News

Virus spurs unexpected test for US schools: Online learning

By JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus shutdowns have launched an unplanned, unprecedented experiment with online education at schools across the U.S., and the nation’s largest school system plunged in Monday as New York City asked over 1.1 million students to log in and learn. After a whirlwind week of planning, […]

Europe eyes smartphone location data to stem virus spread

By FRANK BAJAK and NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press Several European nations are evaluating powerful but potentially intrusive tools for fighting the coronavirus pandemic, a move that could put public health at odds with individual privacy. The tools in question are apps that would use real-time phone-location data to track the movements of virus carriers and […]

SoftBank to buy back $41 billion in assets to trim debt

SoftBank to buy back $41 billion in assets to trim debt By ELAINE KURTENBACH AP Business Writer BANKGOK (AP) — The Japanese technology and telecoms company SoftBank said Monday it plans to buy back up to 4.5 trillion yen ($41 billion) of its assets as it seeks to trim its gigantic debt burden. The company’s […]

Business Fallout: Supercomputers vs. coronavirus; more masks

By The Associated Press undefined The rapid worldwide spread of the coronavirus since it was first revealed in China less than three months ago has dealt an unparalleled shock to the global economy. Following are weekend business developments related to the outbreak as governments attempt to stabilize their economies, companies navigate through an altered landscape, […]

Virus outbreak means (mis)information overload: How to cope

By BARBARA ORTUTAY and DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press The coronavirus pandemic is leading to information overload for many people, often making it difficult to separate fact from fiction and rumor from deliberate efforts to mislead. Already, text messages predicting a nationwide lockdown have circulated, along with social media posts telling people that one way to […]

Telemedicine emerges as care option during COVID-19 outbreak

By TOM MURPHY AP Health Writer Got a worrisome rash? You can still see a doctor if you can’t leave home during the coronavirus outbreak. U.S. public health officials, hospitals and insurance companies are pushing people to try telemedicine for their allergies, earaches and other minor problems and skip the doctor’s office or clinic. It’s […]

Netflix establishes $100 million virus relief fund

By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Netflix said Friday it is establishing a $100 million relief fund for workers in the worldwide creative community affected by the coronavirus-caused halt of most film and television production. “This community has supported Netflix through the good times, and we want to help them through […]

2020 campaigns go digital amid fears of coronavirus spread

By BRIAN SLODYSKO, ALEXANDRA JAFFE and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — No more rallies. No more door-knocking. And no more in-person fundraisers, raking in dollars from dozens of millionaires at once. The coronavirus has disrupted American life, and the 2020 presidential campaign is no exception. Amid calls for social distancing to stop the […]

Virus-shocked Hollywood gets break with streaming services

By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sports are on hold, theaters are closed and so are amusement parks, a disaster-movie scenario that has Hollywood reeling. But Americans held captive at home by the coronavirus can turn to Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and other streaming services, outliers in an entertainment industry brought to […]