News digest
Here's a news digest covering various topics:
Politics
- The US Senate has passed a bill to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $2 billion, aiming to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases. (Source: The New York Times)
- The UK has announced plans to introduce a new points-based immigration system, which will prioritize skilled workers and reduce the number of low-skilled migrants. (Source: BBC News)
- The European Union has agreed to extend its economic sanctions against Russia by six months, citing Moscow's failure to implement the Minsk peace agreement in Ukraine. (Source: Reuters)
Business
- Amazon has announced plans to launch a new delivery service, called "Amazon Flex," which will allow independent contractors to make deliveries for the company. (Source: CNBC)
- Tesla has reported a quarterly profit of $1.1 billion, citing strong demand for its electric vehicles and solar panels. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
- The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by a quarter point, citing concerns about the global economy and trade tensions. (Source: Bloomberg)
Technology
- Google has announced plans to launch a new smartphone, called the "Pixel 4a," which will feature a lower price point and improved camera capabilities. (Source: The Verge)
- Facebook has announced plans to launch a new cryptocurrency, called "Libra," which will be backed by a reserve of assets and designed to be more stable than other cryptocurrencies. (Source: The New York Times)
- The US Department of Justice has launched an antitrust investigation into Google's business practices, citing concerns about the company's dominance in the search engine market. (Source: Reuters)
Health
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the COVID-19 pandemic a global health emergency, citing the rapid spread of the virus and the need for international cooperation to combat it. (Source: WHO)
- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a surge in cases of measles, citing misinformation and lack of vaccination as contributing factors. (Source: CNN)
- Researchers have made a breakthrough in the development of a new cancer treatment, using a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy to target tumors. (Source: Science Magazine)
Environment
- The European Union has agreed to ban single-use plastics, including straws, bags, and cutlery, in an effort to reduce marine pollution. (Source: BBC News)
- The US has announced plans to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, citing concerns about the agreement's impact on the US economy. (Source: The New York Times)
- Researchers have discovered a new species of giant squid, which is believed to be one of the largest invertebrates on Earth. (Source: National Geographic)
I hope this news digest provides you with a helpful summary of current events!