KATHMANDU, Nepal — A repatriation flight is rescuing dozens of Spanish nationals who have been stranded in Nepal since a lockdown was imposed in the Himalayan nation to curb the spiking COVID-19 cases. The charted flight arranged by the Spanish government was taking back 96 Spanish mountaineers, trekkers and tourists who arrived in Nepal to climb the mountain peaks or…
WASHINGTON (AP) — US jobless claims drop to 444,000, a new pandemic low, as layoffs slow further with economy strengthening. Categories: AP National News
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…
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…
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…
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…
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — CORRECTS: Florida politician seen as key figure in US probe of Rep. Matt Gaetz pleads guilty as part of cooperation deal. Categories: AP National News
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…
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 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…
