covid-19

CDC: COVID-19 Deaths for Week Ending June 27 Down 91.9% From Mid-April Peak

In the week that ended on June 27, there were 1,363 deaths in the United States involving COVID-19, which was a 91.9 percent drop from the peak of 16,895 COVID-involved deaths reported for the week that ended on April 18, according to the provisional COVID-19 death counts published by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

EU states have yet to agree on coronavirus economic stimulus package

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said a further summit of European Union member states may be required if Friday’s planned meeting fails to produce agreement on an economic stimulus package to help the bloc recover financially from COVID-19, the Washington Times reports.

US Budget Deficit Hits All-Time High of $864 Billion in June

The U.S. government, faced with a surge in COVID-19 cases and their economic impact, said it incurred its biggest monthly deficit ever in June, an $864 billion figure that is more than the country usually has recorded annually throughout its history.

Anti-migration Hungary Reimposes Coronavirus Measures on Selected Foreigners

Hungary’s fiercely anti-migration government warned Sunday it would reimpose far-reaching coronavirus restrictions on people arriving from nations with a moderate or high number of coronavirus infections. The measures include mandatory two-week quarantines or bans and other limitations.

Eritrea Detains Dozens Of Christians

Dozens of Christians have been detained in Eritrea in the latest government crackdown on devoted believers, advocacy representatives said Friday.

Christian ministries among religious organizations receiving $6 billion in pandemic aid for small businesses

Churches and Christian non-profits were among religious organizations that received at least $6 billion in COVID relief loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) run by the Small Business Administration (SBA), Ministry Watch reports. In order to receive PPP funds, applicants must claim:  “Current economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the Applicant.” PPP beneficiaries in the religious organization category also included mosques, synagogues and other houses of worship.

FBI Director says Chinese Government is greatest threat to US

The head of the FBI has made a speech affirming that it is now the Chinese Government and Communist Party which pose the greatest threat to the US. In remarks delivered at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC Tuesday, Christopher Wray said: “The greatest long-term threat to our nation’s information and intellectual property, and to our economic vitality, is the counterintelligence and economic espionage threat from China. It’s a threat to our economic security—and by extension, to our national security.”

Federal Reserve Admits There Is A Coin Shortage

The Federal Reserve announced on June 11th that COVID-19 had caused a disruption in the normal flow and distribution of circulation of US coinage. The following week, Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve, spoke before the US House Committee of Financial Services. He informed the members that the partial shutdown had created a stoppage of the flow of coins in our economy. Consequently, some retailers are asking customers to use exact change. Mr. Powell also shared that he believes the condition will be only temporary because the economy is opening back up.

France and Other Governments Pressured over Coronavirus Response

A French court has launched an inquiry into the alleged mishandling by the outgoing French government of the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement comes while elsewhere in Europe, and the former Soviet Union, tensions also rise over the way leaders deal with the crisis.

US Embassy says Afghan leaders are close to talks with Taliban on ending war

The US Embassy in Pakistan announced Thursday that Afghanistan’s political leaders are close to starting negotiations with the Taliban about the future of the country, the Military Times reports. The development follows a peace agreement signed between the US and the Taliban in February this year. As part of the deal, US Peace Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is in the region to help facilitate intra-Afghan negotiations.

Numerous protests planned for Washington DC on Independence Day

Activists are planning major protests and demonstrations in Washington DC over Independence Day weekend, the Washington Examiner reports. Summing up the reason for the protests, one activist told the Examiner: “What is Independence Day to black folks? What was Independence Day to honestly anyone but the white economic elite on [July 4, 1776]? Poor folks and women couldn’t even vote. It’s a hoax.”

India Tests New COVID-19 Vaccine on Humans in July

Bharat Biotech is now approved for human trials, and slated to start human vaccine testing for COVID-19 in July. It will be India’s first domestic pharmaceutical candidate to receive the go-ahead from the government’s drug regulator as cases are sky-rocketing in the 1.3 billion population.

Almost half the US population was unemployed in May 2020

Almost half the US population was jobless last month, CNBC reported Monday. According to the Bureau of Labor data for May 2020, the number of employed people as a percentage of the US adult population was 52.8% last month, meaning 47.2% of Americans had no job. The figures for June will be published on Thursday this week.

Israel and United Arab Emirates to cooperate on COVID-19

Israel and the United Arab Emirates are set to join forces in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jerusalem Post reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the partnership in a statement on Thursday, saying the decision to cooperate had come after months of intense negotiation.

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