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The Taliban are outlawing women’s beauty salons in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban are banning women’s beauty salons in Afghanistan, a government spokesman said Tuesday. It’s the latest curb on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, following edicts barring them from education, public spaces and most forms of employment. A spokesman for the Taliban-run Virtue and Vice Ministry, Mohammad Sidik Akif Mahajar, didn’t give details of the ban. He only confirmed the contents of a letter circulating on social media. The ministry-issued letter, dated June 24, says it conveys a verbal order from the supreme leader, ...

Kenya’s president lifts 6-year logging ban to create jobs

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan President William Ruto has lifted a six-year ban on logging over the concerns of environmentalists. The president said Sunday it was “foolish” to have mature trees rotting in forests while local industries lacked timber. “This is why we have decided to open up the forest and harvest timber so that we can create jobs for our youth,” he said. Ruto became Kenya’s president in September. In 2018, while serving as deputy president, he announced a government ban on logging to protect water catchment areas and avert a looming drought. His ...

US passport wait creating travel purgatory, snarling summer plans

The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Seeking a valid U.S. passport for that 2023 trip? Buckle up, wishful traveler, for a very different journey before you step anywhere near an airport. A much-feared backup of U.S passport applications has smashed into a wall of government bureaucracy as worldwide travel rebounds toward record pre-pandemic levels — with too few humans to handle the load. The result, say aspiring travelers in the U.S. and around the world, is a maddening pre-travel purgatory defined, at best, by costly uncertainty. With family dreams and big money on the line, ...

Workers strike at major SoCal hotels

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Workers picketed major Southern California hotels again Monday after walking off the job during the July Fourth weekend to demand better pay and benefits. The strike by bellhops, front desk agents, room attendants, cooks, servers and dishwashers began early Sunday in Los Angeles and Orange counties just as summer tourism ramps up. Employers accused the union of failing to negotiate. Members of Unite Here Local 11 voted last month in favor of authorizing the strike. In addition to higher wages, the union wants improved health care benefits, higher pension ...

Coryann Catalano-Alexandre joins Pennian Bank staff

MIFFLINTOWN — Coryann Catalano-Alexandre joins Pennian Bank’s team as a Relationship Banker based out of the West Shore Office in Lemoyne. Coryann joins Pennian Bank after most recently being employed at Enders Insurance as a Personal Insurance Advisor. “Coryann’s passion for the community and helping people meet their individual needs will be a tremendous asset to the Bank.” said Candice Neff Hull, VP and Relationship Banking Manager of Pennian Bank. “We are excited to have her join our team.” Coryann has held leadership positions with Harrisburg Young ...

Bed Bath & Beyond to be available online; Retailer takes over chain’s property

NEW YORK (AP) — Bed & Bath & Beyond will live on, online at least, after Overstock.com acquired the bankrupt retail chain’s intellectual property assets for $21.5 million. The online retailer Overstock.com is dumping its name online and will become Bed & Bath & Beyond, which declared bankruptcy earlier this year. Overstock.com’s CEO Jonathan Johnson told The Associated Press in a phone interview on Thursday that the company is considering changing its corporate name but won’t make any decisions until after it digests the assets. The switcheroo to a very ...