Mandel’s final thoughts: The CFP’s first round got out of hand, but don’t blame the committee
And now, 12 final thoughts from the first weekend of the first-ever 12-team playoff.
German authorities probe motive in deadly Christmas market attack
Authorities investigated a Saudi doctor with a history of anti-Islam rhetoric as the suspected driver in a car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg that killed five people and injured scores.
Steves: A walk across Prague
Known as the “Golden City of 100 Spires,” Prague boasts a fairytale medieval Old Town, historic churches and synagogues, and perhaps Europe’s largest castle.
A mouse that swims and dozens more species are discovered in a Peruvian jungle
In the summer of 2022, researchers trudged into the jungles of the Alto Mayo region of Peru in search of undiscovered creatures. This remote yet populous region had experienced significant deforestation, so the team didn’t expect to find much.
Biden signs spending bill, finalizing end to shutdown drama
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Saturday signed the spending package that allowed federal funds to keep flowing until mid-March, formally ending the week’s unexpected drama over the issue a few hours after the deadline for a shutdown had technically passed.
Five things that stood out about the Chiefs’ win over the Texans
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One more for No. 1.
How Penn State dashed SMU’s Cinderella dreams with ease: Takeaways from a Playoff routv
No. 6 seed Penn State used two first-half interception returns for touchdowns to jumpstart a 38-10 blowout of No. 11 seed SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.
Starbucks workers’ strikes across US could reach ‘hundreds of stores’ by Dec. 24, union says
Some members of the Starbucks workers’ union that represents more than 10,000 baristas walked off their jobs in multiple U.S. cities on Friday, citing unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules.
Guatemalan authorities rescue 160 children from Jewish Lev Tahor sect
(Reuters) — Guatemalan authorities rescued 160 children and adolescents from the fundamentalist Jewish sect Lev Tahor in southeastern Guatemala on Friday following allegations of child abuse, including rape, prosecutors said.
Airports reopen following Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Kazan
(Reuters) — The airport in the Russian city of Kazan reopened on Saturday after temporarily closing earlier in the day following a Ukrainian drone attack, Russia’s aviation watchdog said.
Justice Thomas did not disclose additional trips, democrats say
Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose two additional trips from a billionaire patron that had not previously come to light, Senate Democrats revealed Saturday after conducting a 20-month investigation into ethics practices at the Supreme Court.
Pope calls Gaza airstrikes ‘cruelty’ after Israeli minister’s criticism
Pope Francis on Saturday again condemned Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, a day after an Israeli government minister publicly denounced the pontiff for suggesting the global community should study whether the military offensive there constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people.
All-time stolen base leader Rickey Henderson dies at 65
Rickey Henderson, a 10-time All-Star and the all-time stolen base leader, died on Friday after a bout with pneumonia, multiple outlets reported. He was 65.
Christmas in the Park is set for this week
The 8th annual Garden Enchantment – Christmas in the Park – will be held in and around Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday,
Joyous day for ‘Alala in Hawaii
The raucous calls of the “Alala is heard this month on Maui, its ancestral home. The Hawaiian Crow went extinct in the wild in 2002.
Kona man wins prestigious wildlife photo contest
A “jaunty” sea bug captured on film by a Kailua-Kona man is the star of one of the world’s preeminent wildlife photography contests.
Insurers are deserting homeowners as climate shocks worsen
The insurance crisis spreading across the United States arrived at Richard D. Zimmel’s door this month in the form of a letter.
Weight loss drugs changed their lives. Then they lost coverage
The letter came in June. Mindy McCormick, 67, read that her insurer would soon stop covering the weight loss drug Wegovy, which she had been taking for more than two years.
County’s plan to vacate HBMC morgue moves ahead
Hawaii County is making progress toward relieving the severely overcrowded Hilo Benioff Medical Center’s morgue of what are referred to as “HPD bodies,” according to Hawaii Police Department Chief Ben Moszkowicz.
‘The Eddie’ to draw thousands, plus traffic
Players, coaches enthused about playing in Hawaii Bowl
Obituaries for December 21
Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. Content is subject to editing for parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements with photos may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Prince and the Clash head list of 2025 Grammy Lifetime Achievement honorees
The Clash and the late Prince head the list of artists who will be honored with Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Awards one day before the 2025 edition of the Grammy Awards.
Island Life photo for December 21 — Aloha morning
Island Life photo for December 21 — Aloha morning
Don’t buy your kids these items for Christmas, pediatricians say
As you stare at that long list of toys your little one wants for Christmas, be aware there are some things kids shouldn’t receive this holiday, no matter how much they want it.
