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UNDATED (AP) — South Korea has reported 20 new coronavirus cases, including nine in the Seoul metropolitan area, as authorities scramble to stem transmissions while proceeding with a phased reopening of schools. The figures brought national totals to 11,142 cases and 264 deaths. Nine other new cases were linked to international arrivals. South Korean officials have eased social distancing measures and began reopening schools, starting with high school seniors on Wednesday. But students at dozens of schools in Incheon, near Seoul, were sent back home after some tested positive. Health Minister Park Neung-hoo pleaded with people Friday to avoid visiting karaoke rooms or computer gaming centers near schools to lower infection risks for students.
BEIJING (AP) — China’s top economic official has promised higher spending to revive its coronavirus-battered economy and curb surging job losses. Premier Li Keqiang said Beijing would set no economic growth target so it can focus on fighting the disease. The growth target is usually a closely watched figure describing the government's plans. Li told China’s ceremonial legislature that the battle against the virus hasn't ended. He called on the country to “redouble our efforts” to revive slumping economic growth. Li said the government’s budget deficit will swell by $140 billion to help meet targets including creating 9 million jobs. It's only a fraction of relief packages being discussed in other countries.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials are invoking a rarely used provision of American law to help keep the country from again running out of medical supplies in a pandemic. The government is seeking to enter into a cooperative agreement with industry for personal protective equipment and medicine in the future under a section of the Defense Production Act that allows the sharing of competitive information without violating antitrust regulations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is holding an initial meeting Thursday with private-sector representatives to discuss the agreement. The U.S. scrambled to acquire PPE from around the world in the early stages of the nation's COVID-19 outbreak.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A massive flood is raising fears of setbacks in a hazardous waste cleanup along a central Michigan river. Floodwaters overwhelmed two dams this week, chasing 11,000 people from their homes in or near Midland. The Tittabawassee River flows past Dow Chemical Co.'s headquarters plant, which for years produced dioxins. The highly toxic compounds were dumped into the river, where they became embedded in sediments and floodplains. Dow has been cleaning up the area since 2007 and has made considerable progress. The company says its projects survived a flood three years ago. But some scientists and activists fear this week's flood could sweep the toxins downstream.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — General Motors says it is “gradually restarting operations” at engine and transmission plants at two of its four manufacturing complexes in Mexico. The Mexican government had said that auto companies could start preparatory work for reopening May 18, but that a full re-opening wouldn't occur until June 1. But General Motors de Mexico said in a statement that it will start operations Friday at its motor plant in Ramos Arizpe in the northern state of Coahuila and an engine and transmission plant in Silao in the central state of Guanajuato. U.S. officials have pressured Mexico to allow factories to resume operations after shutdowns to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
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