National and world news at a glance
Jan. 6 committee recommends contempt charge for Meadows
8 batches of cookies: From easy to complicated
With everyone concentrating on the gifts they plan to give others at this time of the year, we often overlook the smallest of gifts that are always received warmly.
The AP Interview: Taliban seek ties with US, other ex-foes
KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers are committed in principle to education and jobs for girls and women, a marked departure from their previous time in power, and they seek the world’s “mercy and compassion” to help millions of Afghans in desperate need, a top Taliban leader said in a rare interview.
Coconut milk yields buttery braised chicken
All coconut milk is not created equal. Canned coconut milk — both regular and light — is made from finely ground coconut meat that’s recombined with water for a uniform, viscous texture that can easily overwhelm other ingredients. That’s one reason why in Colombia they make their own, and we found at Milk Street it was a lot easier than it sounds.
Comfort-food favorite French bread pizza is back — and the one you make can be the best ever
SEATTLE — Mention French bread pizza, and people have feelings. The reason is right there on the Stouffer’s French Bread Pizza box, below the cozy logo of the name inside the outline of a pot: “Celebrating 40 Years,” it says in a cursive flourish, and, elsewhere, “Back to the Taste You Love,” with “Love” inside the shape of a heart. (Somewhat unnervingly, the box also feels the need to specify, “Made with 100% real cheese” and that the pepperoni contains “pork, chicken & beef.” Chicken seems weird for pepperoni-making, but then chicken is cheap, and so is Stouffer’s French Bread Pizza — a box of two for $3.99.)
WH aims to restore faith in government by improving services
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed an executive order Monday aimed at rebuilding the public’s trust in government by making it easier to do things like renew passports, apply for Social Security benefits and get aid after natural disasters.
One year of vaccines: Many lives saved, many needlessly lost
One year ago, the biggest vaccination drive in American history began with a flush of excitement in an otherwise gloomy December. Trucks loaded with freezer-packed vials of a COVID-19 vaccine that had proved wildly successful in clinical trials fanned out across the land, bringing shots that many hoped would spell the end of the crisis.
West Hawaii Business Park developers seek a break from road requirement
Developers of West Hawaii Business Park want to build just a small portion of Kamanu Street, rather than the entire roadway, prior to developing a 31-acre parcel of the 95-acre park for an undisclosed buyer.
Island coalition among finalists eligible for up to $100M
Hawaii County could receive as much as $100 million to strengthen its agricultural industry as part of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better initiative.
AP-NORC poll: Omicron raises COVID worry but not precautions
CHICAGO — As the omicron variant sparks worldwide fears of renewed COVID-19 outbreaks, Americans’ worries about infection are again on the rise, but fewer say they are regularly wearing masks or isolating compared with the beginning of the year.
Dock issue suspends USS Arizona Memorial tours again
HONOLULU — The USS Arizona Memorial has problems again with its shoreside dock, which means that boat tours to the popular Pearl Harbor site are suspended.
Navy dive team is trying to remove fuel from Hawaii water
HONOLULU — U.S. Navy divers are trying to remove jet fuel from a water shaft near Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor after people using the water in their homes reported becoming sick.
USA Gymnastics, USOPC reach $380M settlement with victims
The legal wrangling between USA Gymnastics and the hundreds of victims of sexual abuse by former national team doctor Larry Nassar, among others, is over after a $380 million settlement was reached.
Stafford, Donald lead Rams to 30-23 win over Cardinals
GLENDALE, Ariz. — From the first play to the last, Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams showed they’re still a heavyweight in the NFC West.
Paris to stage 2024 Olympics opening ceremony on River Seine
Thousands of Olympic athletes on boats cruising along the River Seine toward the sun setting like a giant gold medal behind the Eiffel Tower.
COVID issues prompt NBA to postpone Bulls’ next 2 games
CHICAGO — The NBA postponed the Chicago Bulls’ next two games on Monday, with 10 of the team’s players in the league’s health and safety protocols.
NHL postpones 3 Flames games due to COVID-19 outbreak
NEW YORK — The NHL has postponed the Calgary Flames’ next three games after six players and a staff member entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol over a 24-hour period.
NFL requiring coaches, team staff to get COVID-19 boosters
The NFL is requiring coaches, front-office staff and team personnel to receive a COVID-19 booster by Dec. 27.
Curry scores 26, closes in on record as Warriors beat Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS — Stephen Curry finished one 3-pointer shy of the NBA career record on Monday night, making five 3-pointers and scoring 26 points to help the Golden State Warriors rally late for a 102-100 win over the Indiana Pacers.
The beauty of black decor
Black in home decor is like a great dress — it can be both dressed up and dressed down. Even so, black can mostly be used to add instant glamour and luxury to a space. Black is also a foundation color, allowing it to pair well with a number of colors for a truly rich and stunning look.
The power of flowers
KEAAU — The chief executive of a small but budding orchid-growing cooperative compared the company’s formation to “a phoenix rising out of the ashes.”
US jobless claims decline to lowest level since 1969
Applications for U.S. state unemployment benefits declined last week to the lowest level since 1969, illustrating difficulties adjusting the raw data for seasonal effects.
Business news at a glance
At Amazon site, tornado collided with company’s peak delivery season
Editorial: How to get our sad and anxious kids from traumatized to OK
It was easy to see that COVID-19 represented a crisis of huge proportions prompting extraordinary measures to protect public health.
Commentary: We must change more than just words
The U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, is setting out to remove the word “squaw” from the names of all federal lands. On Nov. 19, she issued an executive order declaring that word to be derogatory and created a task force to find replacement names for geographic features on federal lands bearing the term.
