AP National News

The Latest: Detroit archbishop ends mask rule for vaccinated

By The Associated Press

DETROIT — The archbishop of Detroit says face masks are no longer mandatory inside Roman Catholic churches in southeastern Michigan for people who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. Archbishop Allen Vigneron said Wednesday that anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated must still wear masks at Mass and other church services. The church will rely on people to police themselves. The…

The Latest: Las Vegas Strip rules to end for vaccinated

By The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Strip and surroundings will fully reopen to vaccinated diners, dancers, shoppers and club-goers beginning June 1. Clark County lawmakers on Tuesday followed CDC guidelines and dropped plans to tie business occupancy to coronavirus vaccination rates. The unanimous vote came after public speakers expressed anger and frustration with pandemic restrictions — especially their effects on…

The Latest: Conn. plans ‘signing bonus’ to boost job seeking

By The Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. — As some states set plans to a pandemic $300 weekly supplemental unemployment benefit as a way to encourage people to find work, Connecticut is offering a much different incentive — a $1,000 signing bonus for taking a job. Starting May 24, up to 10,000 people in Connecticut considered to have been unemployed for the “long-term” will be…

The Latest: Biden expresses ‘support’ for Gaza cease-fire

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Joe Biden has expressed “support” for a cease-fire during a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A statement says the leaders spoke Monday, which was the eighth day of Israeli-Palestinian fighting. Biden’s move signals U.S. concern for an end to Israel’s part of hostilities with Hamas, although it falls short of joining…

The Latest: Israeli jets stage heavy airstrikes in Gaza City

By The Associated Press

GAZA CITY — Israeli warplanes have unleashed a series of heavy airstrikes at several locations of Gaza City. Explosions rocked the city from north to south for 10 minutes early Monday. The airstrikes were heavier, on a wider area and lasted longer than a series of air raids 24 hours earlier in which 42 Palestinians were killed. That attack was…

The Latest: Fauci says pandemic highlights racism’s impact

By The Associated Press

ATLANTA — The immunologist who leads the COVID-19 response in the United States said Sunday that “the undeniable effects of racism” have led to unacceptable health disparities that especially hurt African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans during the pandemic. COVID-19 has highlighted “our own society’s failings,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said during a graduation ceremony for Emory University. Speaking by webcast…

The Latest: China calls for UN council action, slams US

By The Associated Press

The Latest on the continuing violence between Israel and Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers amid the latest escalation in the Middle East: BEIJING — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the U.N. Security Council to seek an early de-escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers. He also blamed the U.S. for the council’s lack of action so…

The Latest: Florida’s amusement parks loosen mask wearing

By The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. — Visitors to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios-Orlando were allowed Saturday to remove their masks when outdoors, except when on attractions, in line or riding transportation. Florida’s major theme parks are adjusting face mask policies after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention loosened its recommendations on Thursday as more people get vaccinated for the coronavirus. Masks…