FBI Director Kash Patel filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and its reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick following the publication of an article on Friday alleging the director had a drinking problem that could pose a threat to national security. The magazine's story, initially titled “Kash Patel's Erratic Behavior Could Cost...
Madera Police Arrest Man on Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
A man was arrested on multiple drug-related charges following a traffic stop conducted during a night patrol, the Madera Police Department said late Sunday. Police said an officer initiated the stop near North D Street and East Central Avenue, where he contacted Pablo Pimentel. During the investigation, officers found Pimentel...
Iran Sends Mixed Signals on Talks After US Seizes Ship
Iran on Monday sharpened its threats to retaliate for the United States’ seizure of an Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz, adding to pressure on the fragile ceasefire set to expire this week. Iranian officials have sent mixed messages about potential peace talks with the United States. President...
EU to Widen Iran Sanctions to Those Who Block Hormuz
The European Union will expand the criteria of its Iran sanctions to include those responsible for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely shut for nearly two months upending global energy and commodities markets, two EU diplomats said. Tehran effectively closed the strait after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran...
Israeli Soldier’s Desecration of Crucifix in South Lebanon Draws Condemnation
A photo showing the desecration of a crucifix smashed by an Israeli soldier in a southern Lebanese village home to Christians drew widespread condemnation on Monday from Israeli leaders, the United States and church leaders. A photo that emerged online over the weekend shows a soldier taking the blunt side...
OpenAI’s ChatGPT Down for Thousands of Users, Downdetecter Shows
OpenAI experienced a possible outage Monday, with thousands of users reporting issues, according to Downdetector.com. More than 2,000 users had reported problems with the platform as of 7:41 a.m. PT, according to Downdetector, which tracks outages by collecting status reports from multiple sources. Most users reporting problems to Downdetector said...
Japan Eases Back Tsunami Warning After Magnitude 7.7 Quake, No Immediate Reports of Casualties, Damage
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay away from coastal areas where tsunami waves of up to 3 metres (10 ft) were expected. Two hours after the tremor, which struck at 4:53 p.m. (0753 GMT), tsunami waves as high...
Trump: Israel Never Talked Me Into War With Iran
President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israel did not persuade him to attack Iran, after news reports that Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu influenced the U.S. president's decision and criticism from right-wing commentators. "Israel never talked me into the war with Iran, the results of Oct. 7th, added to my...
US Energy Chief Says Gas Prices Could Stay Above $3 per Gallon Until Next Year
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Sunday he believes gas prices have peaked but predicted that they may stay above $3 per gallon until next year. Gas prices have risen during the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran and Iranian attacks on nearby countries, creating political headwinds for President...
Trump Says US Delegation to Go to Pakistan for Iran Talks, Threatens New Strikes
President Donald Trump said on Sunday his envoys would return to Pakistan for new talks with Iran, while threatening new attacks on Iran's bridges and power plants unless it accepts his terms. Trump said the U.S. delegation would arrive on Monday evening, a timetable that leaves just a day for...