Bangladesh economy shows early signs of pandemic recovery

DHAKA,Bangladesh (AP) — A rebound in garment orders after demand crashed during spring shutdowns is helping to revive the Bangladesh economy.

Powell and Mnuchin voice optimism but back more economic aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressed cautious optimism Tuesday that the U.S. economy is rebounding from the pandemic-induced recession with federal support but that more help from the government is likely needed.

US eyes building nuclear power plants for moon and Mars

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. wants to build nuclear power plants that will work on the moon and Mars, and on Friday put out a request for ideas from the private sector on how to do that.

US eyes building nuclear power plants for moon and Mars

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. wants to build nuclear power plants that will work on the moon and Mars, and on Friday put out a request for ideas from the private sector on how to do that.

US eyes building nuclear power plants for moon and Mars

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. wants to build nuclear power plants that will work on the moon and Mars, and on Friday put out a request for ideas from the private sector on how to do that.

US eyes building nuclear power plants for moon and Mars

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. wants to build nuclear power plants that will work on the moon and Mars, and on Friday put out a request for ideas from the private sector on how to do that.

Mexican president's dislike of oversight sparks resignations

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s campaign against external oversight agencies reached a new level Friday with the resignation of the head of the federal anti-discrimination comission and the president's vow to abolish dozens of such offices.

Stocks climb on Wall Street after Europe agrees on virus aid

Energy companies and banks are leading stocks broadly higher on Wall Street in morning trading Tuesday, extending the market's recent run of gains.

Our response to COVID-19

After this historic COVID – 19 pandemic recedes into history, and it will, what will America and especially Montana learn from it? What will the people of Montana and America expect when the next pandemic arrives? The answers to these questions must be answered correctly or else the damage done to us all will take decades from which to recover. Regardless of one’s political spectrum, the response to COVID-19 has been flawed. In today’s environment, everything takes on political aspects, and consequently, people support views complementing their politics. Whether our governments over-reacted or did not take the virus seriously enough is yet to be determined. The loss of life has been a tragedy, and everyone agrees that some of them were unnecessary. And it is indisputable that the damage to America; economically, psychologically, emotionally, and environmentally has been extensive. But every disaster provides a learning opportunity, and COVID-19 provides us the chance to enhance those things that worked and correct those that did not before the next pandemic which may be even more destructive.

UK firms slash jobs to cope with outbreak's long term impact

LONDON (AP) — Companies linked to hospitality, travel and retail in Britain have announced thousands of more job cuts as the longer term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic take hold, choosing to slim down for survival rather than await potential government handouts.

Inmates did not take jobs from pickers

ROYAL CITY - Inmates who have picked apples at McDougall & Sons orchards near Royal City and Quincy did not take the place of private sector harvesters, Danielle Wiles of the State Department of Corrections said Friday.

Jobs for college grads growing at a snail's pace

Just as thousands of college graduates are walking across the stage to receive their diplomas, the U.S. Department of Labor announced frail May jobs figures.

Water smart or dumb people?

Reader talks PUD rates

Are you concerned about the 8 percent PUD rate increase? Well get used to it because Grant PUD has promised the bond rating agencies (Moody's, Fitch and S&P) an 8 percent rate increase per year up to and including 2015 in return for the Aa3 bond rating from Moody's and Fitch's AA bond rating. This will be 5 years of 8 percent rate increases in a row. Part the rate increases are to build PUD cash reserves to over 200 million dollars to humor the rating agencies. The rating agencies do have some legitimate concerns about Grant PUD. One of Moody's concerns is : "concentration of retail sales to industrial customers. A plant owned by Renewable Energy Corporation (REC, NR) is one of district's top industrial customers and this exposure remains a growing concern given severe stress in the solar panel manufacturing sector and REC's declining financial performance. " Aside from the risk REC poses, this concentration of industrial customers is in part causing upward pressure on rates. As of 2011, the industrial customers in Grant County were consuming 46 percent of the retail power but contributing only 40 percent of the revenue. The other rate classes consuming 54 percent of the power and contributing 60 percent of the revenue. It appears the other classes are subsidizing the industrial customers. When you look at the rate the average homeowner is paying, (about 4.8 cents per KWH basic rate included) as opposed to the industrial Class, ( about 3 cents per KWH plus demand) you can see the industrials are being subsidized. Compare this with Chelan's residential rate of 3.2 cents per KWH and Douglas's residential rate of 2.8 cents per KWH, basic rates included. Chelan and Douglas PUD's have protected their residential ratepayers by basing industrial rates on market price and limiting industrial power consumption respectively. The Commissioners should be protecting our ratepayers but they're not.

Hamas extends Gaza lockdown for 72 hours as virus spreads

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza’s Hamas rulers on Wednesday extended a full lockdown in the Palestinian enclave for three more days as coronavirus cases climbed following the detection this week of the first community transmissions of the virus in the densely populated, blockaded territory.

7 killed in Mexico's most violent state despite capo arrest

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hopes that the recent arrest of a Mexican gang leader could calm the country’s most violent state appeared dashed Saturday as the bullet-ridden bodies of seven men were found in a field and a rival drug cartel announced it was moving in.

7 killed in Mexico's most violent state despite capo arrest

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hopes that the recent arrest of a Mexican gang leader could calm the country’s most violent state appeared dashed Saturday as the bullet-ridden bodies of seven men were found in a field and a rival drug cartel announced it was moving in.

Lebanon begins partial lockdown amid spike in virus cases

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon on Friday began a two-week partial lockdown and nighttime curfew after coronavirus cases increased sharply following an explosion in Beirut that killed and injured thousands of people.

July jobless rate, payrolls rise as Pennsylvania seeks aid

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rose in July to remain well above the national rate, even as payrolls rebounded for another month from pandemic-driven shutdowns, the state reported Friday.

Gov. Hogan announces steps to speed up Maryland vaccinations

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced steps on Tuesday to speed up vaccinations against COVID-19 to “get more shots into more arms.”