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Top US health agency hit by cyber-attack amid coronavirus outbreak – live Top US health agency hit by cyber-attack amid coronavirus outbreak – live
(32 minutes later)
US Health and Human Services Department hacked amid growing coronavirus outbreakUS Health and Human Services Department hacked amid growing coronavirus outbreak
US stock trading was halted this morning just seconds after opening, plunging more than 7% Monday. The drop comes despite the Federal Reserve taking emergency action, cutting interest rates to cushion the US economy from the coronavirus pandemic.
Follow our business live blog for more as investors prepare for another day record losses.
Amid the nation’s growing coronavirus outbreak, servers at the US Health and Human Service Dept. were the target of a cyber-attack Sunday night. The breach was first reported by department officials to Bloomberg White House correspondent Jennifer Jacobs.Amid the nation’s growing coronavirus outbreak, servers at the US Health and Human Service Dept. were the target of a cyber-attack Sunday night. The breach was first reported by department officials to Bloomberg White House correspondent Jennifer Jacobs.
From Bloomberg News:From Bloomberg News:
Good morning. I’m Kenya Evelyn taking over the politics live blog today and we’re unpacking last night’s Democratic debate, as well as the Trump administration’s response to nation’s coronavirus outbreak.Good morning. I’m Kenya Evelyn taking over the politics live blog today and we’re unpacking last night’s Democratic debate, as well as the Trump administration’s response to nation’s coronavirus outbreak.
Stay tuned for more throughout the day.Stay tuned for more throughout the day.
There’s very little detail here yet, but Bloomberg are just breaking that there was a cyber-attack on the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) computer system last night.There’s very little detail here yet, but Bloomberg are just breaking that there was a cyber-attack on the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) computer system last night.
Read it here - Bloomberg: US health agency suffers cyber-attack during Covid-19 responseRead it here - Bloomberg: US health agency suffers cyber-attack during Covid-19 response
Demographics, demographics, demographics. You’ll be sick of hearing about them by the time we reach November’s election. But the primaries tomorrow are going to be a key test of the candidates’ appeal to the Latino population.Demographics, demographics, demographics. You’ll be sick of hearing about them by the time we reach November’s election. But the primaries tomorrow are going to be a key test of the candidates’ appeal to the Latino population.
Jonathan Cooper at the Associated Press has been looking at how this is a real chance for Joe Biden. He’s run repeatedly into a wall in western states, reports Cooper, where Bernie Sanders’ strength among Latinos propelled his campaign even as he struggled with other groups.Jonathan Cooper at the Associated Press has been looking at how this is a real chance for Joe Biden. He’s run repeatedly into a wall in western states, reports Cooper, where Bernie Sanders’ strength among Latinos propelled his campaign even as he struggled with other groups.
Arizona and Florida offer Biden a chance to show he can make up ground with Latinos, a crucial group of voters he’ll need in his corner to defeat Trump. Sanders’ strength with them helped him to an overwhelming victory in the Nevada caucuses and contributed to his Super Tuesday wins in California and Colorado.Arizona and Florida offer Biden a chance to show he can make up ground with Latinos, a crucial group of voters he’ll need in his corner to defeat Trump. Sanders’ strength with them helped him to an overwhelming victory in the Nevada caucuses and contributed to his Super Tuesday wins in California and Colorado.
Biden is playing catch-up when it comes to engaging Latino voters and is weighed down by anger over the high rate of deportations during the Obama administration, which left scars for many immigrants and their families.Biden is playing catch-up when it comes to engaging Latino voters and is weighed down by anger over the high rate of deportations during the Obama administration, which left scars for many immigrants and their families.
“We need more. And we need commitments as we move into the general,” said Regina Romero, a Democrat who recently took office as Tucson’s first Latina mayor. Biden can win over reluctant Latinos with a bold and progressive stance on immigration, she said.“We need more. And we need commitments as we move into the general,” said Regina Romero, a Democrat who recently took office as Tucson’s first Latina mayor. Biden can win over reluctant Latinos with a bold and progressive stance on immigration, she said.
“I hope that he doesn’t eat up the lie that he has to be more conservative on the immigration issue,” said Romero, who hasn’t endorsed Biden or Sanders since her favoured candidate, Elizabeth Warren, dropped out. “We shouldn’t be afraid of an issue that is so important for Latino voters, water it down and not have policies that Latinos can get excited about.”“I hope that he doesn’t eat up the lie that he has to be more conservative on the immigration issue,” said Romero, who hasn’t endorsed Biden or Sanders since her favoured candidate, Elizabeth Warren, dropped out. “We shouldn’t be afraid of an issue that is so important for Latino voters, water it down and not have policies that Latinos can get excited about.”
Arizona and Florida are both likely to be battlegrounds in the November election. In Arizona, one in three residents is Latino; in Florida, it’s one in four.Arizona and Florida are both likely to be battlegrounds in the November election. In Arizona, one in three residents is Latino; in Florida, it’s one in four.
Early in his administration, Obama aggressively increased efforts to deport immigrants living in the country illegally. He’d hoped to convince members of Congress and the public that he was serious about border security in order to secure a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would extend legal status to millions of people living in the US without authorization. The reform bill never passed, but the deportations disrupted families, drove fear in immigrant communities and left deep wounds.Early in his administration, Obama aggressively increased efforts to deport immigrants living in the country illegally. He’d hoped to convince members of Congress and the public that he was serious about border security in order to secure a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would extend legal status to millions of people living in the US without authorization. The reform bill never passed, but the deportations disrupted families, drove fear in immigrant communities and left deep wounds.
Any Democrat’s immigration policies would be superior to Trump’s, but that won’t be enough to excite Latinos, said Tomas Robles, co-director of Living United for Change in Arizona, or LUCHA, a Latino organizing group that has endorsed Sanders.Any Democrat’s immigration policies would be superior to Trump’s, but that won’t be enough to excite Latinos, said Tomas Robles, co-director of Living United for Change in Arizona, or LUCHA, a Latino organizing group that has endorsed Sanders.
“You cannot depend on people’s hatred or fear of Trump to inspire them to turn out in droves for Vice President Biden,” Robles said to the AP. “Bernie has worked hard to motivate Latinos as a base. But the entire establishment part has failed at doing the same.”“You cannot depend on people’s hatred or fear of Trump to inspire them to turn out in droves for Vice President Biden,” Robles said to the AP. “Bernie has worked hard to motivate Latinos as a base. But the entire establishment part has failed at doing the same.”
The State department have issued a statement calling for the release of Truong Duy Nhat, a weekly blogger for the Vietnamese service of Radio Free Asia. He disappeared in January 2019, a day after he applied for refugee status with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Bangkok, and reappeared in custody.The State department have issued a statement calling for the release of Truong Duy Nhat, a weekly blogger for the Vietnamese service of Radio Free Asia. He disappeared in January 2019, a day after he applied for refugee status with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Bangkok, and reappeared in custody.
Truong Duy Nhat was sentenced to a 10-year prison term last week. The US statement from spokesperson Morgan Ortagus reads:Truong Duy Nhat was sentenced to a 10-year prison term last week. The US statement from spokesperson Morgan Ortagus reads:
With it being an election year, it is possible that the Trump handling of coronavirus becomes the defining issue of his presidency, and the key to him being re-elected, or not.With it being an election year, it is possible that the Trump handling of coronavirus becomes the defining issue of his presidency, and the key to him being re-elected, or not.
There was a lot of pushback yesterday at the chaotic scenes as a huge rush to exit Europe and return home met the administration’s decision to funnel all travellers through a limited number of airports. This segment from MSNBC’s Morning Joe gives an indication of just how under-prepared airports seemed yesterday to cope with the exodus.There was a lot of pushback yesterday at the chaotic scenes as a huge rush to exit Europe and return home met the administration’s decision to funnel all travellers through a limited number of airports. This segment from MSNBC’s Morning Joe gives an indication of just how under-prepared airports seemed yesterday to cope with the exodus.
That’s Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, sounding a warning about the chances of coronavirus relief legislation passing through the Senate. Steven T. Dennis at Bloomberg has been looking at the obstacles in its path - including objections from small businesses that the measures are too tough, and concerns from unions that the package is too weak.That’s Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, sounding a warning about the chances of coronavirus relief legislation passing through the Senate. Steven T. Dennis at Bloomberg has been looking at the obstacles in its path - including objections from small businesses that the measures are too tough, and concerns from unions that the package is too weak.
Read it here - Bloomberg: Virus relief risks being slowed by a few GOP senators’ concernsRead it here - Bloomberg: Virus relief risks being slowed by a few GOP senators’ concerns
Here’s a few more views on who came out on top in last night’s debate.Here’s a few more views on who came out on top in last night’s debate.
Chris Cillizza put both candidates into his loser’s basket, and made Trump one of the winners insteadChris Cillizza put both candidates into his loser’s basket, and made Trump one of the winners instead
He also listed Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams and Amy Klobuchar as potential winners. With Biden’s pledge to nominate a woman as his VP pick, he’s got no shortage of high profile Democrat women to pick from.He also listed Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams and Amy Klobuchar as potential winners. With Biden’s pledge to nominate a woman as his VP pick, he’s got no shortage of high profile Democrat women to pick from.
Read it here - CNN: Chris Cillizza’s winners and losers from the Biden-Sanders debateRead it here - CNN: Chris Cillizza’s winners and losers from the Biden-Sanders debate
For Michael Tomasky, behind the membership paywall at the Daily Beast, it was the night that Biden ‘sealed the deal’For Michael Tomasky, behind the membership paywall at the Daily Beast, it was the night that Biden ‘sealed the deal’
Read it here - Daily Beast: Joe Biden just sealed the dealRead it here - Daily Beast: Joe Biden just sealed the deal
The New York Times as ever got their opinion writers to give the candidates scores on their performances. To be honest they are pretty uniformly high for both men, but among them, Mimi Swartz had these words of caution about what happens next with Sanders’ supporters:The New York Times as ever got their opinion writers to give the candidates scores on their performances. To be honest they are pretty uniformly high for both men, but among them, Mimi Swartz had these words of caution about what happens next with Sanders’ supporters:
Read it here - NYT: Winners and losers of the Democratic DebateRead it here - NYT: Winners and losers of the Democratic Debate
One way and another, this election campaign is going to be unlike anything seen in the US before. We’ve already had the primary votes in Georgia and Louisiana delayed til later in the year, and Washington state primary voters urged not to lick their mail-in ballots to seal them.One way and another, this election campaign is going to be unlike anything seen in the US before. We’ve already had the primary votes in Georgia and Louisiana delayed til later in the year, and Washington state primary voters urged not to lick their mail-in ballots to seal them.
As Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Arizona prepare to vote tomorrow, election officials argue that voting doesn’t pose a big risk of virus exposure, but they are making changes to some of their plans. NPR has an interesting run-down here of some of the ways that has impacted them.As Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Arizona prepare to vote tomorrow, election officials argue that voting doesn’t pose a big risk of virus exposure, but they are making changes to some of their plans. NPR has an interesting run-down here of some of the ways that has impacted them.
Read it here - NPR: Voting amid coronavirus: what you need to knowRead it here - NPR: Voting amid coronavirus: what you need to know
As I mentioned at the outset this morning, it is quite hard to separate out any politics from the coronavirus news today. Here are some of the latest coronavirus developments in the US that you’ll want to be across this morning.As I mentioned at the outset this morning, it is quite hard to separate out any politics from the coronavirus news today. Here are some of the latest coronavirus developments in the US that you’ll want to be across this morning.
Donald Trump is to hold a coronavirus teleconference with G7 world leaders, and then a second with state governors this morningDonald Trump is to hold a coronavirus teleconference with G7 world leaders, and then a second with state governors this morning
The CDC is recommending that gatherings of 50 people or more in US be canceled or postponed over the next eight weeks because of the coronavirus pandemicThe CDC is recommending that gatherings of 50 people or more in US be canceled or postponed over the next eight weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic
90 US cities and states suspend water shutoffs to tackle coronavirus pandemic90 US cities and states suspend water shutoffs to tackle coronavirus pandemic
California governor directs all bars and nightclubs to close as coronavirus spreads. Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington also closed their bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. Several Las Vegas hotels and casinos said they would suspend operations.California governor directs all bars and nightclubs to close as coronavirus spreads. Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington also closed their bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. Several Las Vegas hotels and casinos said they would suspend operations.
The US Federal Reserve announced it would cut its benchmark interest rate to near zero and said it would buy US $700bn in Treasury and mortgage-backed securities.The US Federal Reserve announced it would cut its benchmark interest rate to near zero and said it would buy US $700bn in Treasury and mortgage-backed securities.
There are 3,774 confirmed cases in the US, with 69 deaths so far. Washington state has seen the most deaths - 42. There have also been deaths in California, New York, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Oregon, South Dakota and Virginia. [Source: the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering]There are 3,774 confirmed cases in the US, with 69 deaths so far. Washington state has seen the most deaths - 42. There have also been deaths in California, New York, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Oregon, South Dakota and Virginia. [Source: the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering]
The Peace Corps is evacuating all of its volunteers and suspending operations in dozens of countries worldwide. Director Jody Olsen says Sunday’s decision comes as “international travel becomes more and more challenging by the day.” She said the agency wanted to avoid leaving volunteers stranded in host countries.The Peace Corps is evacuating all of its volunteers and suspending operations in dozens of countries worldwide. Director Jody Olsen says Sunday’s decision comes as “international travel becomes more and more challenging by the day.” She said the agency wanted to avoid leaving volunteers stranded in host countries.
Italian-American carmaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have announced that they are suspending production in EuropeItalian-American carmaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have announced that they are suspending production in Europe
The Los Angeles murder trial of multimillionaire New York real estate heir Robert Durst has been delayed for three weeks over fears of the transmission of the new coronavirusThe Los Angeles murder trial of multimillionaire New York real estate heir Robert Durst has been delayed for three weeks over fears of the transmission of the new coronavirus
Our live coverage of the unfolding global coronavirus coverage is here.Our live coverage of the unfolding global coronavirus coverage is here.
As Domenico Montanaro observed for NPR, with long careers up on Capitol Hill behind them, Biden and Sanders could find themselves quite bogged down in arguments about who voted for what and when.As Domenico Montanaro observed for NPR, with long careers up on Capitol Hill behind them, Biden and Sanders could find themselves quite bogged down in arguments about who voted for what and when.
Politifact have done a deep dive into the things that Biden said about Sanders’ voting record during the 2008 financial crisis - particularly the claim that Sanders voted against a bail-out for the auto industry, costing jobs among what would be considered some heartland Democrat voters. They found that neither man was telling the whole story.Politifact have done a deep dive into the things that Biden said about Sanders’ voting record during the 2008 financial crisis - particularly the claim that Sanders voted against a bail-out for the auto industry, costing jobs among what would be considered some heartland Democrat voters. They found that neither man was telling the whole story.
They’ve also got a fact-check across the whole debate, taking in things like how Biden was rated by abortion-rights groups, campaigning for the minimum wage, and Super PAC money.They’ve also got a fact-check across the whole debate, taking in things like how Biden was rated by abortion-rights groups, campaigning for the minimum wage, and Super PAC money.
Read it here - Politifact: Fact-checking the Sanders-Biden primary debateRead it here - Politifact: Fact-checking the Sanders-Biden primary debate
From the opening elbow bump its was obvious that last night’s Democratic debate was not business as usual for a US election campaign.From the opening elbow bump its was obvious that last night’s Democratic debate was not business as usual for a US election campaign.
Our panel, including Jessa Crispin, Art Cullen, Benjamin Dixon, Jill Filipovic and Lloyd Green, had their say here. And Filipovic did not mince her words: “Well, that was possibly the worst debate of the entire Democratic primary.”Our panel, including Jessa Crispin, Art Cullen, Benjamin Dixon, Jill Filipovic and Lloyd Green, had their say here. And Filipovic did not mince her words: “Well, that was possibly the worst debate of the entire Democratic primary.”
Domenico Montanaro pulled out these four takeaways for NPR, including that one flaw with having two contenders who have been in the politics business for decades, is that they can seem to spend too much time relishing dwelling in the past:Domenico Montanaro pulled out these four takeaways for NPR, including that one flaw with having two contenders who have been in the politics business for decades, is that they can seem to spend too much time relishing dwelling in the past:
Read it here - NPR: 4 takeaways from the Biden-Sanders debateRead it here - NPR: 4 takeaways from the Biden-Sanders debate
For Politico, Ryan Lizza described it as the first debate of the pandemic-era:For Politico, Ryan Lizza described it as the first debate of the pandemic-era:
Lizza also seized on the fact that while Biden promised to make a woman his VP pick, Sanders did not give the same categorical assurance - “To me, it’s not just nominating a woman. It is making sure that we have a progressive woman.”Lizza also seized on the fact that while Biden promised to make a woman his VP pick, Sanders did not give the same categorical assurance - “To me, it’s not just nominating a woman. It is making sure that we have a progressive woman.”
Read it here - Politico: The first pandemic-era debate distills the choice of Biden vs. BernieRead it here - Politico: The first pandemic-era debate distills the choice of Biden vs. Bernie
Good morning, and welcome to our US politics live blog against the increasingly concerning backdrop of a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.Good morning, and welcome to our US politics live blog against the increasingly concerning backdrop of a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.
Donald Trump has a busy morning ahead. At 10am ET there’s a video conference call with other G7 leaders - one which you imagine may be a little bit frosty after German media reports that the US was trying to buy up any coronavirus vaccine exclusively for itself.Donald Trump has a busy morning ahead. At 10am ET there’s a video conference call with other G7 leaders - one which you imagine may be a little bit frosty after German media reports that the US was trying to buy up any coronavirus vaccine exclusively for itself.
Then at 11.30am ET, the president is participating in another video teleconference, this time with state governors, many of whom have been activating emergency measures themselves.Then at 11.30am ET, the president is participating in another video teleconference, this time with state governors, many of whom have been activating emergency measures themselves.
On the White House race side of things, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will be assessing the reaction to their debate performances last night. It might not have been quite as surreal as WWE stars giving their combat monologues in empty arenas, but with no debate studio audience, neither Democratic contender would have got an immediate sense from in the room of how they were doing. You can watch the debate in full here if you want to catch up on it. Biden is out campaigning in Florida today, ahead of tomorrow’s disrupted primaries. If he wins well there, that could be it for Sanders.On the White House race side of things, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will be assessing the reaction to their debate performances last night. It might not have been quite as surreal as WWE stars giving their combat monologues in empty arenas, but with no debate studio audience, neither Democratic contender would have got an immediate sense from in the room of how they were doing. You can watch the debate in full here if you want to catch up on it. Biden is out campaigning in Florida today, ahead of tomorrow’s disrupted primaries. If he wins well there, that could be it for Sanders.
So, I’ll try to keep the focus purely on the politics here today - we’ve got rolling global coverage of the coronavirus outbreak from my colleague in London, Damien Gayle - but it feels inevitable that a lot of today’s politics will continue to be coronavirus-related or coronavirus affected.So, I’ll try to keep the focus purely on the politics here today - we’ve got rolling global coverage of the coronavirus outbreak from my colleague in London, Damien Gayle - but it feels inevitable that a lot of today’s politics will continue to be coronavirus-related or coronavirus affected.