AP National News

The Latest: Metro Manila, outlying provinces go on lockdown

By The Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine officials placed Metropolitan Manila and four outlying provinces, a region of more than 25 million people, back to a lockdown Monday at the height of the Lenten and Easter holiday travel season as they scrambled to control an alarming surge in coronavirus infections. Only workers, government security and health personnel and residents on urgent errands would…

The Latest: Navajo Nation extends “safer at home” order

By The Associated Press

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation has extended and loosened a health order intended to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Under the latest “safer at home” order issued Friday, the daily curfew hours are 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. MDT and businesses can remain open until 9 p.m. MDT daily, tribal officials said Saturday. The order also…

AP Week in Pictures: Global

AP

MARCH 20 – 26, 2021 From a volcanic eruption in Iceland to migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, preparations for Passover in Jerusalem and a wounded protester in Myanmar, this gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made in the past week by The Associated Press from around the world. The selection was curated by AP photo editors Jacqueline Larma,…

AP Week in Pictures: Global

AP

MARCH 13 – 19, 2021 This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published in the past week by The Associated Press from around the world. The selection was curated by AP photo editors Jacqueline Larma, Enric Marti and Patrick Sison. Follow AP visual journalism: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com…

The Latest: Texas state judge upholds Austin’s mask mandate

By The Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas judge is allowing the City of Austin to continue to require face coverings in local businesses weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott ended a statewide mask mandate and other COVID-19 safety measures. The ruling Friday by state District Judge Lora Livingston is at least a temporary victory for local leaders in the liberal state capital who…

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry dies at 84

By JAMIE STENGLE - Associated Press

Pulitzer Prize-winning Texas author Larry McMurtry has died at the age of 84. His family said in a statement that he died Thursday night of heart failure. McMurtry penned books and screenplays during a career that spanned over half a century, often depicting the American West. He won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for “Lonesome Dove,” the tale of a cattle drive during the 1870s. It was made into a popular television miniseries. Several of McMurtry’s books became feature films, including the Oscar-winning films “The Last Picture Show” and “Terms of Endearment.” He also co-wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for “Brokeback Mountain.”