• US confirms first case of new COVID strain discovered in UK

    US confirms first case of new COVID strain discovered in UK

    Dec 30, 2020 14:10

    The first case of a new and potentially more infectious strain of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the United States, Colorado health officials said Tuesday.

  • 'Surge on a surge': Fauci leads health officials warning of post-holiday coronavirus spike

    'Surge on a surge': Fauci leads health officials warning of post-holiday coronavirus spike

    Dec 30, 2020 11:53

    The United States will most likely experience a "post-seasonal" spike in coronavirus infections largely due to holiday travel and gatherings, current and former U.S. health officials said. "We very well might see a post-seasonal—in the sense of Christmas, New Year's—surge... a surge upon a surge," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and an incoming chief medical adviser to President-elect Joe Biden, on CNN's "State of the Union."

  • Trump’s wrecking ball of a transition

    Trump’s wrecking ball of a transition

    Dec 30, 2020 11:17

    US President Donald Trump’s 11th hour decision to blow up the stimulus negotiations has also jeopardized much needed financial relief for millions of Americans. Rather than showing a genuine effort to pressure Republicans to agree to legislation House Democrats passed in May, which would have provided $1,200 checks for individuals and up to $6,000 per household, Trump decided to intervene only after Congress finally agreed on individual payments of $600 – saying he wanted $2,000 checks instead.

  • California nurse tests positive over a week after receiving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

    California nurse tests positive over a week after receiving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

    Dec 30, 2020 08:53

    A California nurse, who earlier received Pfizer Inc's vaccine, has tested positive for the coronavirus more than a week after receiving the shot.

  • UK coronavirus cases set new daily record, prompting 'extreme concern'

    UK coronavirus cases set new daily record, prompting 'extreme concern'

    Dec 30, 2020 04:59

    Britain's government reported 53,135 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the highest number since mass testing started in mid-2020 and up sharply from the previous record of 41,385 set on Monday.

  • Coronavirus death toll in Iran close to 55,000

    Coronavirus death toll in Iran close to 55,000

    Dec 30, 2020 03:43

    The death toll from COVID-19 infection in Iran is about to hit 55,000, while nearly 970,000 cases have recovered in the country.

  • Trump signs pandemic relief bill after unemployment aid lapses

    Trump signs pandemic relief bill after unemployment aid lapses

    Dec 29, 2020 15:53

    President Trump on Sunday (27 Dec) abruptly signed a measure providing $900 billion in pandemic aid and funding the government through September, ending last-minute turmoil he himself had created over legislation that will offer an economic lifeline to millions of Americans and avert a government shutdown.

  • Iraq to release Iranian funds for vaccine purchase: Minister

    Iraq to release Iranian funds for vaccine purchase: Minister

    Dec 29, 2020 15:47

    Iran’s Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian says he has reached an agreement with the Iraqi government authorities on how Iranian funds blocked in a commercial bank in the neighbouring country could be used by Tehran for purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from a European manufacturer.

  • Worldwide coronavirus cases surpass 81.3mn amid fast spread of new variant

    Worldwide coronavirus cases surpass 81.3mn amid fast spread of new variant

    Dec 29, 2020 12:32

    The new coronavirus has now infected over 81.3 million people and killed more than 1.7 million others across the globe, according to Johns Hopkins University data.