Health

France confirms new virus variant case in country

By Associated Press

Authorities were tracing the person’s contacts and laboratories were analyzing tests from several other people who may have the new variant.

Morocco acquires 65 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from China, UK

By Tarik El Barakah, Associated Press

The North African kingdom is preparing to launch a COVID-19 vaccination program aiming to immunize 80 percent of the country's adult population.

Mexico starts giving first shots of Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine

By Associated Press

In a broadcast ceremony, Maria Irene Ramirez got the first shot, under the watchful eyes of military personnel who escorted the vaccine shipment.

California reaches 2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases

By John Antczak, Don Thompson, Associated Press

The grim milestone comes as a COVID-19 crisis that health officials say stems from Thanksgiving gatherings strains California’s medical system.

Africa CDC: New virus variant appears to emerge in Nigeria

By Cara Anna, Associated Press

Another new variant of the coronavirus appears to have emerged in Nigeria, Africa's top public health official said Thursday, but he added that further investigation was needed.

Trump plan to curb drug costs dealt setback in court

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press

A late-term maneuver by President Donald Trump to use lower drug prices paid overseas to limit some of Medicare's costs suffered has a legal setback that appears likely to keep the policy from taking effect before the president leaves office.

Trump vetoes defense bill, setting up possible override vote

By Kevin Freking, Associated Press

President Donald Trump has vetoed the annual defense policy bill, following through on threats to veto a measure that has broad bipartisan support in Congress and potentially setting up the first override vote of his presidency.

U.S. holiday travel surges despite COVID-19 outbreak

By Tamara Lush, Associated Press

Millions of Americans are traveling ahead of Christmas and New Year's, despite pleas from public health experts that they stay home to avoid fueling the raging coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 320,000 nationwide.

Pfizer to supply U.S. with additional 100 million vaccines doses

By Jonathan Lemire, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press

Pfizer and BioNTech will deliver at least 70 million additional doses by June 30, with the remaining 30 million to be delivered no later than July 31.

Trump criticizes COVID-19 relief bill, suggests he may not sign

By Kevin Freking, Andrew Taylor, Associated Press

Trump complained in a video that he tweeted out Tuesday night that the bill delivered too much money to foreign countries, but not enough to Americans.