NATION & WORLD BRIEFS
‘Forever’ stamp price may rise to 68 cents under USPS plan
FROM WIRE REPORTS
The U.S. Postal Service is seeking price increases of about 2% in mailing service that would take effect on Jan. 21. That includes raising first-class Forever stamps to 68 cents from 66 cents, the fifth increase since the introduction of a 10-year plan designed to financially stabilize the service.
Prices for package delivery will also increase, the Postal Service said. Increases range from 5.4% to 5.9%, depending on type of service.
The Postal Service announced its intent in October to raise prices and filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission on Nov. 15. The commission is expected to decide soon.
The Postal Service also wants to increase Post Office Box rental fees and some international services, including Registered Mail and International Mail insurance.
Rare white leucistic alligator born at a Fla. reptile park
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – An extremely rare white leucistic alligator has been born at a Florida reptile park.
The 19.2-inch female slithered out of its shell and into the history books as one of only seven known leucistic alligators, Gatorland Orlando said Thursday. Three of the seven are at the park, officials there said.
The park is asking for the public’s help in the naming the alligator, which is descended from a nest of leucistic alligators discovered in the swamps of Louisiana in 1987. Visitors will be able to see the leucistic alligator and her normal-colored brother early next year.
Leucistic alligators are the rarest genetic variation in the American alligator. They differ from albino alligators, which have pink eyes and a complete loss of pigment, according to Gatorland.
Coast Guard seizes more than $239M worth of cocaine in Pacific
Authorities seized more than 18,000 pounds of cocaine last month after intercepting suspected smuggling vessels in the Pacific Ocean.
The cocaine has an estimated street value of more than $239 million, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday. The drugs were recovered in six incidents off the coasts of Mexico, Central America and South America.
Keeping 9 tons of cocaine off U.S. streets is potentially “life-changing” for Americans and prevents “hundreds of millions of dollars” from flowing into cartel coffers, U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said in the release.
More than 81,000 pounds of cocaine have been seized this year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as more than 140,000 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly 150,000 pounds of marijuana.
Nintendo cancels Live 2024 Tokyo event after ongoing threats
TOKYO – Nintendo canceled its upcoming video game showcase and postponed several other events because of persistent threats to the company, its workers and players.
“We decided we could not amply ensure the safety of our customers,” Kyoto-based Nintendo Co. said in an online statement Thursday.
The Japanese manufacturer behind the Super Mario and Pokemon canceled Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo, which had been set for Jan. 20-21. The annual event showcases Nintendo games and lets visitors sample them in a huge Tokyo exhibition hall.
The company declined to give details of the threats but said police were contacted.