National and world news at a glance
CDC vaccination data may overestimate first doses, underestimate boosters
UK scientists urge more restrictions to fight omicron surge
LONDON — The British government may need to introduce tougher restrictions to slow the growth of the omicron variant and prevent a new surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, British scientists said Saturday.
Pfizer course has 23% efficacy vs. omicron in S. African study
A two-shot course of Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine has just 22.5% efficacy against symptomatic infection with the omicron variant, but can thwart severe disease, according to laboratory experiments in South Africa.
Pandamania: Twin cubs in French zoo take 1st steps in public
PARIS — First, a steady crawl. Then a short clumsy slide across the slick stone floor at their home at the Beauval Zoo near Paris. Then finally the big show as the twin giant panda cubs took their first steps in public on Saturday.
South African doctors see signs omicron is milder than delta
JOHANNESBURG — As the omicron variant sweeps through South Africa, Dr. Unben Pillay is seeing dozens of sick patients a day. Yet he hasn’t had to send anyone to the hospital.
Strahan flies to space with astronaut’s daughter: ‘Wow!’
Football star and TV celebrity Michael Strahan caught a ride to space with Jeff Bezos’ rocket-launching company Saturday, sharing the trip with the daughter of America’s first astronaut.
HPA outlasts Kamehameha 3-0 to claim BIIF Championship: Hunt’s last-second field goal lifts Ka Makani to first D-II title since 2010
WAIMEA – For 48 minutes of game time, neither the Warriors of Kamehameha, nor Ka Makani of Hawaii Prep were able to put points on the scoreboard.
Back-to-back: Young gives Alabama consecutive Heisman wins
NEW YORK — Bryce Young didn’t just meet the standard set by the star quarterbacks who preceded him at Alabama, he exceeded it and gave the Crimson Tide a rare Heisman back-to-back.
NYCFC wins MLS Cup, beating Portland Timbers in shootout
PORTLAND. Ore. — After more than a decade in Major League Soccer, goalkeeper Sean Johnson was finally able to lift the championship trophy.
Lavatai runs for 2 TDs, Navy’s D dominates in win over Army
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Navy had its way with Army. It was good, aggressive, lucky and most of all angry with the idea the Black Knights had turned the tables in the one of college football’s biggest rivalries.
Cowboys’ easy ride in NFC East not so easy any longer
When November began, the NFC East was all about the runaway Cowboys.
Curry closes in on 3-point mark, Warriors fall to 76ers
PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid had 26 points and nine rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers delayed Stephen Curry’s bid to break Ray Allen’s career 3-point record in a 102-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.
Editorial: Better at the border: Biden mustn’t repeat Trump’s mistakes on Mexican immigration policy
Six months after it moved to formally terminate the program, the Biden administration is set to restart the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as Remain in Mexico, a Stephen Miller-championed border policy that forces vulnerable migrants to wait in northern Mexico as their U.S. asylum cases move forward (or, more frequently, get stuck in the gears of a rusted bureaucracy). Biden officials emphasize that they’re doing so due to a federal court injunction, which is true, but they can’t wash their hands of some strange decisions made in resurrecting this damaging program.
As I See It: The bureaucracy never forgives
Hyman Rickover was considered the father of the nuclear Navy. He pushed abrasively to get the hidebound old brass to accept the need for ships, especially submarines, that did not have to refuel weekly. The Navy was set in its ways and resisted. At one point Congress told the Navy no more promotions until Capt. Rickover is an admiral. He became the first Jewish person to achieve flag rank. He was so pushy that a joke went around the Pentagon. An admiral died and went to heaven. On arrival he saw a mailbox with Rickover’s name on it. He tells St. Peter “If that SOB is here, I’d rather go to the other place.” Peter replies “Don’t worry, that’s just God he only thinks he’s Rickover.
Weather vanes: Exhibit looks at artworks with a purpose
Perched atop churches, barns, businesses, homes and seats of government, weather vanes have over hundreds of years taken the form of everything from farm animals to pets, storybook figures to race cars.
Tropical pines hard to find this year
Christmas is almost here, but it seems like most folks are a bit slow in getting their trees up this year. Don’t delay any longer since trees that are shipped in early are best. If you wait, the cut mainland trees will dry out and can become fire hazards. The advantage to imported trees is that they have a pine scent. This year, almost 100,000 trees are arriving and unfortunately some unwanted hitchhikers as well. One container arrived with slugs, a garter snake and tree frogs from the Pacific Northwest.
Island Life: Night runner
A night runner hibiscus offers a big bloom amid the cooler weather.
New lay net rules to be discussed
The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a statewide hearing to discuss amendments to state laws regarding lay nets.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
COVID-19 vaccines don’t cause immunodeficiency syndrome
Pandemic mystery: Scientists focus on COVID’s animal origins
Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the origin of the virus tormenting the world remains shrouded in mystery.
Humane Society hosts free pet microchipping events
The Hawaii Island Humane Society wants to educate and celebrate pet owners this holiday season.
Navy blames Oahu water contamination on jet fuel spill
HONOLULU — The Navy believes that contaminated tap water that went to Hawaii military households came from a one-time spill of jet fuel last month and was not caused by a leak from aging underground fuel storage tanks above an aquifer, a top Navy official told state lawmakers on Friday.
Regents seek input on draft Master Plan for Maunakea
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents will hold a special meeting to consider, among other things, a new draft of an updated Maunakea Master Plan.
US consumer prices climb at fastest annual rate since 1982
U.S. consumer prices rose last month at the fastest annual pace in nearly 40 years, underscoring how rapid and persistent inflation is eroding paychecks and increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy.
Firefighters quickly douse brush fire near Hualalai Elderly Housing
Hawaii County firefighters from three stations responded to a brush fire that broke out Friday afternoon behind Hualalai Elderly Housing in Kailua-Kona.
