World News

NEW YORK — The cast of “To Kill a Mockingbird” ditched its sombre Broadway home Wednesday for the cavernous Madison Square Garden, performing the play for 18,000 school kids in an electric one-time-only performance that one actor called “primal.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.1% in the final quarter of last year, but damage from the spreading coronavirus is likely depressing growth in the current quarter and for the rest of the year.

“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is joining U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a public service announcement aimed at getting New Yorkers of all backgrounds, including immigrants, to participate in the once-a-decade head count.

PARIS — Chloe teemed with sparkling detailing at Paris Fashion Week Thursday.

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked all elementary, middle and high schools nationwide on Thursday to close until late March to help control the spread of the new virus in the country. The request caught many local officials by surprise.

WASHINGTON — Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods dipped in January, pulled down by decreased demand for cars, auto parts and military aircraft. The Commerce Department said Thursday that orders for durable goods slipped 0.

TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia has a new government at last, after four months of arguing among rival parties in the young North African democracy.

SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of — The South Korean and U.S.

MILWAUKEE — An employee opened fire Wednesday at one of the nation's largest breweries in Milwaukee, killing five fellow workers before taking his own life, police said.

CAIRO — Rival Libyan politicians met on Wednesday for U.N.-sponsored political talks in Geneva aimed at ending the latest round of fighting over the country's capital, Tripoli.