Pope Francis, in resource-rich PNG, urges fair treatment for workers
PORT MORESBY — Pope Francis on Saturday called for better treatment of workers in Papua New Guinea, a nation of some 600 islands in the Southwestern Pacific that has become a major target of international companies for its gas, gold and other reserves. In a speech to political authorities in the country, which is home to hundreds of tribal groups and more than 800 spoken languages, the 87-year-old Catholic pontiff also made a heartfelt appeal for an end to a spate of ethnic violence that has killed dozens in recent months. The pope, visiting as part of an ambitious 12-day trip to four countries, said PNG’s natural resources were “destined by God” for the whole community.
Tens of thousands in South Korea protest lack of climate progress
SEOUL — More than 30,000 protesters gathered in South Korea’s capital in broiling heat on Saturday, demanding more aggressive action by the government to combat global warming.
Musk says SpaceX to launch first uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years
(Reuters) — SpaceX will launch its first uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said in a post on social media platform X on Saturday.
David Gilmour says new work is his best since Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Midway through a conversation with David Gilmour about the former Pink Floyd singer and guitarist‘s terrific new solo album, “Luck and Strange,” it’s time to ask him about something he said.
Wahine have work cut out for them this weekend
Plant of the Month for September 2024: Delicious, cruciferous Kale
For quite a while, I have been encouraging people to grow more edible plants. We import nearly ninety percent of our food and we could be growing lots of it in our backyards or on our lanais. So, this month I’m going to talk about one of my favorite edibles that can also serve as an attractive ornamental plant. That would be kale. Kale is easy to grow and can be consumed in many ways, making it a plant I always have in my garden.
Tropical Gardening: Fences are used for many purposes
This will be my last column until sometime in November. We will be traveling in Europe and maybe North Africa for a change of scenery and to see how folks are getting along there. Meanwhile, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we are getting along here.
As I See It: Supreme Court conduct
There has been a lot of talk about an out-of-control Supreme Court. The court has embarrassed itself, historically (as in Dred Scott) and recently.Two justices have embarrassed the court by accepting outrageous gifts, i.e., millions of dollars. Clarence Thomas, from Harlan Crow, and Samuel Alito from Paul Singer. There is no convincing evidence that these gifts were simple hospitality like an invitation to dinner or a wedding, for which there would normally be some sort of informal reciprocity. These two consistently opined in ways that favored the donor, in some way politically and possibly financially. Persons of great wealth have affairs so intertangled that their interests can be hard to track.
Volcano Watch: Webcam upgrades keep a sharp eye on Hawaiian volcanoes
Photography has been a crucial part of volcano monitoring in Hawaii going back to the start of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. In 1911, Frank Perret spent a summer capturing stunning black and white photos of Kilauea’s summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater. Fast forward a century, and webcams are scattered across the island, snapping images of the volcanoes 24/7 in 4K resolution.
‘Booming’ construction helps buoy Hawaii’s economy as tourism lags
Federal probationer faces drug, gun charges
Police have arrested and charged a 48-year-old Hilo man on federal probation with numerous drug and firearm offenses.
Boy injured when man drives car into Hilo home
Police say a 7-year-old boy was injured and a 71-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of negligent injury early Thursday evening after the man crashed his car into the living room of a Hilo home.
Island Life photo for September 7 — Branch artistry
Island Life photo for September 7 — Branch artistry
Letters — Your voice — for September 7
Help map future of Hawaii Island
California, Hawaii can ban guns in bars and parks, appeals court rules
California and Hawaii can enforce bans on carrying guns in some public locations including bars and parks, a federal appeals court ruled on Friday, partly reversing lower court orders blocking the bans.
Charges against father of Georgia shooting suspect test emerging legal strategy
ATLANTA – Less than an hour after his 14-year-old son appeared in a Georgia courtroom on murder charges on Friday, Colin Gray found himself in the same courtroom seat, anxiously rocking back and forth as prosecutors accused him of bearing responsibility for the deaths caused by the boy’s rampage.
‘We screwed up’: Lionsgate drops new ‘Megalopolis’ trailer after the one with fake quotes
“Megalopolis” has received a do-over trailer after a previous iteration was recalled for a mega faux pas.
Home Fair and Expo taking place Saturday in Hilo
Present and future homebuyers and sellers are invited to learn more about the housing industry at the annual Home Fair and Expo in Hilo this weekend.
Hamakua Energy plans to convert power plant to 100% renewable fuels
A Honokaa power plant that provides about a third of the electrical power for the island is planning an upgrade.
