daily news updates

WHO warns young people are driving virus' spread" Published on August 19, 2020 at 04:34AM by William Wan and Moriah Balingit, The Washington Post The World Health Organization warned Tuesday that young people are becoming the primary drivers of the spread of the novel coronavirus in many countries - a worrisome trend experts fear may grow in the United States as many colleges and schools begin to reopen. Many nations in Asia, which had previously pushed infections to enviably low rates, have experienced surges in recent weeks at the same time that the age of those infected skewed younger. "People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are increasingly driving the spread," Takeshi Kasai, the WHO's Western Pacific regional director, said at a news briefing on Tuesday. "The epidemic is changing." More than half of confirmed infections in Australia and the Philippines in recent weeks have been in people younger than 40, WHO officials said, a stark contrast to predo

Ex-49ers QB Smith activated after 17 surgeries to broken leg" Published on August 16, 2020 at 06:44PM by Nicki Jhabvala, The Washington Post He was doused with champagne on his doorstep by his children and wife, then presented with a cake featuring a mini Washington Football Team helmet and a blond-haired figurine with chopsticks for crutches. Footage of the celebration was posted by his wife, Elizabeth, on social media without acknowledging the reason for the momentous occasion. Perhaps one wasn't needed. Alex Smith, whose life and football career was threatened by a compound leg fracture he suffered during a game in November 2018, was cleared for football activity and activated off the physically unable to perform list Sunday. The team, fittingly, announced the move on social media with a comic book sketch of his 20-month recovery titled "The Comeback." Before the start of training camp, Smith was cleared by his surgical team to return to football. But he didn

1st Mediterranean cruise after Italy shutdown sets sail" Published on August 17, 2020 at 01:20AM by By FRANCES D'EMILIO ROME (AP) — Cruise ship passengers had their temperatures checked and took COVID-19 tests Sunday so they could set sail on what is being billed as the first Mediterranean cruise after Italy's pandemic lockdown. The cruise ship company MSC has made the procedures, for crew as well as passengers, part of its new health and safety protocols. The MSC Grandiosa, which was christened last year, set sail from the northern Italian port of Genoa on Sunday evening for a seven-night cruise in the western Mediterranean. Any one testing positive, or with a fever, or having other COVID-19 symptoms was denied boarding, the company said. Guest must wear face masks in elevators and other areas where social distancing is not possible. The crew spent time in quarantine before the start of the cruise. Earlier this month, the Italian government gave its approval for crui

Last Blockbuster hosting '90s-themed slumber party on Airbnb" Published on August 11, 2020 at 10:42PM by Shannon McMahon, The Washington Post Nostalgic for the Friday movie-store experience of yesteryear? Airbnb sees your cinematic pining and raises you every '90s kid's dream: a slumber party at the world's last Blockbuster. Listed on Airbnb as a studio with one bed and a half-bath, the Blockbuster store in Bend, Ore., is offering three one-night stays to Deschutes County residents for $4 - about the same price as a Blockbuster video rental. And judging by the description, the getaway sounds like a 1990s dream: "Whether you want to stay up until sunrise or pass out on the couch, we've created the perfect space complete with a pull-out couch, bean bags and pillows for you to cozy up with 'new releases' from the '90s. Crack open a two-liter bottle of Pepsi before locking into a video game, charting your future in a game of MASH, or watching m

Judge dismisses Rep. Nunes' lawsuit over Iowa farm story" Published on August 07, 2020 at 04:34AM by by DAVID PITT, Associated Press A federal judge in Iowa has dismissed a lawsuit California Rep. Devin Nunes filed against a major media organization that alleged he was defamed in a magazine story about his family’s Iowa dairy farm. Nunes, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, filed the $77.5 million lawsuit in September 2019 in federal court in Iowa against Esquire publisher Hearst Magazines and former reporter Ryan Lizza. It alleges a Sept. 30, 2018, story about the farm has caused “injury to his good name and professional reputation.” Judge C.J. Williams found in an order posted Wednesday that Nunes failed to prove that Lizza's article contained false and defamatory statements about him. “The article is written in a first-person perspective and includes numerous instances of Lizza’s subjective mental impressions. This weighs against the statements

Who makes the best tortilla chips? Ranking 14 popular brands to find out." Published on August 06, 2020 at 09:20PM by Emily Heil, The Washington Post Tortilla chips are the quintessential party food. And they definitely love a crowd: A big bag pairs perfectly with store-bought salsas or hummus, or even more elaborate concoctions, on a buffet. But these days, we're reminded that they make a great pantry staple, too. As a midday snack, obviously, for when you need to take a few steps away from your desk/dining room table to the kitchen. They're a fine lunch (don't judge) with a hearty dip of whatever's around. Now that I'm minimizing trips to the grocery store and trying to use up every morsel in the pantry, I'm finding even more uses for them: The last crumbly bits in the bottom of a bag make a crunchy mix-in for a salad, and a slightly stale stash is great in chilaquiles. Grocery shelves are crowded with a head-spinning array of options. So we collected

California under-reporting virus cases due to technical issues Published on August 05, 2020 at 04:13AM by By AMY TAXIN LOS ANGELES (AP) — A technical problem has caused a lag in California’s tally of coronavirus test results, casting doubt on the accuracy of recent data showing improvements in the infection rate and number of positive cases, and hindering efforts to track the spread, the state’s top health official said Tuesday. Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said in recent days that California has not been receiving a full count of tests conducted, or positive results, through electronic lab reports because of the unresolved issue, which he did not describe in detail. The state's data page now carries a disclaimer saying the numbers “represent an underreporting of actual positive cases" per day. The latest daily tally posted Tuesday showed 4,526 new confirmed positives, the lowest total in more than six weeks and a precipitous drop from the record near

Biden's delay in picking running mate worries allies" Published on August 03, 2020 at 05:05AM by Annie Linskey, The Washington Post Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden has extended his vice-presidential search by as much as two weeks, intensifying the jockeying and lobbying between allies of the women who hope to join his White House. Even some longtime Biden allies worry that the process has become "messier than it should be," pitting women, especially Black women, against one another. The dynamic threatens to undermine Biden's effort to use the vice-presidential search to spotlight some of the party's brightest female stars during the highly public vetting process. And it's already providing President Donald Trump's campaign an opening to dig up dirt and launch attacks on potential rivals. "It's been relentless. It's been unfortunate. But I must say it's been predictable," said Donna Brazile, a former interim chair of

Nordstrom uses influencers to bring back nervous shoppers" Published on August 03, 2020 at 04:43AM by Sapna Maheshwari, New York Times Wendy Nguyen, a fashionable Instagram personality with 1.1 million followers, is regularly tapped by retailers like Macy’s and Banana Republic to promote their wares on social media. They typically want her to take a stylish photo in their apparel and enthuse about their brand and any upcoming sale or product line. But Nguyen recently fielded what she considered an unusual and “very careful” inquiry from Nordstrom. It wanted to gauge her interest in a campaign that would require visiting the company’s seven-story flagship store in New York to highlight Nordstrom’s new safety measures and “encourage people to experience what they built,” she said. The subsequent Instagram posts from Nguyen and a handful of other influencers were shared in the last two weeks and offer a glimpse into pandemic-era retailing and the ways stores are trying to bring s

Democrats ply Biden with alternatives to Harris for running mate" Published on August 01, 2020 at 10:10PM by Jennifer Epstein and Tyler Pager, Bloomberg News Democrats around Joe Biden are angling to provide alternatives to Kamala Harris as his running mate, long seen as the front-runner for the post, as his vice presidential selection process enters its final stage. Although Biden said Tuesday that he would announce his pick the week of Aug. 3, people familiar with the process said they are planning for a rollout the week of Aug. 10, giving the ...

Trump's campaign in crisis as aides attempt August reset" Published on August 02, 2020 at 12:18AM by Toluse Olorunnipa, Josh Dawsey and Annie Linskey, The Washington Post Signs that President Donald Trump's reelection bid is in crisis grew steadily this past week, one of the most tumultuous moments of a presidency increasingly operating with an air of desperation as it tries to avoid political disaster in November. Campaign officials pulled television ads off the air amid a late-stage review of strategy and messaging. At the same time, Trump publicly mused about delaying the November election, airing widely debunked allegations about fraud that were roundly rejected by Republicans and Democrats. And as the campaign aims to mount a more aggressive defense of Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the president has reverted to touting unproven miracle cures, attacking public health officials and undercutting his own government's push to encourage good heal

Some Biden allies reportedly waging 'shadow campaign' against Kamala Harris for VP" Published on July 30, 2020 at 03:12AM by Eric Ting A group of allies to former Vice President Joe Biden are waging a behind-the-scenes "shadow campaign" against California Sen. Kamala Harris as Biden is set to announce his running mate next week, CNBC reports.

LEADING OFF: Virus fears force changes in lineups, plans" Published on July 27, 2020 at 05:05AM by By The Associated Press The Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds are waiting to see how COVID-19 affects them heading into the second series of the season. Miami scratched right-hander Jose Urena from his scheduled start Sunday in Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home because of concerns about a coronavirus outbreak within the team. The Marlins planned to arrive in Miami hours before their home opener against Baltimore, unsure how many players might remain quarantined in Philadelphia. The Reds were without second baseman Mike Moustakas and center fielder Nick Senzel for a 3-2 loss to the Tigers in Cincinnati. Both felt sick a day after teammate Matt Davidson went on the injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus. Moustakas went on the injured list Sunday. Senzel's status was unclear. “This is all new,” manager David Bell said of the uncertainty. “As eve

LEADING OFF: Many happy returns to MLB mounds" Published on July 26, 2020 at 04:49AM by By The Associated Press A look at what’s happening around the majors Sunday: OHTANI’S TURN Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani is set to make his first appearance on the mound since Sept. 2, 2018, after not pitching all last season following elbow surgery. Ohtani is under no restrictions when he faces the Athletics in Oakland. “It’s a little mix of everything, some worries, some excitement,” Ohtani said through a translator. “There won’t be fans so that will be weird, too.” Ohtani was the Angels’ designated hitter in the season opener Friday night and didn’t play Saturday. Mike Fiers will start for the A’s in his first appearance since revealing to The Athletic in November that his former team, the Houston Astros, had stolen signs using a camera in center field during their run to the 2017 World Series championship. COOKIE’S BACK Carlos Carrasco’s inspirational comeback reaches another m

Lawyer: All new DACA applications put in 'pending' bucket" Published on July 25, 2020 at 05:36AM by By ASTRID GALVAN, The Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — The U.S. government said Friday that it’s putting new DACA applications in a “pending” bucket while officials decide whether to again try to end the program for young immigrants, keeping enrollment stalled even though the Supreme Court ruled last month that it was improperly ended. The latest came during a telephonic federal court hearing in Maryland by U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm, who last week ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program must be restored to its original form, before President Donald Trump attempted to end it in September 2017. Immigrant advocates who sued the government over its attempt to end DACA say new rulings in the case, including the one by the Supreme Court, mean the government must resume accepting and considering first-time applications. U.S. Citizenship and Immigrat

Thompson, Werenski share lead at 3M Open at 12 under" Published on July 25, 2020 at 05:14AM by By DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Sports Writer BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Michael Thompson and Richy Werenski topped the 3M Open leaderboard going onto the weekend, Tony Finau and Talor Gooch climbed within a stroke and stars Brooks Koepka and Tommy Fleetwood struggled again Friday. In warmer and windier conditions on the quiet, spectator-free TPC Twin Cities course, the scores crept up after Werenski led the first-round pack with an 8-under 63. The 24-year-old, who's winless on the PGA Tour, followed up with a 67. Thompson caught him with a 66. Koepka, at the other end of the board, was on the who's-who list of players to miss the cut. The four-time major champion shot a 71 to finish at 1 under, pulling a birdie putt attempt wide right on the 18th that would have extended his stay in Minnesota. Fleetwood, playing in his first event since the virus outbreak shut down the sport more than four

Colorado school gunman gets life with possibility of parole" Published on July 25, 2020 at 04:42AM by By COLLEEN SLEVIN A teen who told authorities that he launched a fatal shooting attack on his suburban Denver school last year because he wanted them to experience trauma like that he had experienced was sentenced on Friday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after about two decades behind bars. Alec McKinney apologized to the parents of Kendrick Castillo, who was killed as he tried to stop the attack at STEM School Highlands Ranch, and to the other students wounded as well as traumatized by the attack. “I will never repeat these actions ever again because the harm I caused is truly too much for anyone to bear,” he said as he seemed to choke back tears and his voice cracked. McKinney, 17, is the younger of the two students charged in the May 7, 2019, shooting. He was 16 at the time of the shooting so, even though he was prosecuted as an adult, he could be paroled

Long delays in getting test results hobble coronavirus response" Published on July 13, 2020 at 03:44AM by Rachel Weiner, William Wan and Abigail Hauslohner, The Washington Post WASHINGTON - Test results for the novel coronavirus are taking so long to come back across the United States that experts say the results are often proving useless in the campaign to control the deadly disease. Some testing sites are struggling to provide results in five to seven days. Others are taking longer. Outbreaks across the Sun Belt have strained labs beyond capacity. That rising demand, in turn, has caused shortages of swabs, chemical reagents and equipment as far away as New York. The long testing turnaround times are making it impossible for the United States to replicate the central strategy used by other countries to effectively contain the virus - test, trace and isolate. Like catching any killer, speed is of the essence when it comes to the coronavirus. "Instead of going from one st

Bay Area yoga chain closes amid allegations of sexual assault" Published on July 13, 2020 at 04:51AM by Amanda Bartlett There’s the yoga instructor who claims she was told by management that if she “wore sexier clothes,” she would be allowed to teach more classes. And another who said she noticed a security camera in the changing room, giving her a sneaking suspicion that she was being filmed as she dressed for her shift. Others still described the grueling training required to become an instructor in the first place: teaching several classes without pay for weeks, as well as the expectation to stay at the studio long after their shift was over to perform free tasks that fell outside of their job responsibility in order to prove their worth to management. The stories become increasingly disturbing from there. Others shared alleged experiences of emotional manipulation, racial discrimination and varying levels of sexual misconduct and abuse that occurred during their time teac

California adds another 5,410 cases in Sunday totals Published on July 06, 2020 at 04:43AM by By CHRISTOPHER WEBER, Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Californians mostly heeded warnings to stay away from beaches and other public spaces during the long weekend as state officials urged social distancing amid a spike in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations. Many communities canceled July 4 fireworks shows and other annual festivities, changes that appeared to successfully keep crowds at bay. Volunteers were acting as “goodwill ambassadors” to remind people about closures at Los Angeles County waterfronts, Department of Beaches and Harbors spokeswoman Nicole Mooradian said Sunday. “In terms of compliance, most beachgoers have been staying away. But surfers, not so much," Mooradian said. A weekend swell brought big waves that proved irresistible to some, she said. Mooradian wasn’t aware of anyone receiving citations for violating health orders. The beach closures that b