Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
FDA WARNS AMERICANS OF TOXIC HAND SANITIZERS
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. health officials are warning Americans again to avoid a growing list of imported hand sanitizers that may be contaminated with the toxic chemical methanol. The Food and Drug Administration said Monday there have been increasing reports of injury due to people using-- sometimes ingesting—the unauthorized sanitizers, which can lead to blindness, heart problems and death. The active ingredient that kills germs in legitimate sanitizers is ethyl alcohol, which is consumable. But some Mexican companies have been replacing it with poisonous methanol, or wood alcohol, which is used in antifreeze.
GOLD’S LUSTER GROWS AS INVESTORS HEDGE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
UNDATED (AP) — Wall Street is in the throes of a gold rush, as investors drive the price of the precious metal to new heights. The price of gold has climbed nearly 27% this year, more than double the return of the largest U.S. bond funds and towering over the roughly 1% return of big U.S. stocks. The biggest reason for the surge is fear surrounding the pandemic. No one knows how many people the new virus will ultimately kill — or how much of the world’s economy it will destroy. That sways investors toward the metal that has long been considered a safe haven for wealth in turbulent times.
AG OFFICIALS WARN OF UNSOLICITED SEED SHIPMENTS TO STATES
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Agriculture officials in multiple states have issued warnings about unsolicited shipments of foreign seeds and advised people not to plant them. In Kentucky, the agriculture department says it was notified that several Kentucky residents received unsolicited seed packets sent by mail that appeared to have originated in China. Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said Monday the types of seeds are unknown and could be harmful. He stressed that the seeds should not be planted. In North Carolina, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says it was contacted by numerous people who received seed shipments they did not order.
NASA’S NEXT MARS ROVER IS BRAWNIEST AND BRAINIEST ONE YET
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA is upping the ante with its newest rover headed to Mars. Set to rocket away this week from Florida, The spacecraft named Perseverance is NASA’s brawniest and brainiest Martian rover yet. It sports the latest landing tech, plus the most cameras and microphones ever assembled to capture the sights and sounds of Mars. With eight successful Mars landings, NASA is shooting for its riskiest touchdown site by far, an ancient river delta full of boulders and cliffs that may harbor signs of ancient life. It’s the third and final mission to Mars this summer, after the United Arab Emirates and China.
WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN GETTING FACE-LIFT
WASHINGTON (AP) - One of the most famous gardens in America is getting a face-lift. Melania Trump on Monday announced details of a plan already under way to spruce up the White House Rose Garden, the iconic outdoor space famous for its proximity to the Oval Office. The most visually striking change will be the addition of a limestone walking path bordering the central lawn. Other improvements will make the garden more accessible to people with disabilities. There also will be a host of technical and horticultural upgrades, like better lighting and improved drainage.
TARGET JOINS WALMART IN ENDING THANKSGIVING STORE SHOPPING
NEW YORK (AP) - Target is joining Walmart in closing its stores on Thanksgiving Day, ending a decadelong tradition of jump-starting Black Friday sales. The move, announced Monday, comes as stores are rethinking the Black Friday in-store door busters as they try to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which has seen a resurgence in a slew of states. Target opened for the first time on Thanksgiving in 2011, joining other stores in launching Black Friday sales a day early and creating a new tradition of shoppers heading out to the stores after their turkey feast. The bigger question still looms on how to handle Black Friday itself this year, which also draws huge crowds — and sales.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
