Strong job growth points to COVID’s fading grip on economy
WASHINGTON — In a buoyant sign for the U.S. economy, businesses stepped up their hiring last month as omicron faded and more Americans ventured out to spend at restaurants, shops and hotels despite surging inflation.
Will this T-shirt one day power your cellphone? UCSD researchers think so
Call it the electric T-shirt. Or, as the researchers at the University of California San Diego have dubbed it, the “wearable microgrid.”
Business news at a glance
Biden finalizes increase in Buy American requirement
Biden finalizes increase in Buy American requirement to 75% by 2029
WASHINGTON — It will soon take more U.S.-made parts to label something “Made in America,” under final rules to be released by the Biden administration Friday.
Russian war in world’s ‘breadbasket’ threatens food supply
BARCELONA, Spain — The Russian tanks and missiles besieging Ukraine also are threatening the food supply and livelihoods of people in Europe, Africa and Asia who rely on the vast, fertile farmlands of the Black Sea region — known as the “breadbasket of the world.”
Gas tops $4 per gallon average nationwide, 1st time since 2008
NEW YORK — The price of regular gasoline broke $4 per gallon on average across the U.S. on Sunday for the first time since 2008.
Death toll nears 6 million as pandemic enters its 3rd year
BANGKOK — The official global death toll from COVID-19 is on the verge of eclipsing 6 million — underscoring that the pandemic, now in its third year, is far from over.
Ukraine says Russia steps up shelling of residential areas
LVIV, Ukraine — Russian forces intensified shelling of cities in Ukraine’s center, north and south, a Ukrainian official said, upending attempts to evacuate besieged civilians. With the Ukrainian leader urging his people to fight in the streets, Russian President Vladimir Putin shifted blame for the invasion, saying Moscow’s attacks could be halted “only if Kyiv ceases hostilities.”
National and world news at a glance
Led by truckers, hundreds of vehicles protesting COVID mandates encircle Washington
Kentucky rallies to top South Carolina, win SEC crown
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dre’una Edwards hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 4.2 seconds left, and the Kentucky Wildcats rallied from 15 points down to upset top-ranked South Carolina 64-62 on Sunday to win their first Southeastern Conference women’s tournament championship since 1982.
Scheffler comes up clutch with pars needed to win Bay Hill
ORLANDO, Fla. — Scottie Scheffler isn’t sure he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational as much as he survived it.
Volunteer firefighters get new trucks thanks to anonymous benefactor
Volunteer firefighters got some much-deserved love Saturday with the donation of two new fire trucks that’ll bolster the efforts of those in the community who head into danger to protect us all without the expectation of pay.
Bowman edges Larson in OT in NASCAR Cup race at Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS — The racing rule is quite clear at Hendrick Motorsports, where the boss will let his drivers go door-to-door so long as they don’t tear up his cars.
MLB reacts angrily to locked-out players, season still off
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball reacted angrily to the latest offer by locked-out players when bargaining resumed Sunday, accusing the union of backtracking and showing no sign of a breakthrough to get the derailed season back on track.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine leaves global trade in tatters
MIAMI — Sanctions on Russia are starting to wreak havoc on global trade, with potentially devastating consequences for energy and grain importers while also generating ripple effects across a world still struggling with pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions.
Island Life: Sauce on the side
A gecko enjoys a bit of the delicious mango sauce at Shaka Tacoz in Captain Cook.
My Turn: It’s time to move past mask mandates
I live in Kailua-Kona, my twins attend Holualoa Elementary School. I am writing out of frustration and concern for the continued outdoor and indoor mask mandate at our school, with no end insight.
Commentary: Lawmakers should reject Instagram’s attempts to throw parents under the bus
Instagram recently announced that a central pillar of its response to teen mental health harms will be to create controls offering parents “to see how much time their teens spend on Instagram and to set time limits.” While this may sound empowering, it is, unfortunately, part of an unwelcome campaign to shift the burden of responsibility onto parents.
Karl W. Smith: Biden’s anti-inflation agenda is lacking
In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden told Americans that he had a realistic plan for bringing down inflation. The agenda he laid out, however, has little chance of doing so.
