VIRUS TODAY: Black Friday shoppers stay home

Here's what's happening Friday with the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.:

Appeals court rejects Trump challenge of Pennsylvania race

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Donald Trump’s legal team suffered

Temporary US Pentagon chief makes rare visit to Somalia

The Pentagon's acting defense secretary has made a rare visit to Somalia, a conflict-plagued nation in the Horn of Africa where American forces have been assisting in the fight against al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabab.

Bombing at ice cream shop in Somali capital kills at least 7

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A local official says a suicide bombing at an ice cream shop in Somalia’s capital has killed at least seven people, and the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group has claimed responsibi…

Former House Republican flips central California seat

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Republicans have picked up their 11th seat overall in the U.S. House and the third seat in California, as Republican David Valadao reclaimed the seat he lost in the farm belt two years ago.

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Colorado: National Popular Vote (Join Interstate Compact)

Small Business Struggles-Advisory

Small businesses around the world are in trouble. Whether they survive will affect not just economies but the fabric of communities as well. AP’s Small Business Struggles is examining how the pandemic is impacting …

Two protesters dead as supporters of Iraqi cleric rally

BAGHDAD (AP) — Confrontations between demonstrators and followers of a firebrand cleric left two protesters dead in southern Iraq on Friday, officials said, as thousands also took to Baghdad's streets in a show of …

New rule could allow gas, firing squads for US executions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is quietly amending its execution protocols, no longer requiring federal death sentences to be carried out by lethal injection and clearing the way to use other methods like…

Stocks rise on Wall Street as S&P 500 hits at record high

NEW YORK (AP) — The S&P 500 is closing a shortened session at a record high Friday as investors continue to look forward to the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and relief for the economy. The benchmark index ros…

US appeals court rejects Trump appeal over Pennsylvania race

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Donald Trump’s legal team suffered yet another defeat in court Friday as a federal appeals court in Philadelphia roundly rejected its latest effort to challenge the state’s election re…

Belarus president plans to leave job under new constitution

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The president of Belarus said Friday that he would not remain in the post he has held for more than 26 years if his country adopts a new constitution.

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3 funeral workers fired over Maradona coffin photos

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Three funeral workers have been fired for posing for photos alongside the body of soccer star Diego Maradona shortly before his funeral.

Trump may be coming to terms with loss he won't acknowledge

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump still won't bring himself to concede