U.S. judge penalizes China $24 billion for Covid response

A U.S. judge in Missouri has ruled that the Chinese government is liable for its actions during the Covid-19 pandemic, imposing a penalty of over $24 billion. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed in April 2020. The judge stated that China misled the world about the pandemic's dangers and hoarded protective equipment, which hindered the U.S. response. China did not respond to the lawsuit in court. Missouri officials plan to enforce the judgment by seizing Chinese assets, including farmland. The Chinese embassy in Washington has not commented on the ruling.