IRS mandatory presidential audit policy goes under spotlight
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An IRS policy governing the audits of tax returns filed by U.S. presidents is under new scrutiny after a report published by a congressional panel found the agency failed to perform the mandatory inspection of Donald Trump’s returns until Congress pressed for information about the process.
Zelenskyy thanks ‘every American,’ sees ‘turning point’
WASHINGTON — Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy told cheering U.S. legislators during a defiant wartime visit to the nation’s capital on Wednesday that against all odds his country still stands, thanking Americans for helping to fund the war effort with money that is “not charity,” but an “investment” in global security and democracy.
Kremlin warning: More US arms to Ukraine will aggravate war
KYIV, Ukraine — The Kremlin warned Wednesday that increasing the supply of U.S. arms to Ukraine would aggravate the devastating 10-month war ignited by Russia’s invasion, and Russia’s defense minister called for expanding Moscow’s military by at least 500,000 troops.
Migrants at US-Mexico border await ruling on asylum limits
EL PASO, Texas — Francisco Palacios waited for four hours with his wife and 3-year-old daughter at a border crossing between Tijuana and San Diego early Wednesday before going to a nearby hotel for a three-hour nap. They came back, bags packed, only to be disappointed again.
UN council adopts resolution urging end to Myanmar violence
UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council approved its first-ever resolution on Myanmar on Wednesday, demanding an immediate end to violence in the Southeast Asian nation and urging its military rulers to release all “arbitrarily detained” prisoners including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and to restore democratic institutions.
China limits how it defines COVID deaths in official count
ZHUOZHOU, China — China only counts deaths from pneumonia or respiratory failure in its official COVID-19 death toll, a Chinese health official said, a narrow definition that limits the number of deaths being reported as the virus surges following the easing of pandemic-related restrictions.
Family, friends mourn woman killed in Hawaii shark attack
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Family and friends are mourning a Bellingham, Washington, woman who died in an apparent shark attack during a Hawaii vacation earlier this month.
Shop With A Cop returns, now at Target
Tuesday was an exciting day for the Kaua‘i Police Department, the Children’s Justice Center, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, the Target store management team, and nearly 50 young shoppers and their parents.
Hale ‘Opi‘o, food bank, YWCA receive AlohaCare holiday grants
HONOLULU — Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank and the YWCA Kaua‘i Family Violence Shelter are three of the Kaua‘i recipients named in the announcement from AlohaCare that launches its newly named community giving program, Imua Loa, translated to mean “to go forward in health and well-being.”
Simple gifts would make a big difference
Aiden is a funny, hardworking and humble elderly man who has some physical health problems as well as an intellectual disability. Aiden has a playful spirit that allows him to enjoy community sporting events.
Warrior wahine sweeps KIF basketball in Raiderland
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i High School junior varsity’s Kailea Sokau-Masulit was one of the more petite players on the hardwood on Monday night.
Ripley wrestles into fifth place at tourney
HONOLULU — Waimea High School junior Skyelynn Ripley grappled to a fifth-place finish during the 20th Officials Scholarship Tournament at Leilehua High School on O‘ahu last weekend, said Coach Mac Pigott, the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation wrestling tournament director.
Kaua‘i will break ground on 400 new affordable housing units in 2023
LIHU‘E — Over the course of 2023, the County of Kaua‘i and its private development partners expect to break ground on 400 new affordable apartments and homes that will eventually house more than 1,000 people.
Happy Camper for Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Mahalo, all, especially Tom Freestone and all the hands of Timber sResort and The Ocean Course at Hokuala, for providing an opportunity (Hawai‘i News Now’s Guy Hagi said it never rains when you invite a weatherman to play golf!) for people to do something to have fun with (mahalo, Hokuala, for sponsoring Bart Thomas and a Kaua‘i veterans team — whoa, Ron Wood got to golf even when Wailua Golf Course was rained out!) in all that inclement weather on Sunday!
HOOSER: What do I want for Christmas?
Money, of course. Money for the houseless. Money for education. Money for I Ola Wailuanui. Money for community organizing. Money for hard core legislative advocacy work.
JONES: Resolving resolutions after a holiday hiatus
I have taken a break from my fitness routine since before Thanksgiving and I’m probably not going to be back into the swing of things until after the new year begins. Should I resume my program where I left off, or do I need to start from scratch after being a six-week sloth?
Obituaries for Wednesday, December 21, 2022
• Richard Takeshi Nakata • Estrella Ramos • Leslie Ann Agno Macadamia
Trump taxes: House panel to release report on returns
WASHINGTON — The Democratic-controlled House Ways and Means Committee voted along party lines Tuesday to issue a report on Donald Trump’s tax returns — likely offering a deeper look into financial records that the former president tried to shield from the public.
U.S. asks court to end asylum limits, with a short delay
EL PASO, Texas — Tensions remained high at the U.S-Mexico border Tuesday amid uncertainty over the future of restrictions on asylum-seekers, with the Biden administration asking the Supreme Court not to lift the limits before Christmas.
U.S. braces for dangerous blast of cold, wind and snow
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A large swath of the U.S. braced for a dangerous mix of sub-zero temperatures, howling winds and blizzard conditions expected to disrupt plans for millions of holiday travelers.
Violent quake in N California damages homes, disrupts power
RIO DELL, Calif. — A powerful earthquake rocked the Northern California coast early Tuesday, jolting residents awake as it shattered glass, shook homes off foundations, damaged roads and left nearly 60,000 homes and businesses in the rural area without power and many without water. At least 12 people were injured.
Trump’s fate in hands of Justice Dept. after Jan. 6 report
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Jan. 6 committee may have outlined a potential criminal case against Donald Trump, but it doesn’t actually bring the former president any closer to prosecution.
U.S. to send $1.8 billion in aid, Patriot battery, to Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. will send $1.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine in a massive package that will for the first time include a Patriot missile battery and precision guided bombs for their fighter jets, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as the Biden administration prepares to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington.
Zelenskyy preparing to visit D.C., after tour of war’s front
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing to visit Washington on Wednesday, according to three AP sources, in his first known trip outside the country since Russia’s invasion began in February.
Millions jam Buenos Aires streets to celebrate World Cup win
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A parade to celebrate the Argentine World Cup champions was abruptly cut short Tuesday as millions of people poured onto thoroughfares, highways and overpasses in a chaotic attempt to catch a glimpse of the national team that won one of the great World Cup finals of all time.