South America ignores Europe and reopens as virus peak nears
RIO DE JANEIRO — South American countries on Monday began easing COVID-19 restrictions even as the region hurtles toward its viral peak, disregarding the example set by European nations that were battered earlier by the virus.
Mexico president kicks off ‘new normal’ phase amid pandemic
CANCUN, Mexico — Amid a pandemic and a brewing tropical storm, Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador kicked off Mexico’s return to a “new normal” Monday with his first road trip in two months as the nation began to gradually ease some virus-inspired restrictions.
UK eases lockdown restrictions but many flout guidelines
LONDON — The U.K. eased more lockdown restrictions Monday despite warnings from some health officials of another spike in coronavirus infections, especially if Britons persisted in flouting the new guidelines.
Masks and social distancing work, new analysis finds
Masks and social distancing can help control the coronavirus but hand washing and other measures are still needed, a new analysis finds.
Nearly 26,000 COVID deaths in nursing homes spur inspections
WASHINGTON — Nearly 26,000 nursing home residents have died from COVID-19, the government reported Monday, as federal officials demanded states carry out more inspections and vowed higher fines for facilities with poor infection control.
Trump warns of military action; Floyd’s brother wants peace
MINNEAPOLIS — President Donald Trump threatened on Monday to deploy the United States military unless states quickly halted the violent protests that have convulsed cities from coast to coast, hours after George Floyd’s brother pleaded for peace, saying destruction is “not going to bring my brother back at all.”
SpaceX captures the flag, beating Boeing in cosmic contest
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The first astronauts launched by SpaceX declared victory Monday in NASA’s cosmic capture-the-flag game.
Congress confronts dual crises of protests, virus outbreak
WASHINGTON — Congress convened Monday confronting protests outside its door, and across the nation, over the treatment of black people in the United States. The civil unrest combined with the COVID-19 crisis that’s disproportionately striking African Americans sparked an urgent plea for understanding from some leaders as the world watches a nation in turmoil.
‘Hate just hides’: Biden vows to take on systematic racism
WILMINGTON, Del. — Joe Biden vowed to address institutional racism in his first 100 days in office as he sought to elevate his voice Monday in the exploding national debate over racism and police brutality.
Brooms in hand, people patch up stores damaged in protests
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Carrying brooms, shovels, trash bags and cans of paint, thousands of people from Los Angeles to New York swept up glass from broken store windows, covered over graffiti and organized ransacked businesses Monday after protests over police killings of black people turned destructive once again.
Official calls for cargo company review after virus request
KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii’s consumer advocate has recommended that the Public Utilities Commission suspend a 2019 rate increase request for an ocean shipping firm seeking $25 million in federal coronavirus relief funds from the state.
Hawaii short-term rentals remain on hold for virus recovery
KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii County has processed nearly all of its short-term vacation rental applications, but it could be months before the units are allowed to operate as a result of the coronavirus.
The Salvation Army accepting donated goods
The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center will be accepting donations on Friday, June 19, in Lihu‘e, at the county Kaua‘i Resource Center at the Lihu‘e transfer station, 3460 Ahukini Rd., from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ignacio Neumiller to state commission on women
The Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women announced the appointment of new commissioners, including Edie Ignacio Neumiller for the County of Kaua‘i and Stacey Moniz for Maui County.
This art is ‘All Washed Up;’ no, really, literally
Artist Briana Smith found 172 nurdles within a 10-minute period at Maha‘ulepu on the South Shore recently.
Wedding photographer gives back
Mallory Roe, a professional photographer and creator of Vows With Views Photography, is still in business after 100% of her bookings from mid-March though the end of August were canceled or postponed.
Happy Camper for Monday, June 1, 2020
Rhonda Cabelo said the one nice thing about Police, Pastors & Platters at the Puakea Golf Course is how the event brings all the people together — living together, working together and getting through this COVID thing.
New strategies for business owners
On May 8, Divine Planet business owners Mike McGinnis and Sonja McGinnis opened their doors for the first time since they were forced to close due to the pandemic and, since then, their sales have been about 5% or 10% of what they were before businesses were closed.
They did it for Russell
Larry Rivera, Kaua‘i songwriter and entertainer, said he had to come Sunday to the “Russell Would’ve Done It” food drive coordinated by various motorcycle clubs on the island.
YB wants to stop hauling small loads
Young Brothers shipping company is seeking permission to discontinue less-than-container-load shipping of goods to and from Kaua‘i, according to a request recently submitted to the state Public Utilities Commission.