Articles by Focus Washington

A group of U.S. states led by New York is investigating Facebook Inc for possible antitrust violations and plans to file a lawsuit against the social media giant next week, four sources familiar with the […]

Biden Promises Help to U.S. Workers Hit by Pandemic, Trump Hints at 2024 Run

President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday promised a group of workers hit by the raging COVID-19 pandemic that more aid would be on the way, while President Donald Trump hinted he may be ready to begin […]

More U.S.-Listed Chinese Firms Seen Seeking Backup Listings as New Audit Law Looms

The rush by U.S-listed Chinese companies to secure a secondary listing in Hong Kong or China is only set to intensify as the United States readies a new law allowing it to kick firms off […]

protection against coronavirus infection

CDC Chief Warns Americans Face ‘Rough’ Winter From COVID-19 Surge

The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Wednesday the COVID-19 pandemic, still raging with unprecedented fury nationwide, will pose the country’s grimmest health crisis yet over the next few […]

U.S. Republicans Balk as Trump Uses Defense Bill for Leverage on Big Tech

President Donald Trump’s threat to veto a defense bill if it does not repeal legal protections for social media companies faced stiff bipartisan opposition on Wednesday, setting the stage for a confrontation with lawmakers scrambling […]

Iran Watchdog Passes Law on Hardening Nuclear Stance, Halting U.N. Inspections

Iran’s Guardian Council watchdog body approved a law on Wednesday that obliges the government to halt U.N. inspections of its nuclear sites and step up uranium enrichment beyond the limit set under Tehran’s 2015 nuclear […]

CDC Panel Says Health Workers, Nursing Homes Will Get COVID Vaccine First

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel voted 13-1 on Tuesday to give health-care workers and long-term care facility residents the first coronavirus vaccine doses once it’s cleared for public use, CNBC writes. There […]

Trump Threatens to Veto Defense Bill Unless It Contains Measure to Scrap Law Protecting Social Media Companies

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would veto the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act unless it includes a measure eliminating a federal law protecting tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter, CNBC reported. […]

UK Approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, First in the World

Britain on Wednesday became the first western country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, jumping ahead of the United States and Europe after its regulator cleared a shot developed by Pfizer for emergency use in record […]

U.S. Says Ready for Immediate Domestic Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccines

The U.S. Transportation Department said Tuesday it has made preparations to enable the “immediate mass shipment” of COVID-19 vaccines and completed all necessary regulatory measures, Reuters reported. The department said U.S. agencies have been coordinating […]

Barr Sees No Sign of Major U.S. Vote Fraud Despite Trump’s Claims

U.S. Attorney General William Barr said on Tuesday the Justice Department has found no evidence of widespread voter fraud in last month’s election, even as President Donald Trump kept up his flailing legal efforts to […]

Joe Biden's social spending bill approved by House Dems

Biden Claims He Will Not Kill Phase 1 Trade Deal With China Immediately

President-elect Joe Biden will not immediately cancel the Phase 1 trade agreement that President Donald Trump struck with China nor take steps to remove tariffs on Chinese exports, the New York Times on Wednesday quoted […]

U.S. Prosecutors Investigating Potential White House ‘Bribery-for-Pardon’ Scheme

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating a potential crime related to funneling money to the White House in exchange for a presidential pardon, according to court documents unsealed in federal court, Reuters writes. U.S. District […]

U.S. Senate Leader McConnell Urges New COVID-19 Aid in Broad Funding Bill

The U.S. Congress should include a fresh wave of coronavirus stimulus in a must-pass $1.4 trillion spending bill aimed at heading off a government shutdown in the midst of a pandemic, top Senate Republican Mitch […]

Bipartisan U.S. Lawmakers Seek Fast Approval of $908 Billion COVID-19 Relief

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled a $908 billion COVID-19 relief bill aimed at breaking a monthslong deadlock between Democrats and Republicans over new emergency assistance for small businesses, unemployed people, airlines […]

U.S. Government Releases More Data on Millions of Businesses That Took Pandemic Aid

The Trump administration late on Tuesday released the names of more than 10 million businesses and individuals that took pandemic aid, providing more transparency for the programs which officials say have been plagued by fraud […]

First ‘Mass Air Shipment’ of Pfizer’s COVID Vaccine Arrives as Airlines Prepare for More

The Federal Aviation Administration said it supported the “first mass air shipment” of Covid-19 vaccines, as pharmaceutical companies and airlines prepare networks for broad distribution, CNBC informed. United Airlines carried Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine from Brussels […]

Powell Stresses Importance of Lending Programs, Calls Economic Outlook ‘Extraordinarily Uncertain’

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized the importance of the lending programs it has deployed during the coronavirus pandemic, telling senators in testimony to be delivered Tuesday that they’ve been integral in keeping the economic […]

Oil Falls After OPEC+ Talks Delay Sets off Supply Alarm

Oil prices fell on Tuesday as concerns over mounting supply returned to the fore after leading producers delayed talks on 2021 output policy, while the coronavirus pandemic continues to sap fuel demand, Reuters informed. Brent […]

US and China will meet for the first time at a high level since Russia's attack on Ukraine as Biden tries to get Beijing's help with the war.

U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Chinese Firm Accused of Undermining Democracy in Venezuela

The United States imposed sanctions on Monday on Chinese firm China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation (CEIEC), accusing it of supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s efforts to undermine democracy, Reuters writes. The U.S. Treasury […]

COVID-19 Drives 40% Spike in Number of People Needing Humanitarian Aid, U.N. Says

The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a 40% increase in the number of people needing humanitarian assistance around the globe, the United Nations said on Tuesday, as it appealed for roughly $35 billion to help many […]

Moderna Files for U.S. Vaccine Authorization, Will Seek EU Nod

Moderna said on Monday it has applied for U.S. emergency authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine after full results from a late-stage study showed it was 94.1% effective with no serious safety concerns, Reuters reported. The […]

Asian Shares Extend Gains on Recovery Hopes, Following Stellar November

Asian share markets began the new month with a bang on Tuesday, buoyed by the prospect of a COVID-19 vaccine fueling a global economic recovery, buoyant Chinese factory activity and expectations of continuing fiscal and […]

California at COVID-19 ‘Tipping Point’ as Trump Administration Hopes for Vaccines by Christmas

California’s governor said on Monday the state was at a “tipping point” in the COVID-19 pandemic that would soon overwhelm hospitals as political leaders nationwide turn to increasingly aggressive measures to hold back the latest […]

Biden Names Top Economic Team to Focus on Recovery From Pandemic

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden named several women to his top economic policy team on Monday, including former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as Treasury secretary nominee, setting the stage for diversity and a focus on […]

Conservative Justices Wary of Blocking Trump Immigrant Census Plan

Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday appeared reluctant to block a vaguely defined plan by President Donald Trump’s administration to exclude immigrants living in the United States illegally from the population totals used to […]

Biden Will Likely Require Walking Boot for Several Weeks After Fracturing Foot

President-elect Joe Biden will likely have to wear a walking boot for several weeks after suffering small fractures in his foot, his physician said on Sunday, CNBC informed. Biden slipped and twisted his ankle while […]

Fauci Says Christmas and New Year’s Restrictions Will Be Necessary Due to Holiday Coronavirus Wave

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said on Sunday that the U.S. is heading into a difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic and said current restrictions and travel advisories will be necessary […]

New York City Public Schools Will Begin to Reopen With Weekly COVID-19 Testing

New York City’s public schools will begin to reopen for in-person learning on Dec. 7, starting with elementary schools for students whose parents agree to a weekly testing regimen for the novel coronavirus, Mayor Bill […]

OPEC+ to Discuss Extending Oil Cuts or Gradually Raising Output, Sources Say

OPEC+ members will consider whether to extend existing oil cuts for three to four months or to gradually increase output from January during their two days of talks that start on Monday, OPEC+ sources told […]