Fire engulfs Mumbai building, killing at least 15 people
At least 15 people were killed and more than 50 injured in a fire that broke out in a restaurant in Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital, early Friday, officials said.
Rising energy costs eyed amid brutal cold snap gripping US
Plunging temperatures across half the country on Thursday underscored a stark reality for low-income Americans who rely on heating aid: Their dollars aren’t going to go as far this winter because of rising energy costs.
Report: Most sirens worked during Hawaii warning test
A report on a Hawaii siren test that drew international attention amid a North Korea missile threat shows that 28 sirens statewide played the wrong sound or had other technical problems.
Records say paraplegic Palestinian shot during protest
Palestinian medical records in the Gaza Strip show that a paraplegic man who died during a violent protest along the border with Israel earlier this month was killed by a bullet that struck him in the head.
Apple apologizes for secretly slowing older iPhones
Apple apologized for secretly slowing down older iPhones, a move it said was necessary to avoid unexpected shutdowns related to battery fatigue.
California pot shops roll out hoopla as sales set to start
Live music. Free T-shirts. A “Fweedom” celebration with mystery prize boxes worth up to $500, and a shot at a behind-the-scenes tour.
Stranded ferry went off course; mayor cites ‘human error’
he operator of a New York City ferry that got stuck on a sandbar and took hours to evacuate says the boat apparently went off its usual route and the company is looking into what happened. The mayor has cited “human error.”
US appeals court: Feds erred in Hawaii fishery expansion
A U.S. appeals court says federal agencies erred in allowing expansion of Hawaii’s longline swordfish industry because it harmed endangered loggerhead turtles.
Milwaukee police officers rescue teens from burning car
Two young Milwaukee police officers are being hailed as heroes for rescuing two unconscious teenagers from a burning car.
Judge blocks Arizona ethnic studies ban he found was racist
A U.S. judge has permanently blocked an ethnic studies ban in Arizona public schools that dismantled a popular Mexican-American studies program, dealing a final blow to a law that he found to be racially motivated.
Government seeks change to order lifting Trump refugee ban
Lawyers with the Department of Justice have asked a federal judge to change his order that partially lifted a Trump administration refugee ban.
Democrat Jones officially declared winner over Roy Moore
Democrat Doug Jones’ historic victory over Republican Roy Moore was declared official Thursday as Alabama election officials certified him the winner of the special Senate election, despite Moore’s last-minute lawsuit claiming voter fraud.
Prosecutor needs longer on cop’s killing of Australian woman
A Minnesota prosecutor said Thursday that he needs more time to decide whether to charge a police officer who fatally shot an Australian after she called 911 for help.
High energy costs eyed amid brutal US cold snap; dog freezes
Plunging temperatures across half the country on Thursday underscored a stark reality for low-income Americans who rely on heating aid: Their dollars aren’t going to go as far this winter because of rising energy costs.
Islamic State kills 41 in attack on Afghan cultural center
An Islamic State suicide bomber struck a Shiite cultural center in Kabul on Thursday, killing at least 41 people and underscoring the extremist group’s growing reach in Afghanistan even as its self-styled caliphate in Iraq and Syria has been dismantled.
Explosion hits near police station in Turkey, no one is hurt
Turkish media say a powerful explosion has occurred near a police station in the southern city of Adana but no one was hurt in the blast.
Bomb kills 6, including army colonel, in Egypt’s Sinai
A roadside bomb planted by Islamic militants in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula hit a military vehicle on Thursday, killing six people, including a senior army officer, security and hospital officials said.
Soccer star Weah poised to win Liberia’s presidency
Former international soccer star George Weah was poised to win Liberia’s presidency with a significant lead and more than 98 percent of votes counted, according to provisional results released Thursday, as the West African nation prepared for its first democratic transfer of power in more than 70 years.
Mexican legislator killed in western state of Jalisco
A state legislator was shot to death Thursday on a highway in western Mexico, the second politician killed in the state of Jalisco in a week.
Hawaii’s fifth-largest bank announces employee bonuses
Hawaii’s fifth-largest bank has joined the other four in announcing plans to give most employees a bonus and increase its minimum wage.
Court rules against Oregon bakers in wedding-cake case
An appellate court Thursday upheld a penalty against Oregon bakery owners who refused to make a cake for a same-sex wedding almost five years ago.
Inside the inferno
Padraic Gallagher was in Santa Paula, Santa Barbara and Ventura, California from Dec. 6 through Dec. 19. He opened up shelters in the more rural community of Santa Paula and at the University ofCalifornia campus in Santa Barbara.
Coastline changes
A wall of tangled roots separates the park at Black Pot from the beach, and the erosion has drastically changed the beach from six months ago.
No injuries reported during vehicle fire
A fire destroyed a vehicle and briefly blocked one lane of Kuhio Highway Tuesday evening.
Kauai Klassics fundraiser tickets available
The Eighth annual Kauai Klassics, a fundraiser for Kauai United Way, is scheduled Jan. 5 at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.