Missouri wins $24 billion judgment against China

A federal judge has ruled in favor of Missouri in a $24 billion lawsuit against China, claiming the country hoarded personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This judgment is six times larger than any previous ruling in Missouri's history. The lawsuit named multiple Chinese entities, including the Communist Party and the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey stated that the state intends to collect the judgment by seizing Chinese-owned assets. This ruling follows a previous appeals court decision that allowed the lawsuit to proceed, focusing solely on the supply hoarding claims. The original lawsuit also included accusations about China's handling of pandemic information.