Associated Press stories, Page 1908
Global coronavirus death toll hits 2 millionVideo
MEXICO CITY — The global death toll from covid-19 topped 2 million Friday, crossing the threshold amid a vaccine rollout so immense but so uneven that in some countries there is real hope of vanquishing the outbreak, while in other, less-developed parts of the world, it seems a far-off dream....
Trump to leave Washington on morning of Biden’s inauguration
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will leave Washington next Wednesday morning, just before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, to begin his post-presidential life in Florida. He will be sent off with a departure ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, according to a person familiar with the planning who spoke on condition of...
Stocks fall as economy’s pain deepens, head for weekly loss
NEW YORK — Stocks are pulling lower on Friday after reports showed the pandemic is deepening the hole for the economy, as Washington prepares to throw it another lifeline. The S&P 500 was down 0.5% in afternoon trading, with stocks of companies that most need a healthier economy taking the...
Retail federation: Holiday sales up 8.3% amid big spending shift
NEW YORK — The nation’s largest retail trade group said Friday that holiday sales soared 8.3%, far exceeding its forecast even as the coronavirus kept shoppers away from physical stores. The National Retail Federation had expected growth in a range of 3.6% to 5.2% for the November and December period...
Elvis Presley’s Graceland starting live virtual tours
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Elvis Presley’s Graceland is now offering live online tours for fans around the world, including those who can’t travel to the Tennessee tourist attraction during the coronavirus pandemic. Graceland said the two-hour guided tours will take virtual visitors into Presley’s former Memphis home, which has been turned...
$500K in Bitcoin sent from France to U.S. far-right groups
PARIS — A French computer programmer transferred more than $500,000 in Bitcoin to far-right activists just before his death last month, including some involved in last week’s riot in Washington, researchers said Friday. Chainalysis, a firm that investigates Bitcoin transactions, found that the majority of the 22 transactions on Dec....
Defense Department calling governors for more Guard troops for D.C.
WASHINGTON — Defense Department officials are scrambling to call governors and asking whether they have any more National Guard troops they can send to Washington to help protect the Capitol and the city. A defense official familiar with the discussions said law enforcement leaders and other authorities have now determined...
Federal watchdogs open probe of response to Capitol riot
WASHINGTON — Federal watchdogs launched a sweeping review of how the FBI, the Pentagon and other law enforcement agencies responded to the riot at the U.S. Capitol, including whether there were failures in information sharing and other preparations that left the historic symbol of democracy vulnerable to assault by a...
Russia follows U.S. in withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty
MOSCOW — Russia said on Friday that it will withdraw from an international treaty allowing surveillance flights over military facilities after the U.S. exit from the pact, compounding the challenges faced by the incoming administration of president-elect Joe Biden. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the U.S. withdrawal...
Woman fatally shot as she pursues man who stole cellphone
CLEVELAND — A man who stole a woman’s cellphone after she set it on the counter at a Cleveland convenience store fatally shot her when she chased after him, authorities said. The shooting occurred around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday in the Glenville neighborhood. Andrea Randle, 32, was shopping in the store...
At least 34 dead as Indonesia quake topples homes, buildings
MAMUJU, Indonesia — A strong, shallow earthquake shook Indonesia’s Sulawesi island just after midnight Friday, toppling homes and buildings, triggering landslides and killing at least 34 people. More than 600 people were injured during the magnitude 6.2 quake, which sent people fleeing their homes in the darkness. Authorities were still...
Virus limits NHL vet-rookie time away from rink
Colorado defenseman Ian Cole has taken a young kid under his wing as he starts his 11th season in the NHL, dining with him often and going the extra mile to make sure his needs are met. Of course, this is Cole’s infant son, who was born over the summer....
Former Italian leader Berlusconi released from hospital
MILAN — Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi was released Friday from a hospital in the French Riviera city-state of Monaco where he underwent medical tests for heart problems, his press office said. The 84-year-old three-time premier said in a message to supporters that his health was good and that he...
This Date in Sports History: Jan. 15
1965 — In one of the most notable trades in NBA history, the San Francisco Warriors deal Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers for Connie Dierking, Lee Shaffer, Paul Neumann and cash. 1967 — The NFL’s Green Bay Packers open the Super Bowl series by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs...
Jets hire 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as coach
NEW YORK — The New York Jets were searching for a leader, someone who could bring a frustrated, playoff-starved franchise back to respectability. They think they found their guy in Robert Saleh. The Jets reached an agreement in principle with the popular and energetic San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Thursday...
Arkansas man accused of beating officer with U.S. flagpole at Capitol
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An Arkansas man was accused Thursday of beating a police officer with a pole flying a U.S. flag during the riot last week at the U.S. Capitol, according to court documents. In an arrest affidavit filed Thursday in federal court in Washington, an FBI agent said...
Prosecutor: Capitol rioter aimed ‘to take hostages’
FORT WORTH, Texas — A retired Air Force officer who was part of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol last week carried plastic zip-tie handcuffs because he intended “to take hostages,” a prosecutor said Thursday in a Texas court. “He means to take hostages. He means to kidnap, restrain,...
Jared Goff to start for Rams in Green BayVideo
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Jared Goff and Sean McVay say they had a healthy, productive disagreement last week about Goff’s readiness to return from thumb surgery. They’re in complete accord this week, however: Goff is the best choice to lead the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs. Goff will start...
North Korea holds huge military parade as Kim vows nuclear might
North Korea rolled out developmental ballistic missiles designed to be launched from submarines and other military hardware in a parade that punctuated leader Kim Jong Un’s defiant calls to expand his nuclear weapons program. State media said Kim took center stage in a parade Thursday night celebrating a major ruling...
Kentucky adds former West Virginia forward Oscar TshiebweVideo
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky announced former West Virginia forward Oscar Tshiebwe has transferred to the program and will be eligible after sitting out next season, per NCAA transfer rules. The 6-foot-9 sophomore from Congo with a 7-5 wingspan left the Mountaineers’ program Jan. 1 for personal reasons. A preseason All-Big...
Blackhawks place Jonathan Toews on long-term injured reserveVideo
CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will miss at least 10 games and 24 days after the team placed him on long-term injured reserve Thursday because of an unspecified illness. The 32-year-old Toews announced before the start of training camp last month he was experiencing symptoms that left him...
Leonard Fournette grateful for 2nd chance with BuccaneersVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — When Leonard Fournette suddenly found himself out of work, one of the first people who reached out to the former Jacksonville Jaguars running back was Tom Brady. The six-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback thought he’d be a nice addition to a talented group of playmakers being assembled around...
Colts GM contemplates possibility of Philip Rivers returning to teamVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard heard the locker room talk. Coach Frank Reich wants Philip Rivers back as the starting quarterback next fall. Two-time All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard wants another chance to get Rivers his missing Super Bowl ring. So do Leonard’s teammates. Now, the Colts general...
Packers’ Davante Adams finally gets to face off with Rams’ Jalen RamseyVideo
Green Bay’s Davante Adams has caught more touchdown passes over the last five seasons than any other player. Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams is one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks. They finally will face each other in a game that matters Saturday when the top-seeded Packers (13-3) host...
Cleveland school therapist charged in Capitol Hill riots
CLEVELAND — A Cleveland school occupational therapist who resigned after the riots at the U.S. Capitol was charged Thursday with taking part in the breach. Christine Priola, 49, was arrested at her home and charged with entering a restricted building, violent entry and unlawful activities on Capitol grounds, said FBI...
