Tuesday,  Sept. 15th, 2020

The death toll in the United States reaches 200,000. (Worldometers)

Brazil reports 1,113 deaths, the country’s highest in two weeks, thus bringing the death toll to 133,119. (Reuters)

The United States announces the suspension of the 10 percent tariff imposed on Canadian aluminum imports since August with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative citing a “sharp” decline in imports for the decision. (AFP via RFI)

A whistleblower working at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Georgia details a high rate of hysterectomies and other alleged medical neglect in a complaint to the Department of Homeland Security. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the House Homeland Security Committee chairman, says the allegations of hysterectomies being performed on women without consent are “incredibly disturbing”. (CNN) (BBC)

The city of Louisville, Kentucky, settles a wrongful death lawsuit with the family of Breonna Taylor, who was killed in a raid on her apartment by police in March. Her family will receive $12 million and several police reforms will also be enacted in the city as part of the agreement. (CNN)

China launched nine new satellites for the Jilin-1 remote sensing constellation from a barge out at sea. Launch of the nine Jilin-1 Gaofen-03 satellites took place at 01:23 UTC using the Long March 11 rocket.(Nasa Space Flight)

Pelosi promises further stimulus measures before November election House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) reportedly told lawmakers on Tuesday that the House would not leave for the November election before moving forward on another coronavirus stimulus bill. “We have to stay here until we have a bill,” Pelosi reportedly said on a call. A bipartisan group of House lawmakers are set to unveil a $1.5 trillion coronavirus relief bill later on Tuesday, an effort to find a compromise after months of talks collapsed without a follow-up bill to the CARES Act that provided relief for unemployed Americans and stimulus measures as the economy continues to struggle amid the pandemic. The new bill includes another round of direct payments and boosted jobless benefits. Republicans previously pushed a $500 billion bill, while Democrats wanted a $3.4 trillion stimulus plan. Source: Reuters

DOJ reportedly opens criminal investigation into John Bolton’s book The Justice Department is reportedly investigating whether former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s recent book criminally disclosed classified information. A grand jury has issued a subpoena to Simon & Schuster, the publisher of The Room Where It Happened, for communications records. Bolton published his book in June, after the Trump administration attempted to prevent it from being released. A judge said, however, that Bolton had exposed himself “to civil (and potentially criminal) liability” and “likely jeopardized national security by disclosing classified information in violation of his nondisclosure agreement obligations.” Bolton has said that the book doesn’t contain classified information. Trump has accused Bolton of revealing classified information in his book while also claiming the book is full of “made up stories.” Source: The New York Times

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