Thai leader asks billionaires for help solving virus crisis

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s leader says he will appeal directly to the country’s 20 wealthiest people for assistance in overcoming the coronavirus crisis.

Russia's Putin orders month of non-work to curb coronavirus

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered most Russians to stay off work until the end of the month as part of a partial industrial shutdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Germany moves to make it easier to block foreign takeovers

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved legislation that will make it easier for authorities to prevent foreign takeovers of strategically important companies.

Survey: US manufacturing slides in March

WASHINGTON (AP) — American manufacturing slid last month for the first time since December, dragged down by economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.

Germany moves to make it easier to block foreign takeovers

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved legislation that will make it easier for authorities to prevent foreign takeovers of strategically important companies.

Idahoans file 30,904 more initial claims for unemployment insurance

BOISE – Idaho workers laid off due to the coronavirus filed 30,904 initial claims for unemployment insurance between March 29 and April 4, a decrease of 6.2 percent from the previous week’s record level of 32,941.

The Latest: Travel industry shares plummet on Trump ban

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the action in the financial markets (all times local):

Thai leader asks billionaires for help solving virus crisis

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s leader says he will appeal directly to the country’s 20 wealthiest people for assistance in overcoming the coronavirus crisis.

Attackers lob explosive at Lebanon bank amid currency crisis

BEIRUT (AP) — Unknown assailants lobbed an explosive device at a private bank branch in southern Lebanon on Saturday, damaging its facade and roof, the country's state news agency reported.

DOE awards grant to Sagle project

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded a hydropower grant to a Sagle project called Drops for Watts. The grant was awarded Wednesday as part of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.

Sila appoints plant manager for Moses Lake facility

MOSES LAKE – Sila Nanotechnologies announced Wednesday it has appointed Rosendo Alvarado as the company’s plant manager for its first mass-scale production facility in Moses Lake. Alvarado, a Moses Lake native with over 30 years of industry experience, transitions from his role as head of operations at Sila...

US stocks edge lower ahead of company earnings updates

Stocks edged lower in uncertain trading on Wall Street ahead of key updates this week on inflation and company earnings.

Internet neutrality is good for business

One of my favorite concepts in managing both business and government agencies is: All progress requires change, but not all change is progress.

Thaden new director for Lake County Community Development

Jim Thaden brings many years of experience in economic development and nonprofit management to his new position as Executive Director of the Lake County Community Development Corporation.

LETTER: Global warming will have huge impact on Montana's economy, outdoor heritage

Our climate is changing and global temperatures are soaring. NASA climate data shows that January 2016 was the hottest month ever recorded — until February broke January’s record.

Jobless rate inches upward in Flathead Co.

Flathead County’s unemployment rate posted at 6.7 percent in January, increasing from 5.9 percent in December, the state Department of Labor and Industry said Monday.

Tester will hear plowing proposals

Supports expanding Medicaid

There really is no shame when it comes to the hate Obama group. The hypocrisy is astounding. Millions of people with pre-existing medical problems, including many in the hate Obama group, are now covered by affordable health insurance under the Affordable Health Care Act.

Fern says he offers an attainable, pragmatic approach to governance

The election for House District 5 allows voters to choose between contrasting platforms. My opponent, Chet Billi, has run an enthusiastic, positive campaign. I applaud his efforts and statesmanship but I believe his platform to be a framework leading to a dystopian society. Contrasting views which I oppose include:

Questions raised by pledge

Contemplating running again for the Montana House of Representatives, on Nov. 29, I wrote a letter to Grover Nordquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. In this letter I wrote: