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Taiwan provisionally approves dexamethasone as coronavirus treatment

Taiwan provisionally approved the use of dexamethasone, a cheap and widely-used steroid, to treat the new coronavirus, as the island faces a shortfall of the antiviral drug remdesivir after the United States bought nearly all global supplies. Taiwan Centres for Disease Control Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang told reporters on Tuesday that medical experts had decided to provisionally allow dexamethasone to be listed as a COVID-19 treatment but that procedures still needed to be completed before it could be given to any patients. Taiwan has reported 476 cases of the new coronavirus, including seven deaths.

Duchess Meghan celebrates 39th birthday amid new life in California

The California native, who wed Prince Harry in 2018, is expected to celebrate her birthday in private with Harry and their 1-year-old son Archie. The past year has been a monumental one for the Sussexes, marked by the highs of setting off on their own path as a family and the lows of rumored tensions with their family members.

'Lazy keto' diet: 5 things to know about the trendy low carb diet

The ketogenic, or keto, diet is one of the well-known diets out there, but a simplified version of the high fat, low carbohydrate diet is gaining in popularity too. With "lazy keto", the name of the simplified version, people just count their carbohydrates, and skip the detailed counting of macronutrients, or macros -- fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Based on the rules of the keto diet, the total number of carbohydrate grams per day should be 5 to 10% of your calories, according to Blatner.

Where's Juan Carlos? Spain mulls former monarch's future

Speculation over the whereabouts of former monarch Juan Carlos gripped Spain on Tuesday, a day after he announced he was leaving the country for an unspecified destination amid a growing financial scandal. In a letter published on the royal family’s website on Monday, Juan Carlos told his son King Felipe VI he was moving outside Spain due to the “public repercussions of certain episodes of my past private life.” Juan Carlos is the target of official investigations in Spain and Switzerland, which are looking into possible financial wrongdoing.

Trump again wishes Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell 'well' as she awaits trial on sex trafficking charges

"Her boyfriend died in jail, and people are still trying to figure out how did it happen," Trump said of Epstein. "Was it suicide, was he killed?"

U.S. judge orders election boards to extend count of absentee ballots in New York state primary

According to the ruling by Judge Analisa Torres of Federal District Court in Manhattan, the absentee ballots are to be counted "without regard to whether such ballots are postmarked by June 23." Carolyn Maloney, the Democratic Party incumbent, got 40.29% of votes previously counted, while challenger Suraj Patel received 38.43%.

Lobbying for Russian pipeline spikes in Washington

As U.S. lawmakers plot to stop one of Moscow's most important projects in Europe, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, lobbyists supporting it are busier than ever but disclosing few details of their work, according to government filings and current and former U.S. officials. The pipeline linking Russian gas fields to Western Europe has become a lightning rod of contention in U.S.-Russia relations, with the Trump administration concerned it would dangerously expand the region’s energy dependence on Moscow but backers, including in Europe, saying the gas is needed. U.S. President Donald Trump has already signed a sanctions bill that delayed construction on the $11 billion project, wholly-owned by Russia's state-run Gazprom and headed by Alexei Miller, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Thousands without power as Hurricane Isaias slams into Carolina coast

Hurricane Isaias has made landfall in southern North Carolina, buffeting the coast with heavy winds and rain. The Category 1 storm made landfall near Ocean Isle Beach, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. More than 70,000 customers are without power in North and South Carolina as a result of the storm.

DOJ, FBI review of surveillance applications finds almost all errors are minor

Only two of a total of 203 false statements or omissions were “material,” according to a court submission.

Coronavirus updates: New cases are down but death rate is up, says FEMA

A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 690,000 people worldwide. Over 18.1 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some national governments are hiding or downplaying the scope of their outbreaks.

SoftBank under-reported income by $380 million: source

SoftBank Group Corp under-reported income to Japan's tax authorities by around 40 billion yen ($380 million) in the financial year ended March 2019, a person with knowledge of the matter said, requiring the conglomerate to resubmit filings. It paid additional tax of more than 1 billion yen, the spokesman said.

China reports 36 new coronavirus cases in mainland vs 43 a day earlier

China reported 36 new coronavirus cases in the mainland for Aug. 3, compared to 43 cases a day earlier, the health commission said on Tuesday. Of the new infections, six were imported, versus 7 a day earlier, according to a statement by the National Health Commission. China reported 21 new asymptomatic patients, compared to 11 a day earlier.

Lifetime announces 1st holiday movie centered around a same-sex couple, "The Christmas Set Up"

Lifetime announced Monday it will feature its first same-sex relationship at the core of one of its "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" holiday movies. The new film is titled "The Christmas Set Up." Lifetime -- who, like Hallmark Channel, has been called out for lacking LGBTQ representation in its holiday programming -- previously featured a same-sex kiss in its 2019 holiday movie "Twinkle All the Way."

He was stabbed to death outside a Presidente Supermarket, police say. But who did it?

A 52-year-old-man was stabbed to death Sunday afternoon outside a North Miami-Dade Presidente Supermarket, and police detectives need the community’s help in finding out who is responsible.

Amber Alert for Broward infant canceled after 17-year-old dad found, police say

The 2-week-old baby boy who was the subject of an Amber Alert was found Monday evening with his 17-year-old father near Orlando, police said.

Trump describes Manhattan district attorney action as part of 'witch hunt'

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday wrote off as part of a witch hunt against him a filing by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance earlier in the day raising the scope of an investigation into the Trump Organization. Vance on Monday suggested a grand jury subpoena for U.S. Trump's tax returns was part of an investigation of "possibly extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump Organization," including alleged insurance and bank fraud.

Portia de Rossi speaks out as criticism of Ellen mounts

Actress Portia de Rossi defended Ellen DeGeneres on Monday after a social media campaign called for the talk show host to step down following reports of a hostile work environment for employees on set. De Rossi, who has been married to DeGeneres for 12 years, posted an "I Stand By Ellen" hashtag on her Instagram account. "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" has won multiple Emmy awards but both the talk show and DeGeneres herself have been under fire for weeks because of complaints by former productions staffers about a hostile workplace that included racism and bullying by upper management and claims that the comedian is mean-spirited.

Orange ribbons, social distancing: El Paso remembers shooting victims a year later

The massacre at a Walmart, which left 23 dead, was the deadliest attack on Latinos in recent U.S. history.

Regeneron says antibody cocktail prevents and treats COVID-19 in animals

The U.S. biotech company said in the animal study, which has not yet been peer reviewed, that the cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies was able to "almost completely block establishment of virus infection." Regeneron said the cocktail was also able to minimize infection in a second study in which animals were infected with a much higher level of the virus. It said the results matched or exceeded effects recently shown in animal studies of vaccine candidates.

Trump signs order to expand access to telehealth services in rural areas

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order expanding access to telehealth services for 57 million Americans in under-served rural areas and elsewhere, after virtual visits soared during the coronavirus pandemic. Trump, who is counting on votes from backers in rural areas in the 2020 presidential election, said the new order would ensure that telehealth services expanded during the pandemic remained in place even after the public health emergency ended.

Federal judge calls for privacy protections after her son was killed and her husband was shot by 'madman'

Judge Esther Salas' family was targeted by an "anti-feminist" killer posing as a FedEx delivery driver, police say.

Court hears horrific details of how 'Doomsday Mom' Lori Vallow's children were discovered

Idaho Police have shared shocking details of unearthing the remains of ‘Doomsday Mom’ Lori Vallow Daybell’s two children, who had been missing for months prior to their discovery.Rexburg Police Detective Ray Hermosillo gave the chilling testimony in a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to hold her husband Chad Daybell for trial.

Biden assails Trump for 'bald-faced lies' about voting by mail

Biden's remarks were his strongest on the issue since Trump, who trails the presumptive Democratic nominee in opinion polls, tweeted on Thursday that he would not trust the results of an election that included widespread mail voting - a measure many observers see as critical during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Trump then suggested the Nov. 3 vote could be postponed, an idea immediately rejected by Democrats and his fellow Republicans in Congress - the sole branch of government with the authority to make such a change. Speaking during a virtual campaign fundraiser on Monday, Biden said he believed Trump would do everything in his power to "argue this election is fraudulent."

Stars raise awareness of Elijah McClain's fatal arrest in new campaign

Elijah McClain was 23 years old when he died last August after being detained by Aurora, Colorado, police and given a shot of ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, by paramedics. Since George Floyd's death in May, McClain's case has received renewed attention. Stars, including Janelle Monae, Beanie Feldstein and Jonathan Van Ness, are lending their voices to a campaign, calling on officials to act.

Judge whose son was killed in ambush at their home describes how 'monster' tracked her down

A federal judge whose son was killed and whose husband was injured after an "anti-feminist" lawyer opened fire inside their New Jersey home is calling for stronger privacy protections to "make it hard for those who target us to track us down".The video statement from US District Judge Esther Salas arrived two weeks after a man wearing a FedEx uniform killed her 20-year-old son Daniel Anderl and critically injured her husband Mark Anderl at their home.

Gun sales spike among African-Americans: 'Our ancestors died for us to vote, they also died for us to be able to carry guns'

When Americans panic, they buy guns — lots of them. During the first six months of 2020, amidst the global coronavirus pandemic, gun retailers reported a record 10.3 million firearm transactions, according to a new survey by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). And while various demographic groups are buying guns in 2020, African-Americans currently account for the highest increase in gun purchases.

Man fires at officers with AK-47 a day after refusing to wear a mask, police say

Adam Zaborowski had lost his job because of the pandemic and recently lost custody of his child, his attorney said, adding that it was "not a defense or excuse."

Virgin Galactic's Branson to fly into space in early 2021

Branson's trip to space hinges on the success of two upcoming test flight programs, Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said, with the first powered spaceflight scheduled for this fall from Spaceport America. The company competes with billionaire-backed ventures such as Blue Origin that are vying to usher in a new era of space tourism, racing to be the first to offer sub-orbital flights to civilian space travelers. Virgin Galactic offers zero-gravity experiences to customers with its centerpiece SpaceShipTwo plane and has long-term point-to-point travel plans to quickly transport passengers from city to city at near-space altitudes.

Trump withdraws nomination of Republican FCC commissioner to serve new term

The White House said on Monday it was withdrawing the nomination of Federal Communications Commission member Mike O'Rielly to serve another term, a surprising development that came after his nomination was approved by a Senate panel in July. The announcement came less than a week after Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Jim Inhofe said he would block the nomination of O'Rielly, a Republican, over the five-member FCC's unanimous decision to allow Ligado Networks to deploy a low-power nationwide mobile broadband network. O’Rielly's withdrawal came after President Donald Trump in May demanded the Commerce Department petition the FCC asking the commission to impose new regulations on social media moderation practices.

Fed's Evans says ball is in Congress' court on U.S. economy

"Aggregate demand trouble is brewing with the expiration of these relief policies," including supplemental jobless benefits and a national moratorium on evictions that ended last month, Evans told reporters on a call. In making that point Evans joined several other Fed policymakers on Monday, even as congressional Democrats and Trump administration officials made little progress on crafting a coronavirus relief bill to follow a $2.3 trillion package passed in March. "If we go very long without somehow addressing the reduction and evaporation of that support, I think it’s going to show up in lower aggregate demand, and that would be very costly for the economy, individuals, households, people," Evans said.

Leaked video shows first moments of George Floyd's fatal arrest by Minneapolis officers

The bodycam video shows Floyd repeatedly telling officers he was claustrophobic and asking not to be locked inside the police vehicle.

A woman who coughed on a brain tumor patient in a viral video has been charged with assault, police say

A woman who intentionally coughed on someone in a Jacksonville, Florida, store amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been charged with assault.