WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States saw a record high number of new daily Covid-19 cases for the second day in a row on Saturday, figures from Johns Hopkins University showed, as warnings grew over its spread. The country reported 88,973 new infections between 8:30 pm Friday and 8:30 pm Saturday, the figures showed, substantially above the previous day’s 79,963. A total of 8,568,625 cases have been reported in the United States […]
International
US Coast Guard to tackle China ‘illegal’ fishing in South China Sea
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States said Friday it will deploy Coast Guard patrol ships in the western Pacific to counter “destabilizing and malign” activities by China in disputed fishing grounds of the South China Sea. Accusing China of “illegal” and “unregulated” fishing, as well as “harassment” of fishing boats from regional countries, White House National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien said in a statement that the US Coast Guard “is strategically homeporting […]
Spain’s ‘real’ virus toll tops 3 million cases: PM
by Christian CHAISE Agence France Presse MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Spain’s “real number” of infections is more than three million, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Friday, as regional authorities demanded tough government action to slow the spread of the virus. Just two days after Spain officially became the first country within the European Union to pass a million cases, Sanchez said the true number was more than three times higher. With the virus showing no […]
Europe, WHO sound alarm over resurgent virus crisis
by Johannes Ledel with AFP bureaus Agence France Presse STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) — The EU’s disease control agency on Friday joined frantic health workers across Europe in sounding the alarm about the surge in coronavirus infections as the World Health Organization warned of an “exponential” rise in cases. Several countries in Europe are reporting infection rates higher than during the first wave of the pandemic in March and April. Spain’s “real number” of infections […]
US sees daily record of nearly 80,000 new Covid-19 cases
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A record of nearly 80,000 new Covid-19 infections over the course of a day were reported in the United States on Friday, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Between 8:30 pm Thursday and the same time Friday, 79,963 infections were recorded, bringing the total number since the start of the pandemic to nearly 8.5 million in the country. The United States had already approached the bar of 80,000 […]
Millions more head into UK virus lockdowns
by Jitendra JOSHI Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Millions more people headed into coronavirus lockdowns in Britain on Friday, as the government boosted a financial support package but acknowledged failures in a hugely expensive testing programme. Central Manchester was eerily quiet after the central government imposed its most stringent measures on the city and its surrounding region, following bitter resistance from local leaders who wanted more money to help affected businesses […]
Death toll in Ghana church collapse rises to 21
ACCRA, Ghana (AFP) — The death toll in the collapse of a three-storey church building in eastern Ghana rose to 21, rescue officials said on Friday, as more bodies were pulled from the rubble. “The deceased include 12 women and nine men,” the National Disaster Management Organisation said in a statement, upping the toll from 17 dead on Thursday. It said eight people had been rescued alive at the scene since rescue workers began combing […]
Young Americans can swing the election… if they vote
by Laura BONILLA Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Most under 30s don’t vote in the United States. This year however, in a contest between two septuagenarians, experts predict a record number of younger Americans will cast ballots — a development that could tip the result. With universities closed and millions at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, innovative virtual campaigns are using social media influencers, TikTok dances, video games and […]
No knockouts at Biden, Trump debate 12 days before vote
by Eric Baradat with Sebastian Smith and Shaun Tandon in Washington Agence France Presse NASHVILLE, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden traded accusations of graft and clashed on the Covid-19 pandemic Thursday but without landing a knockout blow 12 days before the election in a final debate that many saw as Trump’s last big chance to change the narrative. Perhaps the most startling aspect of the debate in Nashville, […]
US gives full approval to antiviral remdesivir to treat Covid-19
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday granted full approval to the antiviral drug remdesivir as a treatment for patients hospitalized with Covid-19, after conditional authorization was given in May. Gilead said the drug, sold under the brand name Veklury, was the only specific treatment for Covid-19 approved so far under a more rigorous process. However, other treatments have received authorization for emergency use, though that approval can be […]
China threatens retaliation over US-Taiwan arms sale
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China on Thursday threatened to make a “legitimate and necessary” retaliation over the US sale of $1 billion worth of missiles to Taiwan as Beijing becomes increasingly strident over its claims to the self-ruled island. The US State Department said on Wednesday it had approved the sale of 135 air-to-ground missiles to Taiwan in a move Taipei’s defence ministry said would build its combat capabilities. Democratic and self-ruled Taiwan lives […]
Saad Hariri named new Lebanon PM, promises reform cabinet
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — Three-time Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri was named to the post for a fourth time Thursday and immediately promised a government of technocrats committed to a French-backed reform plan. Hariri said he would “form a cabinet of non politically aligned experts with the mission of economic, financial and administrative reforms contained in the French initiative roadmap”. “I will work on forming a government quickly because time is running out and this […]
