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Fauci says new US coronavirus cases could hit 100,000 a day in stark warning to Senate – live Fauci says new US coronavirus cases could hit 100,000 a day in stark warning to Senate – live
(32 minutes later)
Top health expert says US is sliding backwards on handling of pandemic and that he fears the rate of death and infection will rise dramaticallyTop health expert says US is sliding backwards on handling of pandemic and that he fears the rate of death and infection will rise dramatically
The US has bought up virtually all the stocks for the next three months of one of the two drugs proven to work against Covid-19, leaving none for the UK, Europe or most of the rest of the world.
Experts and access to medicines campaigners are alarmed both by the US unilateral action on remdesivir and the wider implications, for instance in the event of a vaccine becoming available. The Trump administration has already shown it is prepared to outbid and outmanoeuvre all other countries to secure the medical supplies it needs for the US.
“They’ve got access to most of the drug supply [of remdesivir] so there’s nothing for Europe,” said Dr Andrew Hill, senior visiting research fellow at Liverpool University.
Remdesivir, the first drug approved by licensing authorities in the US to treat Covid-19, is made by Gilead. It has been shown to help people recover faster from the disease. The first 140,000 doses, supplied to drug trials around the world, have been used up. The Trump administration has now bought more than 500,000 doses, which is all of Gilead’s production for July and 90% of August and September.
“President Trump has struck an amazing deal to ensure Americans have access to the first authorised therapeutic for Covid-19,” said the US health and human services secretary Alex Azar. “To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it. The Trump administration is doing everything in our power to learn more about life-saving therapeutics for Covid-19 and secure access to these options for the American people.”
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US intelligence picked up transfers of large sums from Russian military intelligence to Taliban-linked bank accounts, the New York Times reports, shoring up its reporting on a suspected Russian bounty offer in 2019 for attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan.US intelligence picked up transfers of large sums from Russian military intelligence to Taliban-linked bank accounts, the New York Times reports, shoring up its reporting on a suspected Russian bounty offer in 2019 for attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Donald Trump has cast doubt on whether such a Russian program existed, and the White House has said US intelligence was inconclusive.Donald Trump has cast doubt on whether such a Russian program existed, and the White House has said US intelligence was inconclusive.
Since the Times published its first story in the series on Friday, Trump has made shifting defenses, each of which has been collapsed by additional reporting.Since the Times published its first story in the series on Friday, Trump has made shifting defenses, each of which has been collapsed by additional reporting.
First Trump claimed he was never briefed about the Russian bounty program. Then he said intelligence advisors told him that assessments about the program weren’t “credible”, and the press secretary said that internal debate about the intelligence assessment had kept it from reaching the president.First Trump claimed he was never briefed about the Russian bounty program. Then he said intelligence advisors told him that assessments about the program weren’t “credible”, and the press secretary said that internal debate about the intelligence assessment had kept it from reaching the president.
Since then various outlets have reported that the assessment had in fact appeared in the president’s daily intelligence briefing, that the national security council convened an interagency meeting about responses to the Russian threat – indicating it was taken seriously – and now we learn there’s a money trail.Since then various outlets have reported that the assessment had in fact appeared in the president’s daily intelligence briefing, that the national security council convened an interagency meeting about responses to the Russian threat – indicating it was taken seriously – and now we learn there’s a money trail.
When it briefed Republicans yesterday about intelligence on the bounty program, the White House neglected to mention the money trail, the Times reports. Read further by clicking through below.When it briefed Republicans yesterday about intelligence on the bounty program, the White House neglected to mention the money trail, the Times reports. Read further by clicking through below.
One more last question for Biden. It’s a follow-up about his hazy distinction between removing statues of the founders versus Confederate leaders.One more last question for Biden. It’s a follow-up about his hazy distinction between removing statues of the founders versus Confederate leaders.
Asked whether it’s OK for the statues to be torn down by protesters, Biden says, “I think it’s better if they’re taken down like they took the Confederate flag off the Mississippi flag.Asked whether it’s OK for the statues to be torn down by protesters, Biden says, “I think it’s better if they’re taken down like they took the Confederate flag off the Mississippi flag.
“But I can understand the anger and anguish people feel.”“But I can understand the anger and anguish people feel.”
Then he’s asked whether he’d commit to three debates against Trump. He will.Then he’s asked whether he’d commit to three debates against Trump. He will.
Then he’s asked whether, as a 77-year-old, he’s been tested for cognitive decline. He says he’s tested every day and he’s eager to put his cognitive capabilities up against the cognitive capabilities of the man he’s running against.Then he’s asked whether, as a 77-year-old, he’s been tested for cognitive decline. He says he’s tested every day and he’s eager to put his cognitive capabilities up against the cognitive capabilities of the man he’s running against.
That’s a wrap.That’s a wrap.
Last question for Biden: how do you get Americans on the same page on wearing masks and coronavirus response?Last question for Biden: how do you get Americans on the same page on wearing masks and coronavirus response?
“Lower the rhetoric of division,” Biden says. Then he pivots to hit Trump for having tweeted out footage on Sunday of a supporter shouting “white power! White power!”“Lower the rhetoric of division,” Biden says. Then he pivots to hit Trump for having tweeted out footage on Sunday of a supporter shouting “white power! White power!”
Biden:Biden:
“Instead of for example when the golf cart goes by yelling ‘white supremacy,’ and the president tweets it out, don’t do thing like that.”“Instead of for example when the golf cart goes by yelling ‘white supremacy,’ and the president tweets it out, don’t do thing like that.”
Biden says “the sort of race-baiting the president has engaged in” has gotten “a free pass” but it’s harmful.Biden says “the sort of race-baiting the president has engaged in” has gotten “a free pass” but it’s harmful.
Then Biden says that for Trump, everything is always about Trump.Then Biden says that for Trump, everything is always about Trump.
“It’s not about I. It’s about us,” Biden said. “And I think changing the tone of the administration across the board, allowing the scientists to speak... and when a mistake is made saying ‘I made a mistake, I was wrong’... The words of a president matter, no matter who the president is.”“It’s not about I. It’s about us,” Biden said. “And I think changing the tone of the administration across the board, allowing the scientists to speak... and when a mistake is made saying ‘I made a mistake, I was wrong’... The words of a president matter, no matter who the president is.”
Biden says he will make a running mate announcement in early August.Biden says he will make a running mate announcement in early August.
Biden says that Putin would not be able to act with impunity in central and eastern Europe if he Biden is president.Biden says that Putin would not be able to act with impunity in central and eastern Europe if he Biden is president.
“He knows we’ll have more blunt conversations” if Biden is elected, Biden says of Putin.“He knows we’ll have more blunt conversations” if Biden is elected, Biden says of Putin.
Biden is asked whether he’ll release a list of names of potential Supreme Court nominees. Biden says he hesitates to follow Trump on anything “because he does it all wrong.” But he says they’re at work on a list of qualified African American women.Biden is asked whether he’ll release a list of names of potential Supreme Court nominees. Biden says he hesitates to follow Trump on anything “because he does it all wrong.” But he says they’re at work on a list of qualified African American women.
As for his veep pick, Biden says he’s got a list of women of color and is working on deep background checks. But he’s been vowed to select a woman, not necessarily a woman of color, as a running mate.As for his veep pick, Biden says he’s got a list of women of color and is working on deep background checks. But he’s been vowed to select a woman, not necessarily a woman of color, as a running mate.
Biden is asked about Confederate monuments. He gives a somewhat garbled answer saying he thinks the government should protect statues of Christopher Columbus, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but that statues of Confederate leaders and generals “belong in a museum.” He seeks to draw a distinction between former slaveholders and colonists, and the Confederacy.Biden is asked about Confederate monuments. He gives a somewhat garbled answer saying he thinks the government should protect statues of Christopher Columbus, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but that statues of Confederate leaders and generals “belong in a museum.” He seeks to draw a distinction between former slaveholders and colonists, and the Confederacy.
Biden is asked whether he has been tested for Covid-19. He hasn’t. He knocks on wood – the lectern.Biden is asked whether he has been tested for Covid-19. He hasn’t. He knocks on wood – the lectern.
Biden says he misses the campaign trail and meeting voters. “I have been surprised, the irony is we’ve probably reached more people directly, one-on-one,” via television, Biden says. He says 200m people have watched his dispatches from home in Delware. “But I’d much rather be doing it in person.”Biden says he misses the campaign trail and meeting voters. “I have been surprised, the irony is we’ve probably reached more people directly, one-on-one,” via television, Biden says. He says 200m people have watched his dispatches from home in Delware. “But I’d much rather be doing it in person.”
Asked about his double-digit lead in national polling averages and in many swing state polls, Biden replies, “I don’t want to jinx myself... it’s much too early to make any judgment.”Asked about his double-digit lead in national polling averages and in many swing state polls, Biden replies, “I don’t want to jinx myself... it’s much too early to make any judgment.”
Biden is asked about his having accused Trump of “betrayal” in his handling of an intelligence assessment that Russia had offered bounty payments for attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan.Biden is asked about his having accused Trump of “betrayal” in his handling of an intelligence assessment that Russia had offered bounty payments for attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Biden says the story is changing but Trump should have paid attention to the matter and gotten to the bottom of any contradictions in intelligence. Biden says Trump should have convened the joint chiefs of staff to make a response plan.Biden says the story is changing but Trump should have paid attention to the matter and gotten to the bottom of any contradictions in intelligence. Biden says Trump should have convened the joint chiefs of staff to make a response plan.
“He should at a minimum have picked up the phone and said, ‘Vladimir old buddy... if any of this is true, then you’ve got a big problem. A big problem’.”“He should at a minimum have picked up the phone and said, ‘Vladimir old buddy... if any of this is true, then you’ve got a big problem. A big problem’.”
Biden accuses Trump of a “dereliction of duty.” Then he talks about his late son Beau who had deployed in the army in Iraq. “What are those parents thinking about there?” Biden says. “It’s an absolute dereliction of duty if any of this is even remotely true.”Biden accuses Trump of a “dereliction of duty.” Then he talks about his late son Beau who had deployed in the army in Iraq. “What are those parents thinking about there?” Biden says. “It’s an absolute dereliction of duty if any of this is even remotely true.”
If the reports are true, the public should conclude that Trump isn’t fit to be president, Biden said.If the reports are true, the public should conclude that Trump isn’t fit to be president, Biden said.
Biden says “I’m almost certain it won’t be over” in January 2021, and if he’s elected, “On the day I’m sworn in, I’ll get right to work implementing all aspects of the response that remain undone.Biden says “I’m almost certain it won’t be over” in January 2021, and if he’s elected, “On the day I’m sworn in, I’ll get right to work implementing all aspects of the response that remain undone.
“My response will begin well before I take the oath of office. We’ll start as soon as the election is decided,” he says. He says he’ll reach out to Dr Anthony Fauci and make sure scientists can speak freely. He says his work will begin “on Day One” – and beforehand.“My response will begin well before I take the oath of office. We’ll start as soon as the election is decided,” he says. He says he’ll reach out to Dr Anthony Fauci and make sure scientists can speak freely. He says his work will begin “on Day One” – and beforehand.
The Biden campaign has circulated excerpts from the speech he’s making now in Delaware.The Biden campaign has circulated excerpts from the speech he’s making now in Delaware.
Biden is expected to take questions after his address. Here are the excerpts in full:Biden is expected to take questions after his address. Here are the excerpts in full:
Today, I am releasing a plan with the steps Donald Trump should undertake immediately.It builds on the roadmap I released back in March that would have saved lives if it had been adopted. It is a plan to save lives in the months ahead.Once again — I encourage him to adopt this plan in its entirety. This is too important for politics.Today, I am releasing a plan with the steps Donald Trump should undertake immediately.It builds on the roadmap I released back in March that would have saved lives if it had been adopted. It is a plan to save lives in the months ahead.Once again — I encourage him to adopt this plan in its entirety. This is too important for politics.
******
It’s not about you, Mr. President — it’s about the health and well-being of the American public.The American people didn’t make enormous sacrifices over the past four months so you could waste your time with late night rantings and tweets.They didn’t make these sacrifices so you could ignore the science and turn responsible steps like wearing a mask into a political statement.And they certainly didn’t do it so you could wash your hands and walk away.Maybe there are times this nation needs a cheerleader. Now isn’t one of them. We need a president.It’s not about you, Mr. President — it’s about the health and well-being of the American public.The American people didn’t make enormous sacrifices over the past four months so you could waste your time with late night rantings and tweets.They didn’t make these sacrifices so you could ignore the science and turn responsible steps like wearing a mask into a political statement.And they certainly didn’t do it so you could wash your hands and walk away.Maybe there are times this nation needs a cheerleader. Now isn’t one of them. We need a president.
Joe Biden is delivering remarks in Delaware on safely reopening the economy amid the pandemic.Joe Biden is delivering remarks in Delaware on safely reopening the economy amid the pandemic.
He has just recommended a “laser focus on treatments and vaccines” and says “the administration hasn’t been transparent” about how they will manufacture and distribute enough vaccine doses.He has just recommended a “laser focus on treatments and vaccines” and says “the administration hasn’t been transparent” about how they will manufacture and distribute enough vaccine doses.
“They may be doing it, but we have no transparency,” Biden says. “The White House should support weekly on this process.”“They may be doing it, but we have no transparency,” Biden says. “The White House should support weekly on this process.”