SEC bans employees from Washington office after virus scare
WASHINGTON — Securities and Exchange Commission employees have been told to work remotely for the foreseeable future after a coronavirus scare at the agency’s Washington headquarters. The agency, which oversees the financial markets, said it was informed Monday afternoon that a headquarters employee had received medical treatment for respiratory symptoms...
Coronavirus prompts Carnegie Mellon to go to online-only classes at Silicon Valley, Qatar campuses
Carnegie Mellon University has moved to online classes only at its Silicon Valley and Qatar campuses, university officials announced Monday night. In a letter to the university community, CMU Provost Jim Garrett said although there have been no cases of coronavirus at the school’s Silicon Valley campus, CMU decided to...
Man convicted of murder flees Alabama prison for 2nd time
SPRINGVILLE, Ala. — A man serving a life sentence after being convicted of murder escaped an Alabama prison early Tuesday for the second time in less than 20 years. Steve Ray Murphy, 64, escaped from the St. Clair Correctional Facility shortly after midnight, according to a Tuesday statement from the...
Israeli court rejects Netanyahu request to delay trial
JERUSALEM — A Jerusalem district court on Tuesday rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to delay the start of his corruption trial, ruling it would begin as planned next week. Netanyahu’s lawyers had appealed for a delay, saying they needed more time to review evidence. State prosecutors responded that they...
Cops: Ohio father fatally shoots infant’s mom during child visit
WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — A man fatally shot the mother of his infant child when she brought the baby to an apartment complex so he could visit with the child, authorities said. The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. Monday at the Pine Tree Apartments in Washington Court House, according...
Kremlin says Trump not coming to Moscow for Victory Day
MOSCOW — President Donald Trump will not be coming to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations on May 9, the Kremlin said Tuesday. Russia has repeatedly invited Trump to visit Moscow on the 75th anniversary of victory in World War II — the nation’s most important holiday. Trump said last year...
Iran says new virus kills 54, death toll climbs to 291
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Tuesday that the new coronavirus killed 54 more people, raising the death toll to 291 amid 8,042 cases in the Islamic Republic. Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour made the announcement in a televised news conference. It represented an 18% increase in deaths from the day...
Saudi Arabia increase oil output to record highVideo
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia’s state-run oil giant Saudi Aramco said Tuesday it would increase its crude oil production to 12.3 million barrels a day in April, a record amount. The move seems to make good on the country’s promise over the weekend to increase output after Russia...
Mom, son safe after 52 hours trapped in China hotel rubbleVideo
BEIJING — A 10-year-old boy and his mother have been rescued 52 hours after being trapped in the collapse of a virus quarantine site in southeastern China where 20 people have died. Video released by rescuers showed the two being pulled from the debris of the hotel that collapsed on...
Hit the street (or trail) and join ‘team walking’ program
Spring may not have quite sprung, but the days are longer and many of us are eager to resume outdoor recreational activities. In an effort to encourage people to ramp up the “active” in their activity, Penn State Extension is offering “Everybody Walk Across PA.” Individuals of all ages and...
Cold medicines for kids: What’s the risk?
Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are the best way to help a child who has a cold feel better — right? Think again. Here’s practical advice from Dr. Jay L. Hoecker, an emeritus pediatrics specialist at Mayo Clinic. What’s the concern about cough and cold medicines for kids? Over-the-counter cough...
Reduce salt to improve heart health
Those with high blood pressure or who are at risk may want to consider simply saying no to sodium. Dr. Amy Pollak, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, says 75% of the amount of salt you get in your day-to-day diet is from processed foods or going out to eat. A new...
Health Happenings: Week of March 9
Blood drives • American Red Cross will host these blood drives: — Noon-5 p.m. today , Westmoreland Manor, 2480 South Grande Boulevard, Hempfield — 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday , Trinity Lutheran Church,
331 Weldon St., Latrobe Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Classes/programs • Tour of the Family Additions Maternity...
Singapore races to save bedazzled tombs of the rich
SINGAPORE — In a country that manufactures nature by building air-conditioned forest domes and towering vertical gardens, the decommissioned Bukit Brown Cemetery remains an unlikely stretch of wild jungle surrounded by modern high-rises and multimillion-dollar single-family homes. Its estimated 90,000 tombs are a link to Singapore’s early Chinese pioneers, and...
The preventable death of an asylum seeker in a solitary cell
Roylan Hernandez Diaz’s long journey ended inside a white-walled cell in the solitary confinement wing of a Louisiana prison. Nearby were the last of his belongings: a tube of toothpaste, a few foam cups, and a sheet of paper explaining how he could request his release from immigration detention. He...
Coronavirus is so contagious it warrants 2-week quarantine, experts say
How contagious are people? When are they spreading the virus? These are the questions scientists and public health officials are asking as the novel coronavirus outbreak spreads farther every day. Definitive answers remain unknown, but the virus appears to be easily passed and the two-week quarantine period that has become...
Trump wants payroll tax relief to calm virus-spooked marketsVideo
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday his administration will ask Congress to pass payroll tax relief and other quick measures as a public health and economic maelstrom brought on by the coronavirus drew closer to him personally. Intending to calm the fears of financial markets over the impact of...
Stakes rise for Sanders heading into Michigan primary
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Bernie Sanders proved his 2016 presidential bid was serious with an upset victory in Michigan powered by his opposition to free trade and appeal among working-class voters. Four years later, the same state could either revive the Vermont senator’s campaign or relegate him to the role...
Cruise ship hit by coronavirus pulls into California portVideo
OAKLAND, Calif. — The cruise ship forced to idle for days off the coast of California because of a cluster of novel coronavirus cases aboard arrived in port Monday as state and U.S. officials prepared to transfer its thousands of passengers to military bases for quarantine or return them to...
U.S. begins troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, official says
WASHINGTON — American troops have begun leaving Afghanistan for the initial troop withdrawal required in the U.S.-Taliban peace agreement, the U.S. military confirmed Monday, amid political chaos in Kabul that threatens the deal. Army Col. Sonny Leggett, spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement that the United...
Italy imposes nationwide restrictions to contain new virusVideo
MILAN — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte says travel restrictions and other strict public health measures will be imposed nationwide starting Tuesday to try to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. Conte said Monday night that a new government decree will require people throughout the country of 60 million people...
First recreational pot shop in a major East Coast city opensVideo
BOSTON — Boston’s first pot shop opened Monday, marking the first recreational marijuana store to open in a major East Coast city. Pure Oasis is also among the few retail stores in the country owned and operated by people of color, who experts say have struggled to break into the...
Greensburg man a veteran of 18 naval battles during World War II
During one of the 18 naval battles Michael E. Pahnos fought aboard the USS Canberra during World War II, the young cannon operator was knocked unconscious. When he awoke, he was panicked to discover that he was in the ship’s morgue, under several dead shipmates. “He hardly ever talked about...
Pennsylvania logs few reports of price gouging related to coronavirus so far
A week after widespread reports of price gouging for hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes as consumers across the nation emptied store shelves as the coronavirus spread, actual consumer complaints remain low in Pennsylvania. An email to report price gouging (pricegouging@
attorneygeneral.gov) set up Friday by office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh...
Florida school officials criticized after 7-year-old handcuffed
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A school security officer handcuffed a 7-year-old Florida boy with special needs who acted out in class and had him taken to a mental health facility, a decision the boy’s mother is criticizing and school officials are defending. It’s the second time in weeks that Florida school...