's clear - more than clear . ''
'Some rules you stick to ' - Klopp City , who have been owned by Sheikh Mansour since 2008 , were fined £49m in 2014 for a previous breach of regulations .
Managers including Mourinho and Klopp have not expressed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead turned their attention to the application of Uefa 's Financial Fair Play rules .
`` I do n't want them to lose money , it is just that if there are rules , then I think that we all stick to it and not only some , '' said Klopp .
`` If you say , 'come on , forget it , we do n't have to look at what someone is spending ' then there will be people with a lot of money who will be very influential .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stick to it . ''

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Mourinho (left) has questioned the "clarity" of Financial Fair Play rules
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says the "circus" of Financial Fair Play should end after Manchester City overturned a European ban.
On Monday, City had a two-year European ban for "serious breaches" of Financial Fair Play quashed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
Managers including Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp and Mourinho have since questioned the clarity of Uefa's rules.
"Consistency I like, clarity... I don't like doubts," said Mourinho.
"That is the only thing that disturbs. My opinion about FFP doesn't change, like my opinion on VAR.
"When I said a few years ago I like the concept, I like the concept. What I don't like is the interpretation of it, the people with the tools they have at their disposal.
"And Financial Fair Play is the same thing. When I say it should finish, it is not because I do not agree with the basic principle. It's because I don't agree with the circus."
'We don't have to apologise' - Guardiola
Guardiola 'incredibly happy' after Man City overturn Europe ban
City, second in the Premier League, will be able to continue playing in European competition next season, having qualified for the Champions League.
Cas cleared City of "disguising equity funds as sponsorship contributions" and cut the club's fine from 30m euros (£26.9m) to 10m euros (£9m). However, Cas also said City did "fail to co-operate with Uefa authorities".
Manager Pep Guardiola now says his club deserves an apology because "people said we were cheating and lying".
"We were exonerated for something we were accused of all the time," Guardiola said on Tuesday.
"I don't want to apologise for anything. I'm sorry guys. Manchester City don't have to apologise because three independent judges decided we have done everything properly. It's clear - more than clear."
'Some rules you stick to' - Klopp
It was not a good day for football - managers on Man City's overturned Europe ban
City, who have been owned by Sheikh Mansour since 2008, were fined £49m in 2014 for a previous breach of regulations.
Managers including Mourinho and Klopp have not expressed an opinion on City's conduct but have instead turned their attention to the application of Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules.
"I don't want them to lose money, it is just that if there are rules, then I think that we all stick to it and not only some," said Klopp.
"If you say, 'come on, forget it, we don't have to look at what someone is spending' then there will be people with a lot of money who will be very influential.
"There are some rules and we should try to stick to it."


bbc--2020-07-15--Dr Marcus Rashford - Man Utd star to receive honorary doctorate for child poverty campaign

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford will become the youngest person to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester for his campaign against child poverty .
Rashford , 22 , campaigned for the government to allow about 1.3 million children to claim free school meal vouchers in England 's summer holidays .
The award is the highest honour the university can bestow .
England forward Rashford said it was `` a proud day for myself and my family '' .
• Rashford seeks more change after food voucher campaign success • 'The system is n't built for families like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs United legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton have previously received the award from the university .
Rashford said : `` When you look at the great names that have been awarded this doctorate in the past , it 's humbling .
`` We still have a long way to go in the fight to combat child poverty in this country but receiving recognition from your city means we are heading in the right direction and that means a lot . ''
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called Rashford a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He cares about others so much more than himself .
`` Very proud of him and hopefully [ he will ] keep his personality for the rest of his life . ''

Last updated on .From the section Man Utd
Rashford has scored 21 goals for Manchester United this season
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford will become the youngest person to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester for his campaign against child poverty.
Rashford, 22, campaigned for the government to allow about 1.3 million children to claim free school meal vouchers in England's summer holidays.
The award is the highest honour the university can bestow.
England forward Rashford said it was "a proud day for myself and my family".
United legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton have previously received the award from the university.
Rashford said: "When you look at the great names that have been awarded this doctorate in the past, it's humbling.
"We still have a long way to go in the fight to combat child poverty in this country but receiving recognition from your city means we are heading in the right direction and that means a lot."
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called Rashford a "great person", adding: "He cares about others so much more than himself.
"Very proud of him and hopefully [he will] keep his personality for the rest of his life."


bbc--2020-07-16--Coronavirus: Russian spies target Covid-19 vaccine research

Russian spies are targeting organisations trying to develop a coronavirus vaccine in the UK , US and Canada , security services have warned .
The UK 's National Cyber Security Centre ( NCSC ) said the hackers `` almost certainly '' operated as `` part of Russian intelligence services '' .
It did not specify which organisations had been targeted , or whether any information had been stolen .
But it said vaccine research had not been hindered by the hackers .
`` We do not have information about who may have hacked into pharmaceutical companies and research centres in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing - Russia has nothing at all to do with these attempts , '' said Dmitry Peskov , a spokesman for President Putin , according to the Tass news agency .
The warning was published by a international group of security services : One expert said it was `` plausible '' that , despite the Kremlin 's denials , Russian spies were involved .
`` The received wisdom is that in cyber-space , attribution is difficult but not impossible , '' commented Emily Taylor from the Chatham House think tank .
`` Usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their language if they think there is any doubt .
`` Cozy Bear [ the named group ] has been implicated in past cyber-attacks and has left quite a trail , and there are fairly good links to the Russian state itself . ''
In recent years , Western security agencies have become more willing to call out hackers targeting companies and organisations in their countries in the hope it will deter them .
But the latest accusations are more unusual since officials are directly pointing the finger at Russian spies rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' or using other more cautious references .
And they are also challenging them over targeting something that the general public recognises as being highly sensitive - coronavirus vaccine research - rather than simply some company or government department 's information .
However , on another level we should not be too surprised by the claim .
Understanding vaccine research and other details about the pandemic has become a top target for intelligence agencies around the world and many others , including Western spies , are likely to be active in this space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies said the hackers had exploited software flaws to get access to vulnerable computer systems , and had used malware called WellMess and WellMail to upload and download files from infected machines .
They are also said to have tricked individuals into handing over login credentials with spear-phishing attacks .
• Phishing emails are designed to trick the recipient into handing over their personal information • Spear phishing is a targeted and personalised form of the attack , designed to trick a specific individual .
Often the email appears to come from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal information to make the message seem more convincing But one cyber-security expert said the Russians were unlikely to be the only ones involved in such a campaign .
`` They have lots of people , we have lots of people , the Americans have even more people , as do the Chinese , '' commented Prof Ross Anderson from the University of Cambridge 's Computer Laboratory .
`` They are all trying to steal this kind of stuff all the time . ''
Who is accused of being responsible ?
The NCSC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also known as The Dukes or Cozy Bear .
It says it is more than 95 % certain that the group is part of the Russian intelligence services .
Cozy Bear was first identified as being a significant `` threat actor '' in 2014 , according to the American cyber-security firm Crowdstrike .
It describes the group as being `` aggressive '' in its tactics and `` nothing if not flexible , changing tool sets frequently '' .
The unit has previously been implicated in hacking the US Democratic National Committee ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 .
In 2017 , it attacked Norway 's Labour Party , defence and foreign ministries , as well as the country 's national security service .
The report includes recommendations that can help protect organisations from cyber-attacks .
`` Throughout 2020 , APT29 has targeted various organisations involved in Covid-19 vaccine development in Canada , the United States and the United Kingdom , highly likely with the intention of stealing information and intellectual property relating to the development and testing of Covid-19 vaccines , '' it said .
UK Foreign Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely unacceptable that the Russian intelligence services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
`` While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour , the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health . ''
On Thursday , the UK government also said Russians had `` almost certainly '' sought to interfere in the 2019 UK general election through illicitly-acquired documents .
What has the US said ?
`` The National Security Agency , along with our partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting national security by collectively issuing this critical cyber-security advisory as foreign actors continue to take advantage of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic , '' said NSA cyber-security director Anne Neuberger .
Earlier in 2020 , John Demers , an assistant attorney general for US national security , warned that hackers working for foreign governments were trying to steal vaccine research .
He said that the first nation to find a vaccine first will gain clout on the world stage with a `` significant geopolitical success story '' .
For that reason , hackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries .
Demers and others who work in US intelligence have been watching their activities closely .
Now , intelligence experts know more about the goals of the hackers and how they using spear-phishing and malware to get what they want .

"We do not have information about who may have hacked into pharmaceutical companies and research centres in Great Britain. We can say one thing - Russia has nothing at all to do with these attempts," said Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for President Putin, according to the Tass news agency.


bbc--2020-07-16--IS woman can return to UK to fight for citizenship

Shamima Begum should be allowed to return to the UK to fight the decision to remove her British citizenship , the Court of Appeal has ruled .
Ms Begum , now 20 , was one of three schoolgirls who left London to join the Islamic State group in Syria in 2015 .
Her citizenship was revoked by the Home Office on security grounds after she was found in a refugee camp in 2019 .
The Court of Appeal said she had been denied a fair hearing because she could not make her case from the Syrian camp .
The Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointing '' and it would `` apply for permission to appeal '' .
• Who is Shamima Begum and how do you lose citizenship ?
• The women and children no-one wants The ruling means the government must now find a way to allow the 20-year-old , who is currently in Camp Roj in northern Syria , to appear in court in London despite repeatedly saying it would not assist removing her from Syria .
Lord Justice Flaux - sitting with Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Singh - said : `` Fairness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this case , outweigh the national security concerns , so that the leave to enter appeals should be allowed . ''
The judge also said that the national security concerns about her `` could be addressed and managed if she returns to the United Kingdom '' .
Former Home Secretary Sajid Javid , who made the decision to strip Ms Begum of her citizenship in February 2019 , tweeted a statement saying he was `` deeply concerned about the judgement '' .
He said that regardless of the outcome of her case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK `` it will prove impossible to subsequently remove her '' .
Daniel Furner , Ms Begum 's solicitor , said : `` Ms Begum has never had a fair opportunity to give her side of the story .
`` She is not afraid of facing British justice , she welcomes it .
But the stripping of her citizenship without a chance to clear her name is not justice , it is the opposite . ''
Her father Ahmed Ali told the BBC he was `` delighted '' by the ruling , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` justice '' .
The prime minister 's official spokesman said that while the government `` does n't routinely comment on individual cases '' , the decisions it made about Ms Begum had not been `` taken lightly '' .
He said the government would `` always ensure the safety and security of the UK and will not allow anything to jeopardise this '' .
Shamima Begum is not yet packing her bags to return to the UK - there 's no government plane warming up the engines at a military airfield to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Court of Appeal could not have been clearer in its wording - she needs to be allowed back to make her case in the interests of justice .
This is an unprecedented ruling - and the government has a matter of weeks to convince the Supreme Court to look at it again .
If it stands , it could have major implications for the UK 's policy of excluding some British-born IS supporters by depriving them of nationality once they 're out of the UK .
Scores of these people - all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could seek to return to the UK as they fight their case to get back their British citizenship .
Other governments have voluntarily repatriated these fighters and sought to contain their threat through prosecutions , monitoring and intensive deradicalisation .
The UK has so far refused to do the same .
Ms Begum 's legal team challenged the move on three grounds - that it was unlawful because it left her stateless ; it exposed her to a real risk of death or inhuman and degrading treatment ; and she could not effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from returning to the UK .
Under international law , it is only legal to revoke someone 's citizenship if an individual is entitled to citizenship of another country .
In February , a specialist tribunal - the Special Immigration Appeals Commission ( SIAC ) - ruled that the decision to remove Ms Begum 's citizenship was lawful because she was `` a citizen of Bangladesh by descent '' .
She is understood to have a claim to Bangladeshi nationality through her mother .
SIAC , a semi-secret court which hears national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were concerns about how Ms Begum could take part in the proceedings in London , those difficulties did not mean the home secretary 's decision should be overturned .
In his ruling on Thursday , Lord Justice Flaux said : `` It is difficult to conceive of any case where a court or tribunal has said we can not hold a fair trial , but we are going to go on anyway . ''
Human rights organisation Liberty , which intervened in Ms Begum 's appeal , welcomed the ruling , saying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fundamental part of our justice system and equal access to justice must apply to everyone '' .
Liberty lawyer Katie Lines added : `` Banishing someone is the act of a government shirking its responsibilities and it is critical that cruel and irresponsible government decisions can be properly challenged and overturned . ''
Ms Begum left Bethnal Green , in east London , aged 15 for Syria in February 2015 , with two school friends .
Within days she had crossed the Turkish border and eventually reached the IS headquarters at Raqqa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruit .
They had three children - all of whom have since died .

Ms Begum's legal team challenged the move on three grounds - that it was unlawful because it left her stateless; it exposed her to a real risk of death or inhuman and degrading treatment; and she could not effectively challenge the decision while she was barred from returning to the UK.


bbc--2020-07-16--Twitter hack: What went wrong and why it matters

There are a lot of unanswered questions about the Twitter hack - but one thing most agree on is it could have been far worse .
Potentially thousands of people were scammed out of money after hijacked accounts of prominent verified users promised to double the money fans sent them in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin .
Using Twitter 's internal systems , the cyber-criminals ' messages had a reach of at least 350 million people .
And it looks like it made them about $ 110,000 ( £86,800 ) in the one-and-a-bit hours the scam was active .
It was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security .
But experts say the hackers could have caused far more damage .
As the boss of a smaller messaging service put it : `` Thank God for greed . ''
Twitter has huge engagement in the US , Japan , Russia and the UK .
It is the platform of choice for some of the most powerful and prominent people in the world .
Their posts have moved financial markets and caused diplomatic incidents .
With the US presidential election less than four months away , there are now valid questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be relied upon in the lead up to the vote .
President Donald Trump 's account was not taken over in the hack .
But many were watching to see if it would fall after his Democrat rival Joe Biden 's account tweeted out the scam .
`` We already know Russia is planning to meddle in the 2020 election just as they did in the 2016 election , '' Dr Heather Williams , from King 's College London , said .
`` Social-media manipulation is one of their favourite tools .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social-media platforms are and how vulnerable Americans are to disinformation .
`` If something bigger was at stake , such as the presidency , this could have really disastrous consequences and undermine our democratic processes . ''
The security implications of the hack are also wide-reaching , not just for Twitter but for all social networks Early suggestions are the hackers managed to access administration privileges , which allowed them to bypass the passwords of any account they wanted .
Twitter appeared to confirm this in a tweet saying : `` We detected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social-engineering attack by people who successfully targeted some of our employees with access to internal systems and tools . ''
`` Social-engineering '' could mean one of several things .
It might imply a targeted phishing operation - a common tactic employed by cyber-criminals , who find out which individuals have the keys to a system they want to enter and then target them with personal emails that trick them into handing over details .
Or it might mean the perpetrators managed to convince one or several staff members to go rogue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means .
• The Benjamin Netanyahu Twitter hack that never was The technology company is going to face huge pressure to be more specific .
`` Twitter 's reputation is the cost of this cyber-attack , '' World Economic Forum cyber lead William Dixon said .
`` This is a major security breach for Twitter .
`` The worst in its history .
`` More cyber-resilience is needed across the ecosystem to be able to protect social media users around the world . ''
Twitter is not answering reporters ' questions directly but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit access to internal systems '' while it investigated .
The company also said it was `` looking into what other malicious activity [ the hackers ] may have conducted or information they may have accessed '' .
The chief executive of the messaging service Element has raised the possibility confidential data was also exposed .
`` It 's highly likely private direct messages were accessible for a short time , '' Matthew Hodgson said .
`` Next time , harvesting sensitive information could fuel a wave of extortion or something much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to take over people 's accounts no matter what security they have may shock some .
But experts say it is a necessary part of any membership-based service .
Facebook , Snapchat , Instagram and YouTube have been approached for comment on their security arrangements .
But Facebook 's former chief security officer Alex Stamos told BBC News all consumer-facing companies needed a way to be able to help consumers recover hacked or otherwise locked-out accounts .
`` The change that can be made here is that Twitter can restrict this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller number of users or create tools that require one person to initiate and another to approve the change , '' he said .
`` This is , apparently , what they have already done for President Trump 's account , following an incident in 2017 .
`` They will need to vastly expand these protections . ''
Beyond a potential loss of trust , Twitter may now face legal consequences too .
The EU 's General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) says organisations such as Twitter have to show `` appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data-protection officers judge Twitter failed to take adequate measures to protect European users , it could be fined .
Earlier this year , the company 's chief executive , Jack Dorsey , lost control of his account for 20 minutes .
And in 2010 , Twitter settled with the Federal Trade Commission after it was alleged hackers had obtained unauthorised administrative control , including the ability to send out phony tweets from then-President-elect Barack Obama and Fox News .

With the US presidential election less than four months away, there are now valid questions to be asked about whether Twitter can be relied upon in the lead up to the vote.


bbc--2020-07-16--Solar Orbiter: Closest ever pictures taken of the Sun

New pictures of the Sun taken just 77 million km ( 48 million miles ) from its surface are the closest ever acquired by cameras .
They come from the European Space Agency 's Solar Orbiter ( SolO ) probe , which was launched earlier this year .
Among the UK-assembled craft 's novel insights are views of mini-flares dubbed `` camp fires '' .
These are millionths of the size of the Sun 's giant flares that are routinely observed by Earth telescopes .
Whether these miniature versions are driven by the same mechanisms , though , is unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the mysterious heating process that makes the star 's outer atmosphere , or corona , far hotter than its surface .
`` The Sun has a relatively cool surface of about 5,500 degrees and is surrounded by a super-hot atmosphere of more than a million degrees , '' explained Esa project scientist Daniel Müller .
`` There 's a theory put forward by the great US physicist Eugene Parker , who conjectured that if you should have a vast number of tiny flares this might account for an omnipresent heating mechanism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Whatever their role , the camp fires are certainly small - which may explain why they 've been missed up to this point , says David Berghmans , from the Royal Observatory of Belgium and the principal investigator on the probe 's Extreme Ultraviolet Imager ( EUI ) .
`` The smallest ones are a couple of our pixels .
A pixel corresponds to 400km - that 's the spatial resolution .
So they 're about the size of some European countries , '' he told reporters .
`` There may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface seen in remarkable new detail The European Space Agency ( Esa ) satellite was despatched on a rocket from Cape Canaveral in the US in February .
Its mission is to reveal the secrets of our star 's dynamic behaviour .
The Sun 's emissions have profound impacts at Earth that go far beyond just providing light and warmth .
Often , they are disruptive ; outbursts of charged particles with their entrained magnetic fields will trip electronics on satellites and degrade radio communications .
SolO could help scientists better predict this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus has proved how important it is to stay connected , and satellites are part of that connectivity , '' said Caroline Harper , the head of space science at the UK Space Agency .
`` So , it really is important that we learn more about the Sun so that we can predict its weather , its space weather , in the same ways we 've learned how to do ( with weather ) here on Earth . ''
Solar Orbiter has been set on a series of loops around the Sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - ultimately to a separation of less than 43 million km .
That will put SolO inside the orbit of the planet Mercury .
The pictures showcased on Thursday come from the most recent near pass , known as perihelion .
This occurred in mid-June , inside the orbit of Venus .
For comparison , Earth sits about 149 million km ( 93 million miles ) on average from the Sun .
To be clear : while the new images have been taken from the closest ever vantage point , they are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest solar telescopes on Earth will always beat SolO on that measure .
But the probe 's holistic approach , using the combination of six remote sensing instruments and four in-situ instruments , puts it on a different level .
Esa 's senior advisor for science & exploration , Mark McCaughrean , told BBC News : `` Solar Orbiter is n't going closer to the Sun just to get higher-resolution images : it 's going closer to get into a different , less turbulent part of the solar wind , studying the particles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closer distance , while simultaneously taking remote data on the surface of the Sun and immediately around it for context .
No other mission or telescope can do that . ''
It will be a couple of years yet before Solar Orbiter makes the first of its very close encounters with the Sun ( at a distance of 48 million km ) .
As the mission progresses , SolO will , with the gravitational assistance of Venus , also lift itself out of the plane of the planets so that it can more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Terra incognita '' , as Sami Solanki , from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research and PI on Solo 's Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager , likes to call these regions .
It 's at the poles where we may finally learn the fundamentals of the Sun 's magnetism .
`` We know that the magnetic field is responsible for all the activity that the Sun produces , but we do n't know how the magnetic field itself is produced , '' Solanki said .
`` We think it 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sun , similar to the dynamo inside the Earth .
But we really do n't know how it functions .
But we do know that the poles play a key role . ''
Holly Gilbert , the Solar Orbiter project scientist at the US space agency , Esa 's major partner on the mission , enthused about the science ahead .
`` If we 've already made some discoveries with just the 'first light ' images , just imagine what we 're going to find when we get closer to the Sun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ecliptic .
Very exciting . ''
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET @ bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter : @ BBCAmos

"The recent situation with coronavirus has proved how important it is to stay connected, and satellites are part of that connectivity," said Caroline Harper, the head of space science at the UK Space Agency. "So, it really is important that we learn more about the Sun so that we can predict its weather, its space weather, in the same ways we've learned how to do (with weather) here on Earth."


bbc--2020-07-16--Magic School Bus author Joanna Cole dies at 75

Joanna Cole , writer of the award-winning Magic School Bus series which made science fun for generations of children , has died at the age of 75 .
She had been living in Sioux City , Iowa , with her husband Phil , her publisher Scholastic said .
As well as the best-selling Magic School Bus series , Ms Cole also wrote some 250 other books for children .
Scholastic 's CEO Dick Robinson said Ms Cole `` had the perfect touch for blending science and story '' .
`` Joanna 's books , packed with equal parts humour and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand and fun for the hundreds of millions of children around the world who read her books and watched the award-winning television series , '' he added .
Joanna Cole began writing the Magic School Bus series in 1986 , along with illustrator Bruce Degen .
It featured a teacher , Ms Frizzle , who led her students on a series of adventures in the Magic School Bus - to places such as the human body , hurricanes and the solar system .
Together they went on to produce 13 books for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ print copies in 13 countries , Scholastic says .
Mr Degen said that `` for Joanna the excitement was always in the idea .
What ?
Why ?
How ?
And with The Magic School Bus it was how to explain it so that it is accurate and in a form that a kid can understand and use .
And you can actually joke around while you are learning .
She had a rare sense of what could be humorous . ''
Ms Cole was already a published author when she was approached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bus series ; her first book for children was about cockroaches .
Tributes were paid to Ms Cole on social media by those who had grown up with her books , including actress Elizabeth Banks , who is set to play Ms Frizzle in a move-version of the series .
As well as her husband , Ms Cole leaves a daughter , two grandchildren and a sister .
What are your memories of reading Joanna Cole 's books ?
Which of her stories had the most impact on you ?
Share your thoughts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
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We lived in the US from 1990 until 1997. When our oldest son Jonathan woke in the morning (born 1989) I would pick him up and we would watch the children's program on PBS. The Magic School Bus was his as well as my favourite show. He loved it so much that he became a member of "The Magic School Bus Club". The show was excellent, funny, exciting, fresh and educative. Jonathan is 31 today and has a degree as mining engineer. We as parents like to think the show had something to do with that.


bbc--2020-07-16--Summers could become 'too hot for humans'

Millions of people around the world could be exposed to dangerous levels of heat stress - a dangerous condition which can cause organs to shut down .
Many live in developing countries , and do jobs that expose them to potentially life threatening conditions .
These include being out in the open on farms and building sites or indoors in factories and hospitals .
Global warming will increase the chances of summer conditions that may be `` too hot for humans '' to work in .
When we caught up with Dr Jimmy Lee , his goggles were steamed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck .
An emergency medic , he 's labouring in the stifling heat of tropical Singapore to care for patients with Covid-19 .
There 's no air conditioning - a deliberate choice , to prevent the virus being blown around - and he notices that he and his colleagues become `` more irritable , more short with each other '' .
• More than 3bn could live in extreme heat by 2070 And his personal protective equipment , essential for avoiding infection , makes things worse by creating a sweltering 'micro-climate ' under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It really hits you when you first go in there , '' Dr Lee says , `` and it 's really uncomfortable over a whole shift of eight hours - it affects morale . ''
One danger , he realises , is that overheating can slow down their ability to do something that 's vital for medical staff - make quick decisions .
Another is that they may ignore the warning signs of what 's called heat stress - such as faintness and nausea - and keep on working till they collapse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cool down properly so its core temperature keeps rising to dangerous levels and key organs can shut down .
It happens when the main technique for getting rid of excess heat - the evaporation of sweat on the skin - ca n't take place because the air is too humid .
And as Dr Lee and other medics have found , the impermeable layers of personal protection equipment ( PPE ) - designed to keep the virus out - have the effect of preventing the sweat from evaporating .
According to Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Birmingham , the symptoms can escalate from fainting and disorientation to cramps and failure of the guts and kidneys .
`` It can become very serious as you overheat , and in all areas of the body . ''
How can we spot it ?
A system known as the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ( WBGT ) measures not only heat but also humidity and other factors to give a more realistic description of the conditions .
Back in the 1950s , the US military used it to work out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WBGT reaches 29C , for example , the recommendation is to suspend exercise for anyone not acclimatised .
Yet that 's the level Dr Lee and his colleagues are regularly experiencing at Singapore 's Ng Teng Fong General Hospital .
And at the top of the scale - when the WBGT registers 32C - the US says strenuous training should stop because the risk becomes `` extreme '' .
But levels that high have recently been recorded inside hospitals in Chennai in India by Prof Vidhya Venugopal of the Sri Ramachandra University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a salt pan enduring a WBGT that climbs during the day to 33C - at which point they have to seek shelter .
And in a steel plant , a ferocious level of 41.7C was recorded , the workers being among the most vulnerable to what she calls `` the huge heat '' .
`` If this happens day-in , day-out , people become dehydrated , there are cardiovascular issues , kidney stones , heat exhaustion , '' Prof Venugopal says .
What impact will climate change have ?
As global temperatures rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well which means more people will be exposed to more days with that hazardous combination of heat and moisture .
Prof Richard Betts of the UK Met Office has run computer models which suggest that the number of days with a WBGT above 32C are set to increase , depending on whether greenhouse gas emissions are cut .
And he spells out the risks for millions of people already having to work in the challenging combination of extreme heat and high humidity .
`` We humans evolved to live in a particular range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if we continue to cause temperatures to rise worldwide , sooner or later the hottest parts of the world could start to see conditions that are simply too hot for us . ''
Another study , published earlier this year , warned that heat stress could affect as many as 1.2bn people around the world by 2100 , four times more than now .
What solutions are there ?
According to Dr Jimmy Lee , `` it 's not rocket science '' .
People need to drink plenty of fluid before they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then drink again when they rest .
His hospital has started laying on `` slushie '' semi-frozen drinks to help the staff cool down .
But he admits that avoiding heat stress is easier said than done .
For him and his colleagues , going for rests involves the laborious process of changing out of PPE and then back into a new set of equipment .
There 's a practical problem as well - `` some people do not want to drink so they can avoid having to go to the toilet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professional desire to keep working whatever the difficulties so as not to let colleagues and patients down at a time of crisis .
People who are highly motivated can actually be at the greatest risk of heat injury , says Dr Jason Lee , an associate professor in physiology at the National University of Singapore .
He 's a leading member of a group specialising in the dangers of excessive heat , the Global Heat Health Information Network , which has drawn up guidelines to help medics cope with Covid-19 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( WHO ) , the World Meteorological Organization ( WMO ) and the US weather and climate agency Noaa .
Dr Lee says that as well as measures like rest and fluids - and shade for outdoor workers - a key strategy for resisting heat stress is to be fit .
`` By keeping yourself aerobically fit , you 're also increasing your heat tolerance , and there are so many other benefits too . ''
And he sees the challenge for medics , sweating inside their PPE as they deal with Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dress rehearsal '' for future rises in temperature .
`` This climate change will be a bigger monster and we really need a coordinated effort across nations to prepare for what is to come .
`` If not , '' he says , `` there 'll be a price to be paid . ''

"We humans evolved to live in a particular range of temperatures, so it's clear that if we continue to cause temperatures to rise worldwide, sooner or later the hottest parts of the world could start to see conditions that are simply too hot for us."


bbc--2020-07-16--George Floyd's death: Family sues Minneapolis in civil suit

George Floyd 's family has filed a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and four officers charged in his death .
The suit alleges the police officers violated Mr Floyd 's rights when they detained him , and that the city allowed a culture of excessive force and racism to take root in its police force .
Mr Floyd 's death is part of a `` public health crisis '' in black America , said the family 's attorney Ben Crump .
In the footage , Mr Floyd is seen pleading with officers as they try to force him into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Floyd reportedly tells police he could not breathe , and asks if he could lie on the ground instead .
A district judge allowed news outlets to view the two videos , which show the clearest picture yet of Mr Floyd 's last moments in Minneapolis on 25 May .
All of the officers involved have since been fired and charged over his death .
Derek Chauvin , who in a separate video filmed by eyewitnesses was seen kneeling on Mr Floyd 's neck for nearly eight minutes , has been charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers - Thomas Lane , J Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao - have been charged with aiding and abetting murder .
A Minneapolis judge has set a tentative trial date for the four on 8 March , 2021 .
• The last 30 minutes of George Floyd 's life • What US police officers think of protests The death of Mr Floyd , a 46-year-old unarmed African American , sparked huge protests across the US against police brutality and racism .
In a separate development on Wednesday , Mr Floyd 's family sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said the suit was seeking monetary damages on behalf of Mr Floyd 's children and siblings .
What did the videos show ?
The body camera recordings from Mr Lane and Mr Kueng form part of the ongoing case against all four police officers .
Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill allowed news outlets to view the videos , which have so far not been made public .
Previously , only transcripts were made public .
The videos begin as Minneapolis police officers Thomas Lane and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a call over a fake banknote being used at a local market , according to CNN .
It says that just seconds after speaking with a store employee , the officers were at the door of the car Mr Floyd was in and , after an initial knock with a torch , Mr Lane points a gun at Mr Floyd and orders him to put his hands up .
Mr Floyd is seen sobbing and pleading with the officers , and is then pulled from the vehicle as the officers struggle to handcuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Lane and Mr Kueng attempt to put him in the police car .
Eventually , Mr Floyd falls out of the car , and it is at this point that the other two officers , Mr Thao and Mr Chauvin , appear in the videos , CNN reports .
They all try to restrain the suspect , and Mr Chauvin is later seen kneeling on Mr Floyd 's neck .
During this time Mr Floyd is heard more than 20 times telling the officers that he can not breathe .
• WATCH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • CRIME AND JUSTICE : How are African-Americans treated ?
• HOW IT HAPPENED : The last moments of his life

All of the officers involved have since been fired and charged over his death. Derek Chauvin, who in a separate video filmed by eyewitnesses was seen kneeling on Mr Floyd's neck for nearly eight minutes, has been charged with second-degree murder. The three other officers - Thomas Lane, J Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao - have been charged with aiding and abetting murder. A Minneapolis judge has set a tentative trial date for the four on 8 March, 2021.


bbc--2020-07-16--Spanish king leads memorial to victims of Covid-19

Tributes were paid to the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic and the health workers combating it , in a ceremony @ @ @ @ @ Felipe VI .
Relatives of those who died with the virus laid white roses on @ @ @ @ @ bowl of burning coals outside the Royal Palace in Madrid .

Tributes were paid to the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic and the health workers combating it, in a ceremony on Thursday led by King Felipe VI.
Relatives of those who died with the virus laid white roses on a black pedestal surrounding a bowl of burning coals outside the Royal Palace in Madrid.


bbc--2020-07-16--Johnny Depp was never violent to me, says ex-partner Winona Ryder

Johnny Depp 's ex-partner Winona Ryder has said it is `` impossible to believe '' allegations from his former wife Amber Heard that he was violent .
`` I truly and honestly only know him as a really good man , '' said Ms Ryder .
Mr Depp , 57 , is suing the publisher of the Sun over an article that referred to him as a `` wife beater '' - but the newspaper maintains it was accurate .
He denies 14 domestic violence allegations which News Group Newspapers is relying on for its defence .
Ms Ryder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Mr Depp , had been due to give evidence at London 's High Court via video link .
But on Thursday the actor 's barrister David Sherborne told the court Mr Depp 's legal team had decided there was no need to hear from them .
Their witness statements were released to the media , following a successful application by the PA news agency .
Ms Ryder , who was in a relationship with Mr Depp for four years , said : `` I understand that it is very important that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I obviously was not there during his marriage to Amber , but , from my experience , which was so wildly different , I was absolutely shocked , confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him .
`` The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved .
`` I can not wrap my head around these accusations .
He was never , never violent towards me .
He was never , never abusive at all towards me .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody I have seen .
`` I truly and honestly only know him as a really good man - an incredibly loving , extremely caring guy who was so very protective of me and the people that he loves , and I felt so very , very safe with him .
`` I do not want to call anyone a liar but from my experience of Johnny , it is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true .
I find it extremely upsetting , knowing him as I do . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ actress and model Ms Paradis said she had known Mr Depp for more than 25 years - including 14 years when they were partners and raised their two children together .
`` Through all these years I 've known Johnny to be a kind , attentive , generous and non-violent person and father , '' she said .
`` On movie sets the actors , directors and entire crews adore him because he is humble and respectful to everyone , as well as being one of the best actors we 've seen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations from Ms Heard were `` nothing like the true Johnny I have known , and from my personal experience of many years , I can say he was never violent or abusive to me '' .
`` I have seen that these outrageous statements have been really distressing , and also caused damage to his career because unfortunately people have gone on believing these false facts , '' she added .
Earlier , Mr Depp 's bodyguard claimed it was a `` very common occurrence '' for the actor to call his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Ms Heard , due to her behaviour '' and `` he would then stay somewhere else '' .
Sean Bett , who is Mr Depp 's head of security , has worked for the Hollywood star for nine years .
In a written statement , Mr Bett said he saw the couple `` very regularly '' during their relationship , and `` never saw any cuts , bruises or other injuries on Ms Heard '' .
`` On the contrary , throughout the course of Mr Depp and Ms Heard 's relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abusive towards Mr Depp , '' he claimed .
He added : `` I would describe it as a recurring cycle that Ms Heard would abuse Mr Depp , who would then remove himself from the situation . ''
The case centres on an article published on the Sun 's website in April 2018 .
It was headlined : `` Gone Potty : How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy ' casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film ? ''
.
The article related to allegations made by Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film star from 2015 to 2017 .
The hearing is expected to last for three weeks .

Ms Ryder, who was in a relationship with Mr Depp for four years, said: "I understand that it is very important that I speak from my own experience, as I obviously was not there during his marriage to Amber, but, from my experience, which was so wildly different, I was absolutely shocked, confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him.


bbc--2020-07-16--US firms 'collaborating' with China - Barr

US Justice Secretary William Barr has accused Hollywood and US tech firms of `` collaborating '' with the Chinese government to do business there .
Companies like Disney routinely agreed to censor films while Google , Yahoo , Microsoft and Apple were `` all too willing '' to work with Beijing , he said .
His intervention is the latest criticism of China by White House and other US officials .
Tensions between the US and China have been rising over a host of issues .
The US this week removed Hong Kong 's preferential trade status , after China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the territory .
• What might happen next in the South China Sea ?
• The Hong Kong crisis and the new world order President Donald Trump has also criticised China over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic as well as its military build-up in the South China Sea , its treatment of Muslim minorities and massive trade surpluses .
China has rejected all foreign criticism of its actions .
What did Barr say about US firms ?
Speaking at the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum , he warned that dependence on China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable and said US firms were giving up secrets and compromising values under Chinese pressure .
`` If Disney and other American corporations continue to bow to Beijing , they risk undermining both their own future competitiveness and prosperity , as well as the classical liberal order that has allowed them to thrive , '' he said .
The justice department had seen growing numbers of cases where Chinese officials were lobbying US bosses to favour Beijing 's policies , he said .
He urged US firms to defy Chinese demands , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take a stand , there is strength in numbers . ''
He criticised technology companies , but also praised Facebook , Google , Twitter , and LinkedIn for saying they would not comply with requests for user data under Beijing 's new security law in Hong Kong .
China 's actions showed it did not want to join other industrialised economies but rather wanted to replace them entirely , he said .
Beijing sought to exploit the `` power , productivity and ingenuity '' of China 's people to `` overthrow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world safe for dictatorship '' .
China was engaged in an `` economic blitzkrieg '' to `` seize the commanding heights of the global economy and to surpass the United States as the world 's preeminent superpower '' , he added .
The Trump administration has long argued that China is taking advantage of America in trade .
Mr Barr 's remarks ramp up the accusation , alleging that China 's ultimate goal in doing business with the US is to replace it and to become a world superpower .
`` Win-win in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Mr Barr 's remarks are among a series of hard-hitting speeches by senior US officials on China , including FBI Director Christopher Wray and National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien , with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expected to follow .
All advocating for a tougher stance against Beijing , some of these speeches were delivered in key swing states like Michigan and Arizona .
Two days ago , President Trump voiced a range of grievances against China during a Rose Garden press conference , which quickly turned into an hour-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Campaign rhetoric and voices advocating for more hawkish policies towards China have become indistinguishable , as Mr Trump seems determined to make China a key pillar of his re-election strategy .
What does China say ?
Beijing has not yet responded to Mr Barr 's criticism , but earlier on Thursday the foreign ministry accused the White House of unfairly targeting China .
`` We know that some in the US are oppressing China and bullying China .
As an independent sovereign state , China must respond to the bullying practices and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... take reactive moves to it , '' Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said .
She also responded to media reports that the US could ban Chinese Communist Party members from visiting the US , which she said were `` utterly pathetic '' if true .
The Communist Party is the country 's sole , ruling political party .
About 7 % of the population are members of the party - loyal membership is essential for those who want to climb the career ladder - and members include e-commerce giant Alibaba 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder Ren Zhengfei and actress Fan Bingbing .
What else have US officials been saying ?
Mr Barr 's speech follows similar warnings about the impact of Chinese activity on the US by other US officials .
Earlier this month FBI director Christopher Wray said acts of espionage and theft by China 's government pose the `` greatest long-term threat '' to the future of the US .
He said China had begun targeting Chinese nationals living abroad , coercing their return , and was working to compromise US coronavirus research .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become the world 's only superpower by any means necessary , '' Mr Wray added .

"We know that some in the US are oppressing China and bullying China. As an independent sovereign state, China must respond to the bullying practices and we must say no, we must... take reactive moves to it," Ms Hua said.


bbc--2020-07-16--Hans Egede: Greenland votes on colonial Danish statue

Citizens in Greenland are voting on whether to keep a controversial statue of a Danish-Norwegian missionary , seen as a symbol of Danish colonialism .
The Hans Egede statue is in Nuuk , the tiny capital of the vast Arctic island where just 56,000 people live .
Last month red paint was daubed on the statue , with the word `` decolonize '' - apparently linked to the global anti-colonial protests .
Greenland is part of Denmark , but has extensive autonomy .
Statues honouring figures linked to slavery or colonialism have been vandalised or torn down worldwide since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black man , in US police custody on 25 May .
The Black Lives Matter movement has provoked intense debate about colonial injustices in Europe , as well as in the US and former British colonies .
• The stories behind the statues targeted in protests • US announces millions in aid for Greenland • The children taken from home for a social experiment A duplicate statue of Egede outside Frederik 's Church in Copenhagen was vandalised in the night on 30 June - also with the word `` decolonize '' scrawled on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's world-famous Little Mermaid statue was also vandalised , with `` racist fish '' daubed on its stone plinth .
It has been damaged by vandals several times before .
The Nuuk administration says that so far there are 555 votes in favour of keeping the statue in place at Kolonihavnen , and 324 votes to remove it .
The vote , online and by post , runs from 3 to 21 July .
The vote is for the 23,123 people in Sermersooq municipality , which includes Nuuk .
Following more debate after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decision about the statue on 2 September .
Greenland 's strategic importance has grown in recent years , amid increased Arctic shipping and international competition for rare minerals .
Historically the living standards of the ethnic Inuit - by far the majority - have been below those generally enjoyed by Danes in mainland Denmark .
For centuries before colonisation by Denmark the Inuit survived in the harsh climate of Greenland , through fishing and whale- and seal-hunting .
The territory relies on an annual block grant of 3.9bn Danish kroner ( £475m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
Greenland 's main export is seafood , nearly all of which goes to Denmark .
Egede , born in northern Norway , opened up Greenland as a Danish colony in the early 18th Century .
He got royal backing , in what was then the united kingdom of Denmark-Norway , to explore Greenland , hoping to renew contact with long-lost Norse settlers .
However , he did not find any - the inhabitants were all Inuit .
He founded a trading company and a Lutheran mission near present-day Nuuk .

The Nuuk administration says that so far there are 555 votes in favour of keeping the statue in place at Kolonihavnen, and 324 votes to remove it. The vote, online and by post, runs from 3 to 21 July.


bbc--2020-07-16--Brad Parscale replaced as Trump's campaign manager

Facing a tough re-election battle , US President Donald Trump has replaced his campaign manager .
Mr Trump said Bill Stepien , a field director for his 2016 campaign , would take the place of Brad Parscale .
Mr Parscale - who was reportedly blamed by Mr Trump 's inner circle for a poorly attended rally in Oklahoma last month - will stay on as senior adviser .
Opinion polls show the president is trailing his Democratic challenger Joe Biden ahead of November 's election .
• Who could be Joe Biden 's running mate ?
• All you need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's statement on Facebook on Wednesday evening said : `` Brad Parscale , who has been with me for a very long time and has led our tremendous digital and data strategies , will remain in that role , while being a Senior Advisor to the campaign . ''
Mr Parscale is said to have found himself sidelined in recent weeks after the president 's comeback rally in Tulsa flopped .
Mr Trump 's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner , both White House advisers , are reported to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that more than one million people had registered to attend , but fewer than 6,200 showed up at the arena , the local fire department said .
After the rally , Mr Parscale went on Twitter to blame a blocked security gate , protesters and the media for the disappointing turnout .
Replacing a campaign manager just over 100 days before an election is not a good sign .
That may seem obvious , but to listen to Donald Trump one might get the impression that things are going great .
They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there 's no way to spin double-digit deficits - and Brad Parscale suffered the consequences .
Parscale was always an unusual choice to lead Trump 's re-election effort , given that he had never run a campaign of any size before .
Managing a presidential-level operation is the equivalent of overseeing a massive business venture constructed on the fly - an administrative task that requires organisational acumen , strategic vision and ruthless efficiency .
It 's not a job that comes with training wheels .
Trump 's 2016 operation was a shoe-string @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught lightning in a bottle .
This time around , the Trump campaign is a billion-dollar enterprise that , like any undertaking of such size , risks becoming bloated , inefficient and unresponsive without adequate leadership .
Bill Stepien , Parscale 's replacement , will bring more political experience to the job .
In the end , however , it 's the president and his family who call the shots .
New organisation and focus can help , but any chance at political revival starts with Trump himself .
There had been concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak and those attending had to sign a waiver protecting the Trump campaign from responsibility .
President Trump appeared deflated as he returned to the White House , with his tie undone and his Make America Great Again cap in hand .
Who is Parscale and who is Bill Stepien ?
He was hired by the Trump Organisation back in 2011 as a digital guru and later served as a warm-up act for Mr Trump at rallies .
He was then appointed campaign manager in February 2018 - thought to be the earliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared his re-election campaign .
CBS News reported recently that Mr Parscale did not even vote in the 2016 election , citing his difficulty in obtaining a postal ballot while working at Trump Tower in New York City .
Bill Stepien was parachuted in to help the Trump 2016 campaign at a similar time of gloomy polls .
He brought a lot of experience , working on the election bids of John McCain in 2008 and George W Bush in 2004 .
Mr Stepien was also a former aide of New Jersey Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the so-called Bridgegate scandal that was widely perceived to have scuppered Mr Christie 's presidential ambitions .
What does a campaign manager do ?
Win elections .
Although it 's not an easy job to keep .
Bill Stepien is Mr Trump 's fifth , following Kellyanne Conway , Paul Manafort , Corey Lewandowski and Mr Parscale .
You need to be on top of raising funds - and using them well , particularly in targeted advertising .
Getting people out to vote goes without saying .
Mr Stepien is another data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in on success stories and hammering the message home , so that should help .
Then there is running opinion polls to see how it 's going - and Mr Stepien will have to start turning round some troubling numbers .
One of the latest opinion polls , on Wednesday by Quinnipiac University , put Joe Biden 15 points ahead , with leads in key swing states Arizona , Florida , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
It showed Mr Trump 's approval rate sinking to 36 % .
At least Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying ahead of the mid-term elections : `` The president is a very results-oriented president .
He wants seats won . ''

Mr Trump's statement on Facebook on Wednesday evening said: "Brad Parscale, who has been with me for a very long time and has led our tremendous digital and data strategies, will remain in that role, while being a Senior Advisor to the campaign."