Ships must slow down more often to save whales, feds say
PORTLAND, Maine — Vessels off the East Coast must slow down more often to help save a vanishing species of whale from extinction, the federal government said Friday.
Hawaiian paradise almost perfect
Our islands have few dangers except for rare volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and hurricanes. Excessive exposure to the sun can be dangerous and people drown every year by being careless at the beach or hiking in the mountains. Although there are few poisonous native plants, some common exotic landscape plants are toxic such as oleander, crotons and angel trumpets. Some people can experience skin reactions like exposure to poison ivy from cashew and mango trees.
Commentary: Everything is on fire. It doesn’t have to be
The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to one of the world’s largest rainforests, second only to the Amazon. Larger than Alaska, it contains a massive peatlands area that has trapped the equivalent of three years’ worth of global carbon emissions.
Commentary: The federal American Data Privacy and Protection Act protects everybody’s data
When a business signals “whites only,” it does not matter if it is written in ink or pixels, words or code. The discrimination is the same. The harm is the same. And the legal consequences should be the same.
Island Life: Stunning red heliconia
Waking up to a stunning red heliconia will brighten everyone’s day.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts:
US to plant 1 billion trees as climate change kills forests
BILLINGS, Mont. — The Biden administration on Monday said the government will plant more than one billion trees across millions of acres of burned and dead woodlands in the U.S. West, as officials struggle to counter the increasing toll on the nation’s forests from wildfires, insects and other manifestations of climate change.
US rules out summer COVID boosters to focus on fall campaign
WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators said Friday they are no longer considering authorizing a second COVID-19 booster shot for all adults under 50 this summer, focusing instead on revamped vaccines for the fall that will target the newest viral subvariants.
‘We are seeing a lot of impact’
While monkeypox has been declared a global emergency, cases remain low in Hawaii and health officials are working to get the vaccine out, state Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble said Friday.
House approves bill to help West fight wildfires, drought
WASHINGTON — The House on Friday approved wide-ranging legislation aimed at helping communities in the West cope with increasingly severe wildfires and drought — fueled by climate change — that have caused billions of dollars of damage to homes and businesses in recent years.
House passes bill banning certain semi-automatic guns
WASHINGTON — The House passed legislation Friday to revive a ban on certain semi-automatic guns, the first vote of its kind in years and a direct response to the firearms often used in the crush of mass shootings ripping through communities nationwide.
White House: No need for tensions if Pelosi visits Taiwan
WASHINGTON — There’s no reason for China and the U.S. “to come to blows” should House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visit Taiwan during an Asia trip she is expected to make soon, the White House said Friday, underscoring the international tensions surrounding her travel plans.
Jan. 6 panel to share 20 transcripts with Justice Department
WASHINGTON — The House Jan. 6 committee will share 20 of its interview transcripts with the Justice Department as federal prosecutors have been increasingly focused on efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the election.
Nation and world news at a glance
Blinken, Russian top diplomat speak about Griner, Whelan
Column: Heady times for the NFL’s bottom feeders
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — These are giddy times in Atlanta and Houston.
Judge’s 6 RBIs, MLB-best 41 homers leads Yankees past Royals
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge became the first big leaguer with 40 homers this season, smashed a grand slam for No. 41 and robbed a home run in right field as the New York Yankees rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 11-5 Friday night.
At a LIV Golf event, thin crowds and a tense start
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — Standing over his ball Friday, Phil Mickelson, the prized acquisition of the new, Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, lined up his opening tee shot in the breakaway circuit’s event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
AP source: NBA investigating 76ers for possible tampering
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers are being investigated by the NBA for possible tampering in offseason free-agency moves involving James Harden, P.J. Tucker and Danuel House, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Friday night.
Riley, Lanning, DeBoer new Pac-12 coaches in spotlight
LOS ANGELES — Coaching changes in the Pac-12 are a given, but it is rare when it happens to three of the most recognizable programs in the conference.
Chiellini, Bale get LAFC home debuts in 2-1 win over Seattle
LOS ANGELES — Kwadwo Opoku and Carlos Vela scored in the first half, and Los Angeles FC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Friday night in the home debuts of European superstars Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale.
