“Top stories and breaking news from Hawaii, across the state, and around the world.”
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigestonline.com).
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 72°Today’s Paper
Breaking News
Get the latest top stories and breaking news today from Hawaii, across the nation and around the world.
Homebuilders: Trump tariffs are raising construction costs
Builders describe an unpredictable atmosphere where they are passing the burden of tariffs placed on them by vendors onto consumers. Read more
Southwest Airlines to cut 15% of corporate jobs
“This decision is unprecedented in our 53-year history … We are at a pivotal moment as we transform Southwest Airlines into a leaner, faster, and more agile organization,” said CEO Bob Jordan. Read more
Hawaii’s Shunsuke Sakaino wins Big West award
“I’m just really surprised right now,” Sakaino said of the honor. “Just to get into the box, because of my teammates putting me up there, I love to give them credit.” Read more
Delta plane flips on landing at Toronto airport, injuring 18
Three people suffered critical injuries, among them a child. Read more
Judge to rule soon on case seeking to limit Musk’s DOGE
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, D.C., heard arguments today, the Presidents Day holiday when federal courts are closed, to consider an emergency request by 13 Democratic state attorneys general seeking to block Musk and DOGE from accessing government systems and firing employees at seven agencies. Read more
Pope Francis remains in hospital with ‘complex’ infection
The 88-year-old pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday. Read more
Yen rallies on growth data, dollar steady around 2-month low
The dollar last traded down 0.58% against the yen at 151.44 after data showed Japan’s economy grew more than expected in the fourth quarter on improved business spending and a surprise rise in consumption. Read more
Trump warns universities of funding cuts over DEI programs
Trump and his allies call the programs anti-merit and discriminatory against white people and men. Read more
Musk team seeks access to IRS system with taxpayers’ records
The systems at the IRS contain the private financial data tied to millions of Americans, including their tax returns, Social Security numbers, addresses, banking details and employment information. Read more
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Flood advisory canceled for Kauai; high surf advisory for Oahu, Kauai County
Radar around 8 a.m. showed the heavy rain has eased as the cold front continues to move east of Kauai, according to the National Weather Service. Read more
China urges U.S. to correct ‘mistakes’ after Taiwan wording cut
The fact sheet on Taiwan, updated last week, retains Washington’s opposition to unilateral change from either Taiwan or from China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own. Read more
Russian warship conducts artillery drills in Sea of Japan
“During the exercise to test air defense for a single ship, the crew of the large landing ship conducted artillery firing at a simulated air target,” Interfax quoted the press service as saying. Read more
Rainbows use 9 pitchers to sweep Marshall in opening series
Nine Hawaii pitchers combined on a seven-hitter to help the Rainbow Warriors complete a season-opening, four-game sweep with today’s 10-2 baseball victory over Marshall at Les Murakami Stadium. Read more
5 Iraqi banks to be banned from U.S. dollar transactions
A rare ally of both the United States and Iran with more than $100 billion in reserves held in the U.S., Iraq relies heavily on Washington’s goodwill to ensure that its access to oil revenues and finances are not blocked. Read more
U.S. Energy: Fewer than 50 purged from nuclear security office
On Friday, sources told Reuters that 325 workers had been sent notice that they had been laid off from the National Nuclear Security Administration. Read more
Pope Francis remains in Rome hospital for 3rd day
Francis had spent the afternoon alternating between resting and reading, the Vatican added in a brief statement. Read more
Interior Ministry: Israeli strike kills 3 Palestinian police officers
Palestinian officials said Israel was also violating the truce terms by blocking the entry of equipment to clear the rubble and shelters for displaced people in the enclave. Patients were also being stopped from leaving for hospital treatment in Egypt, they said. Read more
Rubio: Coming days to show if Putin serious about Ukraine peace
America’s top diplomat also played down European concerns about being cut out of the opening talks between Russia and the United States, saying in an interview with CBS that a negotiation process had not yet begun in earnest. Read more
Singer Shakira hospitalized in Peru with stomach issue
“I’m sorry to let you all know that last night I had to go to the emergency room for an abdominal issue and I’m currently hospitalized,” Shakira wrote in her post. “The doctors taking care of me have let me know that I’m not well enough to perform tonight.” Read more
Netanyahu reiterates support for Trump’s Gaza plan
Speaking to Jewish American organizations gathered in Jerusalem, Netanyahu again praised President Donald Trump’s plan to resettle Palestinians from Gaza. Read more
Zelenskiy calls for European army to deter Russia, earn U.S. respect
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Saturday for the creation of a European army, saying the continent could no longer be sure of protection from the United States and would only get respect from Washington with a strong military. Read more
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Delta plane flips on landing at Toronto airport, injuring 18
Hawaii’s Shunsuke Sakaino wins Big West award
Musk team seeks access to IRS system with taxpayers’ records
Trump warns universities of funding cuts over DEI programs
Southwest Airlines to cut 15% of corporate jobs
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