World leaders vow to coordinate virus response in video call
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The head of the United Nations told leaders of the world’s 20 major industrialized nations during an emergency virtual summit Thursday that “we are at war with a virus — and not winning it” despite dramatic measures by countries to seal their borders, shutter businesses and enforce home isolation for well over a quarter of the world’s population.
Canada urges US not to put troops at border during pandemic
TORONTO — Canada has told the Trump administration that a proposal to put troops at the U.S.-Canada border amid the pandemic is entirely unnecessary and would damage relations between the two longtime allies.
‘Terrified’ South Africa nears lockdown; cases almost 1,000
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s president appeared in full military uniform for the first time since the end of apartheid and told troops to be a “force of kindness” as a three-week lockdown begins at midnight and they ensure that 57 million people stay home. The mission is the “most important in the history of our country” as coronavirus cases near 1,000, the highest in Africa.
Deaths, hospitalizations up in stark sign of virus’ reach
NEW YORK — New York once again saw a spike in the number of deaths and hospitalizations related to the coronavirus, a bleak trend for the epicenter of the U.S.’s outbreak of the fast-spreading virus.
Stocks surge again after relief bill passed; indexes up 6%
NEW YORK — Stocks marched higher for a third straight day Friday as a massive coronavirus relief bill moved closer to passing Congress and Wall Street took some historically bad unemployment figures in stride.
74,000 Floridians seek benefits, critics demand reform
ORLANDO, Fla. — More than 74,000 Floridians applied for unemployment benefits last week, a tenfold increase from the previous week, as the spread of the novel coronavirus shut down the state’s theme parks and visitors stayed away from its hotels and airports, officials said Thursday.
A new beat for police across US: Enforcing social distance
NEW YORK — In New York City, they’ve started dismantling basketball hoops to prevent people from gathering in parks and playing. In Lakewood, New Jersey, police broke up a wedding being held in violation of a ban on large gatherings. And in Austin, Texas, officers are encouraging people to call a hotline to snitch on violators of the city’s orders for people to stay home.
Flatter or fight? Governors seeking help must navigate Trump
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — At first, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker tried to play nice. He limited criticisms of the federal government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and asked for medical supplies through official channels.
Space Force launches its 1st mission with virus precautions
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The newly established U.S. Space Force launched its first national security satellite Thursday with a leaner staff because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Honda, Toyota seek to restart factories
DETROIT — Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Honda and Toyota took steps Thursday to restart North American factories that have been closed to protect workers from the coronavirus.
Guam governor suspends public meeting rights due to virus
HAGATNA, Guam — The governor of Guam temporarily suspended some parts of the Open Government Law in response to the coronavirus outbreak, including the public’s right to attend government meetings.
Maui residents use signs, checkpoints to stop highway travel
WAILUKU — Maui residents have been using signs and checkpoints to help enforce a government order to keep visitors off Hana Highway during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Tech issues hampered information on tsunami watch for Hawaii
HONOLULU — Technical issues made it difficult to get information about a tsunami watch for Hawaii and its subsequent cancellation, the National Weather Service said Wednesday.
Hawaii: Lab worker recorded negative result as positive
HONOLULU — Hawaii mistakenly reported it had its first death from the coronavirus because a worker at the state public laboratory accidentally recorded a negative test as positive, the director of the laboratory said Wednesday.
Hawaii detention center inmate accused of assaulting staff
HONOLULU — Three workers at a federal prison in Honolulu suffered injuries after they were assaulted by an inmate, officials said.
Koa‘e Makana defers security deposits
Mark Development, with the support of Mayor Derek Kawakami, is deferring security deposits at Koa‘e Makana Workforce Housing project in Koloa as the first 42 applicants selected their units.
Residents hopeful on day one of stay at home
Amidst a stay-at-home order and travel quarantines for those traveling to Hawai‘i from the mainland or internationally, families on Kaua‘i are finding ways to cope, follow rules and support the community.
Budget talks to continue
The Kaua‘i County Council convened differently on Wednesday, as Councilmembers Luke Evslin and Mason Chock participated remotely via telecommunications in the meeting to practice social distancing amid the current COVID-19 outbreak.
Learning new rules
The number of positive COVID-19 cases on Kaua‘i rose to five Wednesday, as Hawai‘i health officials announced the one death linked to COVID-19 in Hawai‘i wasn’t actually related to the virus.
Health-care professionals need our help
In one of the most vivid scenes in the HBO miniseries “Chernobyl” (among many vivid scenes), soldiers dressed in leather smocks ran out into radioactive areas to literally shovel radioactive material out of harm’s way.