WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday left in place lawyer Michael Avenatti’s conviction for plotting to extort up to $25 million from Nike. The justices did not comment in rejecting an appeal from Avenatti, who rose to fame representing porn actor Stormy Daniels in litigation against former President Donald...
Popular California Beach Closed After Shark Bumped Surfer off His Board
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — A 2-mile stretch of a popular Southern California beach was closed for the Memorial Day holiday after a shark bumped a surfer off his board the night before, authorities said. The 24-hour closure at San Clemente was announced after the surfer came out of the water...
The Latest | Defense Targets Michael Cohen’s Testimony in Closing Arguments in Trump Hush Money Case
NEW YORK — Closing arguments in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial began Tuesday morning in a Manhattan courtroom, giving prosecutors and defense attorneys one final opportunity to convince the jury of their respective cases before deliberations begin. Defense and Prosecution's Closing Arguments Defense lawyer Todd Blanche said he expected...
Taiwan’s Legislature Passes Changes Seen as Favoring China, Reducing President’s Power
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature passed changes on Tuesday that are seen as favoring China and diminishing the power of the island's president, sparking protests by thousands of people. Legislature's Increased Power The changes pushed by the opposition Nationalist Party and its allies would give the legislature greater power...
US Consumer Confidence Rises in May After Three Months of Declines
WASHINGTON — Consumer confidence in the U.S. rose in May after three straight months of declines, though Americans are still anxious about inflation and interest rates. Consumer Confidence Index The Conference Board, a business research group, said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose in May to 102 from 97.5...
Scorned Umpire Ángel Hernández Retires. He Unsuccessfully Sued MLB for Racial Discrimination.
NEW YORK — Longtime umpire Ángel Hernández, who unsuccessfully sued Major League Baseball for racial discrimination, is retiring immediately. During a career that lasted more than three decades, the 62-year-old Hernández was often derided by players, managers and fans for missed calls and quick ejections — some in high-profile situations....
Brett Wisely Drives in a Pair of Key Runs as Giants Hold off Phillies
SAN FRANCISCO — Brett Wisely doubled in a key insurance run in the sixth inning after an earlier RBI single, Patrick Bailey hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the fifth, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4 on Monday. Up Next RHP Zack Wheeler (6-3, 2.53 ERA)...
T-Mobile to Buy Almost All of U.S Cellular in Deal Worth $4.4 Billion with Debt
T-Mobile is buying U.S. Cellular's wireless operations and certain spectrum assets in a deal valued at $4.4 billion, further consolidating the industry. T-Mobile would get more than 4 million new customers and control of U.S. Cellular’s wireless operations and about 30% of spectrum assets across several spectrum bands. T-Mobile will...
Still Hurting From Violence, Mexican Priests and Families Hope for Peace Ahead of Elections
CHIHUAHUA, México — José Portillo Gil, the gang leader known as “El Chueco” — the Crooked One — lowered his gun. The Rev. Jesús Reyes then spoke what he feared might be his final words: Please, don’t take my brothers’ corpses away. Next to him, at the altar of his...
Ukraine Faces Its Worst Crisis Since the War Began: BBC’s Jeremy Bowen
Kharkiv, which is Ukraine's second-largest city and near Russia, is practically defenseless against air attacks, writes BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen. Two guided bombs destroyed a DIY superstore and a garden center on Saturday afternoon when it was crowded with shoppers, injuring dozens and killing at least 15 people. “The...