This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. For California progressives, Zohran Mamdani’s New York City mayoral bid offers something of a formula to follow. When the 33-year-old democratic socialist pulled off a historic upset in the primary last month, Golden State progressives rejoiced. Some deemed...
State Department Starts Firing More Than 1,350 Workers
WASHINGTON - The State Department began firing more than 1,350 U.S-based employees on Friday as the administration of President Donald Trump presses ahead with an unprecedented overhaul of its diplomatic corps, a move critics say will undermine U.S. ability to defend and promote U.S. interests abroad. The layoffs will cover...
Senate Panel Approves $500 Million Aid for Ukraine in Defense Bill
WASHINGTON - The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved $500 million in security assistance for Ukraine as part of its draft language for its Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which also restricts A-10 aircraft retirements. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual policy bill that authorizes...
UN Reports 798 Deaths Near Gaza Aid Hubs in Six Weeks
GENEVA - The U.N. rights office said on Friday it had recorded at least 798 killings within the past six weeks at aid points in Gaza run by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and near convoys run by other relief groups. The GHF uses private U.S. security and...
Diplomacy or Submission? The Zionist Grip on US Political Power and Trump’s Uneasy Alliance With Netanyahu
In analyzing President Donald Trump's interactions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it becomes increasingly evident that their relationship is neither one of mutual respect nor shared values, but rather a performance dictated by entrenched political coercion. Despite public displays of solidarity, Trump’s demeanor — particularly during joint appearances with...
Macron Urges UK to Back Palestine Recognition, Ukraine Support in Landmark Visit
French President Emmanuel Macron called on the UK to support recognition of a Palestinian state and bolster aid to Ukraine during a rare address to British Parliament Tuesday, part of his historic state visit — the first by an EU leader since Brexit, Al Jazeera reported. Macron urged joint action...
Bitcoin’s New Record Lifts Industry Stocks Ahead of ‘Crypto Week’ in Washington
U.S.-listed crypto stocks jumped on Friday as bitcoin surged to a record high in the run-up to a landmark week that could cement policy wins for the crypto industry. Starting July 14, the House of Representatives will debate three major crypto bills that are likely to provide the industry the...
White House Reviews Mass Federal Layoff Plans, Aims for Swift Action
WASHINGTON - The White House is scrutinizing layoff plans by federal agencies in an effort to limit further court challenges after the Supreme Court cleared the way for a sweeping downsizing of the government workforce, according to two senior White House officials with knowledge of the matter. The White House...
Clovis Man Killed in Fresno County Crash After Running Stop Sign
A 24-year-old Clovis man was killed Thursday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash at a rural Fresno County intersection, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash occurred around 2:35 p.m. at the intersection of DeWolf and South avenues. CHP said the man was driving a Subaru northbound on DeWolf when...
Immigration Raids on California Cannabis Nurseries Spark Protests
LOS ANGELES - Federal agents conducted immigration enforcement raids on Thursday on state-licensed marijuana nurseries in an agricultural region of coastal Southern California, where they were confronted by throngs of angry protesters. As word and video images of the raids spread on social media, dozens of migrant-rights activists converged on...