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AP-AS-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ASIA
Asia Today: After touting virus drop, SKorea sees cases rise
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean officials just days ago hopefully declared the country’s COVID-19 epidemic was coming under control. But health authorities reported 63 new cases following a dual rise in local transmissions and imported infections. South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday said at least 36 of the new cases came from the Seoul metropolitan area, where about half of the country’s 51 million people live. The KCDC didn’t immediately confirm whether the numbers included a new cluster of infections discovered at a front-line army unit where at least 13 troops have reportedly tested positive.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-MASKS
Too little, too late? Trump embraces masks in an about-face
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s “getting used to” wearing a face mask. He showed one off from the White House briefing room podium on Tuesday and urged Americans to follow his lead. The comments mark an about-face for a president who spent months resisting wearing a mask in public and once suggested they might be a political statement against him. But Trump now says he has “no problem" with the masks. He added: ”I view it this way: Anything that potentially can help, and that certainly can potentially help, is a good thing." Critics have blamed the president for fueling a partisan divide on the issue.
AP-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TROUBLED-AID
AP Exclusive: Aid from top donors drops even as need soars
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Some of the world’s largest government donors of humanitarian aid are buckling under the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their funding commitments, for the virus and otherwise, have dropped by a third from the same period last year. The analysis obtained in advance by The Associated Press is a rare real-time look at the notoriously difficult to track world of aid. At a time when billions of people are struggling with the virus and ensuing economic collapse on top of long-running crises, more aid is needed, not less. But donor governments are struggling, too. The lack of aid has been called “devastating.”
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BOLIVIA
Bolivia police recover 420 dead in possible COVID-19 cases
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivian authorities say a special police unit collected 420 bodies over five days in two cities, and 80% to 90% of the deceased are thought to have succumbed to COVID-19. The director of the special crime-fighting force said Tuesday that his officers recovered the bodies from streets, vehicles and homes in the capital, La Paz, and in Bolivia’s biggest city, Santa Cruz. As of Tuesday, officials said Bolivia has recorded 60,991 confirmed coronavirus infections and 2,218 deaths from COVID-19.
FORT HOOD SOLDIER-DEATH INVESTIGATION
Fort Hood soldier's body found near base; 3rd death in month
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — U.S. Army officials say the body of a Fort Hood solider was found near the Texas army base, marking the third time in a month that a Fort Hood soldier’s body has been discovered. Fort Hood officials said Tuesday that 26-year-old Pvt. Mejhor Morta was found unresponsive July 17 in the vicinity of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, a reservoir located in Bell County and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Fort Worth District. Bell County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident and didn't immediately respond to a request from the Associated Press seeking comment. Officials have not said whether the death is considered suspicious.
AP-US-ELECTION-2020-BIDEN
Biden unveils caregiver plan, says Trump 'quit' on country
NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) — Joe Biden is accusing President Donald Trump of quitting on the country amid the coronavirus and says the White House has no real plans to rebuild the post-pandemic economy. Those comments came Tuesday as Biden unveiled a plan to create 3 million new jobs by dramatically improving care for children and the elderly. He promised to spend $775 billion over 10 years to increase tax credits for low-income families, bolster caregiver services for seniors and provide preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds. He said the virus has laid bare how many families struggle to care for children and aging relatives while working full time.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS
GOP splits as virus aid package could swell past $1 trillion
WASHINGTON (AP) — The price tag for the next COVID-19 aid package could quickly swell above $1 trillion. At stake are funds to reopen schools, prop up small businesses, boost virus testing and keep cash flowing to Americans as the virus crisis worsens. White House negotiators fanned out across Capitol Hill Tuesday to launch talks with Republicans and Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is promising a new round of direct payments to Americans. President Donald Trump insists on a payroll tax holiday for workers, while House Speaker Pelosi is blaming him for inaction. Democrats want billions to outfit schools and shore up local governments, and Republicans are divided over big spending.
GEORGE FLOYD-INVESTIGATION
Minnesota judge lifts gag order in George Floyd case
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge has lifted a gag order in the case against four former officers charged in the death of George Floyd, but said he would take a news media coalition’s request to make body camera footage more widely available under advisement. Judge Peter Cahill also ruled Tuesday that he would not hold Attorney General Keith Ellison in contempt of court, saying a statement Ellison made when he announced that additional attorneys would be assisting in the prosecution was innocuous. Even though the gag order was vacated, Cahill said he still expects all attorneys in the case to follow the rules on disclosing information.
AP-US-BRIBERY-INVESTIGATION-OHIO
Ohio House speaker, 4 others arrested in $60M bribery case
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The powerful Republican speaker of the Ohio House and four associates have been arrested in a $60 million federal bribery case connected to a taxpayer-funded bailout of Ohio’s two nuclear power plants. FBI agents also raided Speaker Larry Householder’s farm. U.S. Attorney David DeVillers says the ploy was probably the largest bribery scheme ever perpetrated against the state of Ohio. Ohio's governor is calling on Householder to resign immediately. Householder was one of the driving forces behind the nuclear plants’ financial rescue that will direct over $150 million a year through 2026 to the plants near Cleveland and Toledo.
TRUMP-MAXWELL
Trump says of Ghislaine Maxwell, 'I wish her well'
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has offered sympathetic words to the longtime companion of Jeffrey Epstein who stands accused of facilitating the abuse of girls by the now-deceased sex offender. Trump was asked about Ghislaine Maxwell during a news conference on Tuesday and responded, “I just wish her well, frankly.” Maxwell was denied bail last week and is to remain behind bars as she awaits trial on charges she recruited girls for Epstein to sexually abuse more than two decades ago. The British socialite was a romantic partner of Epstein, who associated over the years with many high-profile figures in politics and business, including Trump.
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