U.S. may put troops on commercial ships to stop Iran seizures
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. military is considering putting armed personnel on commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, in what would be an unheard of action aimed at stopping Iran from seizing and harassing civilian vessels, American officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Flooding in China worsens as rescues continue
BEIJING — Heavy rain and high water levels on rivers in northeastern China were threatening cities downstream on Friday, prompting the evacuation of thousands, although the country appears to have averted the worst effects of the typhoon season battering parts of east Asia.
Beirut port blast probe blocked by intrigue
BEIRUT — Three years after Beirut’s massive port blast, attempts to prosecute those responsible are mired in political intrigue, the final death toll remains disputed and many Lebanese have less faith than ever in their disintegrating state institutions.
Okinawa warned as Typhoon Khanun starts its U-turn east
TOKYO — Residents of Japan’s southwestern islands were warned of high winds and rain through the weekend once a nearly stationary Typhoon Khanun starts moving back east later Friday.
New Zealand to boost its defense capabilities
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand said Friday it plans to boost its defense capabilities as tensions rise in the Pacific, due in part to a military buildup by China.
Court make medication abortions harder to get in Guam
People seeking medication abortions on the U.S. Territory of Guam must first have an in-person consultation with a doctor, a federal appeals court says, even though the nearest physician willing to prescribe the medication is 3,800 miles (6,100 kilometers) — an 8-hour flight — away.
Fire and Tahitian dance at Heiva on Aug. 5
KAPA‘A — When the sun sets on the first day of Heiva I Kaua‘i Tahitian dance and drumming competition, the gates will reopen for Po Afi Kaua‘i Samoan Fireknife Competition starting at 6 p.m. at Kapa‘a Beach Park on Saturday.
Expedition to explore nearby ancient seamounts underway
They may not be 20,000 leagues under the sea, but the waters surrounding Johnston Atoll are full of mystery all the same.
Bonjolea II takes the whole shot
NAWILIWILI HARBOR — Bonjolea II broke the one-hour mark in elapsed time in winning the final race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Shoreline Wahine Series at Nawiliwili Harbor on Thursday, July 27.
June home sales highest of year on Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E — Single-family home sales on Kaua‘i hit the highest level of the year in June, marking a rare bright spot for a housing market struggling to rightsize itself in the post-pandemic era.
Rough six months for housing market
LIHU‘E — Sales of single-family homes on Kaua‘i plunged 49 percent in the first six months of the year, marking the largest percentage decrease of the four major Hawaiian Islands.
Obituaries for Thursday, August 3, 2023
• Keith Suga • Doreen Reiko Koerte
Trump to face judge in D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Donald Trump is due in federal court Thursday to answer to charges that he sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election, facing a judge just blocks from the U.S. Capitol that his supporters stormed to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
Progress made against massive Cal-Nev wildfire
MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, Calif. — Firefighters aided by rain fought to contain a massive blaze that swept through the California desert into Nevada and is threatening the region’s famous spiky Joshua trees.
California waves get bigger as Earth warms, research finds
SAN DIEGO — Waves are getting bigger and surf at least 13 feet (about 4 meters) tall is becoming more common off California’s coast as the planet warms, according to innovative new research that tracked the increasing height from historical data gathered over the past 90 years.
Pence is a central figure in his former boss’s indictment
NEW YORK — Mike Pence fought the Department of Justice in court to try to avoid testifying against his former boss. But the former vice president plays a central role in a new federal indictment unsealed Tuesday that outlines the first criminal charges against Donald Trump connected to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Prosecutors may be aiming for quick Trump trial
WASHINGTON, D.C. — By not naming or charging six alleged co-conspirators in the indictment this week of former President Donald Trump, federal prosecutors may be signaling their desire to expeditiously put the Republican presidential front-runner on trial for seeking to overturn the 2020 election.
Russian drone strikes hit a Ukrainian port on Romania’s border
KYIV, Ukraine — Russian drones on Wednesday hit a Ukrainian port city along the border with Romania, causing significant damage and a huge fire at facilities that are key to Ukrainian grain exports.
Pope Francis blasts ‘scandal’ of clergy sex abuse in Portugal
LISBON, Portugal — Pope Francis met with survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Portugal on Wednesday and blasted members of the country’s Catholic hierarchy for their response to the long-ignored scandal, which he said had marred the Catholic Church and helped drive the faithful away.
Typhoon Khanun forecast to turn back to Japanese islands
TOKYO — The typhoon that damaged homes and knocked out power on Okinawa and other Japanese islands this week was slowly moving west Thursday but is forecast to make a U-turn and dump even more rain on the archipelago.
Beijing records heaviest rainfall in at least 140 years
ZHUOZHOU, China — China’s capital recorded its heaviest rainfall in at least 140 years over the past few days as remnants of Typhoon Doksuri deluged the region, turning streets into canals where emergency crews used rubber boats to rescue stranded residents.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard runs drill on disputed islands
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched a surprise military drill Wednesday on disputed islands in the Persian Gulf, just as the U.S. military increase its presence in the region over recent ship seizures by Tehran.
Big Island man dies after being mauled by 4 large dogs
HILO — A 71-year-old man has died after being mauled by four dogs on Hawaii’s Big Island, police said.
Waimea middle school principal removed from position
WAIMEA — The principal of Waimea Canyon Middle School has been removed from her position in the midst of increasing complaints from parents, teachers and students.
‘Heathers The Musical’ opens Thursday at Puhi Theatrical Warehouse
PUHI — Veronica, a high school senior, stands up to bullying by the football team’s quarterback against her best friend.