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US politics: Delaware and New Jersey vote as coronavirus cases approach 3 million - live updates US politics: Delaware and New Jersey vote as coronavirus cases approach 3 million - live updates
(32 minutes later)
Primaries take place as Fauci says country still “knee-deep in the first wave” of the coronavirus pandemicPrimaries take place as Fauci says country still “knee-deep in the first wave” of the coronavirus pandemic
Deputy secretary of state Stephen Biegun has arrived in South Korea for discussions on stalled nuclear diplomacy - but may find he doesn’t have as many people to talk to as he hoped.
In a statement released through North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency a few hours ago, senior North Korean foreign ministry official Kwon Jong Gun reiterated that North Korea would not take part, saying “Explicitly speaking once again, we have no intention to sit face to face with US.”
With a rhetorical flourish typical of North Korean’s pronouncements, he also criticised “nonsensical” South Korean attempts to mediate between North Korea and the US, saying: “They seem to have a bad ear or are guided by the habit of always talking in their own favour.”
Biegun’s arrival was met by a small protest near the US embassy in Seoul.
Donald Trump’s attempts at diplomacy with North Korean were recently savaged in John Bolton’s book, where Bolton suggested the president cared more about photo opportunities that would make him look good for his re-election campaign, than he cared about advancing American national interests in the region.
Reuters are reporting that the US government has awarded Novavax a $1.6 billion contract to cover the testing, commercialisation and manufacturing of a potential coronavirus vaccine in the US. The aim is to deliver 100 million doses by January 2021.
It is the highest award yet from the so-called “Operation Warp Speed” White House program which is aimed at accelerating access to vaccines and treatments to fight the coronavirus.
“What this Warp Speed award does is pays for production of 100 million doses, which would be delivered starting in the fourth quarter of this year, and may be completed by January or February of next year,” Novavax Chief Executive Stanley Erck told Reuters. It will also cover the cost of running a large Phase III trial - the final stage of human testing, which could begin as early as October.
More than 140 teams of researchers are racing to develop a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine.
In another development, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc said the US government has granted the drugmaker a $450 million contract to make and supply its double antibody cocktail that is being tested against Covid-19.
The antiviral cocktail, REGN-COV2, is in separate clinical trials both for treating and preventing Covid-19, the company said
Michael H Fuchs, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, has written for us today addressing the scandal of the Trump administration’s reaction - or lack of it - to intelligence that suggested Russia might be paying a bounty to Taliban fighters for attacks on US military personnel.Michael H Fuchs, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, has written for us today addressing the scandal of the Trump administration’s reaction - or lack of it - to intelligence that suggested Russia might be paying a bounty to Taliban fighters for attacks on US military personnel.
Read it here: Russia is killing US soldiers. Trump’s response is a shameful dereliction of dutyRead it here: Russia is killing US soldiers. Trump’s response is a shameful dereliction of duty
Over at Politico, Marianne Levine and James Arkin have been looking at what lies in store in November for the women who represent the Republicans in the Senate. Current projections suggest the Republicans could lose nearly half of the women currently in their caucus.Over at Politico, Marianne Levine and James Arkin have been looking at what lies in store in November for the women who represent the Republicans in the Senate. Current projections suggest the Republicans could lose nearly half of the women currently in their caucus.
Levine and Arkin suggest that out of nine Senate Republican women currently serving, four face highly competitive races in Arizona, Maine, Georgia and Iowa.Levine and Arkin suggest that out of nine Senate Republican women currently serving, four face highly competitive races in Arizona, Maine, Georgia and Iowa.
The piece goes on to say:The piece goes on to say:
It is an interesting read about how Donald Trump’s potential unpopularity at the polls this November could end up having a significant impact on the gender balance of the Republican party, in an area where even their critics can see that some progress had been made.It is an interesting read about how Donald Trump’s potential unpopularity at the polls this November could end up having a significant impact on the gender balance of the Republican party, in an area where even their critics can see that some progress had been made.
Read it here: Politico - Republicans in danger of losing huge portion of their female senatorsRead it here: Politico - Republicans in danger of losing huge portion of their female senators
A judge yesterday set a $1.2 million bail for the man accused of driving a Jaguar on to a closed Seattle freeway and hitting two protesters, killing one and seriously injuring the other.A judge yesterday set a $1.2 million bail for the man accused of driving a Jaguar on to a closed Seattle freeway and hitting two protesters, killing one and seriously injuring the other.
Dawit Kelete drove the car around vehicles that were parked on Interstate 5 to protect a group of Black Femme March demonstrators, part of the Black Lives Matter movement protesting racial inequality and police violence. The car hit two people and sped away about 1:40 a.m. Saturday, police said.Dawit Kelete drove the car around vehicles that were parked on Interstate 5 to protect a group of Black Femme March demonstrators, part of the Black Lives Matter movement protesting racial inequality and police violence. The car hit two people and sped away about 1:40 a.m. Saturday, police said.
Over the weekend, a judge found probable cause to hold Kelete on an investigation of vehicular assault. But the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has yet to file charges against Kelete. It says it’s waiting for additional required information from the State Patrol.Over the weekend, a judge found probable cause to hold Kelete on an investigation of vehicular assault. But the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has yet to file charges against Kelete. It says it’s waiting for additional required information from the State Patrol.
“A charging decision is expected by Wednesday afternoon,” spokesman Casey McNerthney said.“A charging decision is expected by Wednesday afternoon,” spokesman Casey McNerthney said.
Kelete’s lawyer, John Henry Browne, said the crash was a “horrible, horrible accident” and was not intentional. “There’s absolutely nothing political about this case whatsoever,” Browne told Associated Press. “My client is in tears. He’s very remorseful. He feels tremendous guilt.”Kelete’s lawyer, John Henry Browne, said the crash was a “horrible, horrible accident” and was not intentional. “There’s absolutely nothing political about this case whatsoever,” Browne told Associated Press. “My client is in tears. He’s very remorseful. He feels tremendous guilt.”
Kelete is originally from Eritrea and is a US citizen, Browne said. He lives with his family in Seattle, and they’re very religious, he said.Kelete is originally from Eritrea and is a US citizen, Browne said. He lives with his family in Seattle, and they’re very religious, he said.
Summer Taylor, a 24-year-old veterinary clinic worker, suffered critical injuries in the incident and died Saturday night.Summer Taylor, a 24-year-old veterinary clinic worker, suffered critical injuries in the incident and died Saturday night.
Diaz Love, 32, from Portland, Oregon, was left in a serious condition. “I’m alive and stable,” Love posted on Facebook late Sunday. “In a lot of pain. I cannot believe Summer was murdered. If they thought this murder would make us back down, they are very wrong. Very wrong.Diaz Love, 32, from Portland, Oregon, was left in a serious condition. “I’m alive and stable,” Love posted on Facebook late Sunday. “In a lot of pain. I cannot believe Summer was murdered. If they thought this murder would make us back down, they are very wrong. Very wrong.
Love also said: “My FB is filled with death threats, that and only being able to use one hand has me going slow. I deeply appreciate and feel all the love y’all are sending me.”Love also said: “My FB is filled with death threats, that and only being able to use one hand has me going slow. I deeply appreciate and feel all the love y’all are sending me.”
Last night in a Fox News interview secretary of state Mike Pompeo floated the idea that the US might ban social networking video app TikTok.Last night in a Fox News interview secretary of state Mike Pompeo floated the idea that the US might ban social networking video app TikTok.
He said “I don’t want to get out in front of the President, but it’s something we’re looking at”He said “I don’t want to get out in front of the President, but it’s something we’re looking at”
Pompeo went on to link the app to other Chinese technology companies that the US has taken action over, saying:Pompeo went on to link the app to other Chinese technology companies that the US has taken action over, saying:
Asked if he would recommend people to download TikTok, Pompeo said “Only if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”Asked if he would recommend people to download TikTok, Pompeo said “Only if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”
In response to his comments, TikTok issued a statement to deny that it has never provided user data to China: “We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked.”In response to his comments, TikTok issued a statement to deny that it has never provided user data to China: “We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked.”
US lawmakers have previously raised national security concerns over TikTok’s handling of user data, saying they were worried about Chinese laws that require domestic companies “to support and cooperate with intelligence work controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.”US lawmakers have previously raised national security concerns over TikTok’s handling of user data, saying they were worried about Chinese laws that require domestic companies “to support and cooperate with intelligence work controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.”
Overnight TikTok announced it is to withdraw its app from Hong Kong app stores. It was recently banned in India - despite having a huge user base - over security concerns.Overnight TikTok announced it is to withdraw its app from Hong Kong app stores. It was recently banned in India - despite having a huge user base - over security concerns.
Any move to shut it down in the US would undoubtedly have political ramifications, not least because many commentators have spoken about teenage TikTok activism having an impact on the attendance at Donald Trump’s disastrous Tulsa rally.Any move to shut it down in the US would undoubtedly have political ramifications, not least because many commentators have spoken about teenage TikTok activism having an impact on the attendance at Donald Trump’s disastrous Tulsa rally.
Good morning, welcome to our live coverage of US politics for the day. Here’s a catch-up on the key points from yesterday and overnight, and a little of what we can expect todayGood morning, welcome to our live coverage of US politics for the day. Here’s a catch-up on the key points from yesterday and overnight, and a little of what we can expect today
Joe Biden can expect a resounding win in the primary in his home state of Delaware today. New Jersey also votes - though with much of the election being conducted as vote-by-mail, results will not be known for some timeJoe Biden can expect a resounding win in the primary in his home state of Delaware today. New Jersey also votes - though with much of the election being conducted as vote-by-mail, results will not be known for some time
Dr. Anthony Fauci said the country was still “knee-deep in the first wave” of the coronavirus pandemic. Cases in the US are nearing three million, with deaths in excess of 130,000Dr. Anthony Fauci said the country was still “knee-deep in the first wave” of the coronavirus pandemic. Cases in the US are nearing three million, with deaths in excess of 130,000
Virginia, though, has reported that no known coronavirus-related deaths were recorded on Monday - the first time for more than three monthsVirginia, though, has reported that no known coronavirus-related deaths were recorded on Monday - the first time for more than three months
The US government said it will not allow international students to enter or stay in the United States if they are enrolled in schools that are fully online during the fall semesterThe US government said it will not allow international students to enter or stay in the United States if they are enrolled in schools that are fully online during the fall semester
A white woman who called police and falsely accused an African American man of threatening her life after he asked her to leash her dog in New York city’s Central Park is being criminally charged over the incident.A white woman who called police and falsely accused an African American man of threatening her life after he asked her to leash her dog in New York city’s Central Park is being criminally charged over the incident.
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said he will not attend the Republican National Convention for the first time in 40 years, citing his concerns about coronavirus. Meanwhile the Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, has pleaded with Republicans to cancel a three-day convention scheduled to be held there on 16 July.Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said he will not attend the Republican National Convention for the first time in 40 years, citing his concerns about coronavirus. Meanwhile the Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, has pleaded with Republicans to cancel a three-day convention scheduled to be held there on 16 July.
Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has tested positive for coronavirus, but says she has no symptomsAtlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has tested positive for coronavirus, but says she has no symptoms
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former unpaid adviser to first lady Melania Trump, is planning an ‘explosive’ book about their friendshipStephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former unpaid adviser to first lady Melania Trump, is planning an ‘explosive’ book about their friendship
I’ll be with you for the next couple of hours - you can get in touch with me at martin.belam@theguardian.comI’ll be with you for the next couple of hours - you can get in touch with me at martin.belam@theguardian.com