Latest sex accusation against Trump lands with a thud
Nearly a week after the latest sexual misconduct accusation against President Donald Trump, the story has largely landed with a thud.
Witness could face perjury charge in Navy SEAL court-martial
SAN DIEGO — A witness who dropped stunning testimony at the war crimes trial of a decorated Navy SEAL by telling the court he had killed an Islamic State captive in Iraq in 2017 — not his accused platoon chief — could now face charges of perjury, according to the Navy.
Zuckerberg says company ‘evaluating’ deepfake video policy
SAN FRANCISCO — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the company is evaluating how it should handle “deepfake” videos created with artificial intelligence and high-tech tools to yield false but realistic clips.
NRA splits with PR firm, lobbyist and TV amid infighting
Infighting at the National Rifle Association exploded Wednesday, when the powerful association severed ties with its longtime public relations firm, suspended operations of its fiery online TV station and lost its top lobbyist.
Big plastic user Japan fights waste ahead of G-20 summit
TOKYO — Japan has a plastic problem. In a country where cleanliness and neat packaging have long been considered good service, almost everything, from single bananas to individual pieces of vegetables, pastries, pens and cosmetics is sold plastic-wrapped.
Iran: We will exceed uranium limits unless 3 Europeans act
UNITED NATIONS — Iran will exceed limits on low-enriched uranium set by the 2015 nuclear accord unless Britain, France and Germany take timely, practical steps to preserve the agreement that is “now in critical condition,” the Iranian ambassador to the U.N. said Wednesday.
Rescue ship with 42 migrants defies Italy order to stay out
MILAN — A private sea rescue ship carrying 42 migrants it took aboard off Libya two weeks ago entered Italian waters Wednesday despite an explicit ban from Italy’s interior minister, who has threatened to seize the ship operated by a German aid organization and to arrest its captain.
It’s on: The World Cup clash between the US and France
PARIS — It wasn’t just fans who were looking forward to a quarterfinal clash between France and the defending champion United States at the Women’s World Cup. Megan Rapinoe clearly was, too.
‘They died in each other’s arms,’ migrant’s mother says
SAN MARTIN, El Salvador — The mother of a man who drowned alongside his 23-month-old daughter while trying to cross the Rio Grande into Texas says she finds a heartbreaking photograph of their bodies hard to look at, but also comforting for how they clung to each other in their final moments.
‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ co-star Beth Chapman dies of cancer
HONOLULU — Beth Chapman, who co-starred with her husband on the “Dog the Bounty Hunter” reality TV show and later spoke out against some bail reform measures as leader of a national bail agents’ organization, has died.
Trump claims migrant deaths preventable if Dems change laws
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed Democrats for the deaths of a migrant father and toddler girl whose bodies are depicted in searing photographs that have become a symbol of the perils faced by those trying to cross illegally into the U.S.
Wayfair workers protest sale to detention center
BOSTON — Employees at online home furnishings retailer Wayfair walked out Wednesday to protest the company’s decision to sell $200,000 worth of furniture to a government contractor that runs a detention center for migrant children in Texas.
German tourists run over, killed at Washington swimming hole
WASHOUGAL, Wash. — Two German tourists visiting family in nearby Portland, Oregon, were run over and killed by a local man as they sunbathed by a swimming hole, police in Washington state said Wednesday.
‘May the best woman win:’ Record number in Democratic field
MIAMI — The Democratic presidential candidates taking the stage to kick off the primary debates include more women than ever before, six contenders challenging assumptions that voters and pundits may have about what presidential leadership looks like.
Tech giants face questions on hate speech going into debates
WASHINGTON — Executives of Facebook, Google and Twitter faced questioning by a House panel Wednesday on their efforts to stanch terrorist content and viral misinformation on their social media platforms.
US warns Turkey it faces sanctions if it buys Russian system
BRUSSELS — Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper made it clear to Turkey on Wednesday that it will face economic sanctions if it goes ahead with the purchase of a Russian missile defense system, as the standoff between the two NATO allies dragged on.
NATO weighs boost to air defenses over Russia missile system
BRUSSELS — NATO is considering beefing up European air and missile defenses and ramping up its war games plans should Russia fail to respect a Cold War-era nuclear missile treaty by August, alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned Wednesday.
AP Interview: Russia hails Norway-brokered Venezuela talks
MOSCOW — Russia’s envoy on Venezuela said that Norway-brokered talks between the South American country’s government and the opposition have raised a glimmer of hope for settling the crisis, strongly warning the U.S. against using force.
Seoul: US, N. Korea in talks to set up 3rd Trump-Kim summit
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean and U.S. officials are holding “behind-the-scenes talks” to arrange a third summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the fate of the North’s expanding nuclear arsenal, South Korea’s president said, four months after a second meeting between the leaders in Vietnam collapsed without any agreement.
Senate passes $4.6B border aid measure; Pelosi seeks talks
WASHINGTON — The GOP-held Senate on Wednesday passed a bipartisan $4.6 billion measure to deliver aid to the southern border before the government runs out of money to care for thousands of migrant families and unaccompanied children.
Crash closes highway Sunday
KOLOA — A portion Kaumualii Highway in the vicinity of Maluhia Road in Koloa was closed in both directions for more than an hour on Sunday, following a three-vehicle crash.
Search continues for Ohio man
WAILUA — The search continues today for Vladimir Sukhoparov, 58, from Ohio, reported missing from Kauai Beach Resort after his belongings were found on the beach Sunday afternoon.
King tides documentation sought
LIHUE — King tides are set to hit the islands at the beginning of July and it’s a chance for citizens to contribute to the Hawaii and Pacific Islands King Tides Project.
Hundreds rally for salt ponds
LIHUE — A Kauai County Planning Commission meeting drew a crowd of well over a hundred local residents, who showed up at the county government building in Lihue on Tuesday morning to speak on behalf of their culture, their heritage, their land and their salt.
Inmates mothers sue state
LIHUE — Two mothers are suing the Hawaii Department of Public Safety on behalf of their children, over what their lawsuit describes as “repeated and deliberate indifference towards the safety and well-being of inmates with serious mental health issues.”