Associated Press stories, Page 2152
A virus that hits all faiths tests religion’s tie to science
NEW YORK — Tanzania’s president claimed the coronavirus “cannot sit in the body of Christ.” Israel’s health minister dismissed a potential curfew by saying that “the Messiah will come and save us.” A global Muslim missionary movement held mass gatherings — and took blame for spreading the disease. While most...
Vatican removes financial watchdog head as scandal continues
ROME — The Vatican on Wednesday replaced the director of its financial watchdog agency, completing a coup that began in October with controversial police raids on the watchdog offices and an investigation into a London real estate deal. The Vatican secretary of state named a Bank of Italy official, Giuseppe...
Trump’s halting of funds to WHO sparks worldwide rebuke
GENEVA — Nations and health experts worldwide reacted with alarm Wednesday after President Donald Trump announced a halt to the sizable funding the United States sends to the World Health Organization. They warned that the move could jeopardize global efforts to stop the coronavirus pandemic. At a briefing in Washington,...
Factory shutdowns near WWII demobilization levels in U.S.
WASHINGTON — American industry collapsed in March as the pandemic wreaked havoc on the U.S. economy. Manufacturing and overall industrial production posted the biggest declines since the United States demobilized after World War II. The Federal Reserve reported Wednesday that manufacturing output dropped 6.3% last month, led by plunging production...
In nod to governors, Trump walks back total authority claim
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said he’s open to some states “reopening” before federal social distancing guidelines expire at the end of month, as he appeared to back off his claim of absolute authority to decide when the time was right to act. Hours after suggesting that the bipartisan concerns...
Stocks sink following grim data on economic hit from coronavirus
NEW YORK — Selling swept Wall Street Wednesday after a dismal lineup of reports made clear how historic the coronavirus crunch has been for the economy. Markets are already bracing for what’s forecast to be the worst downturn since the Great Depression, but Wednesday’s data was even more dispiriting than...
Banks brace for big loan defaults by U.S., global customers
NEW YORK — The major banks in the U.S. are anticipating a flood of loan defaults as households and business customers take a big financial hit from the coronavirus pandemic. JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs raised the funds set aside for bad loans by...
Tired of ‘Frozen’? Stream these less obvious kids moviesVideo
Weeks of quarantine with kids have a way of burning through a movie collection. Even with the libraries of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, Disney Plus and others, there are plenty of households that have already had their fill of “Frozen” and overdosed on “Onward.” In the best of times,...
EU unveils virus exit plan, hoping to avoid more chaosVideo
BRUSSELS — The European Union moved Wednesday to head off a chaotic and potentially disastrous easing of restrictions that are limiting the spread of the coronavirus, warning its 27 nations to move very cautiously as they return to normal life and base their actions on scientific advice. With Austria, the...
Deputies: Florida doctors who took down Trump flag arrested
GULF BREEZE, Fla. — Deputies in Florida said two doctors stole a campaign flag supporting President Donald Trump from their neighbor’s property. Geoffrey Michael Fraiche, 41, and Laura Ann Webb-Fraiche, 38, allegedly took the flag on April 7 while their two children were with them, news outlets reported. A Santa...
Party could cost Australian police recruits jobsVideo
CANBERRA, Australia — Several Australian police recruits face losing their jobs for holding a party in breach of social distancing rules. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told reporters on Wednesday that “a number of officers” had been served with notices to explain why they should not be fired over...
Major airlines line up to split $25 billion in payroll aid
The nation’s biggest airlines have tentatively agreed to terms for $25 billion in government aid to pay workers and avoid massive layoffs in an industry that has been slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. The assistance will include a mix of cash and loans, with the government getting warrants that can...
ESPN asks on-air personalities to take pay cutsVideo
BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN is asking some of its on-air personalities to take a 15% pay cut over the next three months because of the coronavirus pandemic. “We are asking about 100 of our commentators to join with our executives and take a temporary salary reduction,” ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz...
Bill Polian on possible MVPs of NFL Draft: IT departmentVideo
Bill Polian ran many NFL drafts, making him the main man in the room for several successful franchises. Next week, the Pro Football Hall of Famer knows who the guys in demand will be for all 32 teams: the techs. “I would say simply, I-T I-T I-T,” Polian explains. “Make...
Free agency spending spree sets stage for Las Vegas Raiders’ draftVideo
The Las Vegas Raiders spent most of the free agency period bolstering one of the NFL’s worst defenses with one glaring exception. While the Raiders added a pair of starting linebackers in Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski, a new free safety in Damarious Randall and rotational players on the defensive...
Giants, A’s, Diamondbacks among MLB teams in coronavirus studyVideo
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks are two of the MLB teams participating in a study of the coronavirus that will test hundreds of people — including players — from the various clubs for antibodies. Arizona and San Francisco confirmed they were participating. The Oakland Athletics...
37 immigrant children at Chicago-area shelters have covid-19
CHICAGO — Dozens of immigrant children in U.S. custody and living in three Chicago-area shelters have tested positive for covid-19, officials said Tuesday. The Chicago-based Heartland Alliance operates shelters where children in the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement’s custody wait to be released to a...
Tour de France postponed, could start in late AugustVideo
PARIS — After weeks of holding out hope the Tour de France would be able to go ahead as planned, the world’s most famous cycling race finally was added to the list of sporting events postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. The three-week race could still take place this year, however,...
Kentucky lawmakers override veto of voter ID measure
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Republican lawmakers in Kentucky swept aside the Democratic governor’s veto of a bill to require the state’s residents to show a government-issued photo ID to vote. Votes to override Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto easily cleared the GOP-led Senate and House as lawmakers reconvened Tuesday for a wrap-up...
Sabrina Ionescu prepared to take her stardom to next level in WNBAVideo
PORTLAND, Ore. — With the spotlight on her growing brighter, Sabrina Ionescu is aware she is becoming her own brand. One of the most decorated players in women’s college basketball, Ionescu is about to go pro with the WNBA Draft coming up Friday. She’s widely expected to be selected No....
Former Pirate, World Series MVP Steve Pearce retiresVideo
BOSTON — Steve Pearce, the career journeyman and former Pittsburgh Pirate who broke loose to become the unlikely MVP of the 2018 World Series, said he’s done playing after an injury-plagued season for the Boston Red Sox. “You know what? It has been a good run. I have 10 years...
New Jersey beach trash finds: Full pickle jar, turkey baster, cremation bag
SANDY HOOK, N.J. — As New Jersey’s beaches go, so goes the state of the environment. Items plucked from the sand during spring and fall cleanups each year help illustrate trends going on in the state and the nation, and last year was a particularly good example. Empty cartridges used...
Trump directs halt to payments to WHO during virus pandemicVideo
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he was cutting off U.S. payments to the World Health Organization during the coronavirus pandemic, accusing the organization of failing to do enough to stop the virus from spreading when it first surfaced in China. Trump, who had telegraphed his intentions last...
On the Fringe: PGA Tour rookie Scheffler in no hurryVideo
Scottie Scheffler never has been in such a hurry that he fails to recognize what is right in front of him. At the moment, that would be nothing. “Our lives are put on hold at the moment,” Scheffler said. “It’s a weird feeling sitting at home, not having much to...
Pro wrestling ‘essential’ under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ orderVideo
ORLANDO — Body slams and pile drives can go on in the Sunshine State. With Florida under a lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, there’s one business deemed essential by Florida’s governor that is raising some eyebrows: pro wrestling. Florida’s top emergency official last week amended Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stay-at-home...
