QUICK HITS

1

Cartoonist dies: Albert Uderzo, one of the two creators of the beloved comic book character Asterix, who captured the spirit of the Gauls of yore and grew a reputation worldwide, died. He was 92. The French press quoted family members as saying that Uderzo died of a heart attack in the Paris suburb of Neuilly.

2

Positive test: Two workers at SpaceX’s Hawthorne, Calif., rocket factory have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to an industry official familiar with the matter. Because of the positive test results, the company sent some of its workers home to quarantine and watch for symptoms of the virus, according to CNBC.

3

German bailout: Germany took a step toward declaring a state of emergency to unlock a historic rescue package aimed at cushioning the blow of the coronavirus pandemic. Finance Minister Olaf Scholz urged lawmakers to set aside constitutional debt limits to combat a crisis that threatens modern life. New borrowing of $169 billion, equivalent to half of the country’s normal annual spending, will be used to fund social benefits and direct aid to virus-hit companies.

4

South Korea suspect: South Korean police took the rare step of identifying and parading the suspected leader of a sexual blackmail ring in front of the press and protesters Wednesday.

5

Putin delays vote: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday postponed a nationwide vote on proposed constitutional amendments that include a change that would allow him to seek another term in power. Putin didn’t set a new date for the plebiscite originally set for April 22, saying it would depend on how the new coronavirus pandemic develops.