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| TikTok, Coronavirus, Spearfishing: Your Tuesday Briefing | TikTok, Coronavirus, Spearfishing: Your Tuesday Briefing |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| We’re covering the fate of TikTok in the middle of a U.S.-China feud, a warning from the World Health Organization about the coronavirus and spearfishing in Australia to soothe the soul. | We’re covering the fate of TikTok in the middle of a U.S.-China feud, a warning from the World Health Organization about the coronavirus and spearfishing in Australia to soothe the soul. |
| President Trump gave the go-ahead on Monday for Microsoft to hold negotiations on a potential blockbuster deal to purchase the Chinese-owned video app’s operations in the U.S. | President Trump gave the go-ahead on Monday for Microsoft to hold negotiations on a potential blockbuster deal to purchase the Chinese-owned video app’s operations in the U.S. |
| Mr. Trump had threatened to ban TikTok in the U.S. because of the app’s Chinese ownership, which he has called a possible threat to national security. | Mr. Trump had threatened to ban TikTok in the U.S. because of the app’s Chinese ownership, which he has called a possible threat to national security. |
| Tech on notice: ByteDance, the Chinese social media giant behind TikTok, took ample precautions in its drive to become a global company. TikTok was made unavailable in China so that the app’s users wouldn’t be subject to the Communist Party’s censorship requirements. User data was stored in Virginia and Singapore. | Tech on notice: ByteDance, the Chinese social media giant behind TikTok, took ample precautions in its drive to become a global company. TikTok was made unavailable in China so that the app’s users wouldn’t be subject to the Communist Party’s censorship requirements. User data was stored in Virginia and Singapore. |
| But suspicion never dissipated that TikTok might be unable to withstand pressure from Beijing. Similar doubts hang over many other Chinese tech companies. TikTok’s sudden change of fortunes could force them to re-evaluate their own international ambitions. | But suspicion never dissipated that TikTok might be unable to withstand pressure from Beijing. Similar doubts hang over many other Chinese tech companies. TikTok’s sudden change of fortunes could force them to re-evaluate their own international ambitions. |
| Related: A tide of Chinese scholars have turned against Western-inspired ideas that once flowed in China’s universities, instead promoting the proudly authoritarian worldview ascendant under Xi Jinping, the Communist Party leader. | Related: A tide of Chinese scholars have turned against Western-inspired ideas that once flowed in China’s universities, instead promoting the proudly authoritarian worldview ascendant under Xi Jinping, the Communist Party leader. |
| As the world races to find a vaccine, the head of the World Health Organization warned that a breakthrough was not yet within sight and that there might never be a simple solution to defeat the coronavirus. | As the world races to find a vaccine, the head of the World Health Organization warned that a breakthrough was not yet within sight and that there might never be a simple solution to defeat the coronavirus. |
| “A number of vaccines are now in Phase 3 clinical trials and we all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent people from infection,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O.’s director general, said on Monday. “However, there’s no silver bullet at the moment and there might never be.” | “A number of vaccines are now in Phase 3 clinical trials and we all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent people from infection,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O.’s director general, said on Monday. “However, there’s no silver bullet at the moment and there might never be.” |
| Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the U.S., last week said he was “cautiously optimistic” that a vaccine could be developed by the end of this year. The comments by Dr. Tedros seemed intended to guard against countries moving away from measures to slow the spread of the virus. | Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the U.S., last week said he was “cautiously optimistic” that a vaccine could be developed by the end of this year. The comments by Dr. Tedros seemed intended to guard against countries moving away from measures to slow the spread of the virus. |
| Here are the latest updates and maps of the pandemic. | Here are the latest updates and maps of the pandemic. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| A team of W.H.O. experts has concluded a three-week visit to China to begin investigating the source of the virus — the first step in what is likely to be a monthslong inquiry. | A team of W.H.O. experts has concluded a three-week visit to China to begin investigating the source of the virus — the first step in what is likely to be a monthslong inquiry. |
| President Rodrigo Duterte of the Phlippines has ordered Manila and its suburbs to re-enter lockdown for two weeks after the health department reported 5,032 new cases. | President Rodrigo Duterte of the Phlippines has ordered Manila and its suburbs to re-enter lockdown for two weeks after the health department reported 5,032 new cases. |
| As the pandemic consumes global health resources, tuberculosis — the biggest infectious-disease killer worldwide — as well as H.I.V. and malaria are making a comeback. | As the pandemic consumes global health resources, tuberculosis — the biggest infectious-disease killer worldwide — as well as H.I.V. and malaria are making a comeback. |
| At least 21 people were killed and hundreds of inmates escaped from a prison in Jalalabad after it came under attack late Sunday. A fierce gun battle raged until midafternoon Monday between the militants and security forces. | At least 21 people were killed and hundreds of inmates escaped from a prison in Jalalabad after it came under attack late Sunday. A fierce gun battle raged until midafternoon Monday between the militants and security forces. |
| Loyalists to the Islamic State took responsibility for the attack. About a third of the prison’s 1,500 inmates were linked to ISIS, with the rest split among Taliban prisoners and common criminals. A Taliban spokesman denied any involvement in the attack. | Loyalists to the Islamic State took responsibility for the attack. About a third of the prison’s 1,500 inmates were linked to ISIS, with the rest split among Taliban prisoners and common criminals. A Taliban spokesman denied any involvement in the attack. |
| The ISIS factor: The murky identity of the ISIS branch in the country has made it a spoiler threat to the peace process. While the Taliban and ISIS have fought turf wars in the east, Afghan officials have long claimed that the two groups have overlapped, sharing networks and resources for urban attacks. | The ISIS factor: The murky identity of the ISIS branch in the country has made it a spoiler threat to the peace process. While the Taliban and ISIS have fought turf wars in the east, Afghan officials have long claimed that the two groups have overlapped, sharing networks and resources for urban attacks. |
| Spear gear has been selling out at dive shops up and down Australia’s east coast since March, when the coronavirus pandemic began to restrict social gatherings and cause rising unemployment. | Spear gear has been selling out at dive shops up and down Australia’s east coast since March, when the coronavirus pandemic began to restrict social gatherings and cause rising unemployment. |
| To understand why, our Sydney bureau chief decided to take the plunge in the hunt for wild food. He found that “spearfishing has become an increasingly popular escape for people seeking calm, control and sustenance far from the anxieties of land.” The “spearos,” as they are called, “all find something for their stomachs and souls in an act that is ancient and elemental.” | To understand why, our Sydney bureau chief decided to take the plunge in the hunt for wild food. He found that “spearfishing has become an increasingly popular escape for people seeking calm, control and sustenance far from the anxieties of land.” The “spearos,” as they are called, “all find something for their stomachs and souls in an act that is ancient and elemental.” |
| Pakistan media: The recent abduction of a prominent journalist, Mattiullah Jan, by state security officers has renewed concerns about press freedom. Two years into Prime Minister Imran Khan’s term, journalists and activists say censorship is on the rise. | Pakistan media: The recent abduction of a prominent journalist, Mattiullah Jan, by state security officers has renewed concerns about press freedom. Two years into Prime Minister Imran Khan’s term, journalists and activists say censorship is on the rise. |
| In memoriam: John Hume, a moderate Roman Catholic politician who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his dogged and ultimately successful campaign to end decades of bloodshed in his native Northern Ireland, died on Monday. He was 83. | In memoriam: John Hume, a moderate Roman Catholic politician who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his dogged and ultimately successful campaign to end decades of bloodshed in his native Northern Ireland, died on Monday. He was 83. |
| Snapshot: Above, Tropical Storm Isaias is churning off the Florida coast. Forecasters said the storm will return to hurricane strength before reaching the Carolinas, where it could hit during a spike in coronavirus cases. | Snapshot: Above, Tropical Storm Isaias is churning off the Florida coast. Forecasters said the storm will return to hurricane strength before reaching the Carolinas, where it could hit during a spike in coronavirus cases. |
| What we’re reading: This article in GQ on the power of the Sultans. “This story about the country’s best wedding band is what we need right now,” writes Matt Apuzzo, our reporter based in Brussels. | What we’re reading: This article in GQ on the power of the Sultans. “This story about the country’s best wedding band is what we need right now,” writes Matt Apuzzo, our reporter based in Brussels. |
| Updated August 12, 2020 | |
| Cook: This poundcake is nothing fancy, with a result equally befitting a school bake sale or a fancy dinner party. | Cook: This poundcake is nothing fancy, with a result equally befitting a school bake sale or a fancy dinner party. |
| Read: Stephenie Meyer’s retelling of “Twilight,” Isabel Wilkerson’s examination of American racism, a biography of the drug kingpin El Chapo — here are 13 books to watch for in August. | Read: Stephenie Meyer’s retelling of “Twilight,” Isabel Wilkerson’s examination of American racism, a biography of the drug kingpin El Chapo — here are 13 books to watch for in August. |
| Do: For many of us, 2020 will not be known for road trips, amusement parks or lakeside retreats. But families are finding small yet meaningful ways to escape, have fun during staycations and experience something new. | Do: For many of us, 2020 will not be known for road trips, amusement parks or lakeside retreats. But families are finding small yet meaningful ways to escape, have fun during staycations and experience something new. |
| At Home has our full collection of ideas on what to read, cook, watch and do. | At Home has our full collection of ideas on what to read, cook, watch and do. |
| When travel restrictions began to lock people in place all around the world, our editors on the Travel desk launched a new visual series called The World Through a Lens. The idea was to showcase beautiful and intriguing places, and to introduce readers to aspects of global culture. Here’s an excerpt from what the editors told Times Insider about the project. | When travel restrictions began to lock people in place all around the world, our editors on the Travel desk launched a new visual series called The World Through a Lens. The idea was to showcase beautiful and intriguing places, and to introduce readers to aspects of global culture. Here’s an excerpt from what the editors told Times Insider about the project. |
| Our goal with this series is slightly different from that of our typical Travel fare. Instead of inspiring travel among our readers or describing the travels of our contributors, we’re aiming to approximate elements of travel itself — to provide a kind of virtual travel substitute that soothes, transports and distracts. | Our goal with this series is slightly different from that of our typical Travel fare. Instead of inspiring travel among our readers or describing the travels of our contributors, we’re aiming to approximate elements of travel itself — to provide a kind of virtual travel substitute that soothes, transports and distracts. |
| But escapism isn’t the only objective. At its best, travel can transform us: It can awaken us to the restorative power of nature; it can broaden our ability to understand and appreciate dissimilar cultures; it can help us become more empathetic to people whose lives fall outside the scope of our day-to-day routines. These, too, are things we hope the series can provide, especially at a time when such transformations aren’t available to many of us via direct experience. | But escapism isn’t the only objective. At its best, travel can transform us: It can awaken us to the restorative power of nature; it can broaden our ability to understand and appreciate dissimilar cultures; it can help us become more empathetic to people whose lives fall outside the scope of our day-to-day routines. These, too, are things we hope the series can provide, especially at a time when such transformations aren’t available to many of us via direct experience. |
| To achieve all that, we’ve tried to create immersive visual experiences; every story in the series is driven by images. (Instead of assigning photographers to shoot new work, we are relying on photojournalists with previously shot, and unpublished, portfolios.) | To achieve all that, we’ve tried to create immersive visual experiences; every story in the series is driven by images. (Instead of assigning photographers to shoot new work, we are relying on photojournalists with previously shot, and unpublished, portfolios.) |
| We’ve also tried to create a more intuitive and symbiotic relationship between images and text. (In most cases, the journalist who took the pictures is also the one who wrote the copy.) And as a general rule, we’ve avoided “service” information: no hotel plugs or restaurant reviews, no recommended itineraries. The focus is on the people and the places themselves, as seen and captured by some of the best photojournalists in the world. | We’ve also tried to create a more intuitive and symbiotic relationship between images and text. (In most cases, the journalist who took the pictures is also the one who wrote the copy.) And as a general rule, we’ve avoided “service” information: no hotel plugs or restaurant reviews, no recommended itineraries. The focus is on the people and the places themselves, as seen and captured by some of the best photojournalists in the world. |
| That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. | That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. |
| — Carole | — Carole |
| Thank youTo Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. | Thank youTo Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. |
| P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about inequalities in the use of facial-recognition technology as a crime-solving tool.• Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: U.F.O. pilot (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The Times Opinion audio team is expanding with colleagues from a vast range of experiences, to produce high-impact audio journalism. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about inequalities in the use of facial-recognition technology as a crime-solving tool.• Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: U.F.O. pilot (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The Times Opinion audio team is expanding with colleagues from a vast range of experiences, to produce high-impact audio journalism. |