For the third time in five years, Fresno is searching for a police chief. Paco Balderrama, chief since January 2021, resigned on June 25 after an affair with the wife of an officer under his command. That officer, Jordan Wamhoff, is also an elected member of the Madera County Board...
NHRA Drag Racing Great John Force Has Head Injury, Team Says ‘Long Road’ to Recovery Ahead
RICHMOND — NHRA drag racing great John Force has a head injury and has been moved from a trauma intensive care unit to a neurological ICU four days after a fiery, 300 mph crash in at the Virginia Nationals. John Force Racing said Thursday that the move for the 75-year-old...
Under Newsom’s Governorship, Homelessness Crisis Still Haunts California
Homelessness is the political albatross hanging around Gavin Newsom’s neck, something that’s plagued him not only as governor but even earlier during his stint as mayor of San Francisco. He promised to end homelessness in the city in 10 years. Two decades later, its streets are still home to thousands...
Putin Calls for Resuming Production of Intermediate Missiles After Scrapping of Treaty with US
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called for resuming production of intermediate-range missiles that were banned under a now-scrapped treaty with the United States. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, which banned ground-based nuclear and conventional missiles with a range of 500-5,500 kilometers (310-3,410 miles), was regarded as an...
A Palestinian Was Shot, Beaten and Tied to an Israeli Army Jeep. The Army Says He Posed No Threat
JENIN, West Bank — When Mujahid Abadi stepped outside to see if Israeli forces had entered his uncle's neighborhood, he was shot in the arm and the foot. That was only the start of his ordeal. Hours later, beaten and bloodied, he found himself strapped to the searing hood of...
Iran Votes in Snap Poll for New President After Hard-Liner’s Death Amid Rising Tensions in Mideast
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iranians voted Friday in a snap election to replace the late hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, with the race's sole reformist candidate vowing to seek "friendly relations" with the West in an effort to energize supporters in a vote beset by apathy. Voters face a choice...
Supreme Court’s Abortion Rulings May Set the Stage for More Restrictions
WASHINGTON — Superficially, abortion rights had a good run at the Supreme Court this term. Two weeks ago, the justices unanimously let an abortion pill remain widely available. On Thursday, the court dismissed a case about Idaho’s strict abortion ban, which had the effect of letting emergency rooms in the...
U.S. Allies Watch the Debate With Shaking Heads and a Question: What Now?
During Thursday night’s debate, President Joe Biden told former President Donald Trump that the United States is the “envy of the world.” After watching their performance, many of America’s friends might beg to differ. In Europe and Asia, the back-and-forth between the blustering Trump and the faltering Biden set analysts...
Panama Scores Late Goal, Beats Shorthanded U.S. at Copa America After Weah Red Card
ATLANTA — Tim Weah threw an inexcusable punch, and the United States took a huge blow to its hopes of advancing at the Copa America. José Fajardo beat backup goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in the 83rd minute to give Panama a 2-1 victory on Thursday night over the shorthanded Americans, putting...
Judge, Harper Are Fans’ Picks to Start in All-Star Game as Top Vote-Getters
NEW YORK — New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper were elected Thursday to start in the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. A few hours later, Harper limped off the field with an apparent left hamstring injury after...