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January retail sales surge 3.8% as consumers defy inflation 02/16/2022 11:48am • NEW YORK (AP) — Fueled by pay gains, solid hiring and enhanced savings, Americans sharply ramped up their spending at retail stores last month in a sign that many consumers remain unfazed by rising inflation. Retail sales jumped 3.8% from December to January, the Commerce Department said Wednesda Swiss lift most COVID-19 restrictions as infections decline 02/16/2022 10:45am • GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland on Wednesday became the latest European country to ease coronavirus restrictions, including ending health checks for incoming travelers and the need to have COVID-19 passes to enter many public venues. The Federal Council, the seven-member Swiss executive branch, said as ATHLETES ON: Best things they've eaten in the Olympic bubble 02/16/2022 10:12am • BEIJING (AP) — Avocado ice cream and Chinese hot pot are some of the best foods athletes say they've eaten at the Beijing Olympics. Some were also eyeing the KFC — but holding until after competition to indulge. Despite the varied menu at the Olympic Village, the options for athletes are radica Xi urges Hong Kong to get control as COVID-19 cases surge 02/16/2022 10:06am • HONG KONG (AP) — Coronavirus patients lay in hospital beds or open-air tens amid record numbers of infections as Hong Kong doggedly adheres to its “zero-COVID” strategy, and China's leader Xi Jinping said the local government's “overriding task” was to control the situation. Hong Kong is f Slovakia plans to gradually ease most virus restrictions 02/16/2022 09:28am • BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia is planning to gradually ease most coronavirus restrictions as hospitals appear to be coping despite a current record surge of infections caused by the highly transmittable omicron variant. Prime Minister Eduard Heger said on Wednesday that people will have acc Turkey's foreign minister tests positive for COVID-19 02/16/2022 09:02am • ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister announced Wednesday that he tested positive for the coronavirus. Mevlut Cavusoglu, 54, said on Twitter that his symptoms were mild and that he planned to continue to work from home. The announcement came a day after Cavusoglu returned from the Unit US skater Vincent Zhou out of weeklong COVID-19 quarantine 02/16/2022 04:38am • BEIJING (AP) — American figure skater Vincent Zhou is out of quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 at the Beijing Games, and he plans to perform in the exhibition gala that traditionally closes the Olympic program on Sunday. Zhou had just helped the U.S. win team silver on Feb. 7 when he ATHLETES ON: Killing time when not competing 02/16/2022 01:48am • BEIJING (AP) — Football, video games and dress-up are some of the ways athletes at the Beijing Olympics are keeping busy when they're not competing. As part of the strict COVID-19 protocols, athletes and others at the Games can only move between select sites, Keeping them in that “bubble” is s AP sources: White House seeks another $30B for COVID battle 02/16/2022 12:09am • WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is telling Congress that it needs an additional $30 billion to press ahead with the fight against COVID-19, officials said. Two people familiar with the administration’s plan confirmed key details on Tuesday: $17.9 billion for vaccines and treatments, $ AP Top U.S. News at 11:51 p.m. EST 02/16/2022 12:00am • More virus rules fall as CDC hints at better times ahead Officer charged in Floyd killing says he deferred to Chauvin Amir Locke to be eulogized at Minneapolis service EXPLAINER: Why are thousands of baptisms deemed invalid? DA: San Francisco police used rape kit DNA to arrest victim Online harassme Montgomery Co. libraries to resume Sunday hours 02/15/2022 11:57pm • Book lovers in Montgomery County, Maryland — rejoice! Montgomery County Public Libraries will resume its Sunday operating hours starting on Feb. 27. "Our library system and employees have been an invaluable asset to our COVID response and recovery efforts over the last two years," Montgomery After Coach K's exit, No. 9 Duke edges Wake Forest 76-74 02/15/2022 10:57pm • DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Seemingly little went to plan for ninth-ranked Duke after halftime Tuesday, from being without its retiring Hall of Fame coach to blowing a huge lead in its famously rowdy arena. The Blue Devils responded with composure to win anyway, led by their 34-year-old coach-in-waiting o Companies revert to more normal operations as COVID wanes 02/15/2022 09:10pm • NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time in two years for many people, the American workplace is transforming into something that resembles pre-pandemic days. Tyson Foods said Tuesday it was ending mask requirements for its vaccinated workers in some facilities. Walmart and Amazon — the nation’s No Airbnb posts $55 million 4Q profit, revenue above 2019 02/15/2022 07:06pm • Airbnb reported a $55 million profit for the fourth quarter, reversing a huge loss a year earlier, as its revenue soared above pre-pandemic levels. The San Francisco-based short-term-stay company said bookings surged in small and towns and rural areas, and improved even in urban areas, which were hi 7 Signs Your N95 Mask Is Fake 02/15/2022 07:00pm • Not all masks are created equal.Since the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020, Americans have become well acquainted with public health advisories that encourage washing your hands, practicing physical distancing and wearing a mask in public.While a simple, reusable cotton mask offers some protec