US issues new moratorium on evictions as Delta variant surges

New eviction moratorium that would last until October 3 is expected to protect areas heavily impacted by coronavirus, where about 90 percent of US population lives.

New York Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, probe finds

Andrew Cuomo faces mounting pressure to resign, including from President Biden and other onetime Democratic allies, after a probe finds he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women and worked to retaliate against one of his accusers.

US hits 70% vaccination rate as Delta variant swamps hospitals

US finally reaches President Biden's goal of getting at least one Covid-19 shot in the arms of 70% of American adults, a month late and amid a fierce surge by Delta variant that first emerged in India.

Biden administration expands eligibility for Afghan refugee programme

US State Department says it is widening the scope of at-risk Afghans eligible for refugee status to include current and former employees of US-based news organisations, aid and development agencies.

Mexico votes in referendum on accountability of ex-presidents

President Lopez Obrador has cast past administrations as deeply corrupt and made combating graft his top priority. At least 40 percent of registered Mexican voters, or some 37 million people, would need to vote for the results to be binding.

US Navy: 'Drone strike' hit Israeli-managed oil tanker off Oman

Iran has rejected Israeli accusations that it was involved in the attack, calling the allegations "baseless" and an attempt by Israel to "divert attention from facts".

Millions of Americans face homelessness as Covid-19 eviction ban expires

More than 15 million people in 6.5 million US households are currently behind on rental payments, according to a study by the Aspen Institute and the Covid-19 Eviction Defense Project, collectively owing more than $20 billion to landlords.

Demonstrators call for investigation into Canada indigenous schools

The protest comes in the backdrop of more than 1,000 unmarked graves found near former residential schools since May – discoveries that have outraged the country.

US House fails to extend Covid-19 residential eviction moratorium

President Joe Biden on Thursday asked Congress to extend the moratorium in line with a Supreme Court opinion last month that suggested legislative approval was required.

Henrietta Lacks’ family announces plans to sue Big Pharma

Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman who died in 1951, was being treated for cancer at a US hospital where cells from her tumour were taken and used for decades in medical R&D without her family’s knowledge.

Former US cardinal charged with sexually assaulting teen

Theodore McCarrick, an influential leader in the American Church for years, was expelled from the priesthood in 2019 after a Vatican investigation found him guilty of molesting both minors and adults.

US Congress passes bill to fund Capitol security, Afghan aid

The $2.1 billion bill now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature. The Senate approved the legislation early Thursday afternoon, 98-0, and the House passed it immediately afterward, 416-11.