Virus count revised, new clusters emerge as France reopens
PARIS —France’s national health agency reported a sudden jump in new virus infections — just an hour after the prime minister announced a sweeping national reopening plan.
After criticism, Russia expands stats on virus-linked deaths
MOSCOW — The Russian government on Friday presented more detailed mortality figures for last month that include more deaths linked with the coronavirus, in a bid to dispel suspicions from some Russian and Western experts that authorities were trying to lower the toll for political reasons.
Trump strikes China over virus, Hong Kong and student visas
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Friday he would withdraw funding from the World Health Organization, end Hong Kong’s special trade status and suspend visas of Chinese graduate students suspected of conducting research on behalf of their government — escalating tensions with China that have surged during the coronavirus pandemic.
No rodeo festival dashes Wyoming city’s hopes amid COVID-19
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Just Dandy women’s clothing store in downtown Cheyenne has endured fire, flooding, recessions and so far the coronavirus pandemic, but will this year’s cancellation of the city’s famous cowboy-and-rodeo festival, Cheyenne Frontier Days, be the daddy-of-‘em-all disaster?
Trump takes aim at WHO as US economic outlook worsens
WASHINGTON — With new U.S. economic numbers highlighting the rough road ahead for a hoped-for rebound, President Donald Trump on Friday took aim at the World Health Organization and China, blaming both for their roles in the pandemic’s devastation.
‘I can’t breathe’ a rally cry anew for police protests in US
WASHINGTON — “I can’t breathe.” Eric Garner uttered those words six years ago, locked in a police chokehold. It became a rallying cry after his death for demonstrators across the country who protested the killings of African Americans by police.
Biden ally sees Klobuchar as less likely Biden running mate
WASHINGTON — Sen. Amy Klobuchar seems a less likely choice to become Joe Biden’s running mate on his presidential ticket following this week’s death of a black man in police custody in Minneapolis, a key ally of the former vice president said Friday.
Biden speaks of racial ‘open wound,’ contrasting with Trump
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden lamented the “open wound” of the nation’s systemic racism on Friday as he responded to the police killing of a black man in Minnesota. He drew an implicit contrast with President Donald Trump, who has suggested authorities could respond with violence to the protests that followed George Floyd’s death.
Minneapolis cop who knelt on man’s neck charged with murder
MINNEAPOLIS — The white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck was arrested and charged with murder Friday, and authorities imposed an overnight curfew to try to stem three nights of often-violent protests that left dozens of stores burned and looted.
Twitter and Trump: a feud years in the making finally erupts
On one side of this fraught moment: the president of the United States, facing multiple crises less than six months before the election. On the other: Twitter, the social media giant, which has grappled for years with how to handle its most prominent — and divisive — user. Caught in the middle: reality itself, and whose version gets heard over all the noise.
Hawaii survey says doctors struggling under new payment plan
HONOLULU — A survey of Hawaii primary health care providers reveals struggles to stay in business following changes to compensation by the state’s largest insurer.
Hawaii governor to extend traveler quarantine past June
HONOLULU — Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Thursday said he would extend the state’s 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers arriving in the state beyond June 30.
Hawaii hotel union protest calls for worker protections
HONOLULU — The union representing workers at many of Hawaii’s hotels have held a demonstration demanding that public safety and the needs of Hawaii’s workers are placed at the forefront of plans to reopen the state’s tourism industry.
Russell would do it!
There will be a food drive coordinated by the motorcycle riders, Sunday starting at 9 a.m. on the lawn of the historic County Building.
Kauai CIP budget surpasses $217 million
HONOLULU — When the State Legislature passed its $5.1 billion Capital Improvement Project budget bill May 21 for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021, more than $217 million was set aside for projects on Kaua‘i.
Feasibility of a Japan travel bubble
LIHU‘E — Could a soft opening of the state to Japanese visitors be the first strategy in establishing the state’s economy and reinventing tourism?
Happy Camper for Friday, May 29, 2020
Face masks and social distancing can’t stop the Aloha in the face of COVID-19 as we see Cyndi Ayonon and her Zonta Club of Kaua‘i sisters (Edie Ignacio Neumiller is safely working remotely!) more now than if COVID never happened…
Letter for Friday, May 29, 2020
• Give Derek his opportunity to succeed or fail
Grief for a world killed by COVID
If nothing else, sheltering in place gives me a lot of time to think. As I maneuver through these unprecedented times, I have been filled with an abundance of contradictory information about our new invisible enemy.
The Flip Flop Shop donates footwear to police officers
LIHU‘E — Denise Zumwalt of The Flip Flop Shop turned over 144 pairs of OOFOS footwear to the State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers, Wednesday afternoon for distribution to all of the officers in the Kaua‘i Police Department.