WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday he would skip next week's debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden after organizers said it would be held virtually because of health concerns, further disrupting the president's efforts to shift focus away from a virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans this...
Hawaii Pushes Forward With Tourism Despite Safety Concerns
HONOLULU — Despite increasing coronavirus cases across the U.S., Hawaii officials hope to reboot tourism next week by loosening months of economically crippling pandemic restrictions, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all arriving travelers. The plan, which was postponed after the virus surged in the summer, will allow Hawaii-bound travelers...
In About-Face, Trump Seeks to Salvage Parts of Virus Aid
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday tried to salvage a few priority items lost in the rubble of COVID-19 relief talks that he himself blew up, pressing for $1,200 stimulus checks and new aid for airlines and other businesses hard hit by the pandemic. But it's not clear whether...
Newsom’s Staff Member Positive for COVID-19
SACRAMENTO — A member of California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office staff tested positive for COVID-19 this week and contact tracing has begun, the office said in a statement Wednesday. The staff member had not interacted with Newsom or with staff that routinely interacts with the governor, the statement said. Separately,...
With 239 Deaths, Iran Hits Its Highest Daily COVID-19 Toll
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian state TV said the country has hit its highest number of daily deaths from the coronavirus, with 239 new fatalities reported on Wednesday. The report quoted the spokesperson of the country’s health ministry, Sima Sadat Lari, as saying that the 239 died since Tuesday. Iran has...
Nobel Peace Prize Awaited as Ray of Hope After a Tough Year
In a year of the coronavirus pandemic, military conflicts, democratic backsliding and accelerating climate change, Friday's announcement of this year's Nobel Peace Prize is being awaited as a chance to impart hope to a world in turmoil. From climate activists to political dissidents to international organizations, there is no shortage...
Stocks Rise as Trump Tweets on Stimulus Keep Market Spinning
NEW YORK — Stocks are recovering on Wall Street Wednesday after President Donald Trump appeared to backtrack on his decision to halt talks on another rescue effort for the economy. The S&P 500 was 1.3% higher in morning trading after Trump sent a series of tweets late Tuesday saying he’s...
US Medical Supply Chains Failed, and COVID Deaths Followed
Nurse Sandra Oldfield’s patient didn’t have the usual symptoms of COVID-19 -- yet. But then he tested positive for the virus, and it was clear that Oldfield -- a veteran, 53-year-old caregiver -- had been exposed. She was sent home by Kaiser Permanente officials with instructions to keep careful notes...
Inmates Eligible for $1,200 Stimulus Payments, Says Judge
BOISE, Idaho — A U.S. judge says the IRS can't keep withholding coronavirus relief payments from incarcerated people, potentially clearing the way for at least 80,000 checks totaling more than $100 million to be sent to people behind bars across the United States. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Phyllis...
US Job Postings Edge Lower, to 6.49 Million
WASHINGTON — U.S. employers advertised slightly fewer jobs in August as hiring ticked up modestly. The number of U.S. job postings on the last business day of August dipped to 6.49 million, down from 6.7 million in July, the Labor Department said Tuesday. Those postings are off more than a...