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    US coronavirus live: number of daily Covid tests drops in threat to contain pandemic

    733,000 people tested daily in August versus 750,000 in JulyPelosi accuses Trump of ‘openly working to destroy the post office’Warnings that changes to USPS could disenfranchise votersFrom Oakland to the White House? The rise of Kamala HarrisFlu and Covid: winter could bring ‘double-barrel’ outbreak to USSign up to our First Thing newsletter 10.39pm BSTIt’s not exactly clear what the point of this briefing is, apart from for Trump to tell America how great a job he thinks he is doing, while he trails Joe Biden in the polls. Talking of Biden, he says China “will own the United States” if Biden becomes president. He then says he wants college football to come back after several large conferences cancelled their seasons due to Covid-19. He then gives an in-depth analysis of the Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. It’s true that Trevor Lawrence is very good at football, but quite how Trump’s scouting report helps the thousands of people who have had their lives devastated by Covid-19 is beyond me. 10.34pm BSTTrump is early to the podium, which must be a first. He says there has been a “steep decline” in Covid-19 cases across the US over the last week. The man who once suggested injecting disinfectant could be a good cure for Covid-19 then says Americans should use “common sense” treatments for the virus. He insists on calling the Covid-19 the “China virus” as is his tiresome and racist custom. Related: US unemployment claims dip below 1m for first time in 21 weeks Continue reading… More

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    Newsweek apologizes for op-ed that questioned Kamala Harris’ citizenship

    Magazine’s opinion editor and editor-in-chief ended note by saying op-ed would remain on the site Newsweek has apologized for an op-ed that questioned the California senator Kamala Harris’ American citizenship and her eligibility to be Joe Biden’s running mate, a false and racist conspiracy theory which Donald Trump has not dismissed.“This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologize,” read Newsweek’s editor’s note on Friday, which replaced the magazine’s earlier detailed defense of the op-ed. Continue reading… More