US jobless claims fall to 779,000 but layoffs remain high with economy still in grip of virus
WASHINGTON (AP) — US jobless claims fall to 779,000 but layoffs remain high with economy still in grip of virus.
WASHINGTON (AP) — US jobless claims fall to 779,000 but layoffs remain high with economy still in grip of virus.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth celebrated on Sunday the sense of Commonwealth unity fostered by "a time like no other", just hours before a U.S. interview with her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan that could deepen divisions in the royal family. In a speech to mark Commonwealth Day, dedicated to the countries mainly from the former British empire that maintain links with Britain, the Queen welcomed the "deeper appreciation of the mutual support and spiritual sustenance we enjoy being connected to others" during the coronavirus pandemic. For almost 50 years, the royal family has attended an annual Commonwealth Day service at London's Westminster Abbey in March, but it has been cancelled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thousands of people across France flocked to vaccination centres on Sunday as the government stepped up inoculations against the coronavirus to ease the load on hospitals and stave off further restrictions. French authorities have come under criticism for the slow vaccination rollout, which has so far targeted the most vulnerable only. About 3.58 million people of France's 67 million population have received a first jab compared to neighbouring Britain, which is nearing 23 million.
High school students in the United States should be able to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by the autumn, with younger students likely to be cleared for vaccinations in early 2022, top U.S. infectious disease official Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Sunday. Fauci said he expected the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue relaxed guidelines for people who have already been vaccinated within "the next couple of days," but urged continued vigilance on mitigation measures for the over 80% of Americans still awaiting shots. "We want to get those death levels of the virus very, very low, and then we'll have a much, much easier time to safely pull back" on mitigation measures.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it would take a "masterpiece" for him to figure out how to solve his side's crisis after a sixth consecutive home defeat as relegation-threatened Fulham won 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday.
Centrist Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, a pivotal vote in the U.S. Senate, on Sunday advocated making the procedural maneuver called the filibuster more "painful" to do, with Democrats concerned about Republicans obstructing President Joe Biden's legislative agenda. Some Democrats have advocated eliminating the filibuster to prevent Republicans from blocking Biden's initiatives. White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield made clear on Sunday that the president is not calling for ending the filibuster.
When lawyers asked Donald Trump more than a decade ago to identify who estimated values on some of his signature properties, he shrugged and pointed to his longtime accountant, Allen Weisselberg. “I think ultimately probably Mr. Weisselberg,” he said, testifying in 2007 in a defamation lawsuit he brought against a journalist, a case that hinged on whether Trump had inflated the value of his business empire. A judge dismissed that suit, but Trump’s comments illustrate the challenges now facing Weisselberg, 73, as he comes under scrutiny in Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance’s investigation into whether the former U.S. president and his Trump Organization committed financial crimes.
Spectacular goals either side of half time earned AC Milan an important 2-0 victory at Hellas Verona on Sunday, as Stefano Pioli's side closed the gap on rivals Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A standings to three points. Without injured top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was watching from the stands, Milan went ahead in the 27th minute when Rade Krunic fired a stunning free kick into the net -- the Bosnian's first league goal for Milan.
Despite strong reviews, Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” has failed to join “Wonder Woman 1984” and “Tom & Jerry” among the films to earn a $10 million-plus opening weekend during the pandemic, instead earning an estimated $8.6 million opening from 2,045 screens. By comparison, “Tom & Jerry” opened last weekend to $14.1 million, adding $6.6 million this weekend for a 10-day total of just under $23 million. The lower-than-hoped opening for “Raya” comes after Cinemark refused to screen the animated film without renegotiated terms, as it was released in both theaters and as a premium video on-demand release for $30 on Disney+. “Tom & Jerry,” along with the rest of Warner Bros.’ 2021 slate, is being released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max, but Warner Bros. has agreed to give theaters a larger cut of admissions for those films because of the day-and-date release strategy. The lack of availability for “Raya” at some major theater chains also somewhat diminishes the usefulness of this weekend’s box office data in determining audience interest in coming back to theaters as major cities begin to allow theaters to reopen. This weekend, some theaters in New York City reopened for the first time in nearly a year, including 13 locations owned by AMC Theaters, which did screen “Raya.” Other theaters in NYC will open later this month, as they need more time to find staffing and update theaters and concession stands to meet COVID-19 protocols. Those that have opened are required to adhere to a 25% auditorium capacity limit, though industry lobbyists are currently trying to raise that limit for theaters with recliner seats, which already have a very low capacity. Movie theaters in San Francisco have also been given the green light to open with 25% audience capacity, and industry insiders tell TheWrap that there is optimism that Los Angeles theaters will be able to reopen later this month as well. The best-case scenario for theaters is that the COVID-19 vaccination process, combined with continued social distancing, prevents another infection surge from delaying the reopening process, allowing theaters to take advantage of a full summer blockbuster release calendar to rebuild the box office starting with “Black Widow,” which is set to release only in theaters on May 7. While “Raya and the Last Dragon” hasn’t performed as well theatrically compared to other pandemic-era family releases, it is enjoying very strong critical and audience reception with a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and an A on CinemaScore. Overseas, the film grossed $17.6 million — including $8.4 million in China — for a global total of $26.2 million. Disney, like other studios, has not made data on PVOD sales available. More to come… Read original story ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ Flies Low at Box Office With $8.6 Million Opening At TheWrap
England rigidly stuck to their policy during their 3-1 series defeat by India, opting to rest multi-format players at different stages of their tour to help them cope better with the challenges of living in strict bio-secure environments. Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes were among those who missed parts of the series against Sri Lanka and India.
An official from the party of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi died sometime overnight, Saturday to Sunday (March 7) in police custody, according to his associates.The cause of Khin Maung Latt's death was not known, but Reuters saw a photograph of his body with a bloodstained cloth around the head.Police in the region declined to comment.It comes as security forces cracked down on demonstrators staging further widespread protests against last month's coup.Local media and video posted to Facebook said police fired stun grenades and tear gas to break up protesters in Yangon and a sit-in protest by tens of thousands of people in Mandalay, where at least 70 people were arrested.Footage filmed by the Myitkyina News Journal on February 28 showed a nun - which local media identified as Sister Ann Roza, begging police not to fire. She was later photographed on her knees, stopping the police from advancing.The United Nations says security forces have killed more than 50 people in trying to stamp out daily demonstrations and strikes in the Southeast Asian nation, since the military overthrew and detained Suu Kyi at the beginning of February.Figures from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group say well over 1,700 people have been detained under the military junta.An alliance of influential worker unions in Myanmar has now called for an extended nationwide strike starting Monday, with the intention of causing the "full, extended shutdown" of the country's economy in an attempt to end the military coup.
Liverpool slumped to a sixth consecutive home Premier League defeat as they lost 1-0 to relegation-threatened Fulham after a first-half goal by Mario Lemina at Anfield on Sunday. The defeat extends their record run of home losses in a row and marks the first time since the 1953-54 season that they have lost that many games at Anfield in a league campaign. Liverpool stay seventh on 43 points, four points off fourth-placed Chelsea having played a game more.
New York City movie theaters welcomed back customers for the first time in nearly a year this weekend. And yet some high profile new releases still struggled to sell ticket sales, a sign that a box office revival may not be in the cards for a few months. Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon,” a […]
Danish 18-year-old Clara Tauson captured her maiden WTA title in Lyon on Sunday, sweeping from qualifying to the trophy without dropping a set.
Pope Francis celebrated Sunday Mass with Iraqis in Erbil’s Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7 as his historic visit to the country was coming to an end.At least 10,000 people attended the mass, according to Reuters.The Pope was expected to leave for Rome the following day. Credit: Vatican News via Storyful
Irish ace Sam Bennett won stage 1 of Paris-Nice on Sunday timing a late surge to perfection in a mass bunch sprint.
The 31 year-old priest said a feeling of overwhelming joy took a hold of him as he began cheering and swaying before the crowds, who were holding balloons and Vatican City flags amid blaring music.Father Momika is an active member of the church committee organizing festivals and activities for youth in the Christian enclave of Qaraqosh."But this time, it was like a dream come true," he explained, adding that he had never expected the Pope to visit his hometown of Qaraqosh.When Islamic State invaded the area in 2014, many residents fled to neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan, including Father Momika. He returned to Qaraqosh right after it was liberated in 2016 and since then, residents and the church have been painstakingly rebuilding their city, where they were proud to welcome Pope Francis."Since the war, I did not see the people of this town feeling so much joy," he said, adding that several thousands attended mass in Qaraqosh today, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis who said an Angelus in the 'Grand Immaculate' church, Iraq's biggest.
Namibian Deon Hotto put Orlando Pirates on the road to a 3-0 victory at Chippa United this weekend, and second place in the South African Premiership.
Liverpool's season remained in free fall after relegation-threatened Fulham became the latest side to emerge victorious from Anfield with a 1-0 win on Sunday to tighten the battle to beat the drop.
In southwest Paris, mayor Philippe Goujon answered the government's call for a "national mobilisation" to accelerate vaccinations this weekend -- but he wonders why the surge has taken so long.
Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool's stunning collapse is one of the worst spells of his managerial career after Mario Lemina condemned the troubled champions to a shock 1-0 defeat against lowly Fulham on Sunday.