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1. Coronavirus
There have now been more than 20 million cases of coronavirus worldwide and at least 736,000 deaths. While the virus continues to spread, experts say the relationship between vaccines and asymptomatic carriers – that is, people who have the virus but are not affected – may be the key to getting it under control. New research suggests that people who have received vaccines to prevent other diseases are less likely to suffer from Covid-19. Russia, meanwhile, claims to have registered a vaccine, although it has not released any scientific data on its tests. The latest clinical trials by pharmaceutical company Moderna in the US suggest that there is no chance of a vaccine in November. And fall is set to be even less fun in the U.S., as college football teams have their debates over postponing their seasons all over the virus.
2. Immigration
The Trump administration is considering new ways to restrict entry to the U.S.-Mexico border, citing concerns about coronavirus. This may include blocking some U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents from reentry. The administration has taken several steps to close the border since the pandemic began, including introducing new laws to quickly remove migrants trying to cross it. The immigration process is also being hit hard by the pandemic. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency responsible for granting citizenship, may have to leave two-thirds of its workforce by the end of the month due to stalled incentive negotiations. If that happens, it’s likely to stop the immigration process.
3. China
China imposes sanctions on 11 Americans, including six lawmakers, for “conduct on Hong Kong-related issues.” Sens Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are one of the people calling through the country. This comes days after the US imposed sanctions on China’s new restrictive national security law in Hong Kong. It is a well-known back-and-forth that signals another wave of tensions between the two countries. Sure enough, China is also stepping up military drills in the vicinity of East Asia, just as US Secretary of Human Services Secretary Alex Azar is visiting the self-governing island of Taiwan. A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Azar’s visit was “a serious breach” of US pledges over Taiwan, which regards Beijing as Chinese territory.
4. Election 2020
President Trump and his Republican supporters are trying to stop states from moving forward with expanded post-in voting measures. Nevada opposes a recent challenge from the Trump campaign to the state’s plan to send absentee ballots to all active voters. In Rhode Island, the Republican National Committee has asked the Supreme Court to intervene after the state decided to lift witness testimony for revoking votes. Meanwhile, Democrats openly accuse the Trump administration and the U.S. Postmaster General of “deliberate sabotage” of the postal service in the form of slower service and fewer hours, just months before an election that will heavily rely on the USPS to provide critical election material.
5. Beirut
The Lebanese government has been ousted when the country comes to the political fallout from last week’s explosion in Beirut. In his announcement of dismissal, Prime Minister Hassan Diab called the explosion a “disaster beyond measure” and robbed Lebanon’s political elite of creating “an apparatus of corruption greater than the state.” Three cabinet ministers and seven MPs had already been fired for Diab’s dismissal. Diab came to power in December, just two months after a popular uprising overthrew the previous government. Now, in addition to rebuilding parts of its capital and creating economic and political crisis, the Lebanese people will in less than a year have the task of electing their third prime minister.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
No, it’s not your imagination. Halloween candy really came out earlier this year
Since normal spooky events are likely to end this year, companies are releasing payments to extend the season.
Some Las Vegas hotels offer a ‘work from Vegas’ package
Oh yeah, absolutely no distractions there.
Here’s how to view the Perseid meteor shower
If everything on earth is chaos, just look at the flaming rocks above.
Now Twitter may be interested in buying TikTok
Remember, the clock is TikTok-ing on President Trump’s ultimatum for the video app: to be sold, or to be banned.
People love the resurgence of ‘charming little wine holes’ during the pandemic in Florence
Petition to have “charming little wine holes” everywhere, pandemic or not.
NUMBER of today
832,000
That’s nearly how many air passengers screened TSA on Sunday, marking for the first time that it saw more than 800,000 people in one day since the pandemic disrupted air travel in mid-April.
IT TITAAR
“Minimum standards for democratic elections were not met during the presidential election.”
Spokesman for German government Steffen Seibert, on the controversial presidential election in Belarus. World powers, including Germany and the US, have expressed concern over the election, which President Alexander Lukashenko won in a landslide for years.
WEID of today
Check your local forecast here >>>
BUT DECIDE
Sleeping marsupial baby
If you have never seen a ringtail possum before, today is your lucky day. (Click here to view.)
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