News

Bloomberg News reports: Of all the shortages created by the coronavirus pandemic — the toilet paper and the hand sanitizer and the bottled water — the oddest of them all has to be dogs. Oh, and cats too. That’s right, in the New York city area, the epicenter of the disease, there is suddenly a run on pets. At least …

Politico reports: The Department of Homeland Security has been briefed that New York City’s morgues are nearing capacity, according to a department official and a second person familiar with the situation. Officials were told that morgues in the city are expected to reach capacity next week, per the briefing. A third person familiar with the situation in New York said …

The New York Post reports: The MTA will cut service on subways, buses and commuter rails as it grapples with a spike in coronavirus-related sick calls, officials said Tuesday night. Starting Wednesday, the agency will cut subway service by 25%, working on a modified schedule that concentrates service in the morning and evening peak. The B, W and Z lines …

The New York Times report: The peak of infection in New York could come as soon as two to three weeks, far earlier than previously anticipated, Mr. Cuomo said, which would put even bigger strain on the health care system than officials had feared. “The apex is higher than we thought and the apex is sooner than we thought,” Mr. …

India’s APB New reports: Taking a massive step to prevent further spread of the deadly Coronavirus outbreak in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the entire country will be put under a ‘curfew-like’ lockdown from midnight today. The lockdown will be effective for 21 days, till April 14. Addressing the nation for the second time on …

The New York Daily News reports: Coronavirus stays on surfaces far longer than first thought — with traces found in cabins on the stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship 17 days after they were abandoned, according to alarming new research. The potentially deadly bug was previously understood to live two to three days on some surfaces — but the new report …

The Week reports: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill on Monday abolishing the death penalty. Colorado is the 22nd state to ban capital punishment since it was reinstated by the Supreme Court in 1976. Polis also commuted three death sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole, saying the “commutations of these despicable and guilty individuals …

The Associated Press reports: Chinese authorities are lifting a two-month lockdown of most of coronavirus-hit Hubei province, as domestic cases of the virus continue to subside. People who are cleared will be able to leave the province after midnight Tuesday. China has been using a color-coded system to indicate the health of each citizen: “Red” indicates that a person has …

NBC News reports: An Arizona man has died after ingesting chloroquine phosphate — believing it would protect him from becoming infected with the coronavirus. The man’s wife also ingested the substance and is under critical care. The toxic ingredient they consumed was not the medication form of chloroquine. Instead, it was a parasite treatment for fish. The man’s wife told …

The Associated Press reports: Canada’s most populous province said Monday that non-essential businesses must close for at least 14 days starting at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday in efforts to stem the new coronavirus pandemic. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he will release the list of businesses that will be allowed to stay open, but food will remain on the grocery store …

The Associated Press reports: The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states can prevent criminal defendants from pleading insanity without violating their constitutional rights. The decision could prompt states across the country to toughen standards for defendants who wish to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. The justices’ 6-3 decision came in a case from Kansas, where James Kraig Kahler …

The Daily Beast reports: Pacific Gas & Electric will plead guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter charges for its role in starting the deadly Camp Fire in California two years ago, The Wall Street Journal reports. The Camp Fire, which claimed the lives of 85 people, was the most destructive and deadly wildfire in state history. An indictment in Butte County …

The Associated Press reports: Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo said Sunday that he’s infected with the coronavirus. The 79-year-old Domingo said in a post on his personal Facebook account Sunday that “I feel it is my moral duty to announce to you that I have tested positive.” Domingo, one of the world’s top opera stars, has recently been accused by …

ABC News reports: At least 38 people have tested positive for coronavirus in New York City jails, including at the notorious Rikers Island jail complex, the board that oversees the city’s jail system said Saturday. In a letter to criminal justice leaders, Board of Correction interim chairwoman Jacqueline Sherman wrote that at least 58 other people were currently being monitored …

The New York Post reports: In a sign of these strange times, the city Health Department has issued a stunningly blunt memo on how to stay clean while doing the dirty during the global coronavirus pandemic. First and foremost on its two-page list of tips: sex is safest with oneself. “Masturbation will not spread COVID-19, especially if you wash your …

Variety reports: Vocalist Kenny Rogers, who dominated the pop and country charts in the 1970s and 1980s with a string of sleekly tailored hits and won three Grammys, has died. He was 81. Rogers “passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family,” a representative for the singer said in a …

ABC New York reports: New York City topped 5,000 positive cases of COVID-19 as a surge in new infections coincided with an increase in testing and rising concerns that medical supplies are running out. The cases are increasing as testing begins to ramp up – an increase that Mayor Bill de Blasio likened to an “explosion.” He also warned that …

The New York Post reports: It began one week ago. First came the social media posts, the rich showing off their fleets of SUVs — three to a family sometimes — with fresh and canned food bought in the city, announcing they were headed to their second homes out east, where they immediately ravaged every supermarket and stripped the shelves …

The New York Post reports: New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton [photo] has tested positive for coronavirus, Payton told ESPN. Payton is the first known person within the NFL to test positive for the virus. The 56-year-old received the result Thursday after taking the exam Monday. He’s experiencing fatigue at home but doesn’t have a fever or cough. Payton, …

The New York Times reports: China on Thursday reported no new local infections for the first time since the coronavirus crisis began three months ago, reaching a milestone in its battle with the deadly outbreak that has upended daily life and economic activity around the world. As governments in Italy, the United States and elsewhere grapple with the pandemic, China …