Financially struggling zoos could be latest pandemic victims
SAN FRANCISCO — Since the coronavirus pandemic began keeping visitors at home, the jaguars and chimpanzees at the Oakland Zoo have enjoyed the quiet, venturing out to areas of their exhibits they usually avoid.
Thousands protest in Berlin against coronavirus restrictions
BERLIN — Thousands protested Germany’s coronavirus restrictions Saturday in a Berlin demonstration marking what organizers called “the end of the pandemic” — a declaration that comes just as authorities are voicing increasing concerns about an uptick in new infections.
Italian island runs out of room to quarantine new migrants
ROME — About 250 Tunisian migrants in several small boats have reached a tiny Italian island that has run out of room to quarantine them as required by Italy’s anti-coronavirus measures, local officials said Saturday.
Another postponement rattles MLB; Brewers’ Cain opts out
The coronavirus forced baseball’s 17th postponement in 10 days on Saturday, prompting at least two more players to opt out and casting doubt the league can complete a truncated 2020 season.
Negotiators report progress in COVID-19 aid talks
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers participating in rare weekend talks on a huge coronavirus relief measure reported progress on Saturday, as political pressure mounts to restore a newly expired $600-per-week supplemental unemployment benefit and send funding to help schools reopen.
Joe Biden nears final decision on running mate
WASHINGTON — As Joe Biden nears the announcement of his vice presidential choice, the top contenders and their advocates are making final appeals.
‘Rebuilding Paradise’ looks at emotional toll of deadly fire
SAN FRANCISCO — Almost two years since a wildfire swept through his mountain town and virtually wiped it out, Steve “Woody” Culleton got to put the final touches on his new home.
Astronauts face final leg of SpaceX test flight: coming home
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A pair of NASA astronauts face the final and most important part of their SpaceX test flight: returning to Earth with a rare splashdown.
Microsoft in advanced talks to buy TikTok’s US business
NEW YORK — Microsoft is in advanced talks to buy the U.S. operations of TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned video app that has been a source of national security and censorship concerns, according to a person familiar with the discussions who spoke only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity to the negotiations.
Biden eyes major foreign policy shifts if he wins
WASHINGTON — Should former Vice President Joe Biden win the White House in November, America will likely be in for a foreign policy about-face as Biden reverses, dismantles or severely curtails many of President Donald Trump’s most significant and boldest actions.
United Airlines to add Hawaii flights during pandemic
HONOLULU — United Airlines says it will resume service on 30 international routes in September, and will include more flights to Hawaii.
No more suffering in silence
The bipartisan Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus supported the amendment of several bills that legislators passed related to sexual harassment in the workplace and domestic violence.
Firearms registration forms online
The Kaua‘i Police Department now offers all three firearms registration forms on its website.
‘The Last Hurrah’
Today is the final opportunity for Kaua‘i’s Class of 2020 to get their free Kala ‘ukulele when the Strings of Joy committee hosts the free distribution from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kukui Grove Center water fountain near Jamba Juice.
Cut energy costs for free
The County of Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i Economic Development Board are offering up to $150 worth of energy-saving devices to residents who have been impacted by the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.
Obituaries for Saturday, August 1, 2020
• Iris H.K. Venzon • Johnny Navor Negrillo • Juan ‘John’ Carias Ampoloquio • Andrew Joseph Jardine
County employees get COVID-19 information, back-to-school supplies
“We are in the planning stages of trying to Make A Splash, virtual,” said Jason Fujinaka of the county Department of Water Wednesday during the County of Kaua‘i Employee Council COVID-19 Back to School supply distribution in the Vidinha Stadium parking lot.
Sand finds a telescope for learning
Sand Sandblom was beyond the learning phase of the grab-and-go learning kit Friday.