Friday,  Sept.  18th, 2020

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, dies at the age of 87. (NPR)

Report: CDC testing guidance published despite scientists’ objections In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was criticized for releasing guidance saying it wasn’t necessary to test people without coronavirus symptoms who had been in close contact with an infected person for more than 15 minutes. But this recommendation was not written by CDC scientists and was posted online over their strenuous objections, The New York Times reports. A federal official told the Times the police came from the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House Coronavirus Task Force and “does not reflect what many people at the CDC feel should be the policy.” The document was “dropped” into the CDC’s public website, bypassing the agency’s scientific review process. The CDC is facing scrutiny over whether it is maintaining its independence amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed nearly 200,000 Americans. Source: The New York Times

Texas Governor Greg Abbott eases restrictions on retail stores, gyms, and restaurants. Bars, however, remain closed. (CNBC)

France reports 13,215 new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours, a new record since the start of the pandemic, while the daily death toll jumps to 154, a four-month high according to data from the health ministry. (Reuters)

Due to concerns over the spread, the government announces that it will move Dublin to “risk level three” restrictions in its response plan effective at midnight tonight, which means that indoor restaurant dining is banned again in the capital and residents are being advised against all non-essential travel. Meanwhile, indoor visitations are only allowed between one other household, most sporting events will be cancelled, and attendance at weddings and funerals is going to be capped at 25 guests effective September 21. (Sky News)

Madrid regional government announced new restrictions aimed at curbing the rising number of cases in the region. The order will go into effect on September 21 and last for at least 14 days which will effects more than 855,000 people, or 17% of the region’s population. (El Pais in English)

Israel enters a three-week second nationwide lockdown in an attempt to curb surging cases as people begin to mark the start of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). Under these rules, Israelis must stay within one kilometer of their homes, with exceptions, and the number of people allowed in synagogues has been greatly reduced. (BBC)

The United States Department of Commerce says it will ban U.S. citizens from downloading the Chinese apps TikTok and WeChat effective September 20, unless a partnership between Oracle Corporation and TikTok owner ByteDance is agreed to and approved by President Donald Trump. (BBC)

The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority announces it will launch an investigation into major lending bank Swedbank for suspected market abuses between September 2018 and February 2019, as part of a larger international investigation into allegations of money laundering. (Bloomberg)

Biden calls Trump’s downplaying of coronavirus threat ‘close to criminal’ Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden fielded questions from voters in Pennsylvania during a CNN Presidential Town Hall on Thursday night, sharing his plans on how to get Americans safely back to work and school amid the coronavirus pandemic and ensuring there is more police accountability. Biden said he would have nationwide rapid testing and sufficient personal protective equipment, which “requires some federal funding, particularly kids going back to school.” He slammed President Trump for downplaying the virus, saying he knew how deadly it was “and did nothing. It is close to criminal.” Regarding policing, chiefs and unions must join community and civil rights leaders “at a table and agree on the fundamental” reforms that must be done, Biden said, including better background checks for potential officers. Source: The Week

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