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Tag: U.S.

  • U.S. executes COVID-19 positive ex-drug trafficker

    U.S. executes COVID-19 positive ex-drug trafficker

    US federal authorities executed a former drug trafficker who had contracted Covid-19 late Thursday, and a final execution of Donald Trump’s administration was scheduled for Friday with just five days left of his presidency.

    Corey Johnson was part of a gang implicated in 10 murders in 1992 in the US state of Virginia. He was convicted in federal court for his involvement in seven of them.

    The 52-year-old African American received a lethal injection at the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, and was pronounced dead at 11:34 pm (0434 GMT Friday).

    He addressed the families of his victims in his final statement.

    “I would have said I was sorry before, but I didn’t know how. I hope you will find peace,” he said.

    On Friday, authorities plan to execute Dustin Higgs, a 48-year-old Black man convicted of kidnapping and killing three young women on federal land near Washington in 1996.

    Both men contracted Covid-19 in December and a judge on Tuesday postponed their executions for several weeks.

    Their lungs have not fully recovered and the injection of pentobarbital may cause suffering prohibited by the Constitution, which bans “cruel” punishment, the court said.

    But an appeals court overturned the decision on Wednesday and the Supreme Court ruled late Thursday that the execution of Johnson, whose first name was spelled Cory by the US Department of Justice, could proceed.

    The high court also rejected an appeal from Johnson’s lawyers that he was intellectually disabled, and therefore should be spared the death penalty.

    “Corey simply lacked the capacity to operate as the ‘drug kingpin’ the government falsely portrayed him as for nearly 30 years. He could barely read or write,” attorneys Donald Salzman and Ronald Tabak said in a statement following the execution, calling it a “stark violation of the Constitution and federal law.”

  • [VIDEO] Biden unveils $1.9 trillion economic rescue plan for U.S.

    [VIDEO] Biden unveils $1.9 trillion economic rescue plan for U.S.

    U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled a $1.9 trillion stimulus package to jump-start the economy and speed up the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The package includes $415 billion to bolster the response to the virus and the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

    There are some $1 trillion in direct relief to households, and roughly $440 billion for small businesses and communities particularly hard hit by the pandemic.

    Stimulus payment checks would be issued for $1,400 – topping up the $600 checks issued under the last congressional stimulus legislation.

    Supplemental unemployment insurance would also increase to $400 a week from $300 a week now and would be extended to September.

    “It’s not hard to see that we’re in the middle of a once-in-several-generations economic crisis with a once-in-several-generations public health crisis.

    “A crisis of deep human suffering is in plain sight and there’s no time to waste,” Biden said in a prime-time address on Thursday evening.

    “We have to act and we have to act now.”

    Biden’s plan is meant to kick off his time in office with a large bill that sets his short-term agenda into motion quickly: helping the economy and getting a handle on a virus that has killed more than 385,000 people in the United States as of Thursday.

    It also provides a sharp contrast with Trump, who spent the last months of his administration seeking to undermine Biden’s election victory rather than focusing on additional coronavirus relief.

    Trump, who leaves office on Wednesday, did support $2,000 payments to Americans, however.

  • U.S. puts Cuba back on list of State Sponsors of Terrorism

    U.S. puts Cuba back on list of State Sponsors of Terrorism

    The outgoing administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has put Cuba back on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

    The move reverses an Obama-era decision, and makes it harder for President-elect Joe Biden to fulfill his promise of reviving diplomatic ties with the socialist state, according to reports.

    Announcing the designation on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo accused Cuba of “repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism” by harbouring terrorists.

    According to Pompeo, the designation forbids defence exports to the Caribbean country, and forbids persons and countries from engaging in certain trade with Cuba.

    The action also restricts U.S. foreign assistance to the country and imposes certain controls on exports of dual use items.

    “With this action, we will once again hold Cuba’s government accountable and send a clear message: the Castro regime must end its support for international terrorism and subversion of U.S. justice.

    “For decades, the Cuban government has fed, housed, and provided medical care for murderers, bombmakers and hijackers, while many Cubans go hungry, homeless, and without basic medicine.

    “Members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation, traveled to Havana to conduct peace talks with the Colombian government in 2017.

    “Citing peace negotiation protocols, Cuba has refused Colombia’s requests to extradite 10 ELN leaders living in Havana.

    “This is after the group claimed responsibility for the January, 2019 bombing of a Bogota police academy that killed 22 people and injured more than 87 others,” Pompeo said.

    He also accused Cuba of shielding several U.S. fugitives from justice wanted on or convicted of charges of political violence, many of whom have resided in Cuba for decades.

    In addition to the alleged support for international terrorism, the U.S. Secretary of State also accused the Cuban government of engaging in a “range of malign behavior across the region”.

    “The Cuban intelligence and security apparatus has infiltrated Venezuela’s security and military forces, assisting Nicholas Maduro to maintain his stranglehold over his people while allowing terrorist organisations to operate.

    “The Cuban government’s support for FARC dissidents and the ELN continues beyond Cuba’s borders as well.

    “The regime’s support of Maduro has created a permissive environment for international terrorists to live and thrive within Venezuela,” Pompeo added.

    With this action, Cuba joins Syria, Iran and North Korea on the U.S. list for allegedly aiding and abetting terrorism.

    Cuba entered the list in 1982, but the administration of President Barack Obama removed it in 2015 as he sought to improve economic and diplomatic relations with the country.

  • North Korean leader, Kim calls U.S. ‘biggest enemy,’ vows to continue nuclear development

    North Korean leader, Kim calls U.S. ‘biggest enemy,’ vows to continue nuclear development

    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called the United States (U.S) the “biggest enemy” of his country, threatening to continue advancing its nuclear capabilities, state media said Saturday.

    Kim also said Washington’s policy against Pyongyang would not change regardless of who was in the White House, adding that an end to its hostile stance would likely be the key to future relations between the two countries, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

    Kim made the remarks reporting to the eighth congress of the ruling Workers’ Party currently under way in Pyongyang, the North’s first reference to transition of power in Washington since Joe Biden’s election as U.S. president in November.

    They also came days before Biden’s inauguration slated for Jan. 20., which experts see as aimed at pressuring the incoming administration in Washington.

    “The report said that the key to the establishment of new North Korea-U.S. relations is the withdrawal of the U.S.’ hostile North Korea policy,” KCNA said, declaring an “eye for an eye” principle against Washington.

    “Our external political activities going forward should be focused on suppressing and subduing the U.S., the basic obstacle, biggest enemy against our revolutionary development,” KCNA said.

    Kim has held three meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, but denuclearization talks have made little progress since their no-deal summit in Hanoi in 2019.

    Biden earlier said that he would not meet the North Korean leader without preconditions, vowing to pursue “principled” diplomacy on Pyongyang. He has called Kim a “thug” and “dictator,” denouncing Trump for giving legitimacy to Kim through summits.

    Referring to the summits with Trump, Kim said the U.S. hostile policy has worsened despite the North’s “efforts” and “maximum patience” to reduce tensions in the region.

    Kim rolled out a series of goals to boost the North’s military power, calling for improvement in missiles’ strike capabilities targeting objects in the range of 15,000 kilometers, apparently intended to be capable of reaching the mainland U.S., and minimisation of nuclear weapons.

    The North also boasted of a new nuclear-powered submarine, saying that it has completed the research design and it is in the stage of final examination.

    Other military projects ordered by Kim include the development of tactical nuclear weapons, ground or submarine-launched solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the introduction of hypersonic aircraft and a military surveillance satellite.

    “The reality shows that we need to strengthen the national defense capabilities without a moment of hesitation to deter the United States’ nuclear threats and to bring peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula,” KCNA said.

    “The geopolitical features of our state called for pushing ahead with the already-started building of the nuclear force without interruption for the welfare of the people, destiny of the revolution, existence and independent development of the state,” it said.

    Still, the North Korean leader reaffirmed that Pyongyang would not use its nuclear arsenal unless “hostile forces” attempt to attack with nuclear weapons.

    Washington has yet to respond to the North’s announcement.

    With regard to relations with South Korea, Kim appeared to have left room for improvement in the currently chilled ties, saying things could return to three years ago when a peace mood was created, “at any time” but emphasized that it all depends on South Korea’s attitude.

    “The report made a stern warning that we will have no choice but to treat the South differently if it continues to push us to the corner citing ‘provocations,’” it said.

    Inter-Korean relations have remained stalled since the Hanoi summit as sanctions stand in the way of cross-border exchanges and cooperation.

    The ties chilled further last year, as North Korea blew up an inter-Korean joint liaison office in anger over anti-Pyongyang leafleting in June and killed a South Korean fisheries official drifting near its western sea border in September.

    North Korea has not responded to Seoul’s offers for talks and cooperative projects, while focusing on warding off an outbreak of the coronavirus on its soil by sealing its border and toughening quarantine measures.

    Kim said such projects on “antivirus, humanitarian cooperation (and) individual trips” are all “nonessential” issues, calling for a halt to the combined exercises between South Korea and the United States.

    During the congress, Kim also unveiled a new economic development plan for the next five years, which centers around self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

    North Korea will focus its investment in the metal and chemical industries, among others, while strengthening the technological base for the agricultural sector, it said.

    “The core theme of the new five-year national economic development plan is still self-reliance and self-sufficiency,” the report said.

    This week’s congress, the first in nearly five years, came as North Korea has been faced with a triple whammy of the fallout of back-to-back typhoons in the summer, a protracted border closure due to the coronavirus pandemic and global sanctions on its economy.

    Opening the event on Tuesday, Kim admitted the failure to meet the country’s previous five-year development goals, describing the past few years as a period of “unprecedented, worst-ever trials.”

    KCNA said that a fifth-day session was to be held Saturday.

    It is still unclear for how many days the congress will continue as the North has not made public the exact schedule.

    The previous congress in 2016 was held for four days.

  • U.S. education secretary resigns over Capitol riot

    U.S. education secretary resigns over Capitol riot

    U.S. Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, has resigned in protest against U.S. President Donald Trump after his supporters stormed the Capitol building.

    The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported the development on Thursday, citing the resignation letter.

    “That behaviour (violent riot) was unconscionable for our country.

    “There is no mistaking the impact your (Trump) rhetoric had on the situation, and it is the inflexion point for me,’’ DeVos said in a letter to Trump, as quoted by the WSJ.

    Earlier on Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary, Elaine Chao, has also resigned due to the Wednesday violence and described it as deeply-troubling.

    Others, who have stepped down since Wednesday, include Stephanie Grisham, the former Chief of Staff to First Lady Melania Trump; Matt Pottinger, the Deputy National Security Adviser and Sarah Matthews, the Deputy White House Press Secretary.

    Others are Anna Cristina “Rickie” Niceta, the Social Secretary at the White House; Ryan Tully, the National Security Council’s Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs and Tyler Goodspeed, the acting Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

    And also John Costello, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Security at the Commerce Department.

    Thousands of Trump’s supporters violently stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in a bid to prevent Congress from certifying the election results.

    Protesters attacked the Police with metal pipes and chemical irritants, damaged property, seized the inauguration stage and occupied the rotunda inside the Capitol building.

    The attack came after Trump urged his supporters to keep fighting to overturn the election results.

    On Thursday, Trump said that he is “outraged” by the violent riot at the Capitol and confirmed that he is working to ensure a smooth transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden and his administration.

    Biden’s inauguration is scheduled for Jan. 20.

  • Russia slams U.S. electoral system as ‘archaic’ in wake of Capitol riot

    Russia slams U.S. electoral system as ‘archaic’ in wake of Capitol riot

    A spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry has described the U.S. electoral system as “archiac” in the wake of the storming of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington by supporters of Donald Trump.

    “We are again drawing attention to the fact that the U.S. electoral system is archaic, it does not meet today’s democratic standards,” ministry spokeswoman Maria Sakharova told the Interfax agency.

    That leaves room for “numerous violations,” she added, and said that Russia wishes the American people “that they will survive this dramatic moment in their own history with dignity.”

  • U.S. ban of 8 Chinese apps sparks uproar

    U.S. ban of 8 Chinese apps sparks uproar

    Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned the U.S. ban on transactions involving eight Chinese apps on the pretext of protecting U.S. citizens’ privacy and data security.

    The Spokesperson for the ministry, Hua Chunying at a daily news briefing in Beijing, said that China would take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises

    “This is another example of the U.S. side stretching the concept of national security and abusing state power to groundlessly suppress foreign companies,” Hua said.

    According to media report, the ban on Chinese apps including Alipay and WeChat Pay was ordered on Tuesday by U.S. President Donald Trump through an executive order.

    Hua called the U.S. actions “hypocritical and ridiculous.”

    Hua noted that the U.S. had always been the world’s largest “hacking empire.”

    Hua said the U.S. launches groundless accusations against other countries while at the same time it monitors and steals secrets from others indiscriminately.

    “It’s like a thief yelling that he wants to be protected from being stolen.”

    Hua said the U.S. actions would have some impact on Chinese enterprises but, more importantly, they will damage the interests of the U.S. and its consumers.

    “The U.S. talks about a free market economy and fair competition, but how does it behave itself?” Hua said.

    She stressed that the development of science and technology should serve the progress and well-being of all mankind, rather than be treated differently by ideology or become a tool of political manipulation.
    She urged the U.S. to earnestly respect market economy and fair competition principles, abide by international economic and trade rules.

    The official also called on U.S. to provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for foreign companies investing and operating in the country .

    Hua added that China would take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

  • U.S. Congressman contracts COVID-19 after receiving Pfizer vaccine

    U.S. Congressman contracts COVID-19 after receiving Pfizer vaccine

    Kevin Brady, a Republican member of the US House of Representatives, said on Wednesday he had tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) shortly before he was due to receive the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine developed by the Pfizer-BioNTech duo.

    The vaccine’s regimen is two doses per patient 21 days apart.

    “Tonite the Office of House Physician informed me that I’ve tested positive for COVID-19 & am quarantined.

    “As recommended, I received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine Dec. 18 & also recently tested negative for Covid on New Years Day,” the congressman said on Twitter.

    There are currently two coronavirus vaccines with the emergency use authorisation in the United States — Pfizer’s and the one developed by US pharmaceutical company Moderna, whose dosing regimen is also two full shots one month apart.

    On Sunday, Moncef Slaoui, the lead scientist in the United States’ COVID-19 response task force, said that the government pondered halving the doses for some people in a bid to speed up the vaccination process.

    On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended against reducing the dosing.

  • U.S. records 277,000 COVID-19 cases in 24 Hours, sets new record

    U.S. records 277,000 COVID-19 cases in 24 Hours, sets new record

    The United States on Saturday saw its highest number yet of coronavirus cases recorded in one day, with more than 277,000 infections.

    The hardest-hit country in the world by the pandemic, the United States has marked 20.4 million cases overall and just under 350,000 deaths.

    Infections have been surging in recent months, with top US government scientist Anthony Fauci warning just days after Christmas that the worst of the pandemic may be yet to come, driving the country to a “critical point” as holiday travel spreads the virus.

    The country has floundered in its efforts to quell Covid-19, with its vaccination program beset by logistical problems and overstretched hospitals.

    More than 4.2 million people in the US have already received their first jabs, with 13 million doses distributed, but that falls well behind the 20 million inoculations that President Donald Trump’s administration promised by the end of 2020.

  • U.S. Senate overrides Trump’s veto of major national security bill

    U.S. Senate overrides Trump’s veto of major national security bill

    The U.S. Senate on Friday voted to override U.S. President Donald Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), a major national security bill worth 740 billion dollars.

    The vote marked the first veto override of the Trump presidency and is widely viewed as a sharp rebuke of the president during his final days in office.

    The Senate needed a two-thirds majority to override the veto, which it obtained by a wide margin, with 81 senators voting in favour of the override and only 13 against.

    The NDAA, which sets the policy for the U.S. Department of Defense, has passed every year since the 1960s.

    Both chambers of Congress approved this year’s bill with large majorities. Trump, however, vetoed the bill over a plan to rename military bases that are named after leaders of the Confederacy, the alliance of pro-slavery southern states during the Civil War.

    He also called for the bill to strip social media companies of some liability protections and objected to language that would slow-walk his plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops in places like Afghanistan and Germany.

    The debate over whether to override the veto pitted Trump against members of his own party and some of his staunchest allies in the Senate.

    Speaking from the Senate floor, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell said that the passage of the bill is a serious responsibility and “a tremendous opportunity to direct our national security priorities to reflect the resolve of the American people and the evolving threats to their safety, at home and abroad.”

    Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat, called the vote a bipartisan rebuke of the president.

    “Trump tried to make this vote a loyalty test and an overwhelming majority of U.S. Senators demonstrated their loyalty is to the common defense and to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who help defend our nation,” Reed wrote on Twitter.