U.S./World category, Page 992
Woman gives birth in toilet paper aisle of Walmart as customers cheerVideo
There may be little to celebrate in the toilet paper aisle of most stores these days but one woman created her own joy amid the empty shelves. The manager of a Walmart in Springfield, Mo., said a customer on Wednesday gave birth in the store in just 45 minutes. “We...
Internet service sagging amid coronavirus quarantine? Here’s what to do.
With so much of the U.S. workforce — and their families — cooped up at home to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, it’s not a huge surprise that home internet is showing the strain. If you’ve had a business videoconference stutter while your teenagers play Call of Duty...
Remains of missing Colorado boy found in Florida
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Human remains found in Florida are believed to be those of a Colorado boy reported missing in January by his stepmother, who was later arrested and charged with killing him, authorities said Friday. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said the remains of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch...
Italy sees biggest day-to-day rise in coronavirus deaths
ROME — Italy has recorded its highest day-to-day-rise in the number of deaths of people infected with the new coronavirus. Civil Protection Chief Angelo Borrelli said Friday the country recorded 627 more deaths in the 24 hours since Italy surpassed China on Thursday as the nation with the most COVID-19-related...
U.S. and Mexico to curb border travel to control coronavirus
SAN DIEGO — Mexico and the U.S. announced plans Friday to sharply limit travel over their busy shared border as part of efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus. President Donald Trump and Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said the two governments agreed to prohibit recreational and tourist travel,...
Income tax filing deadline moved from April 15 to July 15
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the Trump administration has decided to push the income tax filing date to July 15 from April 15. Mnuchin announced the decision in a tweet Friday saying that at President Donald Trump’s direction “we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July...
Dutch court convicts tram shooter of deadly terror attack
THE HAGUE, Netherlnads — A Dutch court convicted a radicalized Muslim man Friday of murder with a terrorist motive and sentenced him to life imprisonment for opening fire on a tram and killing four people last year. The defendant, 38-year-old Gokmen Tanis, was not in court to hear the verdict...
This year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee has been canceled
The Scripps National Spelling Bee won’t be held as scheduled this year because of the coronavirus. Scripps informed the Associated Press of its decision Friday morning, citing recommendations against large gatherings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the ongoing state of emergency in Maryland. The bee was...
Most renters will not receive protections under White House proposal
NEW YORK — Most Americans who rent their home, many of whom have lost their jobs in the sudden economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak, will not be eligible for eviction protections, despite what President Donald Trump said this week. Under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s plan...
Severe storms roar through Ohio; thousands without power
DAYTON, Ohio — Thousands of people remained without power early Friday after severe thunderstorms roared through Ohio, causing flooding and knocking down trees across the state. The storms that struck late Thursday and early Friday contained heavy rains and strong, gusty winds, officials said. The flooding led to travel issues...
Travelers rush to Moroccan airports for evacuation flights
RABAT, Morocco — Foreigners stranded in locked-down Morocco are getting on evacuation flights Friday as governments try to repatriate their citizens after days of travel frustration. Visitors from around the world have found themselves stuck in Morocco since the North African country suspended all international passenger flights and passenger ships...
Official says 25 Afghan forces killed in insider attack
KABUL, Afghanistan — At least 25 police and army personnel were killed in an apparent insider attack early Friday, Afghan officials said. The attack took place in southern Zabul province, a Taliban stronghold. Assadullah Kakar, a provincial council member, said the Taliban carried out the attack, but with the assistance...
Funerals prohibited in Washington state amid coronavirus fears
SEATTLE — Add funerals to the list of prohibited social gatherings under Washington state’s “social-distancing” order intended to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Sports and arts events had already shuttered after Gov. Jay Inslee’s Monday proclamation shutting down restaurants, bars, theaters and other places where people congregate. On...
California governor orders statewide stay-at-home order
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered the state’s 40 million residents to stay at home, restricting non-essential movements to control the spread of the coronavirus that threatens to overwhelm the state’s medical system. “This is a moment we need to make tough decisions,” Newsom said. “We...
U.S.-Canada border to close late Friday to non-essential trips
TORONTO — The Canadian government said Thursday the Canada-U.S. border will be closed to all non-essential travel in both directions Friday night. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said it will take “weeks to months” for social-distancing measures in his country to be lifted amid the coronavirus pandemic. Both the U.S....
Minnesota jury acquits sheriff’s deputy in shooting death
STILLWATER, Minn. — A Minnesota sheriff’s deputy was acquitted of second-degree manslaughter on Thursday in the 2018 fatal shooting of a suicidal man who held a gun to his own head as he knelt in the street during a 40-minute standoff with police. Prosecutors said Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian...
Celebrities get coronavirus tests, raising concerns of inequality
WASHINGTON — Celebrities, politicians and professional athletes faced a backlash this week as many revealed that they had been tested for the coronavirus, even when they didn’t have a fever or other tell-tale symptoms. That’s fueling a perception that the wealthy and famous have been able to jump to the...
California governor: 60,000 homeless could get virus
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As worries about the spread of the coronavirus confine millions of Californians to their homes, concern is growing about those who have no homes in which to shelter. Gov. Gavin Newsom estimates up to 60,000 homeless could end up infected. California has more than 150,000 homeless people,...
Mnuchin: Family of 4 could get $3K under virus relief planVideo
WASHINGTON — The first federal checks to families could be $3,000 for a family of four under the White House proposal to unleash $1 trillion to shore up households and the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus outbreak. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that the “checks in the mail” would...
Sick staff fueled outbreak in Seattle-area care centers
SEATTLE — Staff members who worked while sick at multiple long-term care facilities contributed to the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable elderly in the Seattle area, federal health officials said Wednesday. Thirty-five coronavirus deaths have been linked to Life Care Center in Kirkland. A report Wednesday from the U.S. Centers...
‘Wonderchicken’ fossil reveals ancestor of today’s birds
NEW YORK — A tiny fossil skull nicknamed “Wonderchicken” is giving scientists a rare glimpse at early ancestors of today’s birds. It may be the oldest known fossil from this group. With a face like those of today’s chicken-like birds and a back portion like that of living duck-like birds,...
Virus death toll spikes in Iran, with total now at 1,135
TEHRAN — Iran on Wednesday reported its single biggest jump in fatalities from the coronavirus as another 147 people died, raising the country’s overall death toll to 1,135. The nearly 15% spike in deaths — amid a total of 17,361 confirmed cases in Iran — marks the biggest 24-hour rise...
In Mexico, a cartel is taking over: Jalisco New Generation
MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s fastest-rising cartel, the Jalisco New Generation gang, has a reputation for ruthlessness and violence unlike any since the fall of the old Zetas cartel. In parts of the country it is fighting medieval-style battles, complete with fortified redoubts, to expand nationwide, from the outskirts of Mexico...
US military’s role in response to virus outbreak is growing
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s role in responding to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States began to rapidly expand Wednesday as officials announced that two Navy hospital ships and two Army field hospitals were preparing to deploy to help overburdened regions. The latest moves are aimed at taking the pressure...
Stuck home? Planets, moon providing predawn entertainment
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Stuck at home this week? The planets and our moon are providing some early morning entertainment. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and a crescent moon will be clustered together in the southeastern sky just before daybreak. Mercury will peek above the horizon. All this is happening amid the...
