Birthday Party Places in Honolulu, Hawaii (Kids & Adults)

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Birthday Party Places in Honolulu, Hawaii (Kids & Adults)

What’s up? Ready to plan an unforgettable birthday party in Honolulu, Hawaii? There are numerous imaginative possibilities accessible to fulfill any preference and budget. From daring exterior activities (Honolulu parks, coastline, mountains, inflatable play facilities, Honolulu amusement & trampoline parks,…) to imaginative arts and crafts classes, and other interior places (Honolulu restaurants, bars, resorts, Honolulu galleries, swimming pool,…), there is something for all your dear ones.

Contents

1 About Honolulu, Hawaii

2 Honolulu Birthday Party Places

2.1 Beach Parks

2.2 Water Activities

2.3 Indoor Play Centers

2.4 Cultural Sites

2.5 Botanical Gardens

2.6 Adventure Parks

2.7 Yacht or Catamaran

2.8 Sports Venues

2.9 Rooftop Venues

2.10 Luau

3 Birthday Party Ideas in Honolulu

4 Honolulu Map

5 Party Supplies in Honolulu

About Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu

Honolulu is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. Honolulu is a major tourist destination, with an abundance of attractions. The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife and has a variety of restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Honolulu Birthday Party Places

With so many beautiful and exciting options, you’re sure to find the ideal spot to create a memorable experience for everyone involved. Let’s review some of the best birthday party venues in Honolulu for kids and adults:

Beach Parks

There’s no better place to celebrate a birthday than on one of the stunning beaches in Honolulu. Many beach parks offer pavilions, picnic tables, and even grills for rent, making it easy to host a party with breathtaking ocean views. Some popular beach parks include Ala Moana Beach Park, Kapiolani Park, and Magic Island.

Kapiolani Park

Water Activities

Take the party to the next level with a fun and adventurous water activity. There are plenty of options to choose from, including snorkeling, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and even jet skiing. Take advantage of the warm Hawaiian waters and create a one-of-a-kind celebration.

Indoor Play Centers

If you’re looking for an option that’s more weatherproof or offers a variety of activities, consider an indoor play center. These facilities offer options like bounce houses, laser tag, arcade games, and more. Some great indoor play centers in Honolulu include Fun Factory and Chuck E. Cheese’s.

Cultural Sites

Honolulu is rich in culture and history, making it an ideal location to celebrate a birthday. Take your party to one of the many cultural sites, like the Polynesian Cultural Center or the Honolulu Museum of Art. These venues offer unique and educational experiences for all ages.

Botanical Gardens

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Botanical gardens like the Lyon Arboretum and Foster Botanical Garden offer serene settings for a birthday celebration. With opportunities to explore and learn about various plant species, it’s an ideal location for nature lovers.

Adventure Parks

Coral Crater Adventure Park Hawaii

For the thrill-seekers, adventure parks like Kualoa Ranch and Coral Crater Adventure Park offer exciting options like ziplining, ATV tours, and obstacle courses. With stunning views of the mountains and ocean, these parks offer an unforgettable experience.

Yacht or Catamaran

Take the party to the water on a private yacht or catamaran. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery while indulging in delicious food and drinks. Some companies offer packages that include snorkeling or sunset cruises, making it a unique and unforgettable celebration.

Sports Venues

For the sports enthusiasts, Honolulu offers options like the Aloha Stadium or the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. These venues offer opportunities to watch sports events or concerts, making it an ideal location for a sports-themed birthday party.

Rooftop Venues

Top Of Waikiki

Take in the stunning views of Honolulu’s skyline by hosting a party at one of the many rooftop venues. Options include venues like Top of Waikiki or SKY Waikiki, which offer a sophisticated atmosphere and delicious cuisine.

Luau

What better way to celebrate a birthday in Hawaii than with a traditional luau? Enjoy authentic Hawaiian cuisine, hula performances, and fire knife dancing at venues like the Polynesian Cultural Center or the Paradise Cove Luau.

Birthday Party Ideas in Honolulu

Birthday Party Set Up

The Climbing Wall

Hawaii Party

Jumper

Pump It Up

Candies

Hawaii Events

Celebrating your birthday from Honolulu, Hawaii 🌺 I’m glad we’ve become the same family and know I can count on you unconditionally. Thank you for everything you do as a mother-in-law, mother and woman 💕 pic.twitter.com/hgwPE2cMWJ

— Nohely Rodriguez (@nohelyghdz) January 24, 2022

Honolulu Map



Party Supplies in Honolulu

Magnetic Moments

A & B Imports Exports

Pacific Party Rentals

Hawaiian Paradise Candies

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a beach party, cultural experience, or an adventure-packed celebration, Honolulu has something for everyone. Make your next birthday celebration unforgettable by choosing one of these unique locations in Honolulu.

Oahu Jump

Oahu Jump is the leading provider of bounce house and water slide rentals in Oahu, Hawaii, dedicated to adding excitement and joy to your events and gatherings. Specializing in high-quality, vibrant inflatables, Oahu Jump ensures that each party, whether it's a child's birthday, a family reunion, or a community event, becomes a memorable celebration. With a focus on safety, cleanliness, and customer satisfaction, they offer a wide variety of inflatables that cater to all ages and preferences, making them the perfect choice for any occasion.

Understanding the importance of diversity in selection, Oahu Jump boasts an extensive inventory that includes everything from classic bounce houses to adventurous water slides and interactive obstacle courses. Their collection features a range of themes and designs, ensuring that you can find the perfect match for your event theme or your child's interests. Whether you're looking for a castle fit for a princess, a superhero-themed jumper, or a tropical water slide to beat the heat, Oahu Jump has you covered.

Safety and cleanliness are paramount at Oahu Jump. They prioritize the well-being of their customers by rigorously inspecting and sanitizing all rental items before and after each use. Their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety measures means you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your guests are in good hands.

Oahu Jump prides itself on exceptional customer service. From the moment you contact them, their friendly and knowledgeable staff are there to guide you through the rental process, helping you choose the perfect inflatable that meets your needs and budget. They understand the nuances of event planning and are dedicated to making the rental process as smooth and stress-free as possible. With Oahu Jump, you can expect timely delivery, professional setup, and prompt take-down, all conducted with the utmost respect for your property and event schedule.

In addition to their top-notch rentals and service, Oahu Jump stands out for its competitive pricing and flexible rental packages. They strive to provide value to their customers, offering deals and discounts that make their premium inflatables accessible to a wider audience. Whether you're planning a small backyard gathering or a large community festival, Oahu Jump has flexible options to suit your event size and budget.

Choosing Oahu Jump for your bounce house and water slide rentals means opting for a company that goes above and beyond to ensure your event is a success. Their dedication to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction has made them the preferred choice for families, schools, and organizations throughout Oahu, Hawaii. With Oahu Jump, you're not just renting an inflatable; you're creating an unforgettable experience that your guests will talk about for years to come.

Make your next event in Oahu, Hawaii, a hit with Oahu Jump's exceptional bounce houses and water slides. Their commitment to bringing fun, excitement, and smiles to faces of all ages is evident in every rental. Contact Oahu Jump today to start planning your perfect party and let the fun begin!

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(Richard Harmon) [THE DISASTER]. Please welcome [LINK MURPHY (HE/HIM)] to Huntsville, WV. They are an [32]-year-old [VISITOR] who lives in [THE COMMUNE]. You may see them around working as a [POST OFFICE WORKER]. Poor unfortunate soul. We’ll see if they survive.

Full Name: Lincoln Link Scott Murphy Birthday: October 31 Age: 32 Hunter or Gatherer: Neither Sexuality: bisexual Height: 5'9 Relationship Status: single

The youngest of three and the only boy, Link was his father’s legacy - or so he thought. The boy was extremely bright, and excelled in reading as well as writing from a young age. His oldest sister, Ashley, often treated him like her personal baby doll, but the middle Murphy child, Harper, was only a year older, and the two grew up close as twins.

As far as school went, the youngest Murphy found it a breeze. He started going by Link early on, always hating his full name, especially the way it made him sound like an old man, but despite that, he made a lot of friends. Bright and outgoing, it seemed like Link was gearing up to live up to every hope his father had dreamed of.

Creative writing was a subject he took to like paper took to fire, and writing poetry became his go to outlet in middle school, suddenly feeling everything and nothing all at once. As his poems became darker and harder to discern, Harper reached out to their parents, concerned for her brother. It was just before Link went to high school that he was diagnosed with depression, and put on medication for it.

High school was a whole new world for Link - for the worse. He fell into a group of kids that spent most of their days smoking cigarettes in the back parking lot instead of going to class, and partying all night. This group introduced Link to cocaine, and it was all downhill from there. Soon he was smoking regularly, and ignoring his meds in favor of the white power that made him feel like he was on top of the world. Eventually his parents caught on, and his father was furious, all but disowning him at that point, and it was then that Link just decided to run for it.

It was a plan that had been in the back of his mind for a while, but it was supposed to be after graduation - but at sixteen Link found himself dropping out of school to travel around the states in the back of a van with his three best friends, relying solely on each other and drugs to get through and over any obstacle the world threw at them.

So began what Link would consider the greatest adventure and time of his life. While Alaska and Hawaii were out of the question (none of them had the money or the passports), the left New Jersey and stopped in every state in the continental US, resorting to theft when money was tight, and flooring it to avoid getting caught. As time wore on, however, it became harder and harder to make it.

How it even got as far as it did, Link couldn't tell you. All he knew was that half of his life was spent in the back of a van, and he was tired. Half the group had decided to take permanent rest stops, finding a state that suited them best to stop and stay in, promising to call and keep in touch - which, to their credit, they did, but it wasn't quite the same. It felt like a betrayal to Link in a way he couldn't explain.

He never meant to roll into Huntsville - but then again, who does? While being grounded means he's forced to become part of a community, he still often seeks the release that drugs bring him, trying very hard not to think about what's going to happen when the people that wander into town don't bring all the right supplies, because the last thing he wants to do is be forced to get sober in a town full of nightmares and monsters.

This Week’s Horrible-Scopes

It’s time for this week’s Horrible-Scopes! So for those of you that know your Astrological Signs, cool! If not, just pick one, roll a D12, or just make it up as you go along. It really doesn’t matter.

Since you all made a mockery of last week’s theme, we’ve decided that there will be no theme.

Aries 

According to “The Cube Rule of Food”, A Sandwich is defined as having independent structural cabs on opposing sides to the filling; for instance a hamburger. HOWEVER a Club Sandwich, which is a double-decker BLT with poultry and an additional slab of bread in the middle, is correctly defined as… “Cake”. Have fun eating your BLT Cake this week.  

Taurus 

Start the countdown and buy your supplies now. It’s less than 250 days until Halloween and you need to make a splash this year. Plan on throwing a party, themed around Historical Figures - and you’ll be Amelia Earhart…. And when your guests arrive, you be in Hawaii.

Gemini  

Your capacity to remember commercial jingles from the 70’s is only as impressive with how localized those same commercials are. Nobody knows what the Milford Plaza is, or where Puppy City is, or what discounts on slacks are available at M&K. Turn all that knowledge into a trivia game! 

Cancer Moon-Child 

Yes, you can play a flight sim, or space sim, or racing sim with a mouse and keyboard, but they’re all more fun with a dedicated controller. But for you freaks driving Train Sims… those dedicated controllers look like something out of a Minuteman Missile Silo. Y’all are FREAKS!   

Leo 

Look up into the night sky. Somewhere, about 200 km over your head at over 27,000 kph, there’s a hunk of metal that, upon impact, would turn you into a finer mist than DOOM’s BFG 9000 could ever hope to accomplish. The next time you start feeling romantic, just remember it’s up there, waiting patiently while traveling three times faster than any bullet on Earth… just waiting for you to get into space so it can bite you. 

Virgo 

Have you watched “Smokey and the Bandit”? You better not watch Burt Reynolds in that movie because he just does NOT know how to operate a CB Radio Microphone. Ok, Ok, so. Just watch how he talks into it - he grips the mic switch and Never.. Lets… Go. CB’s Don’t Work That Way! Jerry shoulda taught you better!

Libra 

“Loop-DUJH, hohm-MLEEJ, Loo-TEHB, Garg-HMEH!” If you’d taken up learning Klingon like we told you to LAST week, you’d be laughing right now. You uncultured “Peh-TAHQ”!

Scorpio 

Where did we go wrong with you, Aquarius? We’ve tried for months, seriously months, to be nicer to you. We bent the rules of the cosmos and worked on making you feel more included and supported and what d… OH! Sorry, Scorpio. Mistook you for Aquarius there. Forget about it. You just… go get an ophthalmological examination scheduled this week.

Sagittarius 

Lemme screw you all up. The original USS Enterprise on Star Trek should have looked more like the Reliant from The Wrath of Khan. The only reason it looked the way it did was because Walt Jeffries had the design upside-down across the table to Gene Roddenberry and he approved it that way. So turn your best work upside-down and someone else will stamp their approval on it.

Capricorn 

There is a company that sells pillows with specialized photo printing on them. You know what the hottest seller is? A picture of a Samsung Galaxy Note 7. It’s the perfect puffy size and shape. Why couldn’t you come up with something that fun to sell? Or maybe you can. So the same thing, only… make it self-heating for the winter months. And add a Bluetooth Speaker in it.

Aquarius 

Yeeaahhh. Sorry about the mix up there. Hey, look. We’re still in your star sign, so-o-o-o… eeeeyeeeaaahhhh. (*Long Exhale*)” Look, we all know how this is gunna end. Neither one of us is going to budge on this ‘Scope until the heat death of the Universe, so. Let’s just agree not to get into each other's way down the stairs. OK?

Pisces  

Here’s the naughty one that was held over from last week. Buy a container of K-Y Jelly, find the consumer helpline phone number on it and give a call. Let the person know that you are impressed with the spreadability of the product, but dissatisfied with the flavor, requesting information on any berry-flavoured versions. Just make sure you ONLY do this on April 1st! 

And THOSE are your Horrible-Scopes for this week! Remember if you liked what you got, we’re obviously not working hard enough at these. BUT! If you want a better or nastier one for your own sign or someone else’s, all you need to do to bribe me is just Let Me Know! These will be posted online at the end of each week via Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and Discord.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

The Exceptionally American Problem of Rising Roadway Deaths (NYT) About a thousand people gathered on a bright morning on the National Mall the Saturday before Thanksgiving for what has become an American tradition: mourning a roadway fatality. With the Capitol in the background, the crowd had assembled to remember Sarah Debbink Langenkamp, who was biking home from her sons’ elementary school when she was crushed by a semi truck. Ms. Langenkamp was, improbably, the third foreign service officer at the State Department to die while walking or biking in the Washington area this year. The U.S. has diverged over the past decade from other comparably developed countries, where traffic fatalities have been falling. This American exception became even starker during the pandemic. In 2020, as car travel plummeted around the world, traffic fatalities broadly fell as well. But in the U.S., the opposite happened. Travel declined, and deaths still went up. Safety advocates and government officials lament that so many deaths are often tolerated in America as an unavoidable cost of mass mobility. Americans die in rising numbers even when they drive less. They die in rising numbers even as roads around the world grow safer. American foreign service officers leave war zones, only to die on roads around the nation’s capital. In 2021, nearly 43,000 people died on American roads, the government estimates. And the recent rise in fatalities has been particularly pronounced among those the government classifies as most vulnerable—cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians.

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa erupts, officials warn people to prepare (AP) The world’s largest active volcano was erupting Monday and wasn’t immediately threatening communities on Hawaii’s Big Island, but officials warned residents to be ready for worse. Many current residents weren’t living there when Mauna Loa last erupted 38 years ago. The U.S. Geological Survey warned the roughly 200,000 people on the Big Island that an eruption “can be very dynamic, and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly.” The eruption began late Sunday night following a series of fairly large earthquakes, said Ken Hon, the scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

The great mismatch: Remote jobs are in demand, but positions are drying up (Washington Post) Lori Black has been firing off dozens of applications with one goal: to land a work-from-home job. But four months in, her search is starting to feel impossible. Positions are in short supply, and rejections have been plentiful. Nearly three years into a pandemic that reshaped workplace norms and put the balance of power squarely in the hands of employees, the tides are shifting again. The job market—although still hot—is slowing, and many Americans who had been working from home are being called back into the office. That has led to a tug-of-war between what employees want and what employers are willing to give them. Wage increases are plateauing, signing bonuses are cooling off, and fewer companies are allowing people to work from home than they did even a few months ago. Demand for remote jobs remains near all-time highs, even as companies roll back telework positions.

Mexico’s López Obrador leads massive pro-government march (AP) Hundreds of thousands of people marched in Mexico’s capital Sunday in a show of support for President Manuel López Obrador, who before assuming the presidency had led some of the country’s biggest protests. The “people’s march” marked four years in office for the leftist leader and was a response to a large opposition march two weeks ago to protest López Obrador’s proposal to reform the country’s electoral authority. The president himself led Sunday’s march through central Mexico City, which was accompanied by mariachi music, singing and a festive atmosphere. Many participants had been bused in from provinces across Mexico in trips organized by the ruling Morena party, unions and social groups.

Cuba’s informal market finds new space on growing internet (AP) In the Telegram group chat, the messages roll in like waves. “I need liquid ibuprofen and acetaminophen, please,” wrote one user. “It’s urgent, it’s for my 10-month-old baby.” Others offer medicine brought from outside of Cuba, adding, “Write to me in a direct message.” Emoji-speckled lists offer antibiotics, pregnancy tests, vitamins, rash creams and more. The group message, which includes 170,000 people, is just one of many that have flourished in recent years in Cuba alongside an exponential increase in internet usage on the communist-governed island. The informal sale of everything from eggs to car parts—the country’s so-called black market—is a time-honored practice in crisis-stricken Cuba, where access to the most basic items such as milk, chicken, medicine and cleaning products has always been limited. Before the internet, such exchanges took place “through your contacts, your neighbors, your local community,” said Ricardo Torres, a Cuban and economics fellow at American University in Washington. “But now, through the internet, you get to reach out to an entire province.”

Police bring down European cocaine “super cartel” (AP) Law enforcement authorities in six different countries have joined forces to take down a “super cartel” of drugs traffickers controlling about one third of the cocaine trade in Europe, the European Union crime agency said on Monday. Europol said 49 suspects have been arrested during the investigation, with the latest series of raids across Europe and the United Arab Emirates taking place between Nov. 8-19. Over 30 tons of drugs were seized during the investigations run in Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UAE with the support of Europol. “The scale of cocaine importation into Europe under the suspects’ control and command was massive,” Europol said, adding that the suspects used encrypted communications to organize drugs shipments. More than 214 tons of cocaine were seized in the region in 2020, a 6% increase from the previous year, and experts from the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction believe that amount could reach 300 tons in 2022.

Europe’s south offers a warm welcome to energy migrants (Reuters) Software developer Victor Varlamov logs in every morning to work on a sunny Spanish island off the coast of Africa after the prospect of steep heating bills and a winter made harsher by the Ukraine war drove him to leave his adoptive home in Poland. He is not alone in pursuing a warmer, cheaper way of life as tourist boards across southern Europe have seized on the cost-of-living crisis to advertise the benefits of wintering abroad to those living in more northerly countries. Varmalov, 50, together with his wife and teenage daughter, moved from Poland’s Baltic coast to Gran Canaria in Spain’s Canary Islands two months ago and plans to stay for the coming months. Before leaving Gdansk, where he has lived since 2016, Varmalov calculated he could save 250 euros ($259) on rent each month and pay 140 euros for all his utilities and internet, instead of the 200 euros he was paying for electricity alone in Poland. What he now saves, he spends on eating out, he said, and also enjoys beach walks in his lunch breaks. “The reality is better than my expectations,” he said.

As Winter Looms, Snowfall and Mud Present New Hardships for Ukraine (NYT) Increasingly frigid winter weather presented new challenges for Ukraine on Sunday as mud churned up the battlefield and snowfall made the government’s task of restoring power supplies devastated by weeks of Russian bombing all the more urgent. The state energy company urged Ukrainians to continue to use electricity sparingly to avoid overwhelming a national grid that has been weakened by repeated barrages of Russian cruise missiles and drones. Analysts say that while fighting is unlikely to stop for winter, the weather will make it harder for both armies to maintain troops in the field. In the eastern city of Bakhmut, which Russian forces have pummeled for months but failed to capture, residents have taken to cutting down trees and foliage to burn for warmth, its utilities having been destroyed by unrelenting attacks. The ground, not yet frozen, has turned to mud, sticking to uniforms and weapons and ensnaring vehicles, military and civilian alike. Analysts said that cold can affect morale, and that mud will present a particular obstacle for vehicles over the next few weeks before the ground freezes.

China’s Xi faces threat from public anger over ‘zero COVID’ (Bloomberg) The protests that erupted against China’s Covid Zero strategy represent one of the most significant challenges to Communist Party rule since the Tiananmen crisis more than 30 years ago. How Xi Jinping responds to it may end up being just as pivotal for the country’s future. From the capital Beijing to the far western outpost of Kashgar, Chinese residents frustrated by lockdowns and mass-testing campaigns have taken to the streets in recent days to urge change. In Shanghai—stricken by a grueling two-month Covid clampdown earlier this year—one crowd called for Xi to step down, defying the risk of a long prison term. Demonstrations ranged from a few people to street rallies of hundreds. Easing the outcry presents Xi with perhaps his biggest policy dilemma after a decade in power. A rapid exit from Covid Zero could fuel a surge in deaths, undercutting Xi’s efforts to cast China’s pandemic response as superior to that of the West. Cracking down on the protests, on the other hand, could build public sympathy for a cause that has already demonstrated nationwide support.

Succession Rumors in North Korea (1440) The 10-year-old daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made her second-ever public appearance over the weekend, sparking rumors over her potential future in the country’s male-dominated leadership hierarchy. Her appearance, the first of which came earlier in the month, makes her the first to be publicly confirmed as one of Kim’s children. Named Ju Ae, she is believed to be Kim’s middle child, with an older brother aged around 12 and a younger sister around 5 years old. Her abrupt debut has left international observers speculating about the status of Kim’s supposed eldest child, a boy who has never been revealed in public. Fueling further speculation, she was introduced with honorifics describing her as her father’s “most beloved” and “precious” child. The tightly scripted events come a year after Kim supposedly suffered undisclosed health problems, though those reports have been disputed.

Japan births at new low as population shrinks and ages (AP) The number of babies born in Japan this year is below last year’s record low in what the the top government spokesman described as a “critical situation.” The total of 599,636 Japanese born in January-September was 4.9% below last year’s figure, suggesting the number of births in all of 2022 might fall below last year’s record low of 811,000 babies, he said. Japan is the world’s third biggest economy but living costs are high and wage increases have been slow. The conservative government has lagged on making society more inclusive for children, women and minorities. So far, the government’s efforts to encourage people to have more babies have had limited impact despite payments of subsidies for pregnancy, childbirth and child care.

Water levels in Zimbabwe’s biggest dam too low for power (AP) Electricity shortages that have been plaguing Zimbabwe are set to worsen after an authority that manages the country’s biggest dam said water levels are now too low to continue power generation activities. The Zambezi River Authority, which runs the Kariba Dam jointly owned by Zimbabwe and neighboring Zambia, said in a letter dated Nov. 25 that water levels are at a record low and electricity generation must stop. The Kariba South Hydro Power Station provides Zimbabwe with about 70% of its electricity and has been producing significantly less than its capacity of 1,050 megawatts in recent years due to receding water levels caused by droughts. The dam “no longer has any usable water to continue undertaking power generation operations,” said the authority’s chief executive officer, Munyaradzi Munodawafa, in a letter to the Zimbabwe Power Company. The authority “is left with no choice” except to “wholly suspend” power generation activities pending a review in January when water levels are expected to have improved.

China Warns U.S. on Pelosi’s Visit to Taipei

LOS ANGELES (OnlineColumnist.com), Aug. 19, 2022.--Showing just how bad U.S.-Chinese relations have gone under 79-year-old President Joe Biden, China issued a stern warning about 82-year-old House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s 9D-Calilf.)  upcoming visit to Taipei.  China has been locked in a better fight to dominate the Island nation of Formosa, a refuge for Chinese nationalists fleeing the 1949 Maoist Revolution led by Gen. Chiang Kai Shek.  Biden officials led by 59-year-old Secretary of State Tony Blinken and 45-year-old National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan have so deeply insulted Beijing that there’s no room for error in U.S.-China relations.  No president in modern history has done more to wreck U.S.-Russian and U.S.-Chinese relations than Biden, for some unknown reason likes provoking 69-year-old Russian President Vladimir Putin and 69-year-old Chinese President Xi Jinping.  Biden’s insults keep flowing like a broken pipe.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said there would be serious consequences if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi goes ahead with her expected entourage visit to Taipei in August.  “If the U.S. side obstinately clings to this course, China will definitely take resolute and forceful measures to firmly defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Lijiian said, acting like the Biden ordered a U.S. aircraft carrier and flotilla through the South China Sea.  Things have gotten so bad under Biden’s leadership, that the margin for error is minute.  Generations of U.S. president maintained close relations with Chinese Taipei.  Things changed dramatically when former President Jimmy Carter signed the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, ending the 1954 Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty.  Since the Maoist Revolution, Beijing knows to keep its hands off Chinese Taipei.

Biden’s wise-guy attitude has leaked through every aspect of U.S. foreign policy.  Biden let his years as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee get to his head, thinking he some kind of foreign policy scholar.  Biden is a shell of his former self, ravaged by age but protected by the Democrat Party defending the octogenarians like Pelosi.  While no decision is officials yet for Pelosi to lead a delegation to Taipei, Beijing watches U.S. moves like a hawk.  Pelosi is supposed to lead a delegation to Taipei, Tokyo, Singapore, Jakarta, spending some down time in Hawaii, something Pelosi thinks in the perfect summer vacation.  But give the volatile relations between the U.S. and Beijing, Pelosi and the Democrat leadership should not push things to the breaking point.  Biden said May 23, breaking a longstanding rule of “strategic ambiguity,” that he would defend Taiwan.

Biden’s comments about Taiwan throw gasoline of burning embers in Beijing, looking to pick a fight with the U.S.  Given the sate of world affairs with Biden fighting a proxy war against the Russian Federation, the White House can ill-afford  to provoke the Peoples Republic of China [PRC].  Biden’s State Department knows that China has entered into a strategic alliance with Moscow to counter U.S. supremacy.  Now fighting a proxy war in Ukraine against Putin, Biden has few options before the U.S. is at war witth the world.  Biden thought his Western Alliance against Moscow was enough to bring Putin to his knees but he sadly miscalculated.  Putin has found many allies to compensate for U.S. and EU sanctions against the Kremlin.  When it comes to China, Biden continues to ignite the flames.  Remember Biden said repeatedly that the Feb. 24 Ukraine War was “unprovoked and unjustified.”

Biden show astonishing tone deafness to what he does to antagonize Russia and China.  He can’t imagine that supplying Ukraine unlimited advanced U.S. weapons antagonized the Kremlin.  When it comes to the run-up to the Ukraine War, Putin asked Biden for months to renegotiate security arrangement for Ukraine, all of which rejected by Biden, calling Putin’s ideas “non-starters.”  So Biden likes to provoke Putin and Xi Jinping, then deny that he did anything wrong.  When it comes to Ukraine, look how the war morphed into not a border dispute between Ukraine and Russia into a U.S. proxy war to topple the Russian Federation. Biden expressed his views clearly March 26 in Warsaw, Poland, saying that Putin should not remain as Russian President.  Biden’s views were echoed by 69-year-old Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who said April 26 that the aim of the war was to degrade the Russian military.

When it comes to Beijing, Biden is treading on thin ice with Pelosi planning a visit to Taipei in August, part of her summer vacation.  “The United States must be fully responsible for all the consequences caused by this,” said Lijian, warning the U.S. that Beijing will not take more U.S. provocation.  Beijing knows Pelsoi’s critical track record against the PRC.  If the U.S. wished to change its posture to Taiwan, they should rescind the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, recognizing only one China, the one in Beijing.  Visiting Taipei kicks dirt in Xi Jinping’s fact, only making an already tense situation worse.  If China invades Taiwan, what is Biden going to say, China’s actions were “unprovoked and justified?”  Biden has enough on his plate to create a new critical incident in Beijing.  Whatever Pelosi’s vacation plans, she should reroute her itinerary away from Taipei holding her meetings on Zoom.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

Into the Abyss

Chapter Two

(TW: depictions of drug use, addiction, substance abuse. Reader discretion is advised.)

When I was little, I sought out friends who were different from me, in almost every way. When I was shy, my friends were bold, when I kept my mouth shut, my friends shouted. You get my message. It’s been a while since I’ve seen these people, but memories linger. I even used to be friends with Theresa May, but before my dog, Emma, died. And in 10th grade, I met a cool girl.

The sun was shining as I exited my car. For that day, I wore a gray tank top from my vacation to Hawaii, with a purple hibiscus. A windy breeze frolicked throughout the air as I saw the pretty and cynical new girl. Her hair was down, dark brown, and wavy. She had a t-shirt of a skull a pink bow and a crown, with black. Oh my god, she was so pretty that day. Bejeweled flared jeans with two studded belts, and combat boots. I twirled my hair while complimenting her bag, she said my shirt was cute, and told me her name was Aurora. She never seemed to care about much in life, and I learned my ways from her all the times we hung out.

My childhood could only be described as a mess, hot off the pans of misery. My dad and my miniature dachshund died when I was 8, which made me lose hope in the world because it felt like everything and everyone was dying. Especially those you care about. However, in that first time of grief, Aurora became my saving grace.

She wrote her address down in my school notebook, 98682, Stone St. Black glitter pen in a beautiful manuscript. I still remember how it felt to walk up her wooden stairs after school, leaving my bag on the floor. Her bedroom was an escape for her, hiding her darkest secrets. It showed every side of her, animal print bedsheets, band posters, magenta fairy lights. We could chat for hours at a time about anything and nothing in particular. Day by day, as I got glimpses into her home life the more intrigued I became. How she could be effortlessly careless, but still be sweet. How she was bold in times of distress, hiding her love under a fiery smirk.

She was always free-spirited, sneaking out to concerts and parties. Until that excitement was blown out like a candle, a story for another time. But one day, she showed me her stash. We were in her bedroom when she pulled out a book, from her shelf. Her thin fingers opened it, revealing a box cut out of it. I didn’t see it at first in the hole, but then I did. A small baggie of cocaine, barely anything left. No wonder she was so hyper all the time, bouncing off the walls, and tapping my leg when she was bored. But she was never truly bored, just experiencing withdrawals.

She made me promise to never tell anyone, pinkies interlaced as her bracelet touched my wrist, trembling as tears fell from her striking blue eyes. I smiled and said the magic word, “Yes. I promise I won’t.” A week later, she was very irritable but wouldn’t admit why. I rubbed her back as she sobbed in gibberish. But instead of concern, I felt curiosity about the drug, because why should I care about my existence if it will fade away too? We partook in a science experiment, where she made her supply, letting me sample some. And that’s where I learned how to make the same thing I got thrown into rehab for, in the school’s science lab.

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Nearly 40 House Democrats voted against a measure to send around $26 billion more to Israel as it continues its war on Gaza that human rights experts have deemed a genocide.

While the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act passed the Republican-led House by a vote of 366-58, party insiders said it was significant that such a large number of Democrats had opposed it, with more centrist lawmakers joining progressives who have called for a cease-fire since October.

"Despite the weapons aid package passing, this is the largest number of Democratic lawmakers to vote against unrestricted weapons aid for Israel in recent memory," senior Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid observed on social media.

...

Senior Democrats who opposed the funding included Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.)

The bill earmarks around $4 billion for Israel's missile defense systems and more than $9 billion for humanitarian aid to Gaza, according toThe Associated Press. However, while lawmakers approved of individual expenditures, they balked at giving more unconditional military aid to the far-right government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"U.S. law demands that we withhold weapons to anyone who frustrates the delivery of U.S. humanitarian aid, and President Biden's own recent National Security Memorandum requires countries that use U.S.-provided weapons to adhere to U.S. and international law regarding the protection of civilians," McGovern said in a statement explaining his vote. "To date, Netanyahu has failed to comply. It's time for President Biden to use our leverage to demand change."

Nearly 20 Democratic representatives released a joint statement explaining their vote. They were McGovern, Doggett, Watson Coleman, Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-Ill.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii).

"This is a moment of great consequence—the world is watching," the lawmakers wrote. "Today is, in many ways, Congress' first official vote where we can weigh in on the direction of this war. If Congress votes to continue to supply offensive military aid, we make ourselves complicit in this tragedy."

China and North Korea Intensify Cyber Campaigns with AI Assistance

The world of cyber threats is rapidly evolving, with nation-states like China and North Korea leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to amplify their malicious operations. According to a recent report from the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), these countries are harnessing the power of AI to influence public opinion, sow discord, and generate revenue through cyber attacks.

China's AI-Powered Influence Operations

Chinese threat actors affiliated with the Communist Party are ramping up the use of AI-generated content on social media platforms. Their primary objective is to amplify controversial domestic issues and criticize the current administration in the United States and other countries. Stoking Discord and Spreading Disinformation The report highlights the activities of the group Storm-1376, which specializes in influence operations. This group has been spreading conspiratorial narratives about major incidents, such as the Hawaii wildfires in August 2023 and the Kentucky train derailment during the Thanksgiving holiday. They used AI-generated images and memes to make their content more eye-catching and disseminated it across multiple platforms in various languages. Furthermore, Storm-1376 aimed to stoke discord in East Asian countries by criticizing the Japanese government's decision to release treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. AI-generated memes and images were utilized to amplify these messages across social media platforms in Japanese, Korean, and English.

AI-Generated News Anchors and Sockpuppets The report also noted the growing use of AI-generated news anchors and sockpuppets by China-affiliated actors. These AI-generated anchors appeared in campaigns targeting Taiwanese officials in the lead-up to Taiwan's Presidential election in January 2024. Additionally, Chinese sockpuppets posing as US voters have been soliciting opinions on divisive domestic issues from American citizens. This tactic is believed to be a means of gathering intelligence and precision on key voting demographics ahead of the US Presidential election, to influence voters.

North Korea's Cyber Operations for Revenue and Intelligence

The MTAC report also sheds light on North Korea's cyber activities, which are primarily focused on generating revenue and collecting intelligence on perceived adversaries like the United States, South Korea, and Japan. Cryptocurrency Heists and Software Supply Chain Attacks North Korean hackers have stolen over $3 billion in cryptocurrency since 2017, according to Recorded Future's Insikt Group. This is part of the government's efforts to circumvent economic sanctions and fund its weapons program. Groups like Jade Sleet, Sapphire Sleet, and Citrine Sleet have been particularly active in targeting cryptocurrency targets since June 2023. North Korean threat actors have also heavily targeted the IT sector with spear-phishing and software supply chain attacks. For instance, the group Diamond Sleet exploited the TeamCity CVE-2023-42793 vulnerability in October 2023 to compromise hundreds of victims in various industries across the US and European countries. Geopolitical Intelligence Gathering and AI Experimentation Some North Korean cyber activities have had a geopolitical objective, such as countering the trilateral alliance between the US, South Korea, and Japan. Groups like Ruby Sleet, Emerald Sleet, and Pearl Sleet have frequently targeted organizations in sectors like government, defense, and media to collect intelligence on these countries. Moreover, North Korean actors are experimenting with AI large language models (LLMs) to enhance their operations. Microsoft and OpenAI observed Emerald Sleet utilizing LLMs to improve spear-phishing campaigns targeting Korean Peninsula experts. As the use of AI in cyber threats continues to evolve, governments, organizations, and individuals must remain vigilant and implement robust cybersecurity measures to combat these advanced threats. Read the full article

Events 4.1 (before 1950)

527 – Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne. 1081 – Alexios I Komnenos overthrows the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates, and, after his troops spend three days extensively looting Constantinople, is formally crowned on April 4. 1572 – In the Eighty Years' War, the Watergeuzen capture Brielle from the Seventeen Provinces, gaining the first foothold on land for what would become the Dutch Republic. 1789 – In New York City, the United States House of Representatives achieves its first quorum and elects Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania as its first Speaker. 1833 – The Convention of 1833, a political gathering of settlers in Mexican Texas to help draft a series of petitions to the Mexican government, begins in San Felipe de Austin. 1865 – American Civil War: Union troops led by Philip Sheridan decisively defeat Confederate troops led by George Pickett, cutting the Army of Northern Virginia's last supply line during the Siege of Petersburg. 1867 – Singapore becomes a British crown colony. 1873 – The White Star steamer SS Atlantic sinks off Nova Scotia, killing 547 in one of the worst marine disasters of the 19th century. 1900 – Prince George becomes absolute monarch of the Cretan State. 1908 – The Territorial Force (renamed Territorial Army in 1920) is formed as a volunteer reserve component of the British Army. 1918 – The Royal Air Force is created by the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. 1922 – In newly formed Northern Ireland, six Catholics are murdered in the Arnon Street killings, one week after six others were killed in the McMahon killings. 1924 – Adolf Hitler is sentenced to five years imprisonment for his participation in the "Beer Hall Putsch" but spends only nine months in jail. 1924 – The Royal Canadian Air Force is formed. 1933 – The recently elected Nazis under Julius Streicher organize a one-day boycott of all Jewish-owned businesses in Germany, ushering in a series of anti-Semitic acts. 1935 – India's central banking institution, the Reserve Bank of India, is formed. 1937 – Aden becomes a British crown colony. 1937 – The Royal New Zealand Air Force is formed as an independent service. 1939 – Spanish Civil War: Generalísimo Francisco Franco of the Spanish State announces the end of the Spanish Civil War, when the last of the Republican forces surrender. 1941 – Fântâna Albă massacre: Between two hundred and two thousand Romanian civilians are killed by Soviet Border Troops. 1941 – A military coup in Iraq overthrows the regime of 'Abd al-Ilah and installs Rashid Ali al-Gaylani as Prime Minister. 1944 – World War II: Navigation errors lead to an accidental American bombing of the Swiss city of Schaffhausen. 1945 – World War II: The Tenth United States Army attacks the Thirty-Second Japanese Army on Okinawa. 1946 – The 8.6 Mw  Aleutian Islands earthquake shakes the Aleutian Islands with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VI (Strong). A destructive tsunami reaches the Hawaiian Islands resulting in dozens of deaths, mostly in Hilo, Hawaii. 1946 – The Malayan Union is established. Protests from locals led to the establishment of the Federation of Malaya two years later. 1947 – The only mutiny in the history of the Royal New Zealand Navy begins. 1948 – Cold War: Communist forces respond to the introduction of the Deutsche Mark by attempting to force the western powers to withdraw from Berlin. 1948 – Faroe Islands gain autonomy from Denmark. 1949 – Chinese Civil War: The Chinese Communist Party holds unsuccessful peace talks with the Nationalist Party in Beijing, after three years of fighting. 1949 – The Government of Canada repeals Japanese-Canadian internment after seven years.

The Thriving Used Car Market in Hawaii

In the island state of Hawaii, the used car market is thriving, offering residents and visitors alike a wide range of options for finding reliable and affordable transportation. With the added costs of importing new vehicles to the islands, many consumers are turning to the used car market as a more budget-friendly alternative.

One of the biggest advantages of buying a Hawaii used cars sale is the potential for significant savings. New cars often come with a premium price tag due to the additional shipping and handling costs associated with bringing them to the islands. By opting for a pre-owned vehicle, buyers can avoid these extra expenses while still securing a reliable mode of transportation.

Hawaii's unique climate and terrain also contribute to the popularity of the used car market. With its tropical weather and diverse landscapes, vehicles in Hawaii can experience accelerated wear and tear compared to those in more temperate regions. As a result, many car owners choose to upgrade to newer models more frequently, creating a steady supply of gently used vehicles for sale.

For those seeking a bargain, private party sales and online classifieds offer a wealth of opportunities to find used cars in Hawaii. These platforms allow sellers to list their vehicles directly, often at prices well below what dealerships would charge for similar models. However, it's important to exercise caution when purchasing from a private party, as there may be limited warranties or recourse if issues arise.

Alternatively, many reputable used car dealerships operate throughout the Hawaiian Islands, providing a more structured and regulated buying experience. These dealerships typically inspect and certify their vehicles, offering additional peace of mind and protection for buyers. While prices may be higher than private party sales, the added assurances can be worth the investment for many consumers.

One unique aspect of the used car market in Hawaii used cars Oahu is the presence of vehicles imported from the mainland United States and other countries. These imported cars can offer a wider selection of makes and models not typically found at local dealerships. However, it's crucial to thoroughly research the history and documentation of any imported vehicle to ensure compliance with Hawaii's regulations and avoid potential issues down the line.

Whether you're a long-time resident or a visitor exploring the islands, the used car market in Hawaii offers a diverse range of options to suit various budgets and preferences. From private party bargains to certified pre-owned dealerships, there's no shortage of opportunities to find a reliable and affordable vehicle in this vibrant island paradise. https://www.autozillahawaii.com/sell-used-cars.htm

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Thursday, August 10, 2023

At least 6 killed on Hawaii's Maui island as fires force people to flee flames (CBS/AP) At least six people were killed on the Hawaiian island of Maui as wind-fueled wildfires tore through the area, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced. The blazes drove people to jump into the ocean to escape flames and smoke and forced people to evacuate, authorities said. Fire was widespread in Lahaina, a tourist town with a population of 12,000. Schools are closed, evacuations are taking place, and visitors are being told to stay away.

America’s Credit Card Bill: $1 Trillion (WSJ) U.S. credit card debt topped $1 trillion in the second quarter, a fresh record that reflects rising consumer spending alongside elevated inflation. Credit card balances rose $45 billion to $1.03 trillion in the April to June period, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in a report. More debt means rising delinquencies–but only back to prepandemic levels. “American consumers have so far withstood the economic difficulties of the pandemic and postpandemic periods with resilience,” New York Fed economists said in a blog post. “However, rising balances may present challenges for some borrowers, and the resumption of student loan payments this fall may add additional financial strain for many student loan borrowers.”

Latin America could become this century’s commodity superpower (Economist) Latin America is no stranger to supplying the world with raw materials, but it could be on the verge of a boom. Three forces are pushing the region to become this century’s commodity superpower. The green transition is increasing demand for metals and minerals that Latin America has in large supply, as well as the renewable energy to process them. The region already supplies more than a third of the world’s copper, used in wiring and wind turbines, and half of its silver, a component of solar panels. Its fertile land produces enough grain, animals, coffee and sugar to help feed a growing global population. Geopolitical tensions between the United States and China are causing countries to look fondly upon investing in a relatively neutral region.

U.K. Moves Asylum Seekers Onto Barge (NYT) Thousands of migrants travel to Britain every year on small boats, risking their lives to cross the English Channel and hoping to claim asylum when they reach dry land. On Monday, the British government moved a group of them onto a barge docked at the coast, a controversial step it argues will save money but that critics say is the latest example of a steady hardening of migration policy under the governing Conservative Party. Fifteen asylum seekers between the ages of 18 and 65 were transferred onto the 222-room Bibby Stockholm on Monday, with more set to arrive in the coming days. The government hopes that up to 500 people will eventually stay there. Plans to make the barge operational were delayed several weeks by fire safety concerns. On Monday Downing Street said that checks were complete and the 47-year-old vessel was safe, though campaigners and some other groups disagreed. The Fire Brigades Union, which represents rank and file firefighters, said that barges housing asylum seekers were “a potential deathtrap,” describing the policy as “cruel and reckless.”

Wildfires and floods wreak havoc in Europe (Worldcrunch) Extreme weather is causing chaos from northern to southern Europe, with Portugal battling 130 wildfires across the country amid a third heatwave on the Iberian peninsula while more than 50 wildfires continue to tear through Italy’s Sardinia. Meanwhile, the European Union and NATO are sending aid to Slovenia where heavy rains and floods have killed at least six people and caused damages that could exceed half a billion euros. Warnings of flooding and landslides have reached their highest levels in Norway and Sweden, where intense rainfall has led to transport disruption and caused a train to derail in eastern Sweden.

Western allies receive increasingly ‘sobering’ updates on Ukraine’s counteroffensive (CNN) Weeks into Ukraine’s highly anticipated counteroffensive, Western officials describe increasingly “sobering” assessments about Ukrainian forces’ ability to retake significant territory, four senior US and western officials briefed on the latest intelligence told CNN. “They’re still going to see, for the next couple of weeks, if there is a chance of making some progress. But for them to really make progress that would change the balance of this conflict, I think, it’s extremely, highly unlikely,” a senior western diplomat told CNN. “Our briefings are sobering. We’re reminded of the challenges they face,” said Rep. Mike Quigley, an Illinois Democrat who recently returned from meetings in Europe with US commanders training Ukrainian armored forces. “This is the most difficult time of the war.”

Don’t Be So Picky About a Job, China’s College Graduates Are Told (NYT) At this year’s commencement ceremony for the Chongqing Metropolitan College of Science and Technology in southwestern China, the graduating class did not receive the usual lofty message to pursue their dreams. Instead, they were dealt a harsh dose of reality. “You must not aim too high or be picky about work,” said Huang Zongming, the college’s president, to more than 9,000 graduates in June. “The opportunities are fleeting.” A record number of Chinese college graduates are entering the job market, exacerbating an already bleak employment outlook for the country’s young people. The confluence is deepening one of the most intractable issues keeping the world’s second-largest economy from regaining its vibrancy. China’s unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-olds in urban areas hit a record 21.3 percent in June. The numbers for July are expected to be even higher as the next wave of graduates officially transitions from students to job seekers. The problem of youth unemployment may not abate for a decade said a June report from the China Macroeconomy Forum, a think tank with Renmin University of China.

Seeking Love, With Help From the City Government (NYT) The hotel ballroom was filled with pink balloons, the sound of love songs and 100 singles gathering for a night of wine, getting acquainted and—fingers crossed—romance. Playing matchmaker was none other than the city government. A growing number of cities across South Korea are sponsoring blind-dating events like these for singles, desperate to prod young adults onto a track for marriage and family as the country has recorded the world’s lowest fertility rate for three years in a row. The cities say the problem is that young people just do not want to get married—or have the babies that would follow in a country where only 2 percent of births are outside marriage. Many young South Koreans, though, say that the real obstacles to raising the birthrate are the staggering costs of child care, unaffordable homes, slim job prospects and crushing work hours—and that blind-dating events do little to address these issues. Women, in particular, say they have been discouraged by the prevalence of discrimination against working mothers.

Typhoon Khanun lashes southern Japan, South Korea; another storm looms (Reuters) Flights were cancelled and trains halted on Wednesday as heavy rain from Typhoon Khanun pounded southern regions of Japan and South Korea, just as another storm approached from the east to threaten Tokyo ahead of Japan’s peak summer holiday season. Khanun could make landfall at the southeastern South Korean port city of Tongyeong on Thursday, before tracking up the Korean peninsula, authorities said. The storm is currently in the sea south of Kyushu, Japan’s southwestern main island some 860 km (530 miles) from Tokyo, after wreaking havoc in the southwestern Okinawa region. Areas of Kyushu have already been inundated with a whole month’s worth on rainfall in the past week, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

Healthy living in Japan (NPR) NPR’s Yuki Noguchi was born and raised in the Midwest and often visits her family’s homeland in Japan. There, she’s struck by the amount of delicious, fresh food available. While Japan and the U.S. are both wealthy, industrialized cities, they have vastly different obesity levels. Noguchi looks into how Japanese society makes healthy living easier: Japan’s “default design” is safe and densely populated, with a population that relies heavily on public transportation. This means they get more exercise through walking. The country’s traditional diet leans vegetables, seaweed and seafood, with an emphasis on quality vs quantity. Even convenience store food is fresh: noodle salads, rice balls and bento boxes are swapped out multiple times daily. Japanese school lunches are free and made from scratch. Students learn about nutrition, serving and cleaning.

An Oil-Rich Ally Tests Its Relationship With the U.S. (NYT) The ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, is a key American ally who counts on the United States to defend his country. But he has traveled twice to Russia over the past year to meet with President Vladimir V. Putin, and in June, his country was celebrated as the guest of honor at the Russian leader’s flagship investment forum. Later this month, the Emirati and Chinese air forces plan to train together for the first time, a notable shift for an oil-rich Gulf nation that has long relied on American fighter jets, weapons and protection. These deepening relationships show how a Middle Eastern leader viewed by the U.S. government as an important partner is increasingly striking out on his own path. American officials have had limited success in persuading Sheikh Mohammed to align with U.S. foreign policy—particularly when it comes to limiting Chinese military ties and isolating Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Instead, the Emirates has thrived on inflows of Russian money, oil and gold, fueling a feeding frenzy in real estate in the glittering metropolis of Dubai. The growing ties with both American rivals and expanding economies like India are all in preparation for a world that may someday be no longer dominated by the United States. “What we’re seeing in the international order is not necessarily a multipolar world, but we’re seeing a more fluid world where things are changing,” Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to Sheikh Mohammed, told The New York Times recently. In a lecture in Arabic last year, he was much blunter, declaring that Western hegemony was “in its final days.”

Hopes for Dialogue Dim in Niger as Junta Clings to Power (NYT) The new military leaders of Niger have rebuffed diplomatic efforts by the United States, the United Nations and regional groups to resolve a crisis sparked by a coup in the West African nation, dimming hopes that civilian rule will be restored soon. The soldiers who took over Niger last month refused to meet a delegation of envoys on Tuesday from the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, the 15-member regional bloc known as ECOWAS. A day earlier, Victoria Nuland, the acting U.S. deputy secretary of state, made a surprise trip to Niger but left after talks with one of the coup leaders that she described as “extremely frank and at times quite difficult.” The general she met with had been trained in the United States and was considered a close U.S. military ally. But Ms. Nuland said that he offered no assurances that President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger would be reinstated or that civilian rule would be restored. And she was denied a meeting with the junta’s leader, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani.

Fitness: Fewer than 5,000 steps a day enough to boost health (BBC) It has long been touted that 10,000 steps a day is the magic number you need to stay fit and healthy—but a new study shows fewer than 5,000 may be enough to see a benefit. The analysis of more than 226,000 people around the world showed 4,000 was enough to start reducing the risk of dying prematurely of any cause. Just over 2,300 is enough to benefit the heart and blood vessels. The more you do, the more health benefits are seen, researchers said. Every extra 1,000 steps beyond the 4,000 reduced the risk of dying early by 15% up to 20,000 steps.

Jul. 11—Three people accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of supplying fatal doses of fentanyl to two Hawaii men who died last month at a Waikiki hotel pleaded not guilty Monday.

Three people accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of supplying fatal doses of fentanyl to two Hawaii men who died last month at a Waikiki hotel pleaded not guilty Monday.

Keina Breit Drageset, 26, and Avery James Garrard, 31, are accused of smuggling drugs into the state through the mail and providing them to Jeffrey P. Waz, 63.

"As we see fentanyl increasingly showing up in our investigations, we can expect more users to suffer death or serious bodily injury from fentanyl overdoses, " U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. "We will continue to work with our state and county law enforcement partners to coordinate the collection of evidence and to bring criminal charges that address the seriousness of the criminal conduct, including charges that come with a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a potential life sentence without parole."

All three entered not-guilty pleas Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield.

"Ms. Drageset has entered a plea of not guilty regarding the tragic deaths associated with the abuse of illegal recreational drugs, " her attorney, Myles S. Breiner, told the Star-Advertiser.

Waz's attorney, Andrew M. Kennedy, and Garrard's attorney, Neal J. Kugiya, declined comment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marshall H. Silverberg is prosecuting the case.

Authorities allege Waz gave the drugs to a fourth person, Joseph Alvin Hamil, 57, the street-side dealer of the operation. Hamil is accused of giving the victims fentanyl by mistake and is scheduled to make his initial appearance and enter a plea Wednesday in Mansfield's court. Both Waz and Hamil are reportedly cooperating with the investigation being run by Honolulu police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Hamil is accused of providing the fentanyl to 53-year-old Steven Berengue and 44-year-old Joseph Iseke, who both died after overdosing at a hotel party June 3. Iseke, of Kailua, was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency personnel responded to a call at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Be ­rengue, of Kailua-Kona, was taken to a hospital, where died within 24 hours of being found.

Three other victims, who survived, told authorities they thought Iseke was chopping up "cocaine and /or molly and all three snorted the substances allegedly not knowing they contained fentanyl, " according to federal court records. The term "molly " refers to the powdered form of MDMA, a stimulant that alters mood and perception.

Waz, Garrard and Drageset are accused of a controlled ­-substance conspiracy resulting in death and serious bodily injury, according to an eight-count indictment handed down Thursday by a federal grand jury.

On May 10 and 18, Waz allegedly joined the conspiracy by selling between one and five ounces of fentanyl that he obtained from Garrard.

On June 3, Hamil planned to sell "a ball " of meth, or 3.5 grams, to Iseke but mistakenly gave him one gram of fentanyl that he allegedly got from Waz, and one gram of heroin, according to federal court documents.

Additionally, Waz, Garrard and Hamil are charged with distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury. Waz and Drageset are also accused of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Drageset, a former model who allegedly led the drug trafficking organization, was also charged with attempted possession with intent to distribute of a controlled substance for trying to get fentanyl through the U.S. Postal Service on June 23, and with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance after authorities allegedly found fentanyl during a search of her white Tesla.

On June 4 at about 6 :22 a.m., HPD and Emergency Medical Services responded to a 911 call from one of the surviving victims, who woke up at the resort after blacking out from partying.

HPD found five victims in a hotel room who were either unresponsive or needed medical attention. Authorities said substances found at the scene tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl. Police said "multiple types of drugs were found at the scene, " including a small baggie with a white crystalline substance, along with a glass pipe, and black-tar heroin.

During the investigation, DEA agents obtained hotel records for the room where the overdoses occurred and spoke to the person who had booked the room and who had been taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Agents also spoke with another victim, who described Berengue as an old friend and said the group had run into him coming back to the hotel from a concert. According to the criminal complaint, Berengue said he had consumed alcohol earlier and "may have used methamphetamine that day, but could not recall."

Berengue claimed that Iseke brought crystal methamphetamine to the room "but was not sure what the other drugs were."

The victim who had described Berengue as an old friend said he snorted a white powder in the hotel room, which he allegedly got from Iseke, and "within a few minutes " blacked out.

Investigators found text message exchanges on Iseke's phone that occurred between June 3 and 4. Iseke allegedly texted Hamil asking about the "pinkish purple powder " that was included in his drug order, according to federal court documents.

Hamil allegedly replied, "Exactly what I've been looking for all night. Hope you still have it. Should be a bag with brown and one with purple. I have to return that stuff. Call me in the morning please ? Big, big mistake. Running around like an idiot today and went all different directions at once. Anyways call me in the morning if can so I can run by. Thanks bro "

According to USPS business records, since March 20 five parcels have been sent from Los Angeles, San Diego and Palm Desert, Calif., to Drageset's apartment in the 800 block of Kapiolani Boulevard.

On June 23, DEA and FBI agents with a warrant to search the home found multiple baggies of suspected controlled substances in plain view on the kitchen table, along with paraphernalia for distribution. Investigators also found about $150, 219 in a safe "along with controlled substances that tested positive for the presence of fentanyl."

A laptop that was logged on to the "dark web, " with multiple online marketplaces saved for ordering illegal drugs, was also found, according to the complaint.

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