Xi calls situation grave as China scrambles to contain virus
BEIJING — China’s leader on Saturday called the accelerating spread of a new virus a grave situation, as cities from the outbreak’s epicenter in central China to Hong Kong scrambled to contain an illness that has infected more than 1,200 people and killed 41.
Politics weigh heavily in Trump’s Mideast peace plan
WASHINGTON — A blueprint the White House is rolling out to resolve the decades-long conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians is as much about politics as it is about peace.
Spacewalking astronauts plug leak, finish fixing detector
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Spacewalking astronauts plugged a leak in a cosmic ray detector outside the International Space Station on Saturday, completing a series of complex repairs to give the instrument new life.
Hawaii residents return to homes at site of shooting, fire
HONOLULU — Residents have been allowed to return to their homes following a suspected landlord-tenant dispute where two police officers were fatally shot and two others died. A fire that followed Sunday’s violence destroyed seven homes.
Pompeo lashes out at journalist; NPR defends its reporter
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out in anger Saturday at an NPR reporter who accused him of shouting expletives at her after she asked him in an interview about Ukraine. In a direct and personal attack, America’s chief diplomat said the journalist had “lied” to him and he called her conduct “shameful.”
Death toll stands at 22 from Turkey earthquake; 1,200 hurt
ANKARA, Turkey — The death toll from a strong earthquake that rocked eastern Turkey climbed to 22 on Saturday as rescue crews searched for people who remained trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, officials said.
Study: Fewer vacation rental units available on Oahu
HONOLULU — A study shows the number of residential vacation rentals on Oahu has decreased by more than 13% since legislation was enforced against illegal short-term rentals, a Hawaii tourism agency said.
Trump lawyers argue Democrats just want to overturn election
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s lawyers plunged into his impeachment trial defense Saturday by accusing Democrats of striving to overturn the 2016 election, arguing that investigations of Trump’s dealings with Ukraine have not been a fact-finding mission but a politically motivated effort to drive him from the White House.
Officials identify remains found in burnt-out Hawaii home
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the remains of two people found in a burnt-out home where a man allegedly shot and killed two Honolulu police officers and attacked a neighbor before setting the house ablaze last weekend.
Woman charged after Phoenix airport partly evacuated
PHOENIX — A woman angry about not being allowed to board a plane at Sky Harbor International Airport was arrested after allegedly mentioning an explosive device, resulting in hundreds of travelers having to evacuate part of one concourse, police said Saturday.
Hundreds attend first free Hawaiian language class in Oahu
HONOLULU — More than 300 students, professors and others have attended the first free Hawaiian language class offered on the University of Hawaii Manoa campus on Oahu, student leaders said.
Hawaii considers ways to combat traffic-related deaths
HONOLULU — Hawaii lawmakers have proposed initiatives to help reduce the number of traffic-related fatalities after transportation officials confirmed more than 100 deaths in the last year.
Cardinal at center of 2 Popes storm doubles down on celibacy
VATICAN CITY — A Vatican cardinal at the center of a storm over a book about celibacy and the Catholic priesthood is denouncing the “brutality” of criticism directed at him and his collaborator, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI.
4 dead, tents ablaze after Iraq cleric pulls protest support
BAGHDAD — Iraq cracked down on anti-government protesters who have been occupying key public squares for months, leaving four demonstrators dead Saturday in a country reeling from political turmoil and violence.
Woman kills retired trooper, self at Chicago-area cigar bar
LISLE, Ill. — A woman fatally shot a retired Illinois State Police trooper and wounded another retired state trooper and an off-duty trooper Friday night before turning the gun on herself at a cigar lounge in the Chicago suburbs, police said.
China locking down cities with 18 million to stop virus
BEIJING — Chinese authorities Thursday moved to lock down at least three cities with a combined population of more than 18 million in an unprecedented effort to contain the deadly new virus that has sickened hundreds of people and spread to other parts of the world during the busy Lunar New Year travel period.
Migrant caravan crosses into Mexico, stops short of troops
FRONTERA HIDALGO, Mexico — Hundreds of Central American migrants crossed the river into Mexico from Guatemala Thursday after a dayslong standoff with security forces and walked along a highway before stalling at a shaded crossroads.
Survey: Nearly half of Afghans want US troops out after deal
KABUL, Afghanistan — N early half of all Afghans want U.S. and NATO troops to leave Afghanistan once a peace deal to end the country’s 18-year war is signed with the Taliban, according to a survey released Thursday.
Colombia soccer star extradited to US on trafficking charges
BOGOTA, Colombia — A former midfielder for Colombia’s national soccer team was extradited on Thursday to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
Israel PM, election rival invited to US to talk peace
JERUSALEM — The White House said Thursday it has invited Israel’s prime minister and his main political rival to Washington next week to discuss the “prospect of peace” with the Palestinians, who have already rejected the administration’s long-awaited peace plan.