As virus flares globally, new strategies target hot spots

NEW YORK (AP) — After shutdowns swept entire nations during the first surge of the coronavirus earlier this year, some countries and U.S. states are trying more targeted measures as cases rise again around the world. New York’s new round of coronavirus shutdowns zeroes in on individual neighborhoods, closing schools and businesses in hot spots…

Trump, Biden Go At It — From A Distance — In Town Halls

Washington D.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden showed striking differences in temperament, views on racial justice and approaches to the pandemic that has reshaped the nation in dueling televised town halls. They squared off, in a way, Thursday night, their scuttled second debate replaced by the separate events. Trump was defensive…

China Fires 2 Health Officials Following New Virus Outbreak

Beijing, China (AP) — A hospital president and the director of the health commission in the northern Chinese city of Qingdao have been fired after China’s latest coronavirus outbreak. A brief notice on the Qingdao city government’s official microblog says the the two people were placed under further investigation. No other details were given. Authorities…

The Latest: Durbin says ‘orange cloud’ on Barrett nomination

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett (all times local): 11:05 a.m. Sen. Dick Durbin says there’s an “orange cloud” hanging over the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. The Illinois Democrat didn’t specifically say he meant President Donald Trump in Barrett’s confirmation…

Barrett Back on Capitol Hill for Senators’ Final Questions

Washington D.C. (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett returns to Capitol Hill for a third day of confirmation hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senators are digging deeper into the conservative judge’s outlook on abortion, health care and a potentially disputed presidential election. The conservative judge has been giving hours of testimony, but…