france24--2020-08-02--Bowing out of the family media empire, James Murdoch challenges conservative line

Once seen as a contender for succession at his father Rupert Murdoch ’ s global media empire , James Murdoch resigned from the board of News Corp on Friday , citing ‘ editorial disagreements ’ .
The decision to step down severs his last corporate ties with his family and their companies ’ politically conservative outlook .
“ My resignation is due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the company ’ s news outlets and certain other strategic decisions , ” James Murdoch , 47 , wrote in his letter , which News Corp disclosed soon after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corp , the publishing arm of Rupert Murdoch ’ s media empire , owns the Wall Street Journal , the New York Post , the UK 's The Times , The Sunday Times and The Sun , and the publishers Harper Collins , amongst other media outlets .
Rupert Murdoch ’ s other media company , Fox Corp , is the parent company of 24-hour cable news channel Fox News and the Fox broadcast network .
His resignation severs his last corporate ties to his father ’ s media empire .
He had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which his brother Lachlan heads up – and made no secret of his distaste for the cable channel ’ s opinions .
“ There are views I really disagree with on Fox , ” he told the New Yorker last year .
The decision to step down from the company comes amid escalating political differences with his father , Rupert Murdoch , 88 , and his brother , Lachlan Murdoch , 48 , widely seen as the heir apparent .
Rupert Murdoch is a longtime ally and supporter of US president Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major media ally .
The Liberal of the family Just weeks ago James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn , who are based in New York , donated more than $ 1 million to a fund-raiser for the presumptive Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden .
Known as the liberal in the family , James Murdoch has been increasingly vocal in his support for the environment and a string of other progressive causes .
Along with his wife Kathryn , he has backed a programme at the Center for New American Security , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disinformation and electoral interference .
It also seeks to increase American voter turnout , a tactic that could help to oust Trump in the forthcoming election .
In March 2019 he launched his own investment firm , Lupa Systems , which backs start-ups and focuses on sustainability projects .
And in a move that further distanced him from the politically conservative News Corp , in October last year he bought a small stake in Vice Media , the left-leaning online news platform .
Aside his interest in US politics , James Murdoch has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widening schism between Left and Right .
`` The connective tissue of our society is being manipulated to make us fight with each other , making us the worst versions of ourselves , ” he told the New Yorker last year .
Murdoch father and son also hold widely divergent views on climate change .
In February , as wildfires raged across Australia , where Rupert Murdoch was born , James and Kathryn Murdoch , an environmental activist , hit out at News Corp and Fox News ’ coverage of climate change .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ square kilometres , levelling thousands of homes , choking high-density cities with smoke , killing countless wildlife and leaving more than 28 people dead , News Corp Australia broadcast commentary from prominent climate change denier Andrew Bolt .
A spokesperson for the couple told the Daily Beast : “ They are particularly disappointed with the ongoing denial of the role of climate change among the news outlets in Australia , given obvious evidence to the contrary.
” News Corp Australia said its coverage `` reflected [ that ] there are a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis ” .
Before Trump ’ s rise to power , James Murdoch ’ s business relationship with his father had also been strained by a 2011 inquiry into phone-hacking at British tabloid The News of the World , a key Murdoch masthead .
Grilled in a parliamentary enquiry and presented with emails that appeared to show his knowledge that phone-hacking was taking place , James Murdoch denied reading the whole set of emails .
He was reproached by a parliamentary committee for “ willful blindness ” and in the wake of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , moved to New York to help run his father ’ s media properties there .
His resignation is just the latest twist in the shifting fortunes of the Murdochs ' media empire .
His announcement was followed by a statement from Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch which read : “ We 're grateful to James for his many years of service to the company .
We wish him the very best in his future endeavors . ''
Yet despite cutting corporate ties with his family ’ s business , James Murdoch remains a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , continuing to financially benefit from the profits of his billionaire father , and his news and information assets .

Once seen as a contender for succession at his father Rupert Murdoch’s global media empire, James Murdoch resigned from the board of News Corp on Friday, citing ‘editorial disagreements’. The decision to step down severs his last corporate ties with his family and their companies’ politically conservative outlook.
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“My resignation is due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the company’s news outlets and certain other strategic decisions,” James Murdoch, 47, wrote in his letter, which News Corp disclosed soon after the close of business on Friday.
News Corp, the publishing arm of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, owns the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, the UK's The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun, and the publishers Harper Collins, amongst other media outlets. Rupert Murdoch’s other media company, Fox Corp, is the parent company of 24-hour cable news channel Fox News and the Fox broadcast network.
His resignation severs his last corporate ties to his father’s media empire. He had already resigned from Fox News Corporation – which his brother Lachlan heads up – and made no secret of his distaste for the cable channel’s opinions.
“There are views I really disagree with on Fox,” he told the New Yorker last year.
The decision to step down from the company comes amid escalating political differences with his father, Rupert Murdoch, 88, and his brother, Lachlan Murdoch, 48, widely seen as the heir apparent.
Rupert Murdoch is a longtime ally and supporter of US president Donald Trump, who counts Fox News as a major media ally.
The Liberal of the family
Just weeks ago James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn, who are based in New York, donated more than $1 million to a fund-raiser for the presumptive Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden.
Known as the liberal in the family, James Murdoch has been increasingly vocal in his support for the environment and a string of other progressive causes.
Along with his wife Kathryn, he has backed a programme at the Center for New American Security, a bipartisan thinktank, which aims to counter disinformation and electoral interference. It also seeks to increase American voter turnout, a tactic that could help to oust Trump in the forthcoming election.
In March 2019 he launched his own investment firm, Lupa Systems, which backs start-ups and focuses on sustainability projects.
And in a move that further distanced him from the politically conservative News Corp, in October last year he bought a small stake in Vice Media, the left-leaning online news platform.
Aside his interest in US politics, James Murdoch has expressed concerns over fake news and the widening schism between Left and Right.
"The connective tissue of our society is being manipulated to make us fight with each other, making us the worst versions of ourselves,” he told the New Yorker last year.
Climate change
Murdoch father and son also hold widely divergent views on climate change.
In February, as wildfires raged across Australia, where Rupert Murdoch was born, James and Kathryn Murdoch, an environmental activist, hit out at News Corp and Fox News’ coverage of climate change.
As fires tore through more than 115,000 square kilometres, levelling thousands of homes, choking high-density cities with smoke, killing countless wildlife and leaving more than 28 people dead, News Corp Australia broadcast commentary from prominent climate change denier Andrew Bolt.
A spokesperson for the couple told the Daily Beast: “They are particularly disappointed with the ongoing denial of the role of climate change among the news outlets in Australia, given obvious evidence to the contrary.”
News Corp Australia said its coverage "reflected [that] there are a variety of views and opinions about the current fire crisis”.
Before Trump’s rise to power, James Murdoch’s business relationship with his father had also been strained by a 2011 inquiry into phone-hacking at British tabloid The News of the World, a key Murdoch masthead.
Grilled in a parliamentary enquiry and presented with emails that appeared to show his knowledge that phone-hacking was taking place, James Murdoch denied reading the whole set of emails. He was reproached by a parliamentary committee for “willful blindness” and in the wake of the demise of the News of the World, moved to New York to help run his father’s media properties there.
His resignation is just the latest twist in the shifting fortunes of the Murdochs' media empire.
His announcement was followed by a statement from Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch which read: “We're grateful to James for his many years of service to the company. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors."
Yet despite cutting corporate ties with his family’s business, James Murdoch remains a beneficiary of his family’s trust, continuing to financially benefit from the profits of his billionaire father, and his news and information assets.
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france24--2020-08-02--Trump surrogates reassure the public that election will be held on time

The White House and Donald Trump ’ s campaign on Sunday sought to shut down the Republican president ’ s musings on delaying the 2020 vote , saying there will be an election on Nov. 3 .
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Trump was raising concerns about mail-in ballots when he floated the idea of delaying the U.S. vote .
“ We ’ re going to hold an election on November 3 and the president is going to win , ” Meadows said on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation.
” Presidential campaign adviser Jason Miller echoed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” saying , “ The election is going to be on November 3rd and President Trump wants the election to be on November 3rd.
” Trump on Thursday suggested delaying the U.S. elections , an idea immediately rejected by both Democrats and his fellow Republicans in Congress - the sole branch of government with the authority to make such a change .
Critics and even Trump ’ s allies dismissed the notion as an unserious attempt to distract from devastating economic news , but some legal experts warned that his repeated attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election process .
The Republican president has been trying to undermine confidence in mail-in balloting , claiming repeatedly and without evidence that it would lead to widespread voter fraud .
Meadows took up his boss ’ s cause on Sunday , warning that mail-in ballots must be handled properly without providing evidence that they have not been in the past .
Asked if it were irresponsible for Trump to float the idea , Meadows skirted the question , saying “ It is responsible for him to say that if we try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will we have an election result on November 3 ?
Now I would suggest we wouldn ’ t even have it on January 1.
” Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson told CNN on Sunday the election should be held on time and it was up to states to ensure balloting be carried out properly .
“ It ’ s not helpful for the president to think out loud in a public fashion and express some frustration , ” he added .
The coronavirus crisis is expected to drive a surge in mail voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to ensure tens of millions of ballots can reach voters in time to be cast and are returned in time to be counted .
Miller criticized efforts by states including Nevada for moving toward expanding mail-in balloting during emergencies like the coronavirus epidemic , as well as other states that will count ballots postmarked Nov. 3 that arrive after Election Day .
Trump early Sunday called for a lawsuit to be filed to counter Nevada ’ s legislative efforts to extend mail-in balloting .
“ This is outrageous .
Must be met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a Twitter post .

The White House and Donald Trump’s campaign on Sunday sought to shut down the Republican president’s musings on delaying the 2020 vote, saying there will be an election on Nov. 3.
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White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Trump was raising concerns about mail-in ballots when he floated the idea of delaying the U.S. vote.
“We’re going to hold an election on November 3 and the president is going to win,” Meadows said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Presidential campaign adviser Jason Miller echoed the sentiment on “Fox News Sunday,” saying, “The election is going to be on November 3rd and President Trump wants the election to be on November 3rd.”
Trump on Thursday suggested delaying the U.S. elections, an idea immediately rejected by both Democrats and his fellow Republicans in Congress - the sole branch of government with the authority to make such a change.
Critics and even Trump’s allies dismissed the notion as an unserious attempt to distract from devastating economic news, but some legal experts warned that his repeated attacks could undermine his supporters’ faith in the election process.
The Republican president has been trying to undermine confidence in mail-in balloting, claiming repeatedly and without evidence that it would lead to widespread voter fraud.
Meadows took up his boss’s cause on Sunday, warning that mail-in ballots must be handled properly without providing evidence that they have not been in the past.
Asked if it were irresponsible for Trump to float the idea, Meadows skirted the question, saying “It is responsible for him to say that if we try to go to 100% universal mail-in ballots, will we have an election result on November 3? Now I would suggest we wouldn’t even have it on January 1.”
Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson told CNN on Sunday the election should be held on time and it was up to states to ensure balloting be carried out properly.
“It’s not helpful for the president to think out loud in a public fashion and express some frustration,” he added.
The coronavirus crisis is expected to drive a surge in mail voting in November. State election officials are working to ensure tens of millions of ballots can reach voters in time to be cast and are returned in time to be counted.
Miller criticized efforts by states including Nevada for moving toward expanding mail-in balloting during emergencies like the coronavirus epidemic, as well as other states that will count ballots postmarked Nov. 3 that arrive after Election Day.
Trump early Sunday called for a lawsuit to be filed to counter Nevada’s legislative efforts to extend mail-in balloting. “This is outrageous. Must be met with immediate litigation!,” he said in a Twitter post.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-02--Cartel boss ‘El Marro’ arrested in Mexico

Members of Mexican Army stand guard in the highway bewteen Guadalajara in Jalisco state and Leon city , in Guanajuato State , Mexico , on May 01 , 2015 .
The Mexican Army and state security forces on Sunday captured Jose Antonio Yepez , a notorious drug gang leader blamed for helping fuel a surge in violence that has severely tested the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador .
Widely known as “ El Marro ” ( The Mallet ) , Yepez was captured early on Sunday morning , according to the federal government and authorities in the central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principal flashpoints of gang violence in Mexico .
“ This a tremendously successful blow for the government , ” said Raul Benitez , a security expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico ( UNAM ) .
Yepez , boss of the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel , a Guanajuato-based gang , has been engaged in a bloody struggle for criminal control of the state with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel ( CJNG ) , one of the country ’ s most powerful and violent groups .
The capture should deliver a boost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring down record levels of violence plaguing the country when he took office in December 2018 .
Instead , homicides have further increased during his presidency .
The Guanajuato attorney general ’ s office said security forces captured Yepez with five other people and rescued a kidnapped local businesswoman during the operation .
An “ arsenal ” of weapons was also secured during the raid .
One of Mexico ’ s most-wanted bosses , El Marro has appeared in expletive-laden videos threatening his enemies , and in June a clip of an emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sister was widely broadcast on national media .
The women , who were suspected of aiding his operations , were later released when judges picked apart the case against them .
Security Minister Alfonso Durazo said Yepez would be taken to the Altiplano penitentiary , a maximum-security prison where drug lord Joaquin “ El Chapo ” Guzman was housed before he escaped through a tunnel in 2015 .
Guzman was recaptured in 2016 .
Initially notorious for fuel theft in a state crisscrossed by pipelines and home to a major oil refinery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become increasingly embroiled in battles with the CJNG , based in the neighboring state of Jalisco .
A hub of the carmaking industry , Guanajuato was once one of the safer regions of Mexico , but the violence of the past few years has pushed national homicide tallies to record levels .
Writing on Twitter , Durazo said Yepez had been arrested for suspected organized crime and fuel theft .

The Mexican Army and state security forces on Sunday captured Jose Antonio Yepez, a notorious drug gang leader blamed for helping fuel a surge in violence that has severely tested the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Members of Mexican Army stand guard in the highway bewteen Guadalajara in Jalisco state and Leon city, in Guanajuato State, Mexico, on May 01, 2015.
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Widely known as “El Marro” (The Mallet), Yepez was captured early on Sunday morning, according to the federal government and authorities in the central state of Guanajuato, one of the principal flashpoints of gang violence in Mexico.
“This a tremendously successful blow for the government,” said Raul Benitez, a security expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Yepez, boss of the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel, a Guanajuato-based gang, has been engaged in a bloody struggle for criminal control of the state with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the country’s most powerful and violent groups.
The capture should deliver a boost to Lopez Obrador, who pledged to bring down record levels of violence plaguing the country when he took office in December 2018. Instead, homicides have further increased during his presidency.
The Guanajuato attorney general’s office said security forces captured Yepez with five other people and rescued a kidnapped local businesswoman during the operation. An “arsenal” of weapons was also secured during the raid.
One of Mexico’s most-wanted bosses, El Marro has appeared in expletive-laden videos threatening his enemies, and in June a clip of an emotional Yepez lamenting the arrest of his mother and sister was widely broadcast on national media.
The women, who were suspected of aiding his operations, were later released when judges picked apart the case against them.
Security Minister Alfonso Durazo said Yepez would be taken to the Altiplano penitentiary, a maximum-security prison where drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was housed before he escaped through a tunnel in 2015. Guzman was recaptured in 2016.
Initially notorious for fuel theft in a state crisscrossed by pipelines and home to a major oil refinery, the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel has become increasingly embroiled in battles with the CJNG, based in the neighboring state of Jalisco.
A hub of the carmaking industry, Guanajuato was once one of the safer regions of Mexico, but the violence of the past few years has pushed national homicide tallies to record levels.
Writing on Twitter, Durazo said Yepez had been arrested for suspected organized crime and fuel theft.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-02--South Africa surpasses 500,000 Covid-19 cases, more than half of Africa’s tally

A health worker walks between beds at a temporary field hospital set up by Médecins sans frontières in Khayelitsha township near Cape Town , South Africa on July 21 , 2020 .
South Africa on Saturday surpassed 500,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases , representing more than 50 % of all reported coronavirus infections in Africa 's 54 countries .
Health Minister Zwelini Mkhize announced 10,107 new cases Saturday night , bringing the country 's cumulative total to 503,290 , including 8,153 deaths .
South Africa , with a population of about 58 million , has the fifth-highest number of cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil , Russia and India , all countries with significantly higher populations , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Experts say the true toll of the pandemic worldwide is much higher than confirmed cases , due to limited testing and other reasons .
“ Half a million is a significant milestone , because it shows we ’ ve entered a stage of rapid increases .
We may reach 1 million cases very quickly , ” said Denis Chopera , a virologist based in Durban .
“ What we know for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underestimate and that this virus will be with us for a long time to come . ''
South Africa 's Gauteng province — which includes Johannesburg , the country 's largest city and Pretoria , the capital — is the country 's epicenter with more than 35 % of its confirmed cases .
Local hospitals have been struggling to cope , and health experts say the country could reach the peak of its outbreak in late August or early September .
Cape Town , a city beloved by international tourists at the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epicenter and reached its peak last month , according to health experts .
South Africa will have multiple peaks across the country , each challenging its different provincial health care systems , said Chopera , executive manager of the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence .
“ The Western Cape had the first peak and did relatively well .
Gauteng is the epicenter now and appears to be coping so far , ” he said .
`` Other provinces , like the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal , do not have reputations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have serious problems . ''
South Africa imposed a strict lockdown in April and May that succeeded in slowing the spread of the virus but caused such economic damage that the country began a gradual reopening in June .
South Africa was already in recession before the coronavirus hit and its unemployment stands at 30 % .
President Cyril Ramaphosa 's government has extended grants to the country 's poorest , increased supplies to hospitals and recently accepted a $ 4.3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund .
Corruption in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem .
On Thursday the top health official in Gauteng province was forced to step down over corruption allegations related to government contracts for COVID-19 personal protective equipment .
Ramaphosa has warned that now , more than ever , South Africa ’ s persistent problem with widespread graft is endangering people ’ s lives .

South Africa on Saturday surpassed 500,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, representing more than 50% of all reported coronavirus infections in Africa's 54 countries.
A health worker walks between beds at a temporary field hospital set up by Médecins sans frontières in Khayelitsha township near Cape Town, South Africa on July 21, 2020.
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Health Minister Zwelini Mkhize announced 10,107 new cases Saturday night, bringing the country's cumulative total to 503,290, including 8,153 deaths.
South Africa, with a population of about 58 million, has the fifth-highest number of cases in the world, behind the U.S., Brazil, Russia and India, all countries with significantly higher populations, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Experts say the true toll of the pandemic worldwide is much higher than confirmed cases, due to limited testing and other reasons.
“Half a million is a significant milestone, because it shows we’ve entered a stage of rapid increases. We may reach 1 million cases very quickly,” said Denis Chopera, a virologist based in Durban. “What we know for sure is that the figures are an underestimate and that this virus will be with us for a long time to come."
South Africa's Gauteng province — which includes Johannesburg, the country's largest city and Pretoria, the capital — is the country's epicenter with more than 35% of its confirmed cases. Local hospitals have been struggling to cope, and health experts say the country could reach the peak of its outbreak in late August or early September.
Cape Town, a city beloved by international tourists at the country's southern tip, was the first epicenter and reached its peak last month, according to health experts.
South Africa will have multiple peaks across the country, each challenging its different provincial health care systems, said Chopera, executive manager of the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence.
“The Western Cape had the first peak and did relatively well. Gauteng is the epicenter now and appears to be coping so far,” he said. "Other provinces, like the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, do not have reputations for well-organized health care systems. They may have serious problems."
Health official resigns over corruption allegations
South Africa imposed a strict lockdown in April and May that succeeded in slowing the spread of the virus but caused such economic damage that the country began a gradual reopening in June.
South Africa was already in recession before the coronavirus hit and its unemployment stands at 30%. President Cyril Ramaphosa's government has extended grants to the country's poorest, increased supplies to hospitals and recently accepted a $4.3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.
Corruption in the country’s pandemic response is a growing problem. On Thursday the top health official in Gauteng province was forced to step down over corruption allegations related to government contracts for COVID-19 personal protective equipment.
Ramaphosa has warned that now, more than ever, South Africa’s persistent problem with widespread graft is endangering people’s lives.
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-03--Rules on outdoor mask wearing in effect for parts of France hardest hit by Covid-19

Rules on wearing masks outdoors in the hardest-hit parts of France take effect on Monday , the latest move to tighten coronavirus restrictions after a nationwide decree last month required people to wear masks in all indoor public places .
Pressure is growing on the government to mandate the use of masks outdoors nationwide .
Beach resorts along France ’ s Atlantic coast , picturesque promenades along the Loire River and farmers ' markets in the Alps are among the areas of France where people are now required to wear masks outdoors .
People must also wear masks along many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nice , Mayor Christian Estrosi said Monday , including the tourist boulevard , the Promenade des Anglais .
France has been seeing an uptick in coronavirus infections and hundreds of new clusters in recent weeks , notably as young people gather at cafés or parties and families meet up for summer vacation .
Starting on Monday , 69 towns in the Mayenne region of western France have imposed outdoor mask rules .
France has reported 7,000 new cases in the last week , after bringing the virus nearly under control with a strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 to May 11 .
New Prime Minister Jean Castex arrived in Lille on Monday morning for a quick visit intended to take stock of the resurgence of the virus there .
Wearing a mask is now mandatory in many open public spaces in the northern city .
In the Lille metro area , with 1.2 million inhabitants , authorities have reported a `` worrying '' progression of the epidemic , with the incidence rate almost doubling in one week to 31 infected people per 100,000 inhabitants .
France has confirmed 30,265 virus-related @ @ @ @ @ @

Rules on wearing masks outdoors in the hardest-hit parts of France take effect on Monday, the latest move to tighten coronavirus restrictions after a nationwide decree last month required people to wear masks in all indoor public places. Pressure is growing on the government to mandate the use of masks outdoors nationwide.
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Beach resorts along France’s Atlantic coast, picturesque promenades along the Loire River and farmers' markets in the Alps are among the areas of France where people are now required to wear masks outdoors.
People must also wear masks along many parts of the southern French city of Nice, Mayor Christian Estrosi said Monday, including the tourist boulevard, the Promenade des Anglais.
France has been seeing an uptick in coronavirus infections and hundreds of new clusters in recent weeks, notably as young people gather at cafés or parties and families meet up for summer vacation.
Starting on Monday, 69 towns in the Mayenne region of western France have imposed outdoor mask rules.
France has reported 7,000 new cases in the last week, after bringing the virus nearly under control with a strict two-month nationwide lockdown that ran from March 17 to May 11.
New Prime Minister Jean Castex arrived in Lille on Monday morning for a quick visit intended to take stock of the resurgence of the virus there. Wearing a mask is now mandatory in many open public spaces in the northern city.
In the Lille metro area, with 1.2 million inhabitants, authorities have reported a "worrying" progression of the epidemic, with the incidence rate almost doubling in one week to 31 infected people per 100,000 inhabitants.
France has confirmed 30,265 virus-related deaths since the pandemic began.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
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france24--2020-08-03--Afghan forces retake control of prison from Islamic State militants

Afghan soldiers arrive in a Humvee vehicle outside a prison raid in Jalalabad on August 3 , 2020 .
The Afghan military retook control of a prison after battling Islamic State group militants for several hours on Monday , a day after the group launched an attack on a Jalalabad facility that holds hundreds of the terrorist group 's members .
The Islamic State group attacked a prison in eastern Afghanistan holding hundreds of its members , leading to an hourslong battle Monday that saw the military retake control of the facility even as militants continued to fire on them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed at least 29 people and wounded 50 , authorities said .
Security forces seized the prison Monday afternoon in Jalalabad , the capital of Nangarhar province , some 115 kilometers ( 70 miles ) east of Kabul , Defense Ministry spokesman Fawad Aman said .
Sporadic gunfire rang out from nearby residential buildings in central Jalalabad , an area of high security near the provincial governor 's office .
The attack highlighted the challenges ahead for Afghanistan , even as U.S. and NATO forces begin to withdraw following America striking a peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces swept through the prison , they found the bodies of two Taliban prisoners apparently killed by the Islamic State group , showing the tensions between the two militant factions battling each other in eastern Afghanistan .
The 29 dead included civilians , prisoners , guards and Afghan security forces , said Attaullah Khogyani , the provincial governor ’ s spokesman .
The attack began Sunday , when an Islamic State suicide bomber drove a car laden with explosives up to the prison 's main gate , detonating the bomb .
Islamic State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guards and poured through the breach .
The Islamic State group 's affiliate in Afghanistan , known as IS in Khorasan province , later claimed responsibility for the attack .
The affiliate is headquartered in Nangarhar province .
The motive of the attack was n't immediately clear .
However , some of the 1,500 prisoners there escaped during the fighting .
Khyogyani said about 1,000 prisoners who earlier escaped had been found by security forces across the city .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if any prisoners were still at large .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be Islamic State members .
The attack came a day after authorities said Afghan special forces killed a senior Islamic State commander near Jalalabad .
While the Islamic State group has seen its so-called caliphate stretching across Iraq and Syria eliminated after a yearslong campaign , the group has continued fighting in Afghanistan .
The extremists also have battled the Taliban in the country , whom the U.S. overthrew following the 2001 American-led invasion after the Sept. 11 attacks .
The Taliban ’ s political spokesman , Suhail Shaheen , told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the Jalalabad attack .
The U.S. struck a peace deal with the Taliban in February .
A second , crucial round of negotiations between the Taliban and the political leadership in Kabul has yet to start .
The Taliban declared a three-day cease-fire starting Friday for the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha .
The cease-fire expired at 12 a.m. Monday though it wasn ’ t immediately clear if it would be extended as the U.S. pushes for an early start to intra-Afghan negotiations that have repeatedly been delayed since Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We have a cease-fire and are not involved in any of these attacks anywhere in the country , ” Shaheen said .
The Taliban also had denied being involved in a suicide bombing in eastern Logar province late Thursday that killed at least nine people and wounded 40 .
Afghanistan has seen a recent spike in violence , with most attacks claimed by the local Islamic State group affiliate .

Afghan security forces retook control of a prison from Islamic State group militants in the eastern city of Jalalabad on Monday, ending a siege in which hundreds of prisoners escaped.
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At least 29 people were killed in the assault on the prison that began on Sunday evening and in subsequent clashes with security forces, a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province said.
“The attack is now over,” Sohrab Qaderi, a member of the provincial council, told Reuters after security forces clashed overnight and into the day with militants who had taken over the prison watchtowers.
More than 300 prisoners were still at large, according to Attaullah Khugyani, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province. Of the 1,793 prisoners more than 1,025 had tried to escape and been recaptured while 430 had remained inside.
“The rest are missing,” he said.
Khugyani said civilians, prisoners and members of the security forces were among the 29 dead and more than 50 wounded before the final assault.
A defence ministry statement said all 10 attackers had been killed by Afghan security forces, though a provincial council member and a witness inside the prison told Reuters the number was likely around 30.
The attackers were Islamic State group militants trying to free their comrades from the prison in Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, said Ajmal Omar, a provincial council member.
“The aim of this attack was to rescue all Daesh members inside the prison, and unfortunately that included five or six senior Daesh people,” Omar said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group. Among the prisoners who escaped was the group's shadow governor for neighboring Kunar Province, he said.
The Islamic State (IS) group affiliate in Afghanistan, known as IS in Khorasan Province, claimed responsibility for the attack. The militants have established a base in Nangarhar Province.
The renewed violence comes at a sensitive time as Afghanistan as the United States attempts to launch new peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, who say they oppose the Islamic State group.
03:23
After detonating a car bomb at the entrance on Sunday evening, IS group militants overran the prison, where many of the group's fighters who were captured during a campaign in the past month were being held along with Taliban fighters and common criminals.
As the siege dragged through the day, the normally bustling city was placed under a curfew.
“Jalalabad is completely empty,” Qaderi said.
Some 130km (80 miles) east of Kabul, Jalalabad lies on the highway leading to the Khyber Pass and the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The United States is drawing down troops after almost 19 years of war but security has remained volatile as the Taliban continue attacks on Afghan forces and other targets.
A UN report last month estimated there were around 2,200 Islamic State group fighters in Afghanistan. While the group has lost territory and its leadership has been depleted, it remains capable of carrying out high-profile attacks, the report said.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-03--Global coronavirus cases top 18 million as WHO warns of 'response fatigue'

Health workers evacuate a patient suspected of Covid-19 in Mexico , now the world 's third-hardest-hit country in terms of confirmed virus deaths .
The number of coronavirus cases recorded worldwide passed the 18-million mark on Monday , with the World Health Organization warning that the effects of the pandemic `` will be felt for decades to come '' .
The virus that causes Covid-19 has killed more than 687,000 people since it first emerged in China late last year , according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources .
Fresh clusters have been reported in countries that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcing governments to reimpose lockdown measures despite worries over further economic fallout .
Australia 's Victoria state imposed fresh , sweeping restrictions on Sunday , including a curfew in Melbourne for the next six weeks , a ban on wedding gatherings , and an order that schools and universities go back online in the coming days .
`` Anything short of this will see it drag on for months and months and months , '' Victoria premier Daniel Andrews said of the outbreak .
Despite a lockdown , Melbourne has continued to report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states in Australia have reported zero or a small number .
Many other parts of the world are struggling with much bigger outbreaks .
Health authorities in South Africa , where a surge in cases had been expected after the gradual loosening of a strict lockdown , reported that infections exceeded the half-million mark .
The nation is by far the hardest-hit in Africa , accounting for more than half of diagnosed infections , although President Cyril Ramaphosa said the fatality rate is lower than the global average .
Latin America and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fatalities in the region climbed to more than 200,000 , with Brazil and Mexico accounting for nearly three-quarters .
Iran — battling the Middle East 's deadliest outbreak — reported its highest single-day infection count in nearly a month , warning that most of its provinces have been hit by a resurgence of the disease .
With infections and deaths still surging six months after it declared a global health emergency , the World Health Organization has warned of possible `` response fatigue '' .
`` The WHO continues to assess the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very high , '' the UN health agency said , adding that the effects of the pandemic `` will be felt for decades to come . ''
The deadly pandemic has spurred a race for a vaccine with several Chinese companies at the forefront , while Russia has set a target date of September to roll out its own prophylactic .
However , US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said it was unlikely the United States would use any vaccine developed in either nation .
> > Dr. Anthony Fauci : A lifeline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of its `` Operation Warp Speed '' , the US government will pay pharmaceutical giants Sanofi and GSK up to $ 2.1 billion for the development of a Covid-19 vaccine , the two companies have said .
The US has now tallied more than 4.6 million cases and 154,793 deaths , while neighbouring Mexico has overtaken Britain to become the third-hardest-hit country in virus deaths — after Brazil and the US — with more than 46,600 fatal cases .
In Europe , where many countries had hoped their outbreaks had been brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus death in two weeks and Switzerland reported its case numbers had crept up again .
Despite the resurgence , Europe has seen demonstrations against coronavirus curbs .
Thousands protested in Berlin over the weekend urging `` a day of freedom '' from the restrictions , with some demonstrators dubbing the pandemic `` the biggest conspiracy theory '' .
The protests , in which many demonstrators failed to wear masks or respect social distancing rules , triggered calls for tougher penalties against those who violate curbs .
At least 45 police officers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested .
The pandemic has also continued to cause mayhem in the travel , sports , cultural and tourism sectors , with more airlines announcing mass job cuts and major festivals and cultural events scaling back .
Latin America 's biggest airline , the Brazilian-Chilean group LATAM , said it would lay off at least 2,700 crew , and British Airways pilots overwhelmingly voted to accept a deal cutting wages by 20 percent , with 270 jobs lost .
Austria 's month-long Salzburg festival celebrates its 100th anniversary , but now with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including masks for spectators until they are seated .
The 80,000 tickets for the event — down from the usual 230,000 — have been personalised to enable contact-tracing .

The number of coronavirus cases recorded worldwide passed the 18-million mark on Monday, with the World Health Organization warning that the effects of the pandemic "will be felt for decades to come".
Health workers evacuate a patient suspected of Covid-19 in Mexico, now the world's third-hardest-hit country in terms of confirmed virus deaths.
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The virus that causes Covid-19 has killed more than 687,000 people since it first emerged in China late last year, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.
Fresh clusters have been reported in countries that had previously brought their outbreaks under control, forcing governments to reimpose lockdown measures despite worries over further economic fallout.
Australia's Victoria state imposed fresh, sweeping restrictions on Sunday, including a curfew in Melbourne for the next six weeks, a ban on wedding gatherings, and an order that schools and universities go back online in the coming days.
"Anything short of this will see it drag on for months and months and months," Victoria premier Daniel Andrews said of the outbreak.
Despite a lockdown, Melbourne has continued to report hundreds of new cases daily even as other states in Australia have reported zero or a small number.
Many other parts of the world are struggling with much bigger outbreaks.
Health authorities in South Africa, where a surge in cases had been expected after the gradual loosening of a strict lockdown, reported that infections exceeded the half-million mark.
The nation is by far the hardest-hit in Africa, accounting for more than half of diagnosed infections, although President Cyril Ramaphosa said the fatality rate is lower than the global average.
Latin America and the Caribbean passed another milestone on Sunday as fatalities in the region climbed to more than 200,000, with Brazil and Mexico accounting for nearly three-quarters.
Iran — battling the Middle East's deadliest outbreak — reported its highest single-day infection count in nearly a month, warning that most of its provinces have been hit by a resurgence of the disease.
With infections and deaths still surging six months after it declared a global health emergency, the World Health Organization has warned of possible "response fatigue".
"The WHO continues to assess the global risk level of COVID-19 to be very high," the UN health agency said, adding that the effects of the pandemic "will be felt for decades to come."
Europe case numbers creep up again
The deadly pandemic has spurred a race for a vaccine with several Chinese companies at the forefront, while Russia has set a target date of September to roll out its own prophylactic.
However, US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said it was unlikely the United States would use any vaccine developed in either nation.
>> Dr. Anthony Fauci: A lifeline for Americans through pandemics and presidencies
As part of its "Operation Warp Speed", the US government will pay pharmaceutical giants Sanofi and GSK up to $2.1 billion for the development of a Covid-19 vaccine, the two companies have said.
The US has now tallied more than 4.6 million cases and 154,793 deaths, while neighbouring Mexico has overtaken Britain to become the third-hardest-hit country in virus deaths — after Brazil and the US — with more than 46,600 fatal cases.
In Europe, where many countries had hoped their outbreaks had been brought under control, Norway recorded its first virus death in two weeks and Switzerland reported its case numbers had crept up again.
Despite the resurgence, Europe has seen demonstrations against coronavirus curbs.
Thousands protested in Berlin over the weekend urging "a day of freedom" from the restrictions, with some demonstrators dubbing the pandemic "the biggest conspiracy theory".
The protests, in which many demonstrators failed to wear masks or respect social distancing rules, triggered calls for tougher penalties against those who violate curbs.
At least 45 police officers were injured and more than 130 people were arrested.
The pandemic has also continued to cause mayhem in the travel, sports, cultural and tourism sectors, with more airlines announcing mass job cuts and major festivals and cultural events scaling back.
Latin America's biggest airline, the Brazilian-Chilean group LATAM, said it would lay off at least 2,700 crew, and British Airways pilots overwhelmingly voted to accept a deal cutting wages by 20 percent, with 270 jobs lost.
Austria's month-long Salzburg festival celebrates its 100th anniversary, but now with a reduced programme and strict safety measures, including masks for spectators until they are seated.
The 80,000 tickets for the event — down from the usual 230,000 — have been personalised to enable contact-tracing.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-08-03--Spared from fire, Notre-Dame's organ set for lengthy restoration

Notre-Dame 's grand organ pictured three months after the devastating fire that wrecked the Gothic cathedral in April 2019 .
Workers started dismantling Notre-Dame 's grand organ on Monday in the hopes that experts can restore it in time for the fifth anniversary of the devastating fire that severely damaged the Paris cathedral .
The organ — the biggest musical instrument in France — was not burned by the flames that destroyed the cathedral 's roof and spire on April 15 , 2019 .
But it was covered in soot and damaged by humidity .
`` It is an absolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organ like this is enormous and looks indestructible , but it is actually very fragile , '' Olivier Latry , one of Notre-Dame 's official organ players , told Europe 1 radio .
The mammoth task of dismantling , cleaning and re-assembling the precious instrument started Monday and is expected to last nearly four years .
Workers will dismantle its five keyboards , pedalboard and the 109 stop knobs that control airflow to its 8,000 pipes , some as high as 10 metres .
The pieces will be placed in special containers inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restoration will take place .
The organ , which sits under the Gothic cathedral 's huge rose window , was completed in 1867 , shortly after the spire , which crashed through the roof during the fire .
`` We ca n't wait for Notre-Dame and the organ to be restored .
There is some kind of magic between this instrument and the place ... it makes the stones sing , '' Philippe Lefebvre , another cathedral organist , told TF1 television .
President Emmanuel Macron promised after the fire to rebuild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many architects say is unrealistic .
Church officials also hope Notre-Dame will be open for Mass by 2024 , when Paris is due to host the Olympic Games .
However , it has taken more than a year to clear out dangerous lead residue along with scaffolding that had been in place before the fire for a previous renovation effort .
Reconstruction of the landmark has yet to begin .

Workers started dismantling Notre-Dame's grand organ on Monday in the hopes that experts can restore it in time for the fifth anniversary of the devastating fire that severely damaged the Paris cathedral.
Notre-Dame's grand organ pictured three months after the devastating fire that wrecked the Gothic cathedral in April 2019.
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The organ — the biggest musical instrument in France — was not burned by the flames that destroyed the cathedral's roof and spire on April 15, 2019. But it was covered in soot and damaged by humidity.
"It is an absolute miracle that it has survived. An organ like this is enormous and looks indestructible, but it is actually very fragile," Olivier Latry, one of Notre-Dame's official organ players, told Europe 1 radio.
The mammoth task of dismantling, cleaning and re-assembling the precious instrument started Monday and is expected to last nearly four years.
Workers will dismantle its five keyboards, pedalboard and the 109 stop knobs that control airflow to its 8,000 pipes, some as high as 10 metres. The pieces will be placed in special containers inside the huge cathedral, where the cleaning and restoration will take place.
The organ, which sits under the Gothic cathedral's huge rose window, was completed in 1867, shortly after the spire, which crashed through the roof during the fire.
"We can't wait for Notre-Dame and the organ to be restored. There is some kind of magic between this instrument and the place ... it makes the stones sing," Philippe Lefebvre, another cathedral organist, told TF1 television.
President Emmanuel Macron promised after the fire to rebuild Notre-Dame within five years, a target many architects say is unrealistic.
Church officials also hope Notre-Dame will be open for Mass by 2024, when Paris is due to host the Olympic Games.
However, it has taken more than a year to clear out dangerous lead residue along with scaffolding that had been in place before the fire for a previous renovation effort. Reconstruction of the landmark has yet to begin.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-03--Italy to inaugurate new Genoa bridge two years after deadly collapse

Engineers at work on Genoa 's new viaduct in late July , days ahead of its inauguration .
Italy inaugurates a sleek new bridge in Genoa on Monday , though relatives of the 43 people killed when the old viaduct collapsed say the pomp and ceremony risk overshadowing the tragedy .
Jets trailing the colours of the Italian flag will roar overhead as the national anthem plays , almost two years to the day the Morandi highway gave way during heavy rain , hurling dozens of cars and several trucks onto railway tracks below .
President Sergio Mattarella will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridge , designed by famed Italian architect Renzo Piano , who gave it a curved , gleaming underbelly evoking the hull of a ship in tribute to Genoa 's maritime history .
The names of the victims will be read aloud — though many of their loved ones will not be present .
`` We wo n't be at the inauguration , we do n't want the tragedy to be transformed into a carnival , '' said Egle Possetti , whose sister died in the August 14 , 2018 disaster along with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can have this sort of big party if you knock down the bridge because it 's old , you build a new one , and no one 's died . ''
The Morandi bridge had been riddled with structural problems for decades , leading to expensive maintenance , and its collapse threw the spotlight on Italy 's creaking infrastructure .
The tragedy also ended the longstanding concession of highway maintenance by a company majority-owned by the powerful Benetton family .
The new high-tech structure will have four maintenance robots running along its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as a special dehumidification system to limit corrosion .
It is expected to open to traffic on Tuesday or Wednesday .
Architect Piano , a Genoa native whose building designs include the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and The Shard in London , has described his new creation as a `` child born of tragedy '' .
`` It was horrific .
I remember the sounds , the smells , terrible things , '' said Silvano Ruffoni , one of the first paramedics on the scene when , at just after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 820 feet ) of the vast concrete structure crumbled into the void .
`` We were met by such an atrocious sight .
The bridge was gone .
We were thunderstruck , '' he said in an interview with the local daily Il Secolo XIX last week .
The new viaduct , he said , was `` a sign of rebirth '' .
But Possetti , who is a spokeswoman for a victims ' relatives group , said she would `` never cross that bridge '' .
`` How could you be there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that destroyed your family , '' she told AFP .
The Morandi was hailed a marvel of engineering when it opened in 1967 , but an investigation into the disaster found it was neglected .
Autostrade , which runs almost half of Italy 's motorway network , has been accused of failing to maintain it properly , amid allegations of falsified safety reports and in-house pressure to slash maintenance costs .
Atlantia , the parent group of Autostrade , is controlled by the wealthy Benetton family , which finally bowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its besmirched toll-road operator , which will be nationalised .
Autostrade is under investigation , along with several transport ministry officials , for culpable homicide .
The preliminary probe is due to wind up in October , before a trial begins early next year , Possetti said .

Italy inaugurated a sleek new bridge in Genoa on Monday, though relatives of the 43 people killed when the old viaduct collapsed said the pomp and ceremony risked overshadowing the tragedy.
The new Genoa bridge is illuminated in the colours of the Italian flag during its official inauguration on August 3, 2020.
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Jets trailing the colours of the Italian flag roared overhead and ship sirens sounded in the coastal city's port, almost two years to the day the Morandi highway gave way during heavy rain, hurling dozens of cars and several trucks onto railway tracks below.
As a rainbow appeared in the sky, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte cut the ribbon on the new bridge, designed by famed Italian architect Renzo Piano, who gave it a curved, gleaming underbelly evoking the hull of a ship in tribute to Genoa's maritime history.
"Forty-three stars will shine every night on high," he said, as lamps along the bridge, numbered for the victims, lit up.
01:29
The names of the victims were read aloud -- though many of their loved ones were not present.
"We won't be at the inauguration, we don't want the tragedy to be transformed into a carnival," Egle Possetti, whose sister died in the August 14, 2018 disaster along with her husband and their two children, said ahead of the ceremony.
"You can have this sort of big party if you knock down the bridge because it's old, you build a new one, and no one's died."
The Morandi bridge had been riddled with structural problems for decades, leading to expensive maintenance, and its collapse threw the spotlight on Italy's creaking infrastructure.
The tragedy also ended the longstanding concession of highway maintenance by a company majority-owned by the powerful Benetton family.
The new high-tech structure will have four maintenance robots running along its length to spot weathering or erosion, as well as a special dehumidification system to limit corrosion.
It is expected to open to traffic on Tuesday or Wednesday.
'Born of tragedy'
Architect Piano, a Genoa native whose building designs include the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and The Shard in London, described his new creation as a "child born of tragedy, of mourning".
"We are suspended between grief and pride," he said.
Conte has hailed the new viaduct "a sign of rebirth".
But Possetti, who is a spokeswoman for a victims' relatives group, said she would "never cross that bridge".
"How could you be there and not think of everything that happened, and that destroyed your family," she told AFP.
The Morandi was hailed a marvel of engineering when it opened in 1967, but an investigation into the disaster found it was neglected.
Autostrade, which runs almost half of Italy's motorway network, has been accused of failing to maintain it properly, amid allegations of falsified safety reports and in-house pressure to slash maintenance costs.
Atlantia, the parent group of Autostrade, is controlled by the wealthy Benetton family, which finally bowed to pressure last month to relinquish control of its besmirched toll-road operator, which will be nationalised.
Roberto Battiloro, father of a young videomaker who died along with three friends, said the families were "still waiting for justice".
"That bridge should not have collapsed, and someone has to pay," he said on Facebook on Monday.
Autostrade is under investigation, along with several transport ministry officials, for culpable homicide.
The preliminary probe is due to wind up in October, before a trial begins early next year, Possetti said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-03--John Hume, who won Nobel Prize for Northern Ireland peace process, dies at 83

John Hume , the Northern Irish politician who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 for his role in the British province 's peace process , has died aged 83 , his family announced Monday .
Hume , the former leader of the mainly Catholic Social Democratic and Labour Party ( SDLP ) , shared the Nobel with David Trimble of the pro-British Ulster Unionist Party ( UUP ) after the pair helped forge the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement .
`` We are deeply saddened to announce that John passed away peacefully in the early hours of the morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family said in a statement .
`` John was a husband , a father , a grandfather , a great-grandfather and a brother .
He was very much loved , and his loss will be deeply felt by all his extended family . ''
The statement noted that Hume had been suffering from dementia and in the care of a nursing home in Londonderry .
The ex-SDLP leader helped to end three decades of bloody strife in Northern Ireland between the largely Catholic nationalist community who want to unify with Ireland and Protestant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain .
A moderate voice during a conflict that had killed almost 3,600 people , Hume helped lead the cross-community peace process that culminated in the landmark Good Friday deal reached by Belfast , Dublin , London .
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said it was `` impossible to properly express the scale and significance of John Hume 's life '' .
`` He was one of the towering figures of Irish public life of the last century , '' he said on Twitter .
`` His vision and tenacity saved this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We all live in the Ireland he imagined — at peace and free to decide our own destiny . ''
Hume 's family said his funeral would be arranged in accordance with current government regulations severely limiting the number of attendees due to the risk of spreading coronavirus .
`` We realise this will mean that many will be unable to join us , and we will arrange a memorial service and a celebration of his life in due course , '' they said .

John Hume, the Northern Irish politician who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 for his pivotal role in ending decades of violence in the British province, has died aged 83, his family announced Monday.
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Hume, the former leader of the mainly Catholic Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), shared the Nobel with David Trimble of the Ulster Unionist Party after the pair helped forge the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement.
The landmark agreement was key to ending three decades of bloody strife in Northern Ireland between the largely Catholic nationalist community who want to reunify with Ireland and Protestant unionists who want to remain part of Britain.
"We are deeply saddened to announce that John passed away peacefully in the early hours of the morning after a short illness," Hume's family said in a statement.
"John was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and a brother. He was very much loved, and his loss will be deeply felt by all his extended family."
‘I never thought in terms of being a leader. I thought very simply in terms of helping people’.
Nobel Laureate and former SDLP Leader John Hume passed away last night. We all live in the Ireland he imagined - at peace and free to decide our own destiny.
Thank you, John. pic.twitter.com/0yO5KWaTv7 — Social Democratic and Labour Party (@SDLPlive) August 3, 2020
Hume had been suffering from dementia and had been in the care of a nursing home in Londonderry, where he was born.
A consistently moderate voice during a conflict that killed almost 3,600 people, he helped lead the cross-community peace process that culminated in the landmark 1998 deal reached by Belfast, Dublin and London.
'Political titan'
Tributes poured in for Hume from across the political spectrum.
"John Hume was a political titan; a visionary who refused to believe the future had to be the same as the past," said former British prime minister Tony Blair, who helped craft the Good Friday Agreement.
"His contribution to peace in Northern Ireland was epic and he will rightly be remembered for it."
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said it was "impossible to properly express the scale and significance of John Hume's life".
"He was one of the towering figures of Irish public life of the last century. His vision and tenacity saved this country," he said.
It is impossible to properly express the scale and significance of John Hume’s life. He was one of the towering figures of Irish public life of the last century. His vision and tenacity saved this country. We owe him and his wife Pat so much. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 3, 2020
Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster, leader of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party, called Hume "a giant in Irish nationalism".
"In our darkest days he recognised that violence was the wrong path (and) worked steadfastly to promote democratic politics," she added.
Hume's own party, the SDLP, said: "We all live in the Ireland he imagined -- at peace and free to decide our own destiny."
'Living for ideals'
Born in the Northern Irish city and republican stronghold of Londonderry in 1937, Hume joined the province's civil rights movement in the late 1960s as Catholics demanded equality in housing, voting and other issues.
He was elected to Northern Ireland's parliament as an independent lawmaker, becoming a founding member of the SDLP in 1970, before later serving as a member of the European Parliament and then Britain's House of Commons.
As the province's peace process began to progress in the 1990s with several ceasefires by the Irish Republic Army (IRA) paramilitary group, Hume worked to engage US politicians, notably Bill Clinton.
"The answer to difference is to respect it," Hume summarised in his Nobel acceptance speech in December 1998.
"I want to see Ireland as an example to men and women everywhere of what can be achieved by living for ideals, rather than fighting for them, and by viewing each and every person as worthy of respect and honour."
Hume resigned as leader of the SDLP in 2001, citing ill health.
Hume's family said his funeral would be arranged in accordance with current government regulations severely limiting the number of attendees due to the risk of spreading coronavirus.
"We realise this will mean that many will be unable to join us, and we will arrange a memorial service and a celebration of his life in due course," they said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-03--Covid-19: US in 'new phase' of 'extraordinarily widespread' outbreak, say White House experts

Emergency Medical Technicians ( EMT ) with a patient at Hialeah Hospital in the US state of Florida , where COVID-19 cases are treated , July 29 , 2020 .
The United States is in a new phase of the novel coronavirus outbreak with infections `` extraordinarily widespread '' in rural areas as well as cities , White House coronavirus experts said on Sunday .
Coronavirus cases continue to surge in some parts of the country and public health officials are trying to work with governors to tailor responses for each state .
`` We are in a new phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What we are seeing today is different from March and April .
It is extraordinarily widespread '' in rural as well as urban areas .
`` To everybody who lives in a rural area : You are not immune or protected from this virus , '' Birx said on CNN 's `` State of the Union . ''
Birx , the White House task force coordinator , said people living in multigenerational households in an area that is experiencing an outbreak should wear masks inside the home to protect the elderly or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giroir , an assistant Health and Human Services secretary , continued to stress the importance of wearing masks .
`` If we do n't do that , and if we do n't limit the indoor crowded spaces , the virus will continue to run , '' he said on NBC 's `` Meet the Press . ''
`` We are very concerned and this is a very serious point . ''
The coronavirus , which first appeared in China , has infected 4.6 million people in the United States and killed more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tally .
Birx said federal officials have been working on individual reports for each state examining community trends and hospital records .
`` Each of these responses have to be dramatically tailored , '' she said .
She said what she witnessed as she visited 14 states over the last three weeks gave her cause for concern .
`` As I traveled around the country , I saw all of America moving , '' Birx said .
`` If you have chosen to go on vacation into a hot spot , you really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with comorbidities and assume you 're infected . ''
If people wear masks and avoid crowds , Giroir said , it gives the same outcome as a complete shutdown .
`` That 's why we 're going to all the states , we 're on local radio , we give specific instructions to every governor by county , what they need to do when we start – when those counties start tipping yellow , because that 's the time when you have to stamp it down , '' he said .

The United States is in a new phase of the novel coronavirus outbreak with infections "extraordinarily widespread" in rural areas as well as cities, White House coronavirus experts said on Sunday.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) with a patient at Hialeah Hospital in the US state of Florida, where COVID-19 cases are treated, July 29, 2020.
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Coronavirus cases continue to surge in some parts of the country and public health officials are trying to work with governors to tailor responses for each state.
"We are in a new phase," said Dr. Deborah Birx. "What we are seeing today is different from March and April. It is extraordinarily widespread" in rural as well as urban areas.
"To everybody who lives in a rural area: You are not immune or protected from this virus," Birx said on CNN's "State of the Union."
Birx, the White House task force coordinator, said people living in multigenerational households in an area that is experiencing an outbreak should wear masks inside the home to protect the elderly or those with underlying conditions.
Admiral Brett Giroir, an assistant Health and Human Services secretary, continued to stress the importance of wearing masks.
"If we don't do that, and if we don't limit the indoor crowded spaces, the virus will continue to run," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
"We are very concerned and this is a very serious point."
The coronavirus, which first appeared in China, has infected 4.6 million people in the United States and killed more than 155,000 Americans, according to a Reuters tally.
Birx said federal officials have been working on individual reports for each state examining community trends and hospital records. "Each of these responses have to be dramatically tailored," she said.
She said what she witnessed as she visited 14 states over the last three weeks gave her cause for concern.
"As I traveled around the country, I saw all of America moving," Birx said. "If you have chosen to go on vacation into a hot spot, you really need to come back and protect those with comorbidities and assume you're infected."
If people wear masks and avoid crowds, Giroir said, it gives the same outcome as a complete shutdown.
"That's why we're going to all the states, we're on local radio, we give specific instructions to every governor by county, what they need to do when we start – when those counties start tipping yellow, because that's the time when you have to stamp it down," he said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-03--City of Melbourne closes non-essential businesses, installs curfew to stem rise in coronavirus cases

Police and soldiers patrol the Docklands area of Melbourne on August 2 , 2020 , after the curfew was imposed .
Australia 's second-largest city Melbourne entered its first full day of tougher restrictions to contain the spread of a resurgent coronavirus on Monday , as residents braced for further announcements on business closures .
With the state of Victoria already under a state of emergency , Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday declared a `` state of disaster '' , saying that measures were working but too slowly .
`` We must go harder .
It 's the only way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of this , '' he told reporters .
On Sunday night , he imposed a nightly curfew for the state capital Melbourne as part of the country 's harshest virus restrictions to date .
The move was backed by the federal government , with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying it was `` regrettably necessary '' to stop the spread of the pandemic .
All non-essential businesses in Melbourne were also ordered to close .
Retail shops , construction projects and manufacturing around the city would be curtailed , the state premier said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a curfew from 8pm to 5am will be in place for six weeks , barring the city 's nearly 5 million people from leaving their houses except for work or to receive or give care .
Few people were out and about in the city centre on Monday morning , and traffic volumes thinned to half of what were already light flows , with police being given powers to ensure people are complying with public-health directions .
Supermarkets will remain open along with restaurant takeaway and delivery services , but some businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close will be asked to shut down .
Schools will move to remote learning from Wednesday .
`` This is devastating ... nobody wanted it to get to this , '' Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told 9News television .
`` There is only one way out and that is to stem the tide of new cases .
This is a big kick in the guts to thousands of small businesses right across the state , '' he added .
The state of Victoria makes up about a quarter of the national economy .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , down from 671 infections on Sunday , local media said ahead of the release of official figures .
While Australia has fared far better than many other countries in keeping the coronavirus from spreading , high numbers of community transmissions and cases of unknown origin have forced the new restrictions .
In all , Australia has recorded more than 17,923 cases and 208 deaths .
The Victoria outbreak has scuppered Australia 's hopes for a quick economic rebound from the country 's first recession in nearly three decades .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Australia-New Zealand travel bubble delayed indefinitely , New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday .
`` Part of our criteria is anywhere we have quarantine-free travel , they have to be free of community transmission for a period of time – 28 days , '' Ardern told New Zealand TV network Three .
`` That is going to take a long time for Australia ... so that will be on the back burner for some time , '' she added .
Both countries had previously said international travel between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Australia's second-largest city Melbourne entered its first full day of tougher restrictions to contain the spread of a resurgent coronavirus on Monday, as residents braced for further announcements on business closures.
Police and soldiers patrol the Docklands area of Melbourne on August 2, 2020, after the curfew was imposed.
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With the state of Victoria already under a state of emergency, Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday declared a "state of disaster", saying that measures were working but too slowly. "We must go harder. It's the only way we''ll get to the other side of this," he told reporters.
On Sunday night, he imposed a nightly curfew for the state capital Melbourne as part of the country's harshest virus restrictions to date.
The move was backed by the federal government, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying it was "regrettably necessary" to stop the spread of the pandemic.
All non-essential businesses in Melbourne were also ordered to close. Retail shops, construction projects and manufacturing around the city would be curtailed, the state premier said on Monday.
Under the new restrictions, a curfew from 8pm to 5am will be in place for six weeks, barring the city's nearly 5 million people from leaving their houses except for work or to receive or give care.
Few people were out and about in the city centre on Monday morning, and traffic volumes thinned to half of what were already light flows, with police being given powers to ensure people are complying with public-health directions.
Supermarkets will remain open along with restaurant takeaway and delivery services, but some businesses that previously had not been forced to close will be asked to shut down. Schools will move to remote learning from Wednesday.
"This is devastating ... nobody wanted it to get to this," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told 9News television.
"There is only one way out and that is to stem the tide of new cases. This is a big kick in the guts to thousands of small businesses right across the state," he added.
New Zealand travel corridor delayed
The state of Victoria makes up about a quarter of the national economy. It was due to report another 429 cases on Monday, down from 671 infections on Sunday, local media said ahead of the release of official figures.
While Australia has fared far better than many other countries in keeping the coronavirus from spreading, high numbers of community transmissions and cases of unknown origin have forced the new restrictions.
In all, Australia has recorded more than 17,923 cases and 208 deaths.
The Victoria outbreak has scuppered Australia's hopes for a quick economic rebound from the country's first recession in nearly three decades.
The surge in new cases will also see an Australia-New Zealand travel bubble delayed indefinitely, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.
"Part of our criteria is anywhere we have quarantine-free travel, they have to be free of community transmission for a period of time – 28 days," Ardern told New Zealand TV network Three.
"That is going to take a long time for Australia ... so that will be on the back burner for some time," she added.
Both countries had previously said international travel between the two could restart as soon as September.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-03--Some 8,000 evacuate as California wildfires spread east of Los Angeles

California 's 'Apple Fire ' , named for a nearby road , continues to spread in the mountains east of Los Angeles .
Evacuation orders remained in place early Monday for thousands of people after a wildfire in mountains east of Los Angeles exploded in size and forced crews to battle flames in triple-digit heat .
The Apple Fire in Riverside County consumed more than 31 square miles ( about 80 square kilometers ) of dry brush and timber , according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
As of Monday morning , it was 5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Officials allowed flames to run up the side of Mount San Gorgonio , an 11,000-foot ( 3,350-meter ) peak , because it was n't safe to let crews work in such steep , rugged terrain , said Lisa Cox , a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service .
“ We don ’ t want to put firefighters in a dangerous situation , ” Cox told the Riverside Press-Enterprise .
“ It ’ s burning in a straight line up a mountain.
” The blaze began as two adjacent fires reported Friday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the city of Beaumont about 85 miles ( 137 kilometers ) east of downtown Los Angeles .
Flames leapt along brushy ridge tops and came close to homes while firefighters attacked it from the ground and air .
One home and two outbuildings were destroyed , Cal Fire said .
No injuries were reported .
Evacuation orders and advisories were issued for about 8,000 people in mountain , canyon and foothill neighborhoods .
Campgrounds and hiking trails were closed in the San Gorgonio Wilderness area of the San Bernardino National Forest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles around and contributed to poor air quality .
The mercury hit 109 degrees ( 43 Celsius ) Sunday in nearby Palm Springs .
The National Weather Service said “ dangerously hot conditions ” were expected to continue because of high pressure over much of Southern California .
To the north , the Pond Fire in San Luis Obispo County was 10 % contained Sunday after burning more than 2 square miles ( 6 square kilometres ) of brush east of Santa Margarita .
The blaze destroyed two structures but officials said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Evacuation orders remained in place early Monday for thousands of people after a wildfire in mountains east of Los Angeles exploded in size and forced crews to battle flames in triple-digit heat.
California's 'Apple Fire', named for a nearby road, continues to spread in the mountains east of Los Angeles.
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The Apple Fire in Riverside County consumed more than 31 square miles (about 80 square kilometers) of dry brush and timber, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
As of Monday morning, it was 5% contained. The cause was under investigation.
Officials allowed flames to run up the side of Mount San Gorgonio, an 11,000-foot (3,350-meter) peak, because it wasn't safe to let crews work in such steep, rugged terrain, said Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service.
“We don’t want to put firefighters in a dangerous situation,” Cox told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. “It’s burning in a straight line up a mountain.”
The blaze began as two adjacent fires reported Friday evening in Cherry Valley, an unincorporated area near the city of Beaumont about 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles.
Flames leapt along brushy ridge tops and came close to homes while firefighters attacked it from the ground and air.
A small plane sprays fire retardant over the California mountains to help stop the spread. © Screen grab, France 24
One home and two outbuildings were destroyed, Cal Fire said. No injuries were reported.
Evacuation orders and advisories were issued for about 8,000 people in mountain, canyon and foothill neighborhoods. Campgrounds and hiking trails were closed in the San Gorgonio Wilderness area of the San Bernardino National Forest.
A huge smoke plume was visible for miles around and contributed to poor air quality.
The mercury hit 109 degrees (43 Celsius) Sunday in nearby Palm Springs. The National Weather Service said “dangerously hot conditions” were expected to continue because of high pressure over much of Southern California.
To the north, the Pond Fire in San Luis Obispo County was 10% contained Sunday after burning more than 2 square miles (6 square kilometres) of brush east of Santa Margarita. The blaze destroyed two structures but officials said it was unclear whether they were homes.
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-03--Lebanon's foreign minister steps down amid crippling economic crisis

Lebanese Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti resigned on Monday , becoming the first cabinet minister to defect from his post amid the severe economic and financial crisis striking the country .
A career diplomat , Hitti submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Hassan Diab and left the government house without making any comments .
He was was reportedly unhappy with the government 's performance and lack of movement on promised reforms .
Local media reports said Hitti was also angered by Diab ’ s criticism of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian following his visit to Beirut last month .
Diab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring anything new ” and was not properly informed about the reforms implemented by the Lebanese government .
It was not immediately clear whether Hitti 's resignation would be accepted and whether one of the other ministers would assume his responsibilities in caretaker capacity until a new minister is appointed .
Lebanon ’ s financial crisis , rooted in decades of state corruption and waste , marks the biggest threat to the country ’ s stability since the 1975-90 civil war .
A collapsing currency has led to soaring inflation and poverty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts in a paralysed banking system .
> > Lebanon ’ s neo-liberal wheels sped to a dream future , but the past applies the brakes During his visit , France 's Le Drian made no secret of his exasperation with a leadership he described as passive .
`` Concrete actions have been expected for too long , '' the French foreign minister told reporters after talks with Hitti .
The free-falling economy has sparked mass protests since October against a political class accused of being incompetent and corrupt .
Tens of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their income .
After the country defaulted on its debt for the first time in March , the government pledged reforms and two months ago started talks with the International Monetary Fund .
But the negotiations have hit a wall , with two top members of the government 's own team resigning , allegedly in frustration at the administration 's lack of commitment to reform .

Lebanese Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti resigned on Monday, becoming the first cabinet minister to defect from his post amid the severe economic and financial crisis striking the country.
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A career diplomat, Hitti submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Hassan Diab and left the government house without making any comments. He was was reportedly unhappy with the government's performance and lack of movement on promised reforms.
Local media reports said Hitti was also angered by Diab’s criticism of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian following his visit to Beirut last month. Diab had said Le Drian “did not bring anything new” and was not properly informed about the reforms implemented by the Lebanese government.
It was not immediately clear whether Hitti's resignation would be accepted and whether one of the other ministers would assume his responsibilities in caretaker capacity until a new minister is appointed.
Lebanon’s financial crisis, rooted in decades of state corruption and waste, marks the biggest threat to the country’s stability since the 1975-90 civil war. A collapsing currency has led to soaring inflation and poverty, and savers have lost free access to accounts in a paralysed banking system.
>> Lebanon’s neo-liberal wheels sped to a dream future, but the past applies the brakes
During his visit, France's Le Drian made no secret of his exasperation with a leadership he described as passive. "Concrete actions have been expected for too long," the French foreign minister told reporters after talks with Hitti.
The free-falling economy has sparked mass protests since October against a political class accused of being incompetent and corrupt. Tens of thousands have lost their jobs or part of their income.
After the country defaulted on its debt for the first time in March, the government pledged reforms and two months ago started talks with the International Monetary Fund. But the negotiations have hit a wall, with two top members of the government's own team resigning, allegedly in frustration at the administration's lack of commitment to reform.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-08-03--Microsoft says it is still pursuing TikTok purchase after talks with Trump

President Donald Trump said on July 31 , 2020 that he planned to bar the fast-growing Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from operating in the United States .
Microsoft announced Sunday it would continue talks to acquire the US operations of popular video-sharing app TikTok , after meeting with President Donald Trump , who seemingly backed off his earlier threats to ban the Chinese-owned platform .
`` Following a conversation between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Donald J Trump , Microsoft is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` importance of addressing the President 's concerns '' over national security .
Microsoft added that it would continue negotiations with ByteDance , TikTok 's Chinese parent company , with the intention of `` completing these discussions no later than September 15 . ''
The statement came after Trump on Friday said he would ban the app , which is especially popular with young audiences who create and watch its short-form videos and has an estimated one billion users worldwide .
TikTok should be sold or blocked in the US , Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Fox News the president would `` take action in the coming days with respect to a broad array of national security risks that are presented by software connected to the Chinese Communist Party . ''
TikTok denies it could be a tool for Chinese intelligence , with its US general manager Vanessa Pappas declaring Saturday : `` We 're not planning on going anywhere . ''
`` The United States would be the biggest loser if it banned TikTok , '' Daniel Castro , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Technology & Innovation Foundation , said Saturday .
`` All of its data centers are outside of China , and there is no evidence that it presents a national security threat . ''
Trump said he would use an executive order to ban TikTok , or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act , a law granting the president powers to regulate international trade in the face of an `` unusual and extraordinary threat '' from abroad to US foreign policy , national security or the economy .
His threat has caused great concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creators who make money on the platform .
Many of them have posted links to their Instagram or YouTube accounts so as not to lose followers if the platform is ultimately blocked .
In its statement , Microsoft said it plans to `` build on the experience TikTok users currently love , while adding world-class security , privacy , and digital safety protections . ''
Buying TikTok would give Microsoft a chance to break into the social networking market .
The IT group currently owns the professional networking platform LinkedIn , and Teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pappas promised Saturday to create 10,000 US jobs at TikTok over the next three years , in addition to the 1,500 current employees .
`` Do n't fall for this , '' responded senior Trump aide Peter Navarro , a fierce China critic and a main architect of the trade war with Beijing .
`` China has hired a whole bunch of American lobbyists .
They put a puppet CEO in charge of that company , '' he told Fox News , referring to former Disney executive Kevin Mayer , who became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Friday evening Trump indicated he opposed a takeover of TikTok by an American company , a solution nevertheless agreed to by most of the involved parties , including ByteDance , according to The New York Times .
`` This is getting bizarre .
A 100 percent sale to an American company ... mitigates any reasonable data protection concerns , '' tweeted Alex Stamos , a former Facebook head of security and a researcher at Stanford University .
`` If the White House kills this ( sale ) we know this is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Microsoft announced Sunday it would continue talks to acquire the US operations of popular video-sharing app TikTok, after meeting with President Donald Trump, who seemingly backed off his earlier threats to ban the Chinese-owned platform.
President Donald Trump said on July 31, 2020 that he planned to bar the fast-growing Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from operating in the United States.
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"Following a conversation between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Donald J Trump, Microsoft is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States," the company said in a statement, acknowledging the "importance of addressing the President's concerns" over national security.
Microsoft added that it would continue negotiations with ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, with the intention of "completing these discussions no later than September 15."
01:27
The statement came after Trump on Friday said he would ban the app, which is especially popular with young audiences who create and watch its short-form videos and has an estimated one billion users worldwide.
TikTok should be sold or blocked in the US, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told ABC earlier Sunday, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Fox News the president would "take action in the coming days with respect to a broad array of national security risks that are presented by software connected to the Chinese Communist Party."
TikTok denies it could be a tool for Chinese intelligence, with its US general manager Vanessa Pappas declaring Saturday: "We're not planning on going anywhere."
'Biggest loser'
"The United States would be the biggest loser if it banned TikTok," Daniel Castro, vice president of the think tank Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, said Saturday.
"All of its data centers are outside of China, and there is no evidence that it presents a national security threat."
Trump said he would use an executive order to ban TikTok, or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law granting the president powers to regulate international trade in the face of an "unusual and extraordinary threat" from abroad to US foreign policy, national security or the economy.
His threat has caused great concern for US TikTok users, particularly content creators who make money on the platform.
Many of them have posted links to their Instagram or YouTube accounts so as not to lose followers if the platform is ultimately blocked.
In its statement, Microsoft said it plans to "build on the experience TikTok users currently love, while adding world-class security, privacy, and digital safety protections."
Buying TikTok would give Microsoft a chance to break into the social networking market.
The IT group currently owns the professional networking platform LinkedIn, and Teams, an internal messaging service for companies.
'Bizarre'
Pappas promised Saturday to create 10,000 US jobs at TikTok over the next three years, in addition to the 1,500 current employees.
"Don't fall for this," responded senior Trump aide Peter Navarro, a fierce China critic and a main architect of the trade war with Beijing.
"China has hired a whole bunch of American lobbyists. They put a puppet CEO in charge of that company," he told Fox News, referring to former Disney executive Kevin Mayer, who became the CEO of TikTok in May.
On Friday evening Trump indicated he opposed a takeover of TikTok by an American company, a solution nevertheless agreed to by most of the involved parties, including ByteDance, according to The New York Times.
"This is getting bizarre. A 100 percent sale to an American company... mitigates any reasonable data protection concerns," tweeted Alex Stamos, a former Facebook head of security and a researcher at Stanford University.
"If the White House kills this (sale) we know this isn't about national security," he added.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-03--Former pope Benedict XVI 'extremely frail', says German newspaper report

Former pope Benedict XVI , right , pictured with his brother Georg Ratzinger at the Vatican in 2012 Former pope Benedict XVI became seriously ill himself after visiting his sick brother in Germany in June and is `` extremely frail '' , according to a report in the Monday edition of the German Passauer Neue Presse newspaper .
Benedict , 93 , is suffering from erysipelas of the face , a virus that causes a facial rash and episodes of severe pain , the newspaper reported , citing the former pope 's biographer Peter Seewald .
`` According to Seewald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frail , '' the report says .
`` His thinking and his memory are quick , but his voice is hardly audible at the moment . ''
Seewald reportedly visited Benedict in Rome on Saturday to present him with his biography .
`` At the meeting the emeritus Pope , despite his illness , was optimistic and declared that if his strength increased again he would possibly take up his pen again , '' the paper said .
Benedict visited his sick brother Georg in Germany in June , marking his first trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2013 .
Georg Ratzinger died just two weeks later , aged 96 .
The former pontiff , whose original name is Joseph Ratzinger , now lives in a small former monastery inside the Vatican .
He has largely stayed out of the public eye since he became the first pope in 600 years to resign , citing health reasons .
A traditionalist in the Catholic Church , he was replaced by the reformist Pope Francis .

Former pope Benedict XVI became seriously ill himself after visiting his sick brother in Germany in June and is "extremely frail", according to a report in the Monday edition of the German Passauer Neue Presse newspaper.
Former pope Benedict XVI, right, pictured with his brother Georg Ratzinger at the Vatican in 2012
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Benedict, 93, is suffering from erysipelas of the face, a virus that causes a facial rash and episodes of severe pain, the newspaper reported, citing the former pope's biographer Peter Seewald.
"According to Seewald, the Pope emeritus is now extremely frail," the report says. "His thinking and his memory are quick, but his voice is hardly audible at the moment."
Seewald reportedly visited Benedict in Rome on Saturday to present him with his biography.
"At the meeting the emeritus Pope, despite his illness, was optimistic and declared that if his strength increased again he would possibly take up his pen again," the paper said.
Benedict visited his sick brother Georg in Germany in June, marking his first trip out of Italy since his shock resignation in 2013.
Georg Ratzinger died just two weeks later, aged 96.
The former pontiff, whose original name is Joseph Ratzinger, now lives in a small former monastery inside the Vatican.
He has largely stayed out of the public eye since he became the first pope in 600 years to resign, citing health reasons.
A traditionalist in the Catholic Church, he was replaced by the reformist Pope Francis.
(AFP)
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