World News

McConnell: Impeachment ‘diverted attention’ from coronavirus

By Matthew Daly, The Associated Press on March 31st, 2020

WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial distracted the federal government from paying attention to the novel coronavirus as it reached the United States in January. McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday that the deadly virus “came up while we were tied down ... Read More »

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In shadow of COVID-19, Army Field Band plays on for America

By Allen G. Breed, The Associated Press on March 31st, 2020

For members of the U.S. Army Field Band, it has never been merely about the music. Yes, they wanted to please the ear, but they played for the Army. For America. So earlier this month, when concert dates evaporated with the spread of COVID-19 and the band was ordered back to Fort George G. Meade ... Read More »

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Stocks slip at open, headed for worst quarter since 2008

By The Associated Press on March 31st, 2020

NEW YORK – Stocks are opening slightly lower on Wall Street as investors close out a brutal month of March. The S&P 500 is headed for its biggest quarterly decline since the last quarter of 2008. For the Dow, it could be the worst three-month period since late 1987. After dropping sharply for two weeks, ... Read More »

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Spain sees record virus deaths as world’s hospitals struggle

By Aritz Parra, David Rising And Nick Perry, The Associated Press on March 31st, 2020

MADRID – Spain’s coronavirus deaths jumped by a record number Tuesday as the country’s medical system strained to care for its tens of thousands of infected patients, and Italy opened a 200-bed field hospital at a fairgrounds in Milan to ease the pressure on overcrowded intensive care units. As worldwide infections soared past the 800,000 ... Read More »

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Asian stocks mixed after Wall Street health-care-led rally

By Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press on March 31st, 2020

TOKYO – Asian shares were mixed after some benchmarks lost earlier gains Tuesday, following a rally in U.S. stocks that mostly was spurred by health care companies’ announcements of developments that could aid in the coronavirus outbreak. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose in morning trading but reversed course to dip nearly 0.9%, finishing at 18,917.01. ... Read More »

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China state media reports 19 people killed in forest fire

By The Associated Press on March 30th, 2020

BEIJING – China’s state media say 19 people died while fighting a raging forest fire in the southwestern province of Sichuan. The Xinhua News Agency reported the deaths on Tuesday but did not say when they occurred. A city information office says the fire started on a farm Monday afternoon and quickly spread to nearby ... Read More »

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Macy’s to furlough majority of its 130,000 workers

By Anne D'Innocenzio, The Associated Press on March 30th, 2020

NEW YORK – Macy’s will furlough a majority of its 130,000 workers with its stores dark. The company on Monday said it is transitioning to an “˜’absolute minimum workforce” needed to maintain basic operations. Online operations won’t be hit as hard. Employees who are enrolled in health benefits will continue to receive coverage with the ... Read More »

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Trump defends extending virus guidelines as spread continues

By Zeke Miller And Jill Colvin, The Associated Press on March 30th, 2020

WASHINGTON – Siding with public health experts’ dire projections, President Donald Trump on Monday defended his decision to extend restrictive social distancing guidelines through the end of April, while bracing the nation for a coronavirus death toll that could exceed 100,000 people. “The worst that could happen is you do it too early and all ... Read More »

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Dubai Expo 2020 recommends postponing a year amid virus

By Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press on March 30th, 2020

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Dubai’s Expo 2020 should be postponed to next year over the new coronavirus pandemic, local organizers recommended Monday, pushing back a world’s fair that the sheikhdom has bet billions of dollars on to rejuvenate its troubled economy. The ultimate decision over the event will be made by Paris-based Bureau International ... Read More »

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US pending home sales trended higher before virus outbreak

By Josh Boak, The Associated Press on March 30th, 2020

BALTIMORE – Americans signed more contracts in February to buy homes, but the gains are likely relics of a moment before the coronavirus outbreak sent the U.S. economy spiraling into a likely recession. The National Association of Realtors said Monday that its pending home sales index, which measures the numbers of purchase contracts signed, rose ... Read More »

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