Trends. Page 133

Gov’t virus testing will prioritize medical staff, elderly

WASHINGTON — The federal government's effort to rapidly expand testing for the coronavirus will initially focus on screening health care workers and t...
23:09 15 March 2020

Fed takes emergency steps to slash rates and ease bank rules

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday to help the economy withstand the coronavirus by slashing its benchmark interest rate to...
22:06 15 March 2020

Hospitals fear any surge of virus cases, supply shortages

TOLEDO, Ohio — Government and hospital leaders are increasingly sounding the alarm about the hospital system in the U.S. and its readiness to absorb w...
20:29 15 March 2020

Netanyahu rival Gantz chosen to form new Israeli government

JERUSALEM — Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz will be given the first opportunity to form a new government after an inconclusive national election...
20:01 15 March 2020

Worshippers go online, those at services keep a distance

ATLANTA — Pastors across the United States delivered sermons to empty pews Sunday as houses of worship adjusted to the reality of the coronavirus pand...
19:37 15 March 2020

Trump considering `full’ pardon for ex-adviser Michael Flynn

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Sunday he is considering a full pardon for former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had pleaded gu...
19:26 15 March 2020

Paris without its cafes? Virus shutdown hits France’s core

PARIS — What's it like in France after government orders restaurants and bistros to close to contain the spreading coronavirus?
19:14 15 March 2020

Sid Hartman turns 100: Milestone birthday for Minn. newsman

MINNEAPOLIS — Just like so many Sunday mornings before, Sid Hartman's column was printed in the sports section of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Then h...
19:12 15 March 2020

Several African nations roll out measures to fight virus

JOHANNESBURG — Several African countries have announced sweeping restrictions to try to contain the steady spread of the coronavirus, which has reache...
18:47 15 March 2020

UK eyes plan to have over-70s isolate from virus for months

LONDON — The United Kingdom plans to escalate its virus-fighting measures, its top health official said Sunday, indicating that Britain is edging clos...
17:31 15 March 2020

Global economic coordination not happening in virus crisis

FRANKFURT, Germany — When the global economy melted down in 2008, world leaders swiftly created an international forum to boost economies by spending ...
16:30 15 March 2020

States turn to cash reserves as coronavirus strains budgets

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo — States across the U.S. are allocating hundreds of millions of dollars to respond to the coronavirus, even as the U.S. government ...
14:36 15 March 2020

Happy 200th birthday to Maine, but virus zaps the party

AUGUSTA, Maine — Mainers have a special bond with Massachusetts that’s friendly for the most part. What Mainer doesn't love the Boston Red Sox, after ...
14:24 15 March 2020

How it spreads, infects: Coronavirus impact comes into focus

The medical impact of the new coronavirus is coming into sharper focus as it continues its spread in what is now officially recognized as a pandemic.
11:46 15 March 2020

Syrian war, rumbling into 10th year, still has global impact

BEIRUT — In a world gripped by a pandemic, global unrest and a fast-moving news cycle, it can be difficult to remember that the war in Syria is still ...
11:34 15 March 2020

Oil giant Saudi Aramco sees 2019 profits drop 20% to $88.2B

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Oil giant Saudi Aramco said Sunday its profits dropped 20% in 2019 to $88.2 billion, a sharp decline coming as the kingd...
8:56 15 March 2020

Christchurch marks anniversary of mosque shootings

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — People in the New Zealand city of Christchurch honored the 51 worshipers who were killed in a mass shooting a year ago in ...
5:02 15 March 2020

Georgia 2nd state to postpone pres. primaries over virus

ATLANTA — Georgia's March 24 presidential primaries have been postponed until May because of fears over the new coronavirus, state election officials ...
4:03 15 March 2020

AP Source: Pistons’ Christian Wood tests positive for virus

Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons has tested positive for the coronavirus, a person with direct knowledge of the situation said Saturday night.
0:55 15 March 2020

Thousands of police seal Philippine capital to fight virus

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of police in the Philippines, backed by the army and coast guard, started sealing the densely populated capital from m...
0:31 15 March 2020

Smart move or grave mistake? NYC keeps schools open

NEW YORK — As schools across the U.S. shut down in hopes of helping to fight the coronavirus, New York City officials are arguing just the opposite: T...
23:14 14 March 2020

Virus cases spread across Africa, nations prepare for more

JOHANNESBURG — Africa is seeing a steady spread of the coronavirus across the continent, with four new countries confirming cases on Saturday, so that...
19:05 14 March 2020

Iditarod mushes on; fans being urged to skip finish in Nome

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — As Iditarod mushers drove their dog teams across Alaska on Saturday, race officials scrambled to make last minute changes prompted...
17:16 14 March 2020

Wuhan soccer team leaving Spain to escape virus

MADRID — The Chinese soccer team that was originally stuck in Spain because of the coronavirus outbreak is going back home to try to avoid its rapid s...
16:23 14 March 2020

Virus-related shutdowns bringing US economy to grinding halt

AUSTIN, Texas — It took 15 minutes for the coronavirus to wreck Shelley Hutchings’ carefully calculated financial plans.
16:15 14 March 2020

U.S. internet well-equipped to handle work from home surge

BOSTON — The U.S. internet won’t get overloaded by spikes in traffic from the millions of Americans now working from home to discourage the spread of ...
15:52 14 March 2020

Straight-talking Fauci explains outbreak to a worried nation

WASHINGTON — If Dr. Anthony Fauci says it, you'd be smart to listen. As the coronavirus has upended daily life across the globe, Fauci has become the ...
15:43 14 March 2020

Hollywood in uncharted territory weathering the virus

LOS ANGELES — Coronavirus precautions were already popping up in Hollywood: “No handshakes or selfies” signs were posted outside the room where Vin Di...
15:19 14 March 2020

For these athletes, this is a spring break they don’t want

OMAHA, Neb. — Creighton right-hander Ben Dotzler was supposed to be in the bullpen at TD Ameritrade Park this weekend, readying himself to pitch again...
14:55 14 March 2020

Medical marijuana bills challenge Bible Belt politics

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Facing a potentially historic vote on whether to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky, Republican lawmaker John Schickel is conflic...
13:51 14 March 2020