The chief judge for the federal court district that covers Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester and several other New York counties on Friday ordered the suspension of all jury trials in the district until June 1 amid the coronavirus outbreak in the state. The Southern District of New York will also convert all arraignments held in... New York Post

VOA VIEW: Makes sense.

He’s a nominee in perpetual waiting. New York Times

VOA VIEW: Virus or no virus, Biden never had a chance against Trump.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Friday that taxpayers will "compensated" for providing up to $25 billion in direct grants to the airline industry. Rueters

PLEASE DO BUSINESS WITH THOSE WHO DO BUSINESS WITH US -- OUR ADVERTISERS.

Doctors and nurses on the front lines of the U.S. coronavirus crisis pleaded on Friday for more protective gear and equipment to treat waves of patients expected to overwhelm hospitals as the number of known U.S. infections surpassed 100,000, with more than 1,500 dead. Rueters

VOA VIEW: Bad news.

A bipartisan majority of Americans appear to reject an idea floated by President Donald Trump to reopen businesses by Easter, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, which also showed that nearly one in four have been laid off or furloughed during the coronavirus outbreak. Rueters

VOA VIEW: Time will tell.

The United States has become the first country to reach 100,000 cases of coronavirus as the pandemic continues to spread.        USA Today

Larry Rasky tested positive for the COVID-19 virus posthumously after dying Sunday. He was 69.        USA Today

Stockpile's inadequate supplies will leave critical shortages for U.S. hospitals scrambling to respond to the mounting coronavirus pandemic.        USA Today

President Trump said Friday he has urged Vice President Mike Pence, chairman of the coronavirus task force, not to reach out to hostile Democratic governors who criticize the administration's efforts. "I want them to be appreciative," Mr. Trump said of the governors of Washington state and Michigan. "I don't want ... Washington Times

VOA VIEW: The truth hurts.

THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEB PORTAL. PLEASE TELL A FRIEND.

President Trump appointed trade adviser Peter Navarro on Friday to become coordinator of national defense policy production, signaling a new phase in the fight against the coronavirus as the president for the first time ordered a private company, General Motors, to produce ventilators. "My administration is marshaling the full power ... Washington Times

VOA VIEW: Good!

House lawmakers scrambled back to Washington Friday amid fears one member would force a delay but ultimately passed the coronavirus relief bill. It heads to Trump's desk. ABC

VOA VIEW: Done!

This week, the U.S. reported that a staggering 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, a five-fold increase over the last high sent in 1982 ABC

VOA VIEW: Good!

Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Honda and Toyota have taken steps to restart North American factories that have been closed to protect workers from the coronavirus ABC

YOU can speak out and be heard by having your own "Column" - Visit the "Public Opinion" Section above.

140 million Americans who are considered poor or low-wealth and could not afford a $400 economic emergency. ABC

VOA VIEW: Their is much to fear.

The health secretary also has the virus, while England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty is showing symptoms, and the number of UK deaths is now 759. BBC

State prosecutors allege company auctioned N95 masks, hand sanitizer and other supplies needed against coronavirus. CBS

VOA VIEW: They should be punished severely.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK ALL OUR SOURCES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN MAKING US AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE NEWS INFORMATION PORTAL.

The president said he has "a feeling" that the requests are bigger than what states really need. CBS

VOA VIEW: They were exaggerating.

Some of the president's allies are criticizing China and urging the U.S. to hold it accountable for the virus. CBS

"We told them all, there's no issue, you're all going to be working now through year-end. No layoffs, no nothing," Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan told CNBC. CNBC

VOA VIEW: Good!

Trump has promised to sign the bill quickly, as widespread layoffs hit workers and hospitals ask for more resources to fight the coronavirus. CNBC

VOA VIEW: Signed!

President Donald Trump's approval now averages higher than his approval rating has been at any point in CNN's polling during his presidency, as 47% approve and 48% disapprove rating of his handling of the presidency, according to CNN's Poll of Polls. CNN

VOA VIEW: The polls were off, but still high to the grim view of liberals.

ATTENTION TALK SHOW HOSTS: We are honored that many radio talk show hosts use our Web Portal for their "show prep." We would appreciate your occasional mention of our site to your audience. Thanks!

Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call on Friday that he would have China's support in fighting the coronavirus, as the United States faces the prospect of becoming the next global epicentre of the pandemic. Reuters

VOA VIEW: Don't believe anything from Xi.

President Donald Trump on Friday invoked the Defense Production Act to push General Motors to produce ventilators due to a shortage of the medical supplies in hospitals fighting the coronavirus pandemic. UPI

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javid Zarif demanded Friday that the United States release an Iranian scientist he says is being unlawfully detained. UPI

VOA VIEW: Oh sure.

ADVERTISEMENT: If you want to advertise your business or Web Site, send us an email by clicking on "Contact" above. It could be the best business decision you make.

ABC Online Canada National Post Daily Telegraph The Observer Wired News Xinhua News

VOA VIEW -- Is the opinion of "Voice of Americans", which is a private entity not affiliated in any way with the United States government or any of its agencies. The opinions expressed here, in whatever medium or format, are not necessarily the opinions of the ownership or advertisers of this web site - 0415.

    

     A start and maybe a lesson to consider. The Justice Department late Wednesday filed the first federal criminal charges against a Los Angeles-based actor peddling a fake cure for the coronavirus on social media. Keith Lawrence Middlebrook, 53, was charged with one count of wire fraud, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Mr. Middlebrook whose credits include small parts in Iron Man 3, Thor and Moneyball, according to the Internet Movie Database, allegedly claimed to have personally developed a “patent pending” cure for the coronavirus.

     In videos posted to his 2.5 million Instagram followers, Mr. Middlebrook pitched small white pills and an unknown liquid that he claimed would offer immunity and a cure for the deadly virus, prosecutors said. There is currently no cure or preventive vaccine for the coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Not only did I make the cure, but this pill right here is the prevention,” Mr. Middlebrook said in one Instagram video that was viewed over 1 million times. “Meaning, if I walk into the Staples Center and everyone’s testing coronavirus positive, I can’t contract it. It’s impossible. … I have what makes you immune to the coronavirus.” Mr. Middlebrook was arrested during a meeting at which he delivered pills to an undercover agent posing as an investor. At the time of his arrest, he had been seeking financing for his allegedly fraudulent cure.