CHICO — California's largest wildfire so far this year continued to grow Thursday as it chewed through timber in very hot and dry weather. The Park Fire has scorched more than 660 square miles (1,709 square kilometers) since erupting July 24 near the Sacramento Valley city of Chico and burning...
Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys? Saweetie? How About a Dancing Foam Party?
Matching the weather, there's a sizzling menu of entertainment options this weekend. Friday sets the tone: You can choose from wine with live music, comedy, soccer, and a dancing foam party. It culminates Saturday with Grammy-winning Latin bands Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys, and rapping sensation Saweetie. And, you'll...
DNA on Weapons Implicates Ex-US Green Beret in Attempted Venezuelan Coup, Federal Officials Say
MIAMI — Federal investigators say they found the DNA of a decorated former U.S. Green Beret on some of the 60 automatic weapons he allegedly smuggled from Florida to South America as part of a failed 2020 coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The allegations were detailed in court...
Russian Chess Coach May Face Jail Time for Allegedly Poisoning Opponent During Tournament
A Russian chess coach faces potential jail time after allegedly attempting to poison her opponent during a championship in Dagestan. Amina Abakarova, 40, is accused of smearing mercury on the chessboard of Umayganat Osmanova, 30, causing her to fall ill mid-game. Security footage captured Abakarova's actions, leading to her detention....
New High-Speed Rail CEO Has European Train Experience
California's high-speed rail agency found its new leader. And he comes with decades of rail experience, including high-speed transportation. The California High-Speed Rail Authority chose Ian Choudri as the agency's newest CEO. Choudri most recently worked as senior vice president for infrastructure company HNTB Corp. He will replace Brian Kelly,...
US Men’s Basketball Team Advances to Gold Medal Game at Paris Olympics With Win Over Serbia
PARIS — They scored six points in two seconds. And just like that, against what looked like overwhelming odds, the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team was on its way. To a comeback. To a win. And to another Olympic gold medal game. Stephen Curry scored 36 points, including a go-ahead...
Vibes and Polls and Positioning of the Harris Candidacy
Kamala Harris passed on an opportunity to define herself as a moderate when she selected the progressive favorite Tim Walz as her running mate over more moderate options. But does Harris really need to redefine herself? It’s a question many readers posed in response (sometimes as a critique), and it...
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Breaks Her Own World Record, Wins Olympic Gold Again in 400-Meter Hurdles
SAINT-DENIS, France — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone once again broke her own world record, powering over the 400-meter hurdles in 50.37 seconds on Thursday night to defend her Olympic title. The 25-year-old American has now lowered the world record six times. She was in the lead around the corner and breezed down the...
Defending Champion US Women’s Volleyball Team Beats Brazil in Semifinal Thriller at Paris Olympics
PARIS — Karch Kiraly made one request when the decisive fifth set began: Win or lose, make sure to enjoy the moment. Taking in the Atmosphere The coach asked the American women to take in the atmosphere, one of the best for women's volleyball, with mighty Brazil on the opposite...
Lyles, Suffering From COVID, Finishes 3rd in Olympic Upset at 200 Meters Won by Botswana’s Tebogo
SAINT-DENIS, France — Noah Lyles lost the Olympic 200 meters Thursday, falling to Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, then being tended to by medics who carted him off the track in a wheelchair. Later, wearing a mask as he spoke with reporters, Lyles said he had COVID. After crossing the line third...