The Latest: Pandemic straining hospitals in northern Idaho

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Health officials in Idaho say people with COVID-19 in the northern part of the state soon may have to be sent for treatment in Seattle or Portland, Oregon, because the region’s hospitals are nearing capacity. Kootenai Health said in a statement Wednesday that its hospital is...

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Italy (AP) — Colombian sprinter Fernando Gaviria became the latest cyclist to test positive for the coronavirus and be withdrawn from the Giro d’Italia on Tuesday as the race heads toward an uncertain conclusion this weekend.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...

Italy probes why women's names mark aborted fetuses' graves

ROME (AP) — Italian prosecutors and the government’s privacy watchdog are investigating how the names of women who miscarried or had abortions ended up on crosses over graves for the fetuses in a Rome cemetery. Rights groups have denounced the grave markings as a gross violation of the...

The Latest: Ireland sets new virus restrictions for 6 weeks

LONDON — Ireland’s government is putting the country at its highest level of coronavirus restrictions for six weeks in a bid to combat a rise in infections. Premier Micheal Martin said Monday the measures take effect at midnight Wednesday and run until Dec. 1. People are being asked to stay at home,...