North America

Trump announces sixth vaccine contract, for 100 million doses

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a $1.5 billion contract with US biotech company Moderna for 100 million doses of an eventual coronavirus vaccine, the sixth such deal reached since May. “I’m pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Moderna to manufacture and deliver 100 million doses of their coronavirus vaccine candidate,” Trump said at a White House news conference. “The federal government will own these vaccine […]

Mexico signs deals for coronavirus vaccine trials

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — Mexico said Tuesday it had signed deals with three pharmaceutical companies from the United States and China to carry out clinical trials of potential coronavirus vaccines in the hard-hit country. The Latin American nation, which has the world’s third-highest COVID-19 death toll, said that Janssen Pharmaceuticals, part of Johnson & Johnson, CanSino Biologics and Walvax Biotechnology, would begin Phase 3 trials from September. They will join French company Sanofi, which […]

Man shot outside White House, Trump evacuated mid press conference

by Sebastian Smith WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Secret Service agents shot and wounded a man who was apparently armed outside the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump said just after being briefly evacuated in the middle of a press conference. As the president was speaking to reporters in the White House briefing room, a Secret Service bodyguard abruptly approached him and interrupted, saying in a quiet voice, “Sir, could you please come […]

US hits five million COVID-19 cases: Johns Hopkins tally

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States has registered over five million cases in the coronavirus pandemic, Johns Hopkins University’s real-time tally showed Sunday, as well as over 162,000 deaths as the country struggles to control the disease. The US tally reached 5,000,603 cases on Sunday morning and 162,441 deaths — both totals by far the highest of any country in the world. Polls have showed a large majority of voters unhappy with President […]

Rare quake shakes North Carolina

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP ) — A shallow 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit North Carolina on Sunday, shaking buildings in the biggest tremor in the area for more than 100 years, though there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries. The US Geological Survey recorded the quake at a depth of only 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles), with its epicenter near the town of Sparta, North Carolina, close to the border with Virginia. “Large earthquakes are […]

US death toll soars as global virus cases top 19 mn

by Becca MILFELD with AFP Bureaus Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Daily coronavirus deaths in the US surged to a three-month high of over 2,000 on Thursday and the number of cases passed 19 million globally, pushing many nations to further ratchet up restrictions in the battle against the pandemic. The world’s hardest-hit country, the United States, has seen a major coronavirus resurgence since the end of June, adding 2,060 deaths in […]

Trump signs executive order banning transactions with TikTok parent after 45 days

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order barring transactions with the Chinese parent company of social media platform TikTok after 45 days. “The United States must take aggressive action against the owners of TikTok to protect our national security,” the order said. “The following actions shall be prohibited beginning 45 days after the date of this order… any transaction by any person, or with respect to any […]

China warns US against ‘dangerous moves’ on Taiwan: Xinhua

by Paul HANDLEY / Ludovic EHRET in Beijing WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe warned his US counterpart in a phone call Thursday to avoid firing up bilateral tensions, a day after Washington angered Beijing by announcing it would send a senior official to visit Taiwan. Wei told US Defense Secretary Mark Esper in a 90-minute phone call to “stop erroneous words and deeds” and “avoid taking dangerous moves that may […]

US adds 1,242 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States added 1,262 more deaths to its COVID-19 toll in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 pm Wednesday (0030 GMT), according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The world’s largest economy also added 53,158 new cases of the virus, the Baltimore-based institution’s tracker showed. The US has now recorded 4,818,328 total cases, which have resulted in 157,930 deaths, making it by far the worst-hit country in the […]

New York to set up COVID-19 ‘checkpoints’

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — New York will put up checkpoints at key entry points to the city to ensure that travelers are complying with the state’s quarantine requirements, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday. Visitors from 35 US states, including Florida and Texas, are currently required to quarantine for two weeks after entering New York in an attempt to contain the spread of coronavirus. De Blasio said law enforcement agencies will operate “traveler […]

Canada strikes deals for vaccine candidates with Pfizer, Moderna

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canada announced Wednesday it has signed two agreements with American pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Moderna for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Millions of doses will be supplied, but the vaccines are still in development while negotiations continue with other potential suppliers, Procurement Minister Anita Anand told a news conference. They will also still need to obtain Health Canada regulatory approvals before being distributed to Canadians, she said. The agreement […]

US signs $1 billion vaccine deal with Johnson & Johnson

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US government Wednesday announced a new $1 billion investment in a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Johnson & Johnson, guaranteeing 100 million doses. J&J, via its subsidiary Janssen, had already received $456 million in March. The new money will allow the company to ramp up production so that doses are ready for shipping if and when the drug receives regulatory approval. The government also has the option to acquire […]