United States

Monday, May 18th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
The failed operation to oust Maduro by a Canadian mercenary ex Green Beret

By Gwynne Dyer – It's hard being born Canadian if your ambition is to be a real-life version of movie tough guy Jean-Claude Van Damme (Blood Sport, Death Warrant, Universal Soldier, Last Action Hero). The same goes for being Belgian, of course, but Van Damme just wanted to be in the movies.
Monday, May 18th 2020 - 08:15 UTC
Fed chief forecasts US economy could easily contract 20 to 30% this quarter

The business shutdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic could “easily” cause the US economy to collapse by 20 to 30% this quarter, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Sunday. Data show more than 30 million jobs were destroyed in the world's top economy, as businesses were shuttered nationwide amid the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Monday, May 18th 2020 - 07:22 UTC
Critical World Health Organization assembly: US-China clash anticipated

At the first meeting of the World Health Organization's (WHO) governing body since Covid-19 stormed the globe, China is set to be challenged on two of its most sensitive issues: The Communist Party's initial handling of the virus and the status of Taiwan's participation.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:54 UTC
Trump set to restore partial funding for WHO, to similar level of China's contribution

US President Donald Trump's administration is set to restore partial funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), Fox News reported late on Friday, citing a draft letter.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:44 UTC
An icon of US retail industry, J.C. Penney filed for bankruptcy protection

J.C. Penney Co Inc filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday with plans to permanently close some stores and also explore a possible sale, making it the latest brick-and-mortar retailer to crumble as prolonged store closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic drive a final stake through long-troubled businesses.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:18 UTC
China calls on the US to “fulfill their financial obligations to the United Nations”

China on Friday issued a statement calling on all UN member states to “actively fulfill their financial obligations to the United Nations,” stressing that Washington owes the organization more than US$2 billion.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 11:52 UTC
Notorious Mexican drug leader extradited from Uruguay to United States

Uruguay on Thursday turned over to the United States a Mexican man wanted on drug and money laundering charges. Gerardo Gonzalez Valencia is the brother of Abigael González, the former head of the Sinaloa cartel faction known as “Los Cuinis” (The Squirrels). Gonzalez Valencia is also the brother-in-law of Jalisco cartel drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:27 UTC
Trump not interested in speaking with president Xi and suggests cutting “whole relationship with China”

President Donald Trump signaled a further deterioration of his relationship with China over the novel coronavirus, saying he has no interest in speaking to President Xi Jinping right now and going so far as to suggest he could even cut ties with the world’s second-largest economy.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:05 UTC
Trump administration issues Global Maritime Advisory guidelines for ship owners and insurers

The Trump administration on Thursday issued guidelines to help ship owners and insurers avoid the risks of sanctions penalties, standards that maritime players and a senior State Department official said were modified following months of discussions with industry.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 07:46 UTC
Trump mobilizing the military to distribute a coronavirus vaccine when available

President Donald Trump is mobilizing the U.S. military to distribute a novel coronavirus vaccine when one becomes available and will focus first on older Americans.