WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is alleging that a foreign disinformation campaign is underway aimed at spreading fear in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, three U.S. officials said Monday. On Sunday, federal officials began confronting what they said was a deliberate effort by a foreign entity to sow fears of...
Brave New World: Wartime Tactics Against Coronavirus Foe
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency Friday, as deaths from the disease accelerated across Europe and nations around the world warned of nearly wartime measures to contain the outbreak. “We will defeat this threat,” he said in a White House press conference. “When America...
Trump Declares Virus Emergency; Pelosi Announces Aid Deal
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency in order to free up more money and resources. But he denied any responsibility for delays in making testing available for the new virus, whose spread has roiled markets and disrupted the lives of everyday Americans....
Nations Employ Drastic Tactics to Fight Microscopic Foe
MADRID, Spain — Tens of millions of students stayed home on three continents, security forces went on standby to guard against large gatherings of people, and bars, restaurants and offices closed Friday to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The virus edged ever closer to the world's power centers,...
Officials: US Strikes Iran-Backed Group That Hit Iraq Base
WASHINGTON — The U.S. launched airstrikes in Iraq Thursday, American officials said, targeting the Iranian-backed Shia militia members believed responsible for the rocket attack that killed and wounded American and British troops at a base north of Baghdad. One U.S. official said multiple strikes targeted Kataib Hezbollah weapons facilities inside...
Trump Pitches Payroll Tax Relief to Wary Lawmakers
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump pitched his proposed payroll tax break Tuesday on Capitol Hill as pressure mounts on the administration and Congress to work more vigorously to contain the coronavirus outbreak and respond to the financial fallout. Trump's economic team joined in presenting the economic stimulus package privately to...
Lawmakers Race to Respond to Outbreak; Trump to Go to Hill
WASHINGTON — Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats on Tuesday that Congress should stay at work this week as “captains of the ship” despite the risk of coronavirus infection on Capitol Hill as lawmakers scramble under enormous pressure to respond to the epidemic. President Donald Trump was heading there to...
Dems Look to Michigan Primary as Testing Ground for November
DETROIT — Ask Arlene Williams about President Donald Trump's promises to bring back auto industry jobs that have evaporated across Michigan and she'll point with irony to the Chevy Blazer. General Motors is now remaking the iconic American SUV after a lengthy hiatus — but building parts of it in...
Harris Endorses Biden; Jesse Jackson Backs Sanders
WASHINGTON — Kamala Harris endorsed Joe Biden on Sunday and said she would "do everything in my power'' to help elect him, becoming the latest dropout from the Democratic race for president to line up behind the former vice president in his battle with Bernie Sanders for the nomination. The...
Cruise Ship Remains Off SF Coast as Passengers Await Virus Test Results
SAN FRANCISCO — Passengers on a cruise ship off the coast of San Francisco were instructed to stay in their cabins as they awaited test results Friday that could show whether the coronavirus is circulating among the more than 3,500 people aboard. A military helicopter crew lowered test kits onto...