Stocks, oil fall as China virus rattles markets

NEW YORK (AFP) -- Global stocks and oil dropped Monday as panicked investors fled risky assets for safer bets gold, bonds, the dollar and the yen, after China warned that a deadly new coronavirus was spreading fast. Luxury goods makers and airlines suffered particularly on equity markets, as Chinese tourist spending is a key factor for them. Shares of energy and technology companies were also weak. China extended its traditional Lunar New Year holidays to buy time in the fight against the epi

World NewsJan. 28, 2020

WHO says still probing if Chinese virus can spread before symptoms

GENEVA (AFP) -- The World Health Organization said Monday it remained unclear if the deadly coronavirus spreading in China and beyond is contagious during its incubation period, before symptoms appear. The virus, which can cause a pneumonia-like acute respiratory infection, has in a matter of weeks killed more than 80 people and infected some 2,740 in China, while cases have been identified in more than a dozen other countries. In a fresh report on the new virus, known as 2019nCoV, the UN hea

World NewsJan. 28, 2020

Kobe Bryant left deep legacy in LA sports, basketball world

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Kobe Bryant inspired a generation of basketball players worldwide with both his sublime skills and his unquenchable competitive fire. He also earned Los Angeles' eternal adoration during his two decades as the fierce soul of the city's beloved Lakers. Less than four years into his retirement from the NBA, Bryant was seeking new challenges and working to inspire his daughters' generation through sports and storytelling when his next act ended shockingly early. Bryant, the

World NewsJan. 27, 2020

China counts 2,700 cases of new virus, 80 deaths

BEIJING (AP) -- China says the death toll from a new virus has risen to 80, with 2,744 confirmed cases. The National Health Commission said Monday morning there were 769 new cases confirmed in the 24 hours through midnight Sunday. The government also reported five cases in Hong Kong and two in Macao. Small numbers of cases have been found in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the US, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France and Australia. The US has confirmed cases in Washington st

World NewsJan. 27, 2020

Nine people dead in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash: official

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Nine people were killed in the helicopter crash which claimed the life of NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Los Angeles officials confirmed on Sunday. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said eight passengers and the pilot of the aircraft died in the accident. "There were no survivors... There were nine people on board the aircraft, the pilot plus eight individuals," Villanueva said. Early reports on Sunday said five people had been on board the hel

World NewsJan. 27, 2020

'Sealed off': China isolates city of virus outbreak

BEIJING (AFP) -- The Chinese city at the heart of a deadly virus outbreak is under effective quarantine, with outward flights and trains suspended, subways halted and large public events cancelled as doctors in full-body protective suits treat patients.The coronavirus has spread across China and beyond, with 17 people killed and more than 500 infected in an outbreak that started in Wuhan -- a central city of 11 million people described by state media as "the main battlefield" against t

World NewsJan. 23, 2020

Boeing says 737 MAX return delayed until mid-2020

NEW YORK (AFP) -- Boeing on Tuesday officially pushed back the timeframe for the 737 MAX to return to the skies, sending shares plunging and overshadowing an earlier announcement of a first flight of the delayed 777X plane.Boeing said it is now targeting the return of the grounded MAX "during mid-2020," the latest delay in the schedule for the troubled jet, which has been grounded since March following two deadly crashes.Boeing shares finished at $313.37, down 3.3 percent, after t

World BusinessJan. 22, 2020

Trump trial opens with clash over witnesses

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- The historic impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump opened with fireworks Tuesday as Democrats angrily accused Senate Republicans of seeking a "cover-up" without witnesses or new evidence.With the US leader facing potential removal from office for abuse of power, his close ally Mitch McConnell laid out ground rules that would block subpoenaing key witnesses or documents while each side makes its case -- potentially crippling prosecutors' arguments.Flexing hi

World NewsJan. 22, 2020

US confirms first case of China virus as death toll reaches six

WASHINGTON/BEIJING (AFP) -- The United States on Tuesday announced its first case of a new virus that has claimed six lives in China and sickened hundreds, joining countries around the world in ramping up measures to block its spread.The man, a US resident in his 30s who lives near Seattle, is in good condition, according to federal and state officials, and approached authorities himself after reading about the SARS-like infection in news reports.He is "currently hospitalized out of an abun

World NewsJan. 22, 2020

Asia steps up checks as China virus kills six, infects nearly 300

BEIJING (AFP) -- Asian countries on Tuesday ramped up measures to block the spread of a new virus as the death toll in China rose to six and the number of cases jumped to almost 300, raising concerns in the middle of a major holiday travel rush.Nations across the Asia-Pacific region stepped up checks of passengers at airports to detect the SARS-like coronavirus, which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.Fears of a bigger outbreak rose after a prominent expert from China's Nat

World NewsJan. 21, 2020

Trump calls impeachment trial 'disgraceful' and a 'hoax'

DAVOS (AFP) -- US President Donald Trump branded his impeachment trial a "hoax" in the Swiss resort of Davos on Tuesday, hours before senators were to start debating a push to remove him from office.Asked by reporters why he was in Davos, not back in Washington, Trump said: "We're meeting with world leaders, the most important people in the world and we're bringing back tremendous business." "The other's just a hoax," he said. "It's the witch hun

World NewsJan. 21, 2020

France, US agree to extend digital tax row talks

PARIS -- Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump have agreed to extend negotiations on a dispute over a French tax on digital giants to the end of the year, postponing Washington's threat of sanctions against Paris, French officials said Tuesday.French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, speaking before a Brussels meeting with EU counterparts, said: "Macron and Trump had a very constructive discussion... and they agreed to avoid all escalation between the US and France on this digital tax

World NewsJan. 21, 2020

Prince Harry leaves for Canada in 'symbolic' departure: reports

LONDON (AFP) -- Britain's Prince Harry has left the UK to rejoin his wife Meghan and son Archie in Canada, British media reported, as the couple start a new life after their shock exit from the royal fold.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are bowing out entirely from representing the British monarchy, in a crisis that has shaken the centuries-old institution.The prince boarded an evening flight to Vancouver after attending a UK-Africa investment summit in London, in what is expected to be one of hi

World NewsJan. 21, 2020

China says fourth person dies in Wuhan pneumonia outbreak

SHANGHAI (Reuters) -- A fourth person has died from pneumonia in the central Chinese city of Wuhan following the outbreak of a new coronavirus, health authorities said on Tuesday.The 89-year-old man developed symptoms on Jan. 13 and was admitted to hospital five days later after he experienced severe breathing difficulties, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said in a statement. He died on Jan. 19.It said the patient also had underlying health diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and

World NewsJan. 21, 2020

More than 100 killed in Yemen missile, drone attack

DUBAI (AFP) -- More than 100 people were killed and dozens wounded in a missile and drone attack blamed on Huthi rebels in central Yemen, officials said Sunday.Saturday's strike follows months of relative calm in the war between the Iran-backed Huthis and Yemen's internationally recognised government, which is supported by a Saudi-led military coalition. The Huthis attacked a mosque in a military camp in the central province of Marib -- about 170 kilometres (105 miles) east of the capital Sanaa

World NewsJan. 20, 2020

Britain's Prince Harry expresses 'great sadness' at royal split

LONDON (AFP) -- Britain's Prince Harry expressed "great sadness" on Sunday at the way he and his wife Meghan had to give up their royal titles as part of a separation settlement with the Queen."It brings me great sadness that it has come to this," Harry said in his first remarks on Saturday's historic agreement, made during a public address and posted on the couple's Instagram account."Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associat

World NewsJan. 20, 2020

SARS-like virus spreads in China, nearly 140 new cases

BEIJING (AFP) -- A mysterious SARS-like virus has spread around China -- including to Beijing -- authorities said Monday, fuelling fears of a major outbreak as millions begin travelling for the Lunar New Year in humanity's biggest migration.The new coronavirus strain, first discovered in the central city of Wuhan, has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.Wuhan has 11 million in

World NewsJan. 20, 2020

China reports 17 new cases of mystery virus

BEIJING (AFP) -- China reported 17 new cases of the mysterious SARS-like virus on Sunday, including three in a severe condition, heightening fears ahead of China's Lunar New Year holiday when hundreds of millions of people move around the country.The virus -- a new strain of coronavirus that humans can contract -- has caused alarm because of its connection to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Of the 17 new c

World NewsJan. 19, 2020

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan to give up royal titles

LONDON (AFP) -- Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will give up their royal titles and public funding as part of a settlement with the Queen to start a new life away from the British monarchy.The historic announcement from Buckingham Palace on Saturday follows more than a week of intense private talks aimed at managing the fallout of the globetrotting couple's shock resignation from front-line royal duties.It means Queen Elizabeth II's grandson Harry and his American TV actress wife Megh

World NewsJan. 19, 2020

Trump lawyers present defense for 'dangerous' impeachment

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- President Donald Trump's legal team presented  Saturday its line of defense for his upcoming impeachment trial, a process they dismissed as unconstitutional and "dangerous."It was the first time the team presented its arguments, modeled on those put forward since December by Trump and his fellow Republicans. White House counsel Pat Cipollone will be lead lawyer, backed by Trump's personal attorney Jay Sekulow. They will be joined by Ken Starr, who was at the ce

World NewsJan. 19, 2020