May 29 South Africa has a backlog of nearly 100,000 unprocessed virus tests By Cara Anna, Associated Press Shortages of testing materials, protective gear and other medical items have jolted African authorities into facing uncomfortable truths. Richer countries are elbowing them out in the race to obtain crucial supplies, and the continent relies almost entirely on imports for… Continue reading
May 29 Europe’s social welfare net shows signs of wear from virus By Angela Charlton, Colleen Barry, Nick Perry, Associated Press Europe’s extensive social welfare net is showing signs of fraying under economic strain from the coronavirus. Protests erupted Friday for the second day in Spain against layoffs by French carmaker Renault, and Italy’s chief central banker warned that ’’uncertainty is… Continue reading
May 28 NSA says Russian agents have been hacking major email program By Frank Bajak, Associated Press The U.S. National Security Agency says the same Russian military hacking group that interfered in the 2016 presidential election and unleashed a devastating 2017 malware attack has been exploiting a major email server program since last August or earlier. Continue reading
May 28 Watch 3:59 The coronavirus’ human and economic toll continue to expand By John Yang The U.S. death toll from coronavirus is a number of epic proportions: more than 100,000. But health officials believe that even that staggering number may be an undercount due to testing shortages and incomplete reporting of cases. Meanwhile, the pandemic’s… Continue watching
May 28 Watch 3:37 News Wrap: House Democrats shelve FISA bill after Trump’s veto threat In our news wrap Thursday, House Democratic leaders shelved a bill to renew government surveillance tools. The move followed President Trump’s promise to veto, after which congressional Republicans “abandoned their commitment to security,” according to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Meanwhile, Trump… Continue watching
May 28 Watch 5:54 What China’s move to crack down on Hong Kong means for city’s autonomy China’s National People’s Congress has created a legislative process to criminalize certain behavior in Hong Kong. Pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong, as well as the Trump administration, have criticized the move, arguing it erodes the city’s freedoms and goes against… Continue watching
May 28 Chinese grad students may be next hit by U.S.-China tensions By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The Trump administration may expel thousands of Chinese graduate students enrolled at U.S. universities in the latest sign of tensions between Washington and Beijing that are raging over trade, the coronavirus pandemic, human rights and the status of Hong Kong. Continue reading
May 28 U.S. charges North Korean bank officials in sanctions case By Eric Tucker, Associated Press The Justice Department has unsealed charges against more than two dozen North Korean individuals accused of making at least $2.5 billion in illicit payments linked to the country's nuclear weapons and missile program. Continue reading
May 28 French hospital workers protest lack of funds By Associated Press Hospital workers gathered outside Robert-Debré hospital in North-East Paris Thursday to protest what they describe as the government's lack of interest in France's public health system. Continue reading
May 28 Chinese lawmakers endorse Hong Kong national security law By Joe McDonald, Associated Press China's legislature endorsed a national security law for Hong Kong on Thursday that has strained relations with the United States and Britain and prompted new protests in the territory. Continue reading