The Latest: UN chief urges G20 to unite on coronavirus fight

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. chief says it’s “very frustrating” that leaders of the 20 major industrialized nations didn’t come together in March and establish a coordinated response to grapple with the coronavirus in all countries as he proposed. The result, he says, is every...

Europe faces more curfews, restrictions as virus cases swell

ROME (AP) — Curfews were largely expanded Thursday across France, which registered some 41.600 new confirmed virus cases to approach a total of 1 million, while similar overnight restrictions were slapped on Italy's three biggest cities — Rome, Naples and Milan — as rapidly rising caseloads...

The Latest: Sri Lanka orders more curfews over virus cluster

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Authorities in Sri Lanka have closed the country’s main fish market and widened the curfew in many parts of the island nation following a surge of coronavirus infections related to a new cluster centered on a garment factory. The government imposed a curfew Thursday in parts of...

Francis becomes 1st pope to endorse same-sex civil unions

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis became the first pontiff to endorse same-sex civil unions in comments for a documentary that premiered Wednesday, sparking cheers from gay Catholics and demands for clarification from conservatives, given the Vatican’s official teaching on the issue. The papal thumbs-up came...

Pope reverts to mask-less old ways amid growing criticism

ROME (AP) — A day after donning a face mask for the first time during a liturgical service, Pope Francis was back to his mask-less old ways Wednesday despite surging coronavirus infections across Europe and growing criticism of his behavior and the example he is setting. Francis shunned a face mask again...

Pope endorses same-sex civil unions for first time in documentary “Francesco,” premiering at Rome Film Festival.

The Latest: Imported workers test positive in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Eighteen fishing crewmen who last week flew to New Zealand from Moscow have tested positive for the coronavirus, underscoring the difficulty New Zealand faces in trying to import needed workers while remaining virtually virus free. A total of 235 crew from Russia and Ukraine were...

The Latest: UEFA cancels men's soccer under-19 Euros

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ UEFA has called off the under-19 European Championship in men’s soccer that was twice postponed and pushed into 2021. Europe's governing soccer body says the cancellation in Northern Ireland is “due to the current...

Masked pope, faith leaders pray for peace and pandemic's end

ROME (AP) — A masked Pope Francis welcomed religious leaders to a socially-distanced interfaith peace prayer Tuesday, appealing for a unified international effort to work for peace and an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu leaders stood for a minute of...

Another rider positive as Giro heads toward uncertain finish

UDINE, Italy (AP) — Colombian sprinter Fernando Gaviria became the latest cyclist to test positive for the coronavirus and be withdrawn from the Giro d’Italia on Tuesday as the race heads toward an uncertain conclusion this weekend. A staff member for Team AG2R La Mondiale was the only other...