North America

US says China trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine research

by Paul HANDLEY Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US authorities warned Wednesday that Chinese hackers were attempting to steal coronavirus data on treatments and vaccines, adding fuel to Washington’s war with Beijing over the pandemic. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said organizations researching COVID-19 were at risk of “targeting and network compromise” by China. They warned that Chinese government-affiliated groups and others were attempting to obtain “valuable […]

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US virus expert warns of dangers as countries reopen

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — America’s top infectious diseases official has warned that ending lockdowns too quickly could trigger uncontrollable new coronavirus outbreaks, as the global death toll closes in on 300,000. The stark words from Anthony Fauci came as much of the United States and Europe press ahead with easing curbs that have confined billions to their homes to stem the spread of the disease. Opening up continues despite the toll spiking in some […]

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Pence to ‘keep distance’ from Trump: White House

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Vice President Mike Pence, whose press secretary tested positive for coronavirus, has decided to “keep his distance” from President Donald Trump for a few days, the White House said Tuesday. Katie Miller, Pence’s press secretary, tested positive for the virus last week along with a personal valet to Trump. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Pence, who heads the White House coronavirus task force, “has made the choice […]

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US adds 1,894 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: tracker

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States recorded 1,894 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 82,246, according to the real-time tally by Johns Hopkins University at 8:30 pm Tuesday (0030 GMT Wednesday). The figure was a sharp rise after daily tolls fell below 1,000 on Sunday and Monday. The country — hardest hit by the pandemic in terms of the number of fatalities — has now confirmed a total […]

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Los Angeles residents likely confined through July

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The stay-at-home order for residents of Los Angeles County will likely be extended through the end of July unless the number of COVID-19 cases dramatically decreases, health officials said Tuesday. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Department of Public Health, made the comments during a meeting with the Board of Supervisors on how long a moratorium on evictions should stand. Ferrer said the county’s lockdown will remain in place under […]

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US Senate threatens sanctions on China over COVID-19 accounting

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Republican senators proposed legislation Tuesday that would empower President Donald Trump to slap sanctions on China if Beijing does not give a “full accounting” for the coronavirus outbreak. “The Chinese Communist Party must be held accountable for the detrimental role they played in this pandemic,” said Senator Jim Inhofe, one of the sponsors of the “COVID-19 Accountability Act.” “Their outright deception of the origin and spread of the virus […]

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US Democrats unveil $3 trillion virus relief package

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a $3 trillion coronavirus response package, the largest yet, to fund efforts to fight the pandemic and provide emergency payments to millions of American households. The Heroes Act was introduced in the House of Representatives and could be voted on in the Democratic-led chamber as early as this week. But the 1,815-page measure faced immediate opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate, where leaders have said a […]

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Europe, New York start emerging from lockdown as fresh cases hit Asia

  by Peter Hutchison with Joseph Schmid in Paris and AFP bureaus Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Swathes of Europe as well as New York began the long process of reopening from coronavirus lockdowns on Monday, but a resurgence of infections in China and South Korea offered a sobering reminder of the dangers of a second wave of cases. The mixed fortunes illustrate the high-wire act governments face across the globe […]

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New York state to ease virus lockdown but not Big Apple

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Some areas of New York — the state worst affected by America’s coronavirus outbreak — will be allowed to gradually reopen later this week, but New York City will stay closed until at least June, leaders said Monday. COVID-19 has killed around 22,000 people in New York state, which has been shut down since Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all non-essential businesses ordered closed on March 22. He said three […]

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Despite White House virus cases, top aides defend reopening

by Brian KNOWLTON Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Two top US economic advisers on Sunday defended the need for an expeditious reopening of the economy even as the coronavirus reached into the White House despite the extraordinary precautions taken there. The comments by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and economic adviser Larry Kudlow came just two days after the country recorded its steepest job losses in history, with 20.5 million jobs lost in […]

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US VP Pence not in quarantine: spokesman

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Vice President Mike Pence is not in quarantine and has tested negative to COVID-19, his spokesman said Sunday, after a close aide was confirmed to have been infected. Pence would go to work at the White House on Monday, spokesman Devin O’Malley said in a statement following some US media reports that Pence would be self-isolating. “Vice President Pence will continue to follow the advice of the White House […]

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US adds 776 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: tracker

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States recorded 776 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 79,522, according to the real-time tally by Johns Hopkins University at 8:30 pm Sunday (0030 GMT Monday). The figure was the lowest daily tally since March, with 24-hour totals in recent weeks ranging from 1,000 to 2,500. The country — hardest hit by the pandemic in terms of the number of fatalities — has […]

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