China focus on jobs, fighting virus as layoffs sweep globe

BEIJING (AP) — China doubled down Friday on efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic and create jobs as the number of people thrown out of work soars worldwide. The help for the world’s No. 2 economy, the main driver of world growth in recent years, followed news that nearly 39 million Americans have lost their jobs since the crisis accelerated two months ago. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the top economic leader, said Friday that Beijing would…