Washington, United States | AFP | Democrat Joe Biden and President Donald Trump finally spoke by phone Monday, both sides confirmed, ending days of teasing and squabbling between the presidential election rivals to discuss the national coronavirus upheaval. The call marked a rare moment of unity for the country seven months before election day and …
Read More »Pentagon chief defends firing of navy captain who voiced virus concern
Washington, United States | AFP | US Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday defended the firing of a naval commander whose plea for help for a coronavirus-affected crew angered his superiors but drew widespread public support. Esper told ABC that Navy Secretary Thomas Modly “made a tough decision, tough call” in …
Read More »Global virus deaths top 60,000, Trump warns ‘tough week’ ahead
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump has warned Americans to brace for a “very horrendous” number of coronavirus deaths in the coming days as the total number of global fatalities from the pandemic soared past 60,000. Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States on Saturday surpassed 300,000, …
Read More »Coronavirus reveals, exacerbates US inequality
Washington, United States | AFP | Just three weeks ago, Miguel Rodriguez was enjoying a pleasant life, working as a waiter in a Maryland restaurant in a job he held for 20 years. The American economy was going strong and he had a comfortable living situation. Everything changed overnight when La …
Read More »Americans told to wear masks as Spain sees signs of hope
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Americans on Saturday came to grips with recommendations to wear masks against the coronavirus, while Spain added to hopes that Europe could be turning a corner in the pandemic with a second daily drop in deaths. China meanwhile came to a standstill as the nation where …
Read More »Trump fires intelligence official who had key impeachment role
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump announced Friday he was firing a senior intelligence official who had a central role in the complaint last August that sparked the impeachment trial of the US leader. In a letter to the Senate Intelligence Committee, Trump said he had lost confidence …
Read More »Trump says ready to help end Saudi-Russian oil-price war
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was ready to help resolve an escalating oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia that has helped push crude benchmarks to 17-year lows. The threat of a global recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic had already hammered prices when Riyadh said …
Read More »As world battles virus, governments under fire
Paris, France | AFP | As the world battles the coronavirus pandemic, the main question for most is simply: “When will it end?”. But other, troubling questions are starting to be asked of governments. Why did Western governments not predict the risk of an epidemic in their territories after the novel …
Read More »Libya: strongman’s offensive to seize the capital
Tripoli, Libya | AFP | A year ago, Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar began his offensive to seize the capital Tripoli from the UN-recognised government, a conflict which has left hundreds dead and over 150,000 displaced. Here is a recap. – Haftar orders advance – On April 4, 2019, Haftar orders his …
Read More »Russian plane with supplies for virus fight lands in US
New York, United States | AFP | A Russian military plane carrying medical supplies arrived in the United States on Wednesday, the Russian mission to the UN said, as the Kremlin flexes its soft power during the coronavirus pandemic. The Antonov-124, landed at JFK Airport in New York — the epicenter …
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