Washington, United States | AFP | The US is facing a severe economic downturn amid the global pandemic, but will not suffer another Great Depression and will see a recovery begin later this year, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Sunday. The world’s top economy was strong before the COVID-19 outbreak hit, like a natural …
Read More »OBAMA: Sad, leaders ‘aren’t even pretending to be in charge’
Washington, United States | AFP | Barack Obama indirectly criticized his successor Donald Trump during a virtual graduation ceremony Saturday, in rare public judgment from the former US president during the coronavirus pandemic. “More than anything this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that …
Read More »US seek to cut off China’s Huawei from global chip suppliers
Washington, United States | AFP | US officials moved Friday to cut off Chinese tech giant Huawei from global chipmakers, ramping up sanctions on the company seen by Washington as a national security risk. The Commerce Department said it was broadening its sanctions enforcement to include semiconductor designs that are developed …
Read More »Antimicrobial surface coating kills COVID-19 for 90 days
Washington, United States | AFP | A specially formulated antimicrobial coating can keep surfaces clear of a human coronavirus for up to 90 days with just one application, a preliminary study said Friday, suggesting a new line of defense against COVID-19. The paper by researchers at the University of Arizona …
Read More »US says China trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine research
Washington, United States | AFP | US authorities warned healthcare and scientific researchers Wednesday that Chinese-backed hackers were attempting to steal research and intellectual property related to treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. Organizations researching the disease were warned of “likely targeting and network compromise by the People’s Republic of China,” a statement from the FBI …
Read More »Despite White House virus cases, top aides defend reopening
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 …
Read More »COVID-19 hits White House, Fauci self isolates
Washington, United States | AFP | Top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci is among three members of the White House’s coronavirus task force who will self-isolate after potential exposure to the pathogen, US media reported Saturday. On Friday, reports that Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary had tested positive heightened …
Read More »Obama: COVID-19 handling a ‘chaotic disaster’
Washington, United States | AFP | Former president Barack Obama has launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, calling it an “absolute chaotic disaster.” In a leaked web call Friday night with former members of his administration, Obama also said the Justice Department’s decision to …
Read More »TRUMP: I, for one, am glad to see Kim Jong U back, and well!
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump said Saturday he was “glad” about the reappearance of Kim Jong Un and that the North Korea leader is apparently healthy. “I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well!” Trump tweeted, following Kim’s first public appearance …
Read More »US, China block UN resolution in spat over WHO handling of pandemic
United Nations, United States | AFP | The United States and China remained at loggerheads Thursday over a UN Security Council draft resolution calling for a 90-day humanitarian pause in conflicts worldwide in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The stalemate — over a mention of the World Health Organization — …
Read More »