bbc--2020-09-30--Sterling double helps holders Man City into Carabao Cup quarter-finals

Last updated on .From the section League Cup Raheem Sterling 's first two Manchester City goals of the season - and Ferran Torres ' first for the club - ensured the holders reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup at Burnley 's expense .
His second was a close-range finish from Torres ' cross before the Spain winger , who joined from Valencia for £20.78m in August , put the tie beyond Burnley 's reach with an instinctive finish to cap a fine individual display .
Burnley struggled to create chances and it required a fine block by Peacock-Farrell to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals for City since the start of last season , his hat-trick .
It was the perfect response by Pep Guardiola 's side after their 5-2 home drubbing by Leicester City last Sunday .
The draw for the quarter-finals takes place after Liverpool 's tie against Arsenal ( 19:45 BST ) on Thursday .
After last weekend 's nightmare , this was much more positive for City as 18-year-old Cole Palmer offered a glimpse into the future while key centre-back Aymeric Laporte proved a calming influence on his return .
Born in Wythenshawe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of promise on his senior debut .
The teenager had one attempt that went over the bar and then tried to pick out Sterling to complete his hat-trick , with Burnley scrambling it clear .
Laporte , who tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month , was making his first appearance of the season .
Against a Burnley side that lacked cutting edge , the Frenchman helped City to a first clean sheet since 26 July .
The Clarets had two shouts for a penalty , the first when Charlie Taylor went down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Kyle Walker 's challenge on winger Dwight McNeil .
Referee Andrew Madley waved both appeals away and , with no video assistant referee in operation to review it and give the Clarets a glimmer of hope , Burnley 's run in the competition ended .
'Far away from our best ' - what they said Burnley boss Sean Dyche : `` We thought we would have to put a strong side out , we 're stretched and we 're trying to rest people but we ca n't really because we 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester City have got a few injuries themselves but they still put some very good players out there and they delivered a performance to win the game . ''
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola : `` It was important we did n't concede and the team was good in general .
We are still far away from our best because we 're not training much .
We have a lot of players out , six because of Covid and four injuries .
`` But step by step , when we have all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferran Torres needs to improve some things , because we have n't trained much or spoke much .
He has the skills , he 's young , he 's aggressive and he can play on both sides . ''
While Burnley are at Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday ( 20:00 BST ) , Manchester City are away at Leeds ( 17:30 ) earlier on the same day .

Last updated on .From the section League Cup
Manchester City are unbeaten in the competition since October 2016
Raheem Sterling's first two Manchester City goals of the season - and Ferran Torres' first for the club - ensured the holders reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup at Burnley's expense.
City dominated the game and Burnley keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell had to twice smartly deny Sterling before the England forward got the breakthrough after Benjamin Mendy's cross.
His second was a close-range finish from Torres' cross before the Spain winger, who joined from Valencia for £20.78m in August, put the tie beyond Burnley's reach with an instinctive finish to cap a fine individual display.
Burnley struggled to create chances and it required a fine block by Peacock-Farrell to deny Sterling, who has scored 33 goals for City since the start of last season, his hat-trick.
It was the perfect response by Pep Guardiola's side after their 5-2 home drubbing by Leicester City last Sunday.
The draw for the quarter-finals takes place after Liverpool's tie against Arsenal (19:45 BST) on Thursday.
Night of positives for City
After last weekend's nightmare, this was much more positive for City as 18-year-old Cole Palmer offered a glimpse into the future while key centre-back Aymeric Laporte proved a calming influence on his return.
Born in Wythenshawe, boyhood City fan Palmer showed flashes of promise on his senior debut.
The teenager had one attempt that went over the bar and then tried to pick out Sterling to complete his hat-trick, with Burnley scrambling it clear.
Laporte, who tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month, was making his first appearance of the season.
Cole Palmer celebrates with Raheem Sterling during Manchester City's win over Burnley in the Carabao Cup
Against a Burnley side that lacked cutting edge, the Frenchman helped City to a first clean sheet since 26 July.
The Clarets had two shouts for a penalty, the first when Charlie Taylor went down inside the penalty area and the second after Kyle Walker's challenge on winger Dwight McNeil.
Referee Andrew Madley waved both appeals away and, with no video assistant referee in operation to review it and give the Clarets a glimmer of hope, Burnley's run in the competition ended.
'Far away from our best' - what they said
Burnley boss Sean Dyche: "We thought we would have to put a strong side out, we're stretched and we're trying to rest people but we can't really because we've got to keep going.
"I know Manchester City have got a few injuries themselves but they still put some very good players out there and they delivered a performance to win the game."
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "It was important we didn't concede and the team was good in general. We are still far away from our best because we're not training much. We have a lot of players out, six because of Covid and four injuries.
"But step by step, when we have all the squad, we will get better
"Ferran Torres needs to improve some things, because we haven't trained much or spoke much. He has the skills, he's young, he's aggressive and he can play on both sides."
What's next?
While Burnley are at Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday (20:00 BST), Manchester City are away at Leeds (17:30) earlier on the same day.


bbc--2020-09-30--How the world reacted to the presidential clash

US voters have endured the first of three presidential debates between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden .
The event has also prompted a huge reaction from world audiences who tuned in for the chaotic event .
Newspapers and commentators around the world have criticised the tone and tactics of the debate .
As The Times in the UK wrote , `` The clearest loser from the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was America . ''
The paper went further , saying the event `` was not a debate in any meaningful sense '' but rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squabble between two angry septuagenarians who palpably loathe each other '' .
• 'The loser is us , the American people' The Guardian described it as a `` national humiliation '' .
`` The rest of the world - and future historians - will presumably look at it and weep , '' the paper wrote , adding that Mr Biden was the only man who looked `` remotely presidential '' on the stage and saying that if Mr Trump was re-elected in November , `` this dark , horrifying , unwatchable fever dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America 's obituary . ''
The Financial Times highlighted how the president had stoked lies about voter fraud and urged his supporters to carefully watch polling stations .
`` 'Dog-whistling ' is the politico-speak for such language , but it implies subtlety .
Mr Trump was blatant , '' it wrote .
The paper also noted that snap polls after the event said Mr Biden had come out on top .
`` But no one with a care for American democracy can have switched off feeling anything but queasy . ''
`` Chaotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's how French newspaper Libération described Tuesday 's debate .
Le Monde agreed , calling it a `` terrible storm '' , and saying that the president had sought to `` push his opponent off his hinges '' with constant interruptions and by mocking his answers .
• How is Donald Trump doing in the polls ?
Le Figaro said Mr Biden had `` systematically refused to play his opponent 's game '' .
While Mr Trump tried to directly confront his challenger , pointing at him and addressing him directly , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked directly into the camera .
`` Trump voters are unlikely to have had any doubts about their candidate , despite an unconvincing performance .
Those of Biden , on the other hand , had confirmation that the Democrat was able to measure up to his formidable opponent , and even put him on the defensive , '' the paper wrote .
Der Spiegel 's analysis of the debate is headlined `` A TV duel like a car accident '' .
In a piece titled `` Part fist-fight , part play '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Biden could go home satisfied because as far as the theatrical performance is concerned , both did their job properly .
Donald Trump played Donald Trump , Joe Biden played Joe Biden , and fans should have liked it . ''
• Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues ?
• What Joe Biden wants to do Die Welt said the debate had revealed very little about policy .
`` Most importantly , it showed that America has a president whose behaviour stands out and who lacks self-control - but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
Mr Biden in contrast was not an exciting candidate but `` at least someone with common sense and a stable personality '' who would `` bring something like normalcy back to the White House '' .
`` Never had American politics sunk so low , '' La Repubblica 's US correspondent wrote , describing the debate as `` Chaotic , rowdy , and based on mutual contempt '' .
Il Corriere della Sera meanwhile said President Trump 's refusal to condemn white supremacy was `` a message for Black America '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` one and a half-hour exchange of insults '' , while another said there was `` no constructive dialogue '' .
`` The rivals kept interrupting each other and instead of a balanced discussion they chose the path of mutual insults , '' pro-Kremlin NTV television said .
• Who Russia , China and Iran want to win US election • Who will be the next US president ?
You decide Mr Biden 's description of President Trump as `` Putin 's puppy '' also generated comments on Russian social media .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men are figuring out which of them is more worthy to become the president of the United States , but without Putin , you ca n't boost your rating . ''
Chinese official media sites broadly ignored the US debate although some wrote about how both candidates had used China to attack their opponent .
The state-run Global Times called it `` the most chaotic presidential debate ever '' and noted that Mr Trump had taken `` aim at China by blaming [ it ] for the raging Covid-19 epidemic and US economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter that the debate reflected `` division , anxiety of US society and the accelerating loss of advantages of the US political system '' .
Hindi-language news channel AajTak accused both candidates of `` mud-slinging '' , while broadcaster Times Now said the debate was `` marred with personal jibes and political barbs '' .
But the strongest commentary came from The Times of India , the country 's largest-selling English-language newspaper , which compared the debate to `` mud-wrestling '' .
`` The US embarrassed itself before the world for 100 @ @ @ @ @ @

"The rest of the world - and future historians - will presumably look at it and weep," the paper wrote, adding that Mr Biden was the only man who looked "remotely presidential" on the stage and saying that if Mr Trump was re-elected in November, "this dark, horrifying, unwatchable fever dream will surely be the first line of America's obituary."


bbc--2020-09-30--Presidential debate: Five things you may have missed in the Trump-Biden clash

The first 2020 presidential debate was a raucous affair with allegations , insults and interruptions flying at lightning-fast speed .
Here are a few notable moments that have been overlooked among the political commotion .
When the debate turned to the subject of President Trump 's taxes , former Vice-President Joe Biden uttered an Arabic phrase most often translated as `` god willing '' .
After the moderator asked Mr Trump how much he paid in US taxes , amid reports he had paid little or no tax over the past two decades , Mr Trump responded , `` Millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see it . ''
The remark echoes claims Mr Trump made even before running for president in 2016 - that he will eventually release his tax returns to the public at a later date .
The phrase is used commonly among Muslims but many were surprised to hear it coming from a 77-year-old Catholic from Pennsylvania .
Though it is often used in earnest , when putting something in the hands of God , one writer noted it can also be used as the `` Arabic version of 'fuggedaboudit ' '' , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Habibis , it 's happening , '' responded one commenter on social media , using an affectionate Arabic word meaning `` darlings '' .
Others called the usage `` historic '' and joked `` we finally made it '' .
In case you 'd forgotten , Mr Trump ran in 2016 on the promise to ban Muslims from entering the US , and in the White House has successfully managed to block travellers from several Muslim-majority countries .
The Commission on Presidential Debates required that audience members in Ohio wear masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump family seemed to feel safe enough from the virus to remove their face coverings after taking their seats .
Ivanka , Donald Trump Jr , Eric , Tiffany and Melania Trump were all seen with their masks off for most of the debate , despite wearing them as they walked in and when they took a pre-debate family selfie .
Reporters in the debate hall noticed that representatives of the Cleveland Clinic , the venue that hosted the debate and one of the most esteemed medical centres in the US , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to don masks .
A Cleveland Clinic doctor who offered masks to the Trump side of the room told Bloomberg News that they refused to comply .
During the debate , Mr Biden called his opponent a `` fool '' for not doing more to encourage mask wearing and other social-distancing measures .
`` I have a mask right here , '' Mr Trump said , taking a mask out of his pocket .
`` I put a mask on when I think I need it . ''
All members of the audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate .
Mr Biden 's side were all seen to be wearing masks throughout the debate .
As the debate ended and analysts attempted to retrieve their socks which had been blown off by the 90-minute quarrel between septuagenarians , armchair experts began to analyse the candidates ' wives ' body language .
Melania Trump , who had entered the venue wearing a disposable facemask , which she removed during the debate , came on stage maskless to stand by her husband 's side as they waved to the crowd of less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloth mask on as she came to the stage at the end .
On social media , some people called it an odd choice for her to wear a mask next to her own husband .
Others claimed the decision was deliberate `` political theatre '' .
• Who is potential US first lady Jill Biden ?
After Mr Trump claimed to have been endorsed by the sheriff of Portland - Oregon 's largest city which has been the site of numerous violent clashes between police and protesters in the past four months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to issue a correction .
Even before the debate had ended the sheriff of Multnomah County , whose district includes Portland , took to Twitter to denounce Mr Trump 's false remark .
`` In tonight 's presidential debate the President said the 'Portland Sheriff ' supports him , '' tweeted Sheriff Mike Reese .
`` As the Multnomah County Sheriff I have never supported Donald Trump and will never support him . ''
`` Donald Trump has made my job a hell of a lot harder since he started talking about Portland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made violence in American cities a major issue in the campaign , and has repeatedly singled out Portland as a `` Democrat-run city '' plagued by violence and anti-police anarchy .
Sheriff Reese has been a vocal opponent of Mr Trump 's rhetoric , as well as his decision to deploy federal agents to Portland 's streets over the summer .
How did the translators do ?
It was hard enough to make sense of the debate in English , so spare a thought for the foreign simultaneous translators who had to capture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those of us who watched the US debate in our native tongue may have missed some of the bewildered comments from foreign viewers .
As the candidates and moderator talked over each other more and more , so too did the translators .
`` It is really not like a debate .
It is more like we 're hearing a fight , '' wrote one Twitter user in Japan quoted in the Washington Post .
Another called the six distinct voices heard on TV `` something akin to chaos '' .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correspondents covering the debate for the Chinese audience thought there had been a glitch in the Mandarin translation .
`` I have not often come across this kind of situation ! ''
Taiwan 's Yahoo News presenter Catherine Lu said on-air .
`` Trump keeps interrupting Biden , and Biden also interrupts Trump .
So [ they and the moderator ] are speaking simultaneously .
It is hard to make out what anyone 's viewpoint is . ''
Online many agreed on one thing - the translators were definitely working hard for their @ @ @ @ @ @

Though it is often used in earnest, when putting something in the hands of God, one writer noted it can also be used as the "Arabic version of 'fuggedaboudit'", when something is never likely to take place.


bbc--2020-09-30--US Election 2020: Who are the Proud Boys - and who are antifa?

President Trump mentioned a far-right group during the first presidential debate , kicking off online celebrations by its supporters .
`` Proud Boys - stand back and stand by , '' he said , in a response to a question asking him to condemn white supremacist and militia groups .
Members of the group online took the answer as a call to prepare for action .
Mr Trump then insisted that violence was coming from far-left activists : `` Somebody 's got to do something about antifa and the left , because this is not a right-wing problem . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ answered back : `` Antifa is an idea , not an organisation .
That is what [ President Trump 's ] FBI director said . ''
Over the past few years , a number of fringe groups have been engaged in politically motivated violence on American streets .
So who are Proud Boys and antifa ?
• This is what happened when an antifa activist met a Proud Boy Founded in 2016 by Canadian-British right-wing activist Gavin McInnes , the Proud Boys is a far-right , anti-immigrant , all-male group with a history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The group 's name is a reference to a song from the musical version of the Disney film Aladdin .
Members often wear black and yellow Fred Perry polo shirts along with red `` Make America Great Again '' hats .
A Proud Boy must declare that he is `` a Western chauvinist who refuses to apologise for creating the modern world '' .
Their platform , such as it is , includes Trumpian ideas ( `` glorify the entrepreneur '' , `` close the border '' ) libertarianism ( `` give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welfare '' ) and traditional gender roles ( `` venerate the housewife '' ) .
They 're not exclusively white - yet have became notorious for violent political confrontations .
The Proud Boys and affiliated groups have faced off against antifa in a number of violent street rallies in the last two years , most notably in Oregon , Washington and New York .
Two members were jailed last year for beating up antifa activists in New York .
Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and YouTube have all banned the group from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been largely shunted towards less-popular networks .
Enrique Tarrio , the group 's current chairman , reacted to the debate on the alternative discussion network Parler : `` Standing by sir ... .
I will stand down sir !
!
! ''
McInnes publicly disassociated himself from the group in 2018 , saying that he was taking the advice of his legal team .
But in a video reacting to Tuesday 's debate , he said ( albeit not seeming entirely serious ) : `` I control the Proud Boys , Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not stand back . ''
On the chat app Telegram , Proud Boys shared the debate clip along with posts taunting antifa and incorporating the phrase `` stand back , stand by '' into the group 's logo .
Meanwhile , critics of the president loudly condemned him .
• Far-right and antifa face off in Portland Antifa , short for `` anti-fascist '' , is a loose affiliation of mostly far-left activists .
They include anarchists , but also communists and a few social democrats .
What sets them apart is their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they say .
The movement , which at one point almost entirely disappeared in the US , saw a surge of interest after the election of Donald Trump .
They routinely clash with the far right .
The group has been prominent during Black Lives Matter protests in many major cities , and have been particularly associated with unrest in Portland , Oregon .
In late August , a self-described anti-fascist , 48-year-old Michael Reinoehl , shot and killed a supporter of Patriot Prayer , a Portland-area group that often marches with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead by police the following week .
Both groups are relatively small - and can count on , at the most , a few thousand active supporters .
But their propensity for violence , particularly when they confront each other on American streets , has made them a much bigger topic of conversation than those numbers suggest .

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bbc--2020-09-30--Trump ads push baseless Biden earpiece conspiracy

US President Donald Trump 's re-election campaign is running hundreds of Facebook advertisements pushing an unfounded conspiracy theory that Joe Biden cheated during the first US presidential debate .
The adverts show the Democratic Party challenger with an earpiece , and say that he refused to have his ears checked for devices prior to the debate .
The Trump campaign adverts ask : `` Why wo n't Sleepy Joe commit to an ear test ? ''
and `` Who is in Joe 's ear ? ''
Accusations that presidential candidates have received debate help via hidden hearing devices are familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been levelled against both Republican and Democratic candidates in the past .
Prior to Tuesday 's debate , the rumour about Mr Biden 's supposed earpiece was circulating on several social networks , and was being promoted by the Trump campaign .
The advertising campaign was launched after the debate , and also promotes two other baseless but widely shared rumours about Mr Biden .
One suggested he asked for breaks during the debate , and another accused him of refusing a `` drug test '' .
The photo featured in the advert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was first shared online in September 2019 .
In a number of the adverts , it has been doctored to show Mr Biden wearing wireless Apple headphones .
This was not the case in the original image .
Some versions circle the ear featuring the headphone .
By Wednesday evening , there were at least 15 different versions of the advert , and according to Facebook 's Ad Library , they had reached at least 10 million users .
Facebook has pledged to label posts containing voting misinformation and point users towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However its policy does not involve fact-checking political speech , including in advertisements .
Identical memes were pushed by a number of popular Facebook pages with names such as US Conservative and Unhinged Left .
They claimed `` Joe Biden should be inspected for a hidden earpiece as well as submit to a drug test before the debate '' .
These memes are subject to fact-checks - and some have had warning labels applied to them on Facebook .
They were further amplified by supporters of QAnon , an unfounded a conspiracy theory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secret war against elite Satan-worshipping paedophiles .
Those who believe in QAnon are known for promoting political disinformation on social media which targets opponents of the president .
They shared close-up pictures of Mr Biden 's ears , alleging a listening device was visible .
During the debate , some also shared photos of a fold in Mr Biden 's shirt , claiming it was caused by a wire , and of a supposed device on his wrist , where he wears a rosary in memory of his late son Beau .

The advertising campaign was launched after the debate, and also promotes two other baseless but widely shared rumours about Mr Biden. One suggested he asked for breaks during the debate, and another accused him of refusing a "drug test".


bbc--2020-09-30--'I don't know who the Proud Boys are' - Trump

Donald Trump has said a far-right group should `` stand down '' and let law enforcement do their work , @ @ @ @ @ white supremacist groups in the US presidential debate sparked a backlash .
Mr Trump said @ @ @ @ @ who the Proud Boys are '' on Wednesday - despite urging them to `` stand @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday night .
Who are Proud Boys and antifa ?

Donald Trump has said a far-right group should "stand down" and let law enforcement do their work, after his refusal to condemn white supremacist groups in the US presidential debate sparked a backlash.
Mr Trump said "I don't know who the Proud Boys are" on Wednesday - despite urging them to "stand back and stand by" on Tuesday night.
Who are Proud Boys and antifa?


bbc--2020-10-01--Texas governor cuts back on voting locations weeks before election

Texas ' governor has ordered that voters can drop off their mail-in ballots at only one location per county in the lead-up to the presidential election .
Republican Governor Greg Abbott said the move would stop illegal voting .
Critics have accused Mr Abbott of voter suppression , pointing out that in some cases this means thousands of voters must go to one clerk 's office .
Coming weeks before the election , the order requires counties to close any satellite ballot drop-off locations .
Texas is the second most populous US state and it would be a big win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state has been reliably Republican in modern presidential contests .
Many more voters this time around are expected to vote by post or drop off their ballots due to the pandemic .
Mail-in voting protocols differ slightly state by state , but in Texas , eligible early voters can begin dropping off their ballots this month .
Some of the state 's largest counties had already set up multiple drop-off sites .
Harris County , home to the city of Houston and some four million residents , must now close 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition to raising questions about how potentially millions of urban Texans will need to visit a single drop-off site , the move may also be problematic for rural residents , who are spread out across the state - which is also America 's second largest by area .
The order goes into effect on Friday .
In a statement following the order on Thursday , Mr Abbott cited Covid-19 in calling for strengthening ballot-security protocols .
`` These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and will help stop attempts at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-level studies over the years have revealed no evidence of major , widespread fraud in postal voting .
• Does US postal voting lead to ‘ tremendous fraud ’ ?
• Are people being barred from voting in US ?
Texas Democratic chairman Gilberto Hinojosa responded to the announcement by accusing `` scared '' Republicans of trying to change rules while `` on the verge of losing '' .
Mr Hinojosa added that courts across the US have said it is too late to make changes to election rules , `` but our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The proclamation by Mr Abbott will cause `` widespread confusion and voter suppression '' , said Harris County clerk Chris Hollins in a statement .
Harris County , which encompasses Houston , is the most populous county in the state .
`` Multiple drop-off locations have been advertised for weeks , '' he said .
`` To force hundreds of thousands of seniors and voters with disabilities to use a single drop-off location ... is prejudicial and dangerous . ''
Mr Abbott 's order also says voting officials must allow poll watchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Poll watchers are individuals who can keep an eye out for any violations of election law at the polling location and during the tallying process .
They can not intimidate voters or speak to them .
President Donald Trump has urged his supporters to become poll watchers while suggesting the election could be rigged .
It 's difficult to grasp exactly how large the state of Texas is .
There are counties in the west as big as small US states .
The Dallas-Fort Worth area has a population larger than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy roughly the size of Russia 's .
Texas also has some of the lowest turnouts in elections in the nation , with just 46.5 % of the voting-age population casting ballots in 2016 .
Those figures are n't going to be improved by Governor Abbott 's decision to mandate only one ballot-drop-off location per county throughout the state .
It will be a burden in populous areas like Houston , where traffic and density makes travel slow , and out west , where vast open spaces make it arduous .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but with concerns about in-person balloting during the Covid-19 pandemic , at-risk Texas might prefer to limit exposure .
Those on the left will see Mr Abbott 's decision , combined with other Republican efforts to limit absentee voting - particularly in urban areas that are trending Democratic - as an attempt to prevent their party from winning key state-level elections or , perhaps , even voting for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time since 1976 .
What questions do you have about the US election ?
The US election process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here to help make sense of it .
Please put your questions below .

Those on the left will see Mr Abbott's decision, combined with other Republican efforts to limit absentee voting - particularly in urban areas that are trending Democratic - as an attempt to prevent their party from winning key state-level elections or, perhaps, even voting for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time since 1976.


bbc--2020-10-01--Covid: Vaccine will 'not return life to normal in spring'

Even an effective coronavirus vaccine will not return life to normal in spring , a group of leading scientists has warned .
A vaccine is often seen as the holy grail that will end the pandemic .
But a report , from researchers brought together by the Royal Society , said we needed to be `` realistic '' about what a vaccine could achieve and when .
They said restrictions may need to be `` gradually relaxed '' as it could take up to a year to roll the vaccine out .
More than 200 vaccines to protect against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world in a process that is taking place at unprecedented speed .
`` A vaccine offers great hope for potentially ending the pandemic , but we do know that the history of vaccine development is littered with lots of failures , '' said Dr Fiona Culley , from the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London .
There is optimism , including from the UK government 's scientific advisers , that some people may get a vaccine this year and mass vaccination may start early next year .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a long process .
`` Even when the vaccine is available it does n't mean within a month everybody is going to be vaccinated , we 're talking about six months , nine months ... a year , '' said Prof Nilay Shah , head of chemical engineering at Imperial College London .
`` There 's not a question of life suddenly returning to normal in March . ''
• VACCINE : When will we have one ?
• SYMPTOMS : 85 % of patients have one of these three symptoms • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• LOCAL LOCKDOWNS : What happens if you have one ?
• QUARANTINE : Who must self-isolate after arriving in the UK • LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
The report said there were still `` enormous '' challenges ahead .
Some of the experimental approaches being taken - such as RNA vaccines - have never been mass produced before .
There are questions around raw materials - both for the vaccine and glass vials - and refrigerator capacity , with some vaccines needing storage at minus 80C @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to take place at a pace , 10 times faster than the annual flu campaign and would be a full-time job for up to 30,000 trained staff .
`` I do worry , is enough thinking going into the whole system ? ''
he says .
Early trial data has suggested that vaccines are triggering an immune response , but studies have not yet shown if this is enough to either offer complete protection or lessen the symptoms of Covid .
Prof Charles Bangham , chair of immunology of Imperial College London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't know when an effective vaccine will be available , how effective it will be and of course , crucially , how quickly it can be distributed .
`` Even if it is effective , it is unlikely that we will be able to get back completely to normal , so there 's going to be a sliding scale , even after the introduction of a vaccine that we know to be effective .
`` We will have to gradually relax some of the other interventions . ''
And many questions that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as : • will one shot be enough or will boosters be required ?
• will the vaccine work well enough in older people with aged immune systems ?
The researchers warn the issue of long-term immunity will still take some time to answer , and we still do not know if people need vaccinating every couple of years or if one shot will do .
Commenting on the study , Dr Andrew Preston from the University of Bath , said : `` Clearly the vaccine has been portrayed as a silver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salvation , but it may not be an immediate process . ''
He said there would need to be discussion of whether `` vaccine passports '' are needed to ensure people coming into the country are immunised .
And Dr Preston warned that vaccine hesitancy seemed to be a growing problem that had become embroiled in anti-mask , anti-lockdown ideologies .
`` If cohorts of people refuse to have the vaccine , do we leave them to fend for themselves or have mandatory vaccination for children to go to schools , or for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots of difficult questions . ''

"Even if it is effective, it is unlikely that we will be able to get back completely to normal, so there's going to be a sliding scale, even after the introduction of a vaccine that we know to be effective.


bbc--2020-10-01--California wildfires: Glass Fire as seen by firefighters

Firefighters have filmed their journey through the Glass Fire - one of dozens of wildfires burning their way through California @ @ @ @ @ 's wildfires across the US West Coast are the worst in 18 years and have @ @ @ @ @ intensity to climate change .

Firefighters have filmed their journey through the Glass Fire - one of dozens of wildfires burning their way through California.
Scientists say this year's wildfires across the US West Coast are the worst in 18 years and have linked their increasing prevalence and intensity to climate change.


bbc--2020-10-01--US airlines lay off thousands of staff as federal relief ends

US airlines have begun laying off thousands of workers after efforts to negotiate a new economic relief plan in Congress stalled .
American Airlines says it shedding 19,000 workers and United Airlines 13,000 .
The carriers - badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic - say they are ready to reverse the decisions if more financing is found .
The airlines have received billions of dollars from the federal government .
Congress agreed the aid agreed earlier in the year as part of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act [ Cares Act ] .
It was conditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers until 1 October .
Airlines worldwide have been hit by a massive fall in demand caused by the pandemic .
In a letter to staff announcing the layoffs , American Airlines Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker said : `` I am extremely sorry we have reached this outcome .
It is not what you all deserve . ''
On Wednesday United Airlines , in a message to its employees , said it was imploring `` our elected leaders to reach a compromise , get a deal done now , and save jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give the federal government every opportunity to act , we have made clear to leadership in the administration , Congress and among our union partners that we can and will reverse the furlough process if the Cares Act Payroll Support Program is extended in the next few days . ''
It added : `` To our departing 13,000 family members : thank you for your dedication and we look forward to welcoming you back . ''
The layoffs increase pressure on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a follow-up relief plan for the struggling US economy .
Democrats , who control the House , have been pushing for a $ 2.2tn ( £1.7tn ) package while the White House wants to keep it to $ 1.6tn .
The most recent proposal includes $ 20bn for struggling airlines .
On Thursday House Democrats debated the impasse .
The Senate , however , adjourned until Monday evening , Reuters reported , suggesting that an end to the deadlock was not close .
A spokesman for Ms Pelosi said `` distance on key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute phone call with Mr Mnuchin on Thursday afternoon .

"In a continuing effort to give the federal government every opportunity to act, we have made clear to leadership in the administration, Congress and among our union partners that we can and will reverse the furlough process if the Cares Act Payroll Support Program is extended in the next few days."


bbc--2020-10-01--How to avoid another Trump-Biden 'car-crash' debate

Among those who tuned in for the first US presidential debate , there is a clear and growing consensus that the first on-air face-off between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was a mess .
For some 90 minutes , the candidates shouted , bickered and largely ignored the topics at hand , despite repeated pleas from moderator Chris Wallace .
And it looks like the Commission on Presidential Debates - the nonpartisan charity that sponsors the events - agrees .
On Wednesday , the group said the first debate had `` made clear '' that additional structure must be added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible change being considered is cutting candidates ' microphones if they try to interrupt each other , according to CBS News .
President Trump has since responded , in a tweet , implying that he would not be willing to accept changes to the format .
With two weeks until Mr Trump and Mr Biden are back in the ring , what could these next debates look like ?
Typically , presidential debates give voters a chance to hear what the candidates have to say before casting their ballots .
During 's Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevailing wish among those watching for the two men on stage to be quiet .
As the debate wore on , social media was flooded with requests - from voters , pundits and journalists - for moderators to be given the power to selectively mute the candidates and prevent them from jumping in out of turn .
Though both nominees were guilty of interruptions , President Trump was by most accounts the more egregious offender , cutting in some 73 times , according to CBS news .
This change is now said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those proposed by the debate commission , according to US media .
• Rules on debates to change after Trump-Biden spat The calls for muting seem to be a product of the Zoom-era brought about by the coronavirus pandemic .
When working from home and using video-chat apps , such as Zoom , we 're now able to mute ourselves and turn the volume down on colleagues - a tool that could conceivably lend a hand to a moderator desperate to maintain calm .
Many who were unhappy with Tuesday 's performances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From the outset , the Fox News anchor struggled to maintain control of the candidates , resorting to desperate appeals to Mr Trump to stop talking and allow his opponent to finish , at one point shouting for the president to `` Let him [ Mr Biden ] answer ! ''
But many defended him , saying that dealing with this set of candidates - namely Mr Trump - was a tough order for anyone .
`` I do n't blame Chris Wallace at all .
He 's a stellar , stand-up journalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the BBC .
`` He did well with the Clinton-Trump debate in 2016 , he was a good choice to moderate .
He was given an almost impossible task , straight out of the gate . ''
Speaking to the New York Times the morning after , Mr Wallace said he was saddened by the way the evening had unfolded .
`` I never dreamt that it would go off the tracks the way it did , '' he said .
For the next two debates , Mr Wallace will pass the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a political editor with the C-SPAN television network and then to Kristen Welker , White House Correspondent for NBC News .
Will they have a better chance of keeping the candidates in check ?
That is a great unknown .
As a conservative veteran from Mr Trump 's favourite network , praised for his work as moderator in the last presidential election , Mr Wallace was thought to have as good a chance as any .
But even he proved no match for the chaotic collision this year .
This change is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 15 October in Miami , Florida , will be in a town-hall format , where candidates take questions from voters instead of journalists .
Here , the environment is generally more casual .
In pre-coronavirus elections past , candidates have been seated within arms ' reach of voters , instead of protected behind a podium on stage .
The town-hall style may serve to benefit these particular candidates , Ms Smith said , adding that it might bring some civility .
`` In the first debate , they were just looking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty dark , '' she says .
This time , neither Mr Biden nor Mr Trump will get to steamroll the moderator - they 'll have to answer directly to voters .
`` It might inspire a bit more confidence and might bring a bit more pride back into the format of debate , '' Ms Smith said .
Some voters and pundits alike who tuned into the first debate think the events are n't worth saving .
As Tuesday 's contest was unfolding , Twitter was alighting with pleas to cancel the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't be surprised if this is the last presidential debate between the president of the United States and the former vice-president of the United States , '' CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer said minutes after the face-off concluded .
`` For the sake of democracy , cancel the Trump-Biden debates '' , read the headline of a New York Times column by Frank Bruni .
The call was echoed by the Washington Post , Slate and the Atlantic magazine .
But the debates still have their defenders , including Ms Smith .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wrong direction [ to cancel ] .
It would be admitting defeat at this point , '' she said .
`` The debate has been a helpful way in the past to demonstrate candidates ' skills .
To see policy , even , in a bit more detail . ''
She added : `` I do n't think you should ever cut back on dialogue in democracy , even if it 's loud . ''
The remaining debates will proceed as scheduled on 15 October and 22 October , with new rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
But the running mates - Vice-President Mike Pence and California Senator Kamala Harris - will be squaring off first in their debate on 7 October .
It is expected to be less raucous than the one between the two men at the top of the ticket .

And it looks like the Commission on Presidential Debates - the nonpartisan charity that sponsors the events - agrees. On Wednesday, the group said the first debate had "made clear" that additional structure must be added for the remaining two match-ups. One possible change being considered is cutting candidates' microphones if they try to interrupt each other, according to CBS News.


bbc--2020-10-01--Joyce Echaquan: Trudeau decries 'systemic racism' after indigenous woman death

A video of a dying indigenous woman screaming in distress and being insulted by hospital staff shows the `` worst @ @ @ @ @ says Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau .
Joyce Echaquan streamed herself on Facebook shortly before @ @ @ @ @ has been fired and three investigations are under way .

A video of a dying indigenous woman screaming in distress and being insulted by hospital staff shows the "worst form of racism", says Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Joyce Echaquan streamed herself on Facebook shortly before she died.
A nurse has been fired and three investigations are under way.
Ms Echaquan's family has said they will be taking legal action over her death.
Read more: Outcry grows over Canada indigenous woman's death


bbc--2020-10-01--US Election 2020: Can you trust the polls?

All eyes are on the US election and many people will look to the polls to see who 's likely @ @ @ @ @ companies suffered a shock in 2016 when they did n't foresee Donald Trump beating Hillary @ @ @ @ @ get it all wrong ?
BBC Reality Check considers whether you can trust election polls @ @ @ @ @ president .

All eyes are on the US election and many people will look to the polls to see who's likely to win. But polling companies suffered a shock in 2016 when they didn't foresee Donald Trump beating Hillary Clinton. Did the pollsters get it all wrong?
BBC Reality Check considers whether you can trust election polls to predict the next US president.
Motion Graphics by Jacqueline Galvin
Produced by Jake Horton and Soraya Auer
Narrated by Marianna Brady


bbc--2020-10-01--Chrissy Teigen and John Legend speak of 'deep pain' of losing baby

Chrissy Teigen and husband John Legend have said they are in `` deep pain '' after losing their baby during pregnancy .
`` We are shocked and in the kind of deep pain you only hear about , the kind of pain we 've never felt before , '' she wrote in a moving Instagram statement .
Her post was accompanied by several black and white photos , including one of her crying in her hospital bed .
Model Teigen and singer Legend have two children , and in mid-August revealed they were expecting a third .
In her latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple had been planning to call the baby Jack .
`` We never decide on our babies ' names until the last possible moment after they 're born , just before we leave the hospital , '' she wrote .
`` But we , for some reason , had started to call this little guy in my belly Jack .
Jack worked so hard to be a part of our little family , and he will be , forever .
`` I 'm so sorry that the first few moments of your life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we could n't give you the home you needed to survive .
We will always love you . ''
Retweeting her , Legend added `` We love you , Jack '' alongside five black love hearts .
Teigen later added : `` Driving home from the hospital with no baby .
How can this be real . ''
• In the UK , one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage - with most happening early before 12 weeks • Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 23 weeks • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stillbirth , when a baby is born dead after 24 weeks • There are 250,000 miscarriages and 3,000 stillbirths every year , according to the charity Tommy's Get information and support at BBC Action Line Teigen , who is also a TV presenter , had been documenting her pregnancy on social media .
She was taken to hospital on Sunday due to excessive bleeding but had reassured fans she and the baby were healthy .
In her latest post , however , she revealed that `` we were never able to stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he needed '' .
Teigen thanked her followers for their `` positive energy , thoughts and prayers '' and expressed gratitude for the `` amazing '' life she enjoyed with her family .
`` But everyday ca n't be full of sunshine , '' she continued .
`` On this darkest of days , we will grieve , we will cry our eyes out .
But we will hug and love each other harder and get through it . ''
• What to say to someone who 's lost a baby Legend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose 2013 track All of Me - a song he dedicated to his wife - spent 92 weeks in the UK singles chart .
His parallel careers in film , music and TV work have seen him become an EGOT - one of only 16 people who 've won a competitive Emmy , Grammy , Oscar and Tony award .
The couple were flooded with messages of condolence and support on social media , with many praising their strength for sharing their grief and some recounting their own experiences of loss .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who also have experienced miscarriage appreciate your sharing your story to help demystify this all too common occurrence , '' wrote one Twitter user .
Another wrote : `` We lost twins at 20 weeks and your bravery for sharing this can hopefully slow people to know they are not alone .
Thank you . ''
Kim Kardashian West was among the celebrities who sent messages , writing : `` We 're always here for you and love you guys so much . ''
Actress Viola Davis sent a `` big virtual hug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while socialite Paris Hilton said she was `` so sorry for your loss '' .
Actress Gabrielle Union added : `` We love you guys so much and we will be here for whatever yall need .
Always . ''
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

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bbc--2020-10-01--NY Times reviews Caliphate podcast amid source 'hoax' charge

The New York Times has been forced to scrutinise its reporting on Islamic State ( IS ) in a popular podcast about the terror group , after a source was charged with lying about his experience .
Canadian Shehroze Chaudhry , 25 , was arrested by police on Friday , and stands accused of hoax-terrorist activity .
Mr Chaudhry was a key voice in the Times ' Caliphate series .
Police allege he made up his story .
The New York Times said it will report back following the `` fresh examination '' of how Mr Chaudhry was characterised in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chaudhry 's tales of the Islamic State first emerged after he gave interviews to Canadian and American news outlets with contradictory information .
The Canadian broadcaster CBC used his alleged jihadi name , Abu Huzaifa al-Kanadi in a 2017 report , in which he described lashing a man with a whip as part of his duties for IS , but said he never killed anyone .
His account prompted a debate in the House of Commons , when the opposition questioned why he was allowed to still live in Canada .
Then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aired an interview with him on their podcast series Caliphate , in which Mr Chaudhry said he had executed people for IS .
The conflicting accounts prompted CBC reporter Nazim Baksh to doubt the veracity of Mr Chaudhry 's story .
`` I was shocked - wondering , 'Did he lie to me ? '
'' Mr Baksh said in a follow-up story in 2018 .
Mr Chaudhry was arrested by Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Friday following a lengthy investigation that uncovered no links between the Canadian and IS .
The `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically used for fake bomb threats and carries a sentence of up to five years .
`` Hoaxes can generate fear within our communities and create the illusion there is a potential threat to Canadians , while we have determined otherwise , '' said RCMP Superintendent Christopher deGale .
`` The RCMP takes these allegations very seriously , particularly when individuals , by their actions , cause the police to enter into investigations in which human and financial resources are invested and diverted from other ongoing priorities . ''
The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mr Chaudhry misled the newspaper about the dates of his travel to Syria , and the timeline of his purported radicalisation .
The newspaper said its journalists were able to geolocate a photo of Mr Chaudhry to the banks of the Euphrates river in Syria , indicating he was in the war-torn country at some point .
On Wednesday , the Times issued a statement , saying though the `` uncertainty about Abu Huzayfah 's story was explored directly '' in the Caliphate episodes he featured in , his arrest `` raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his motivations '' .
`` We 're undertaking a fresh examination of his history and the way we presented him in our series , '' it continued .
Mr Chaudhry is due to appear in court on 16 November .

The Canadian broadcaster CBC used his alleged jihadi name, Abu Huzaifa al-Kanadi in a 2017 report, in which he described lashing a man with a whip as part of his duties for IS, but said he never killed anyone.


bbc--2020-10-01--US election 2020: Twitter removes Iranian accounts disrupting debate

Twitter says it has removed nearly 130 accounts linked to Iran that attempted to `` disrupt the public conversation '' during the US presidential debate .
It said it had become aware of the accounts , which `` appeared to originate in Iran '' , as a result of intelligence provided by the US authorities .
The social network has so far provided only four samples of the content posted by these accounts during the debate .
Two of the accounts had usernames openly supportive of President Trump .
The handle of one of them - @ JackQanon - directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is secretly battling a `` deep state '' network of Satan-worshipping elites .
The other account tweeted about the president telling the banned Proud Boys group to `` stand back and stand by '' , which its members have taken as a call to prepare for action .
The Proud Boys is an anti-immigrant , all-male group with a history of street violence against its opponents .
The other two were pro-Biden .
One questioned whether Fox News debate moderator Chris Wallace was impartial .
Twitter said it had acted early to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very low engagement and did not make an impact on the public conversation '' .
• US election : Who do Russia , China and Iran want to win ?
• Russia , China and Iran hackers target Trump and Biden , Microsoft says Holly Dagres , a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council , said the accounts showed Tehran was `` playing both sides of the political field '' and was `` likely part of a larger disinformation campaign to take advantage of the current political divide '' .
In August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evanina warned China , Russia and Iran were trying to influence the presidential election .
Iran was trying to `` undermine US democratic institutions '' and `` divide the country '' by spreading disinformation and `` anti-US content '' online , he said .
And it efforts were partially driven by a belief a second term for the president `` would result in a continuation of US pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change '' .
Microsoft said last month that Iranian hackers had , between May and June , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House officials and President Trump 's campaign staff .
Twitter has said it will publish further details about the accounts and their content once it has completed its investigations .
• A simple guide to the US election • Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes


bbc--2020-10-02--MP Margaret Ferrier's Covid Parliament trip 'indefensible'

Scotland 's first minister says the actions of an SNP MP who travelled to Westminster despite experiencing Covid symptoms are `` utterly indefensible '' .
Margaret Ferrier said she made the journey because she was feeling `` much better '' - but also returned home after getting a positive test result .
The MP , who has been suspended by her party , said there was `` no excuse for my actions '' .
Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her support for the decision to suspend the MP .
She said : `` This is utterly indefensible .
It 's hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of people across the country making hard sacrifices every day to help beat Covid .
`` The rules apply to everyone and they 're in place to keep people safe .
@ Ianblackford_MP is right to suspend the whip . ''
One of Ms Ferrier 's former SNP colleagues , Glasgow East MP David Linden , has also said she `` should resign '' as an MP .
He was speaking during the recording of tonight 's BBC Question Time programme .
• What is self-isolation and who has to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test on Saturday after experiencing `` mild symptoms '' , but travelled to London on Monday as she felt better .
The MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West spoke in the coronavirus debate in the House of Commons on Monday , and said she received her positive test result that evening .
She then took a train back to Scotland on Tuesday .
Ms Ferrier said she had informed the police and that she deeply regretted her actions .
`` I travelled home by train on Tuesday morning without seeking advice .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` I have been self-isolating at home ever since . ''
Police Scotland confirmed they had been contacted by Ms Ferrier , saying officers were `` looking into the circumstances '' and liaising with the Metropolitan Police Service .
The SNP 's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said he had spoken to Ms Ferrier , who accepted that what she had done was wrong .
He said : `` Margaret will be referring herself to the parliamentary standards commissioner as well as the police .
I am tonight suspending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone tests positive for coronavirus they normally attract sympathy and concern .
But that 's in extremely short supply for Margaret Ferrier after she admitted breaking Covid self-isolation rules .
She may have apologised for attending parliament and making lengthy journeys by public transport with coronavirus but she has not offered an explanation .
Her behaviour is far more serious than the lockdown travel breach that cost Catherine Calderwood her job as Scotland 's chief medical officer .
It is also more serious than the lockdown travels of the prime minister 's advisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on to resign .
It is no surprise then that the Conservatives are demanding the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West stands down from Parliament .
She has already been suspended by the SNP and the party leader , Nicola Sturgeon , has described her behaviour as `` utterly indefensible '' .
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle wrote to MPs on Thursday evening to say he was informed after Ms Ferrier told the SNP whip on Wednesday afternoon that she had tested positive for Covid-19 .
`` The House authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their legal obligations and PHE [ Public Health England ] Guidance , '' he wrote .
`` On the basis of the information supplied to the contact tracing system , only one individual has been identified as a close contact in relation to this case and is now self-isolating . ''
A House of Commons spokesperson said the House 's priority was to ensure the safety of those working on the estate .
The statement added : `` We have closely followed public health guidance on the action to take following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Parliament has a dedicated team to support the test and trace teams across the UK , acting as a central point of contact in the event of any suspected or confirmed cases , where an individual has been working on the estate . ''
Ruth Davidson , the Scottish Conservatives ' Holyrood leader , told BBC Newsnight that Ms Ferrier should resign .
`` She should n't be an MP at all .
That 's on her and if she had a shred of decency she would [ resign ] , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing positive amounted to an `` absolutely reckless endangerment of person and of life '' , she added .
`` She has put passengers , rail staff , fellow MPs , Commons staff and many others at unacceptable risk , '' he said .
`` To breach the rules twice is simply unforgivable , and has undermined all the sacrifices made by her constituents . ''
Train drivers union Aslef described her actions as `` both dangerous and disgraceful '' .
Ms Ferrier was one of the MPs who called on the prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wake of the controversy over his visit to the north east of England during lockdown .
At the time , she said his actions had `` undermined the sacrifices that we have all been making '' and described his position as `` untenable '' .
• RULES : What are the restrictions in Scotland ?
• LOCKDOWN : Six months that changed our lives • CASES : Where are the latest cases in Scotland ?
• NUMBERS : Four key figures to watch out for

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's a complete disregard for others. Coronavirus is like any other health and safety issue in the workplace - we all have obligations to other people and anyone who recklessly endangers other people has to face consequences."


bbc--2020-10-01--Delphine Boël: Belgium ex-king's love child wins royal titles

The love child of former Belgian King Albert II has won a court battle to grant her the same rights and titles as her father 's children by his marriage .
King Albert admitted he was her father in January this year , having fought her paternity claim for more than a decade .
Her mother , Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps , claims she had an 18-year affair with Albert before he was king .
Rumours first emerged that he had fathered a child with another woman after it was disclosed in an unauthorised biography about Albert 's wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms Boël first alleged on the record that King Albert was her biological father during a 2005 interview , but it was not until he abdicated in 2013 - when he lost his immunity to prosecution - that she opened court proceedings .
`` A judicial victory will never replace a father 's love , but it does offer a sense of justice , '' said Marc Uyttendaele .
`` Many more children who have gone through similar ordeals may be able to find the strength to face them . ''
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the surname of her father , Saxe-Cobourg .
As a result of the ruling , after King Albert 's death she will be entitled to receive an inheritance , along with his three other children - Prince Laurent , Princess Astrid and Philippe , the current king .
Despite her new title , Ms Boël will not receive any royal endowment .
But Albert must pay nearly €3.4m ( £3.1m ) to cover her legal fees , according to local outlet De Standaard .
Her mother Baroness Longchamps says the affair with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liège , lasted from 1966 to 1984 , and he was around during Ms Boël 's childhood .
Following his older brother 's death in 1993 at 62 , Albert unexpectedly came to the throne .
He held the position until July 2013 , when he announced his abdication - citing ill health - and was replaced by his son , Philippe .
The 86-year-old had resisted court orders to undergo DNA testing until he was facing fines of €5,000 per day for refusing to do so .
In January , he announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child after he `` learnt the results of the DNA tests '' .

The 86-year-old had resisted court orders to undergo DNA testing until he was facing fines of €5,000 per day for refusing to do so. In January, he announced he accepted Ms Boël as his fourth child after he "learnt the results of the DNA tests".


bbc--2020-10-01--Armenia-Azerbaijan: Both sides defy Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire calls

In the early hours of Friday morning local time the Armenian government said it had shot down several Azerbaijani drones , including one that was `` very close '' to the capital , Yerevan .
What are international powers saying ?
`` We also call on the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately commit themselves to resume negotiations on the substance of the settlement in good faith and without preconditions , '' it said .
The three were speaking as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group , which was founded in the early 1990s to try to find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia is part of a military alliance with Armenia and has a military base in the country .
However , it also has close ties to the government of Azerbaijan .
`` Given that the USA , Russia and France have neglected this problem for nearly 30 years , it is unacceptable that they are involved in a search for a ceasefire , '' he said .
BBC Arabic earlier this week spoke to a man who said he had been recruited in northern Syria and sent via Turkey to fight in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name - said he had been sent to Nagorno-Karabakh `` wearing Azerbaijani uniform '' soon after the fighting broke out .
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that about 900 Syrian mercenaries have been transported to Azerbaijan by Turkish security companies .
But they add that Armenian-born fighters in Syria have also been transported to Armenia to join the fight .
In another development , Armenia has recalled its ambassador to Israel for consultations over allegations that Israel is selling weapons to Azerbaijan that are being used in the conflict .
Decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are currently in the town of Barda , near Tartar , one of the places where fighting broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia on Sunday .
We wanted to go to some villages in Tartar district but at a police checkpoint they said entry was forbidden , because it is n't safe there .
There are people in Barda and Tartar who want to join the army voluntarily .
The people want the return of what they see as occupied territories and an end to war , once and for all .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed in an Azerbaijani air attack on the town of Martakert on Wednesday .
State news agency Armenpress said seven civilians and 80 service personnel had been killed since the fighting began .
Armenia 's defence ministry also released a picture of an Armenian SU-25 jet it said had been shot down by a Turkish F-16 on Tuesday .
Turkey has rejected the allegation as `` cheap propaganda '' .

BBC Arabic earlier this week spoke to a man who said he had been recruited in northern Syria and sent via Turkey to fight in the conflict. Abdullah - not his real name - said he had been sent to Nagorno-Karabakh "wearing Azerbaijani uniform" soon after the fighting broke out.


bbc--2020-10-01--Coronavirus: Paris poised for maximum Covid alert

Olivier Véran said infection rates in the capital and its suburbs are rising and a decision on imposing new restrictions will be made on Sunday .
He added that a `` total closure of bars '' could be needed in the capital .
France , one of many European countries that are seeing a rise in cases , recorded more than 13,000 infections on Thursday .
In a news conference on Thursday , Mr Véran said the Paris region passed three thresholds qualifying for a maximum alert on Thursday .
One of these was the number of infections , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We need a few days to confirm the trends , but if they are confirmed , we 'll have no choice but to put it on maximum alert , from Monday , '' he said .
According to Mr Véran , more than 30 % of beds in Paris 's intensive care units have been filled with Covid-19 patients .
He warned that if the maximum alert was put in place , there would be no more family reunions and bars would be closed .
Bars and restaurants in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Similar restrictions have already been introduced in Marseille .
Last Monday , Mr Véran announced bars , restaurants and gyms would close in the southern city for at least two weeks amid an upsurge in cases .
On Thursday , France recorded 13,970 cases and 63 deaths .
More than 31,986 people have died in the country since the pandemic began , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Elsewhere in Europe , the Spanish government has ordered a partial lockdown in the capital Madrid .
Under the restrictions , residents will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless they have to make an essential journey .
The UK has taken Poland and Turkey off its no quarantine list .
Those arriving from the two countries from 04:00 BST ( 03:00 GMT ) on Sunday will have to self-isolate for 14 days Poland 's infection rate has risen , while the UK government said it removed Turkey over concerns about the way the country reports its data .

He warned that if the maximum alert was put in place, there would be no more family reunions and bars would be closed. Bars and restaurants in the region already have to close by 22:00.


bbc--2020-10-01--Police raid 'illegal casino' in Canadian mansion

More than C $ 1 million ( £584,000 ) in cash and 11 guns with ammunition have been seized by @ @ @ @ @ illegal casino at a mansion in Ontario , Canada .
York Regional Police have just @ @ @ @ @ raid , which was part of an ongoing investigation into organised crime .
The owner @ @ @ @ @ been charged with multiple offences , including illegal gambling and possession of a stolen firearm @

More than C$1 million (£584,000) in cash and 11 guns with ammunition have been seized by police who raided an alleged illegal casino at a mansion in Ontario, Canada.
York Regional Police have just released video of the July raid, which was part of an ongoing investigation into organised crime.
The owner of the alleged operation has been charged with multiple offences, including illegal gambling and possession of a stolen firearm.


bbc--2020-10-01--China holiday: Millions on the move for Golden Week

Hundreds of millions of people in China are marking this year 's National Day holiday with gatherings and quick getaways .
National Day , which marks the founding of the People 's Republic of China , coincides with this year 's Mid Autumn Festival .
It is estimated that 550 million people will travel domestically during the eight-day holiday referred to as `` Golden Week '' .
It 's thought that 13 million passenger trips were made on Thursday - the highest figure since February , according to state media .
The coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have largely stopped the spread of the virus , and most restrictions have been lifted .
Images from China are worlds apart from a nation that was under lockdown earlier this year .
China 's Railway Service estimates there will be 108 million trips during the eight-day holiday .
Despite huge passenger numbers on Thursday , the figure is still less than the 17 million trips made on the same day last year .
In the capital , some people used the opportunity to attend the flag-raising ceremony on the 71st anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of China .
Others used the opportunity to visit tourist spots .
Travel service Qunar told Reuters news agency that economy flights to some tourist areas in China such as the southwestern city of Lijiang had sold out .
China 's aviation authority estimates that bookings for domestic flights have increased by 10.5 % on last year .
Last year seven million people travelled abroad to destinations such as Thailand but with restrictions in place across the world , many countries are out of bounds for travellers .
In anticipation of huge crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government has instructed all sites to restrict their admissions to 75 % of their usual capacity .
China claims it has recorded 90,545 cases and 4,739 deaths since the outbreak began .

It is estimated that 550 million people will travel domestically during the eight-day holiday referred to as "Golden Week". It's thought that 13 million passenger trips were made on Thursday - the highest figure since February, according to state media.


bbc--2020-10-01--What to say to someone who's lost a baby

A `` deep pain '' - that 's how Chrissy Teigen 's described the loss of her third child with John Legend .
The 34-year-old , who was halfway through her pregnancy , said their son Jack died days after she went into hospital .
In the UK , one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage and about one in every 200 babies in England is stillborn .
And yet , most of us would struggle to find the right words to console a grieving parent .
On Instagram Chrissy Teigen said : `` We are shocked and in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about , the kind of pain we 've never felt before . ''
And sadly , it 's that pain that can be hard for all of us to talk about .
`` If someone has never lost a child they ca n't begin to understand what you 've been through , '' says Louise .
Her son , Ellis , died when he was four days old from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome , which is when an apparently healthy baby dies unexpectedly .
It kills more than 200 babies every year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strangers who did n't know what to say , '' she explains .
`` One customer at work said , 'oh do n't worry , you 're young enough , you can have another baby . '
`` Our friends and family were always there for us .
As long as they were there it did n't really matter what they said .
`` You would talk about other things .
It 's about bringing some normality back when you 've had such a horrendous experience . ''
Sometimes people do n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing .
And often , says Kate Marsh , a midwife working with the charity Tommy 's , that 's the worst thing you can do .
`` Many people are uncertain about what to say .
Many are worried about saying the wrong thing or making it worse .
`` The most important thing is definitely saying something , '' she explains .
`` Ideally , saying something along the lines of ' I 'm sorry this has happened ' . ''
Use the baby 's name Acknowledging the baby - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
`` If you do mention the baby 's name and they burst into tears , be assured you did not do anything wrong , '' says Marcia Jones who works for The Lullaby Trust helpline , supporting parents through loss .
`` It 's just where they are in that moment .
The grief is still raw , '' she explains .
And if you 're posting rather than speaking face-to-face , do n't be put off .
The advice is to keep it short and recognise what that person has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well you know that person offer to take it offline , '' says Kate .
`` You can follow it up with a text or a message in a more personal space to offer your support . ''
Experts say be consistent with your offers of help .
Doing the shopping , cleaning or walking the dog are all simple ways to show you care .
Do n't be so frightened of saying the wrong thing that you avoid those who are grieving , says Marcia .
`` Grief is not a disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louise agrees and says having people acknowledge your baby and their lives is what counts the most .
`` I always wanted people to say his name , '' she explains '' Ellis lived and he was part of our family and still is part of our family . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .


bbc--2020-10-01--Driverless taxis now for hire in Shanghai

Driverless taxis are now available to the public in China ’ s biggest city .
A company backed by the @ @ @ @ @ Alibaba has started offering a free taxi service – using a fleet of autonomous driving @ @ @ @ @ area of Shanghai .
It ’ s one of numerous trials , of various vehicles @ @ @ @ @ Robin Brant took a ride .

Driverless taxis are now available to the public in China’s biggest city. A firm AutoX, backed by the online tech and retail giant Alibaba, has started offering a free taxi service – using a fleet of autonomous driving cars – in a small area of Shanghai. It’s one of numerous trials, of various vehicles, across the world. Robin Brant took a ride.
Produced by Ed Lawrence


bbc--2020-10-01--Spitting Image: The voice of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump

The British satirical TV puppet show Spitting Image is returning this week - on streaming service BritBox .
Comedian Matt @ @ @ @ @ British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump 's puppets .
He told @ @ @ @ @ the show is `` just as outrageous , grotesque and ludicrous '' as it was @ @ @ @

The British satirical TV puppet show Spitting Image is returning this week - on streaming service BritBox.
Comedian Matt Forde is the voice of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump's puppets.
He told BBC World News America that the show is "just as outrageous, grotesque and ludicrous" as it was in the 1980s.


bbc--2020-10-02--Africa's week in pictures: 25 September-1 October 2020

A selection of the week 's best photos from across the continent and beyond :

Image caption,
As for these girls, they seem to be happy to be back at school in the Zimbabwean town of Ruwa on Monday, six months after it was closed because of Covid-19.


bbc--2020-09-30--Does Germany have answer to social media hate?

Despite their opposing views , both US presidential candidates want to change how social media platforms operate .
One system @ @ @ @ @ being discussed around the world as an option .
The so-called NetzDG law has been @ @ @ @ @ , Russia and Brazil with more than 20 other governments , including the UK , @ @ @ @ @ social media regulation .
But has it worked ?

Despite their opposing views, both US presidential candidates want to change how social media platforms operate.
One system adopted by Germany is increasingly being discussed around the world as an option.
The so-called NetzDG law has been emulated in countries including Turkey, Russia and Brazil with more than 20 other governments, including the UK, citing it in discussions around social media regulation.
But has it worked?
Reporter: Joe Tidy
Producer / Director: Woody Morris
Executive Producer: Claire Williams


bbc--2020-10-01--Avoiding war in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

Despite calls for a ceasefire from the US , Russia and France - fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the @ @ @ @ @ to intensify .
The BBC ’ s Ros Atkins looks at the history of the @ @ @ @ @ ’ s escalated this week and why some warn it could become a regional conflict @

Despite calls for a ceasefire from the US, Russia and France - fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh continues to intensify.
The BBC’s Ros Atkins looks at the history of the conflict, the reasons it’s escalated this week and why some warn it could become a regional conflict.


bbc--2020-10-01--Seal of approval: Gavin the seal makes a splash

Paddleboarders on the River Arun in West Sussex are becoming used to Gavin the seal hitching a ride with them @ @ @ @ @ grey seal hopping on passing boards has won him fans , and locals have even @ @ @ @ @ dedicated to him .
The latest paddleboarder to meet Gavin was John Mitchell , who @ @ @ @ @ mobile phone .

Paddleboarders on the River Arun in West Sussex are becoming used to Gavin the seal hitching a ride with them.
Footage of the young grey seal hopping on passing boards has won him fans, and locals have even set up a Facebook page dedicated to him.
The latest paddleboarder to meet Gavin was John Mitchell, who captured the moment on his mobile phone.


bbc--2020-10-02--Quiz of the week: Whose Instagram record did Attenborough beat?

It 's the weekly news quiz - how closely have you been paying attention to what 's been going on @ @ @ @ @ past seven days ?
If you can not see the quiz , follow this link @ @ @ @ @ quiz via this link .
What information do we collect from this quiz ?
Privacy @ @

It's the weekly news quiz - how closely have you been paying attention to what's been going on in the world during the past seven days?


bbc--2020-10-01--Amazon doorbell spooks owners with phantom chimes

Owners of Amazon 's Ring smart doorbells have been reporting `` phantom '' visitors , with the bell chiming but no-one being at their door .
Amazon has blamed the issue on `` infrastructure delays '' - making real doorbell presses arrive later .
It said its `` processing infrastructure was running behind '' , which caused delays in people receiving the notifications .
The issue was now resolved , it said , apologising for any inconvenience .
Amazon did not say how many people had been affected or what caused the delay , but users across the UK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the day on 30 September .
Some took to Twitter to describe how they were getting a succession of rings , with others saying their devices were going off every 10 minutes .
Others said that the phantom rings were unnerving , with children scared when the doorbell sounded and no-one was was there .
In March , the BBC revealed that Amazon keeps records of every motion detected by its Ring doorbell , something privacy experts said gives its huge insights into customers ' lives .
Ring , which makes home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had security issues in the past .
The hacker greeted the girl saying : `` It 's Santa .
It 's your best friend . ''

Amazon did not say how many people had been affected or what caused the delay, but users across the UK, Europe and US reported the random rings throughout the day on 30 September.


bbc--2020-10-01--Schoolboy breaks solo round-Britain sailing record

He arrived back into the marina , aboard his 28ft ( 8.5m ) vessel , at about 11:00 BST having covered more than 1,600 nautical miles .
Timothy raised more than £7,000 during the challenge , in aid of The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust .
Timothy said : `` I ca n't believe I 've actually done it .
It 's all quite surreal - it has n't quite hit me yet .
I just wanted to try to do something that would push me and make me a better sailor .
`` I 'm back at school on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shock . ''
And despite missing the start of the new term , Timothy 's mum Sue Elder said his school had been very supportive .
The 11-week voyage - divided into several legs with overnight stops in ports and marinas - saw Timothy cover an average of about 50 miles per day , with several longer passages of up to 100 miles .
Thanking him for supporting the charity , Dame Ellen said : `` I was only a few years older than Tim when I did the same and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the British Isles .
There 's something magical about looking back on your home country from the sea .
`` The money Tim raises will make a huge difference in young people being able to rebuild their lives after cancer . ''
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that supports young people aged eight to 24 to rebuild their confidence after cancer by introducing them to sailing .

Thanking him for supporting the charity, Dame Ellen said: " I was only a few years older than Tim when I did the same and I was awestruck by the incredible beauty of the British Isles. There's something magical about looking back on your home country from the sea.


bbc--2020-09-30--Palantir: The controversial data firm now worth £17bn

US tech firm Palantir , known for supplying controversial data-sifting software to government agencies , has fetched a market value of nearly $ 22bn ( £17bn ) in its debut on the New York Stock Exchange .
It 's a lofty figure for a firm that has never turned a profit , been hit by privacy concerns and relies on public agencies for nearly half of its business .
But the company , which takes its name from the `` seeing stones '' known for their power and potential to corrupt in Lord of the Rings , says the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` has never been greater '' .
The firm , which launched in 2003 with backing from right-wing libertarian tech investor Peter Thiel and America 's Central Intelligence Agency ( CIA ) , builds programs that integrate massive data sets and spit out connections and patterns in user-friendly formats .
The firm - sometimes described as the `` scariest '' of America 's tech giants - got its start working with US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan , but now supplies software to police departments , other public agencies and corporate clients .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , including the UK , where it was one of the tech firms the government enlisted this spring to help respond to coronavirus .
In the first half of 2020 , Palantir revenue rose 49 % year-on-year , topping $ 480m ( £373m ) .
And at its direct listing on Wednesday , in which investors sold some of their existing shares to the public , shares opened at $ 10 each - above the $ 7.25 reference price - giving it a value of roughly $ 22bn .
Mark Cash , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has estimated the firm 's value at $ 28bn - even higher than the valuation reached on Wednesday - said the firm is well-positioned in a growing industry .
`` Data integration at this scale for the government is very complex and I think if you tried to stop spending on that and it just goes away , you 're going to have some big problems , '' he said .
`` We think it 's very hard to switch away from once you 're in as a customer . ''
But Palantir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from privacy experts , who say the firm 's tools enable surveillance and analysis of data - everything from drivers licenses and social media posts to DNA swabs - that skirts people 's right to privacy and is ripe for abuse .
In the US , the use of its technology by immigration authorities to help round-up undocumented immigrants has drawn heated protests and in the UK , the health data handled by the firm has also raised alarms .
Ahead of the firm 's listing , Amnesty International issued a report saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a company to protect human rights with inadequate due diligence into who it is working for .
`` We have to move away from the idea that data analytics and data collection is objective or clean or immune from all the pathologies that we 're seeing play out right now , '' said Paromita Shah , executive director at Just Futures Law , which focuses on immigration law .
`` Our governments are the problem because they do n't want to set up oversight , but Palantir takes advantage of it . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined some work with border authorities in the US due to the concerns .
But the company has also vigorously defended its government work , maintaining that its clients own and control the data .
It says it has a team focused on civil liberties issues , but it is government 's job to craft policy , not Silicon Valley 's .
It has contrasted its commitment to some other tech firms , such as Google , which stopped work on an artificial intelligence project with the Pentagon after a backlash from employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Silicon Valley .
But we seem to share fewer and fewer of the technology sector 's values and commitments , '' chief executive Alex Karp wrote in the filing announcing its plans to sell shares to the public .
`` We have chosen sides , and we know that our partners value our commitment '' .
The outspoken defence is perhaps little surprise , coming from a firm co-founded by Mr Thiel , who famously abandoned Silicon Valley in 2018 , decrying its liberal politics .
Mr Thiel , whose estimated $ 2.1bn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PayPal and an early investment in Facebook , funded the Hulk Hogan invasion of privacy case that bankrupted gossip news site Gawker and has given generously to conservative politicians .
In 2016 , he donated more than $ 1m to US President Donald Trump , though he is reportedly sitting out this election cycle .
By contrast , chief executive Alex Karp , who met Mr Thiel when they both attended Stanford Law School , is a self-described neo-Marxist and `` card-carrying progressive '' , with a doctorate degree in neo-classical social theory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He displays Tai Chi swords in his offices , according to Bloomberg and the firm 's presentation to investors this month opened with a video of him racing up a hill in orange exercise gear .
Prospective investors have to be `` comfortable '' with the firm 's leaders - especially since , under the terms of the listing , they will continue to wield outsize voting power over the firm , even after ownership shifts to the public , said Mark Moerdler , senior research analyst at Bernstein Research .
His team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the controversies could hurt the firm 's efforts to win private sector clients .
`` Politics has entered business in a way we have n't seen before and you see large companies being influenced by employees and others in interesting ways , '' Mr Moerdler told the BBC .
But , he added , `` I do n't think it will fundamentally impact their ability to grow the business if the opportunities are as large as they believe they are . ''
Palantir may be an American company , but it actually employs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 600 - than in either its Silicon Valley base or Denver headquarters .
That reflects both the work it does for European clients including BP , Airbus and Ferrari - but also its UK government contracts , which predate the coronavirus pandemic by several years .
These - a source told me - have included work with GCHQ 's cyber-spies as well as publicly declared work for the Ministry of Defence .
Big data analytics may sound like a dry subject , but speak to the firm 's staff and they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say has involved helping fight drug cartels , catch child predators and prevent terrorist attacks .
But while Palantir might like to highlight the lives it helps save , it has also been accused of having `` blood on its hands '' by civil rights protesters .
They object to its tech bring used to identify places where illegal immigrants are working so the properties can be raided and those arrested deported .
In fact , the firm has effectively become the bogeyman of surveillance tech .
Shareholders will have to be aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit from using its software , there are also many with an interest in exposing any further controversies it might be involved in .
Just how big those opportunities are remains an open question .
While its efforts to make inroads in the corporate world were rocky initially , Palantir 's commercial business has grown .
It now accounts for 53 % of revenue and includes customers such as French airplane-maker Airbus and energy giant BP .
And Palantir has said it is well-poised to continue to win government work , thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military in 2016 , which requires the government to consider commercially available products first .
The firm 's finances have also improved in recent years , amid pressure from early backers to list shares publicly and allow them to cash out .
In 2019 , the firm brought in $ 743m in revenue , up 25 % from the year before , with some 60 % of sales from outside the US .
But Palantir still posted a loss of nearly $ 580m last year and relies on a relatively small number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its nearly $ 22bn opening valuation was only a bit higher than the $ 20bn private investors valued the firm when it fundraised five years ago .
And as Palantir starts to trade publicly , scrutiny has only grown .
This month , liberal US politicians , including Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , asked financial regulators to investigate the firm , saying the information it had provided to investors lacked transparency on key areas of risk , including data protections and work with foreign governments .
Growth will depend on landing new , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profitable clients - and the firm has n't shared much about its record , said Mr Moerdler .
`` If they can make the product critical to an organisation , it can be sticky , but the road there is long , '' he said .
`` In terms of growing , it still needs to be proven . ''

"Data integration at this scale for the government is very complex and I think if you tried to stop spending on that and it just goes away, you're going to have some big problems," he said. "We think it's very hard to switch away from once you're in as a customer."


bbc--2020-10-02--Coronavirus: How pandemic sparked European cycling revolution

This industrial hub in northern Italy was one of the first cities in Europe to invest in cycling as a way to get people moving around again .
There are 35km of new cycle paths , although many of these are temporary .
`` There have been a few lanes that have been built , but compared with the need and the necessity of this city and the will of people they are really a drop in the ocean , '' Anna Germotta , an environmental lawyer , '' says .
`` Coronavirus is a moment in which every policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she believes .
`` The failure to have the courage to change now , in a situation in which you have some time to prepare the people , could be really disastrous . ''
In an attempt to prepare people , the regional government in this part of Italy has spent €115m to stimulate cycling .
The government has pledged subsidies of up to €500 if citizens want to buy a new bike or an e-scooter in a bid to keep people off public transport and out of cars .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought would happen in the next 10 years suddenly happening in three to six months , '' says Taco Carlile , whose electric bike brand Van Moof sold more bikes in the first four months of 2020 than it did in the previous two years .
So will this shift last ?

"It's been crazy to see what we thought would happen in the next 10 years suddenly happening in three to six months," says Taco Carlier, whose electric bike brand VanMoof sold more bikes in the first four months of 2020 than it did in the previous two years.


bbc--2020-10-01--Coronavirus: Loss of smell may be clearer sign than cough

Loss of a sense of smell may be a more reliable indicator of Covid-19 than cough or fever , research suggests .
A study by University College London ( UCL ) of 590 people who lost their sense of smell or taste earlier in the year found 80 % had coronavirus antibodies .
Of those people with antibodies , 40 % had no other symptoms .
The research only looked at people with mild symptoms , however .
Evidence that loss of smell and taste could be signs of coronavirus began to emerge from about April , and they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-May .
Current guidance states anyone who experiences a loss of , or change to their sense of smell or taste should self-isolate and apply for a test .
But lead author of the UCL study , Prof Rachel Batterham , says cough and fever are still seen by many as the main symptoms to look out for .
She recruited people between 23 April and 14 May by sending out texts via four GP surgeries in London , enrolling those who reported losing their smell or taste in the previous four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested for antibodies , and four out of five were positive , suggesting a previous Covid-19 infection .
The study was constrained by the fact that all its participants had mild symptoms , including or limited to a loss of smell or taste , so they may not be representative of all Covid patients .
But its findings emphasise the importance of people looking out for any change to their sense of smell or taste , and self-isolating if they realise they ca n't smell `` everyday '' items like perfume , bleach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Batterham said .
While not all coronavirus patients will necessarily lose their sense of smell , if you do lose your sense of smell it is highly likely to be coronavirus , this research seems to suggest .
The thing to look out for is a loss of smell without having a blocked or runny nose , Prof Batterham explained .
It 's thought loss of smell happens with Covid-19 because the virus invades the cells found at the back of the nose , throat and on the tongue .
This is distinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where smell and taste might be altered because a person 's airways are blocked .
King 's College London researchers , who run the Covid Symptom Study app , previously estimated 60 % of people with coronavirus lost their sense of smell or taste .
Although this is considered a milder symptom and unlikely to land someone in hospital , Prof Batterham points out the potential dangers of losing your sense of smell including not being able to detect smoke , leaking gas or food that has gone off .
If suffered longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant impact on people 's quality of life .
Thousands of people online have reported worrying experiences including causing fires and not being able to smell the smoke .
Some have noticed constantly smelling a rancid `` garbage '' odour or experiencing a metallic taste , while others have found themselves unable to taste food for months after being clear of the virus .
The group of people who only lose their smell without experiencing any other symptoms may also pose the `` greatest risk '' to others since they may feel generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily lives , Prof Batterham pointed out .
Although the two often go together , loss of or change to smell was more common than loss of taste among people who have recovered from coronavirus , she said .
Her research took place at a time when loss of smell and taste were not recognised symptoms of the virus .

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