TRUMP SAYS US MIGHT ‘CUT OFF TIES’ WITH CHINA AS TENSIONS ESCALATE

WASHINGTON/ BEIJING: The US has accused China of unleashing its hackers on American research organisations and pharmaceutical companies working on Covid-19 vaccines and treatment.

Without providing any evidence to back their claim, FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said in a joint alert, “These actors have been observed attempting to identify and illicitly obtain valuable intellectual property and public health data related to vaccines, treatment, and testing from networks and personnel affiliated with Covid-19 related research.”

In response, Beijing accused the US of smearing China. “China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to such smearing,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

TRUMP ‘MIGHT CUT OFF TIES’ WITH CHINA

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he is no mood to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping, warning that he might cut off ties with China over its handling of the pandemic. “I have a very good relationship, but I just right now I don’t want to speak to him,” Trump said.

WHISTLE-BLOWER SAYS US LACKS VACCINE PLAN

Whistle-blower Rick Bright warned on Thursday that the US lacks a plan to produce and fairly distribute a coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available. The nation could face “the darkest winter in modern history” unless leaders act decisively, he told a congressional panel.