McCarthy’s race for speaker risks upending House on Day One
WASHINGTON — In his quest to rise to House speaker, Kevin McCarthy is charging straight into history — potentially becoming the first nominee in 100 years unable to win the job on a first-round floor vote.
2022 is deadliest year on record for Mexican journalists
MEXICO CITY — The deadliest year in at least three decades for Mexican journalists and media workers is nearing a close, with 15 slayings — a perilous situation underlined by a brazen near-miss attack this week on one of the country’s most prominent journalists.
Garland moves to end disparities in crack cocaine sentencing
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Merrick Garland has taken action to end sentencing disparities that have imposed harsher penalties for different forms of cocaine and worsened racial inequity in the U.S. justice system.
Volcano Watch: Did Big Island’s volcanoes get your attention recently? Keep up your volcano awareness next month
This January, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will partner with the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Service, and the County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency to deliver a range of talks and walks to help you maintain your volcano awareness.
Cartoon for December 18
The Big Island as seen by Hawaii Tribune-Herald cartoonist Gary Hoff.
Congress can’t waste this immigration opportunity
For all the acrimony surrounding immigration politics, a majority of Americans have long supported two goals: giving undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children a pathway to legal status, and securing the country’s southern border. With only days remaining in the current Congress, lawmakers have an opportunity to deliver major breakthroughs on both priorities.
Your Views for December 18
Not transparent
Irwin: Joy and hope for the future
One of my favorite Christmas carols has always been “Do You Hear What I Hear?” The beautiful melody and hopeful ending inspire reflection and hope for a better world. Commencement ceremonies inspire much of the same thinking in me.
Inside the ugly fight to become the next Republican chair
NEW YORK — Struggling to unify after another disappointing election, the Republican National Committee is consumed by an increasingly nasty leadership fight as the GOP navigates its delicate relationship with former President Donald Trump.
US court rejects maintaining COVID-19 asylum restrictions
REYNOSA, Mexico — An appeals court on Friday rejected efforts by conservative states to maintain Trump-era asylum restrictions on immigrants seeking asylum.
Some sharks return to the same sites to breed for decades
Some species of shark return to the same breeding grounds for decades at a time, and live longer than previously thought, scientists studying the animals off Florida say.
Brittney Griner says she’ll play basketball in Arizona again
Brittney Griner said she’s “grateful” to be back in the United States and plans on playing basketball again next season for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. Her comments came a week after she was released from a Russian prison, freed in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange.
Guam Legislature passes abortion ban; governor veto expected
HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — Guam’s Legislature on Friday passed a bill prohibiting most abortions, a measure modeled after a new Texas law that leaves enforcement up to private citizen lawsuits instead of criminal prosecution.
Huge Berlin aquarium bursts, unleashing flood of devastation
BERLIN — A huge aquarium in Berlin burst, spilling debris, water and hundreds of tropical fish out of the AquaDom tourist attraction in the heart of the German capital early Friday.
QAnon follower who chased officer on Jan. 6 gets 5 years
WASHINGTON — An Iowa construction worker and QAnon follower was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, when he led a crowd chasing a police officer who diverted rioters away from lawmakers. As he handed down the sentence, Judge Timothy Kelly said he wasn’t sure Jensen understood the seriousness of a violent attack in which he played a “big role.”
Let’s get more safe, sustainable seafood
There’s a culinary revolution happening in the United States. Americans expect their meals to be delicious, but also sustainable and local. They’re turning to seafood options as a nutritious and environmentally friendly source of protein. While restaurants and markets that can meet this demand are reaping the benefits, more supply is needed.
Rising hospital costs increase health care inequities for marginalized communities
Across the state, California’s hospitals are facing serious challenges — particularly those institutions serving our urban, low-income and marginalized communities. Metropolitan anchor hospitals, as they have come to be known, play a vital role in advancing health equity and are disproportionately affected by the problems facing the entire health care system.
China is pushing a pacifist Japan into building up its military capabilities
Japan isn’t known for being an aggressive country. Successive Japanese governments have taken pains to emphasize their peacelike nature, a consequence of Tokyo finding itself on the losing side of the most horrific war of the 20th century. Japan’s constitution renounces the use of force as a “means of settling international disputes,” and at $54 billion as of last year, its defense budget is extremely modest compared with its $4.9 trillion economy.
Messi, Mbappe, other leading storylines for World Cup Final
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi’s last chance. Kylian Mbappé’s shot at emulating Pelé. A third World Cup title for either Argentina or France.
Don’t look now but it’s bowl season! 42 picks for them all
The bowl season is now three years removed from the last time every postseason game was played.
Broncos rule out Russell Wilson for Cardinals game Sunday
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson cleared concussion protocol, but will be held out of the Denver’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, coach Nanthaniel Hackett said Friday.
Drivers are stuck in limbo as world’s oil supply reshuffles
NEW YORK (AP) — At a gas station outside New York City, retired probation officer Karen Stowe was faced with a pump price she didn’t want to pay. She bought groceries from the convenience store instead, planning to buy cheaper gas elsewhere.
Easter Island rebounds from wildfire that singed its statues
RAPA NUI, Chile (AP) — Embedded in grass and volcanic rock, almost 400 moai – the monolithic human figures carved centuries ago by this remote Pacific island’s Rapanui people — remained untouched until recently. Some are buried from the neck down, the heads seemingly observing their surroundings from the underground.
Russia launches another major missile attack on Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s capital came under one of the biggest attacks of the war on Friday as Russia’s invading forces fired dozens of missiles across the country, triggering widespread emergency power outages, Ukrainian officials said.
Caribbean divided as Netherlands mulls slavery apology
PARAMARIBO, Suriname — Dutch colonizers kidnapped men, women and children and enslaved them on plantations growing sugar, coffee and other goods that built wealth at the price of misery.
