Associated Press, Author at Honolulu Star-Advertiser

South Dakota governor’s dog-killing tale sparks outrage

Associated Press — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 23:20:00 +0000

Politicians and dog experts are criticizing South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem after she wrote in a new book about killing a rambunctious puppy. The story — and the vilification she received on social media — has some wondering whether she’s still a viable potential running mate for presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Documentary reveals bizarre 1990s Japanese reality show

Associated Press — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 16:30:00 +0000

TOKYO >> Naked and frail, a shaggy-haired man films himself as he endures solitude in a tiny room for months, and months more.

Hawaii legislators aim to preserve macadamia nut identity

Associated Press — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000

For decades, tourists to Hawaii have brought home gift boxes of the islands’ famous chocolate-covered macadamia nuts for friends and family, but these days many of the kernels in the package might not be Hawaii-grown.

Flight attendant indicted in attempted bathroom recording of teen

Associated Press — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 02:30:00 +0000

BOSTON >> An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.

Fatal Risks: Sedatives and police restraints

Associated Press — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 01:30:00 +0000

Demetrio Jackson was desperate for medical help when the paramedics arrived.

Long flu season winds down in U.S.

Associated Press — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 01:00:00 +0000

NEW YORK >> The U.S. flu season appears to be over. It was long, but it wasn’t unusually severe.

Biden delays menthol cigarette ban amid pushback

Associated Press — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 00:20:00 +0000

WASHINGTON >> President Joe Biden’s administration is indefinitely delaying a long-awaited menthol cigarette ban, a decision that infuriated anti-smoking advocates but could avoid a political backlash from Black voters in November.

Appeals court rejects R. Kelly’s challenge of 20-year sentence

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 23:30:00 +0000

CHICAGO >> The singer R. Kelly was correctly sentenced to 20 years in prison on child sex convictions in Chicago, a federal appeals court ruled today.

Tornadoes cause severe damage in Omaha suburbs

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000

OMAHA, Neb. >> A tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, today, damaging hundreds of homes and other structures as the twister tore for miles along farmland and into subdivisions. Some injuries were reported but there were no immediate reports that anyone was killed.

Paramedic convicted in Elijah McClain’s death avoids prison

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 22:30:00 +0000

BRIGHTON, Colo. >> A former paramedic who injected Elijah McClain with a powerful sedative avoided prison and was sentenced to probation today after his homicide conviction in the Black man’s death, which helped fuel the 2020 racial injustice protests.

USDA mandates lower salmonella levels in chicken

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Poultry producers will be required to bring salmonella bacteria in certain chicken products to very low levels to help prevent food poisoning under a final rule issued today by U.S. agriculture officials.

Britain’s King Charles III to resume public duties next week

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:30:00 +0000

LONDON >> King Charles III is back.

Trump Trial: Defense grills first witness

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0000

NEW YORK >> Donald Trump’s defense team attacked the credibility today of the prosecution’s first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Saints take Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga 14th overall

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0000

METAIRIE, La. >> Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga is a fan of comedic actor Adam Sandler and his 1998 film, “The Waterboy,” which he’s watched numerous times.

Price pressures persist in Fed’s inflation gauge

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 18:30:00 +0000

WASHINGTON >> A measure of inflation closely tracked by the Federal Reserve remained uncomfortably high in March, likely reinforcing the Fed’s reluctance to cut interest rates anytime soon and underscoring a burden for President Joe Biden’s re-election bid.

Tesla Autopilot recall under federal scrutiny

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:30:00 +0000

DETROIT >> The U.S. government’s auto safety agency is investigating whether last year’s recall of Tesla’s Autopilot driving system did enough to make sure drivers pay attention to the road.

Bevy of defensive playmakers available in Round 2 of NFL Draft

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0000

The unprecedented run on quarterbacks, wide receivers and pass protectors in the NFL draft‘s opening round pushed plenty of standout defenders down the board and allowed some of the top teams to select players who normally wouldn’t fall to them.

Media industry grapples with internal critics

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000

NEW YORK >> This spring, NBC News, The New York Times and National Public Radio have each dealt with turmoil for essentially the same reason: journalists taking the critical gaze they deploy to cover the world and turning it inward at their own employers.

Ukrainian duo heads to Eurovision with a message: We’re still here

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:05:00 +0000

KYIV, Ukraine >> Even amid war, Ukraine finds time for the glittery, pop-filled Eurovision Song Contest. Perhaps now even more than ever.

Muslim groups claim double standards in police handling of stabbings in Sydney

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:05:00 +0000

NEWCASTLE, Australia >> Muslim groups in Australia on Friday criticized the disparity in the police response to two stabbing attacks in Sydney this month, saying it had created a perception of a double standard and further alienated the country’s minority Muslim community.

South Africa will mark 30 years of freedom amid inequality, poverty and tense election

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:05:00 +0000

JOHANNESBURG >> As 72-year-old Nonki Kunene walks through the corridors of Thabisang Primary School in Soweto, South Africa, she recalls the joy she and many others felt 30 years ago when they voted for the first time.

Repatriated South African apartheid-era art celebrates 30 years of democracy

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:05:00 +0000

JOHANNESBURG >> A selection of South African artworks produced during the country’s apartheid era which ended up in foreign art collections is on display in Johannesburg to mark 30 years since the country’s transition to democracy in 1994.

76ers All-Star center Embiid says he’s suffering from Bell’s palsy

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:05:00 +0000

PHILADELPHIA >> Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.

U.S. and China spar with warnings about misunderstandings and miscalculations

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 02:55:00 +0000

BEIJING >> The United States and China butted heads over a number of contentious bilateral, regional and global issues as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Friday with senior Chinese officials and warned of the dangers of misunderstandings and miscalculations.

NFL to open academy in Australia to identify and develop young prospects

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 02:25:00 +0000

The NFL will expand its international search for talent by opening an academy in rugby-mad Australia to develop promising teenagers in the Asia-Pacific region into college and pro prospects.

NFL draft gives players a chance to flaunt their style on red carpet

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 01:55:00 +0000

DETROIT >> The NFL draft gives players a chance to flaunt their style.

Williams, Daniels, Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3

Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 01:25:00 +0000

DETROIT >> Caleb Williams swiftly walked on stage, looked out and screamed “Woooo! Yeah!”

Police: Maryland athletic director used AI to frame principal with racist remarks

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 23:20:00 +0000

A high school athletic director in Maryland has been accused of using artificial intelligence to impersonate a principal on an audio recording that included racist and antisemitic comments, authorities said today.

Over 100 beached pilot whales rescued on Australian coast

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:57:00 +0000

MELBOURNE, Australia >> More than 100 long-finned pilot whales that beached on the western Australian coast Thursday have returned to sea, while 29 died on the shore, officials said.

A U.S. citizen facing drug charges in Russia appears in court

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:47:00 +0000

MOSCOW >> A U.S. citizen arrested on drug charges in Moscow amid soaring Russia-U.S. tensions appeared in court on Thursday and had his case adjourned until mid-May.

NASA astronauts arrive for Boeing’s first human spaceflight

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:36:00 +0000

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. >> The two NASA astronauts assigned to Boeing’s first human spaceflight arrived at their launch site Thursday, just over a week before their scheduled liftoff.

Key moments from Supreme Court arguments on Trump’s immunity claims

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:30:00 +0000

WASHINGTON >> There was talk of drone strikes and presidential bribes, of a potential ruling “for the ages” and of the Founding Fathers, too. The presidential race went unmentioned but was not far from mind.

Ramen in Japan proves more than just a tourist attraction

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:00:00 +0000

TOKYO >> Spicy, steaming, slurpy ramen might be everyone’s favorite Japanese food.

Tiger’s son shoots 81, fails in U.S. Open bid

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:30:00 +0000

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. >> Charlie Woods failed to qualify for his first U.S. Open after shooting 9-over 81 today in a local qualifying event.

USC cancels main commencement ceremony amid Gaza war protests

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:20:00 +0000

The University of Southern California canceled its main graduation ceremony Thursday and hundreds of college students were arrested at other campuses nationwide as protests against the Israel-Hamas war continued to spread.

FTC sends $5.6M in refunds to Ring customers in privacy settlement

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:40:00 +0000

NEW YORK >> The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $5.6 million in refunds to consumers as part of a settlement with Amazon-owned Ring, which was charged with failing to protect private video footage from outside access.

Average long-term mortgage rate climbs for 4th straight week

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES >> The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to its highest level since late November, another setback for home shoppers in what’s traditionally the housing market’s busiest time of the year.

FCC reinstates net neutrality rules

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:30:00 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO >> The FCC today restored “net neutrality” rules that prevent broadband internet providers such as Comcast and AT&T from favoring some sites and apps over others.

Man who fatally shot ex-Saints star receives 25-year sentence

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0000

NEW ORLEANS >> The man who fatally shot retired NFL star Will Smith during a confrontation following a car crash in 2016 received a 25-year prison sentence today in a New Orleans courtroom.

Ex-tabloid publisher reveals Trump shielding scheme

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:30:00 +0000

NEW YORK >> As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.