The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way on Monday for Alabama Republicans to pursue a congressional voting map more favorable to their party ahead of November's midterm elections, the latest fallout from the court's seismic voting rights ruling. The justices lifted a lower court's decision that had blocked state Republicans'...
2 Found Dead After Fire in Downtown Fresno Utility Vault, Officials Say
Two people were found dead Monday after firefighters extinguished a fire inside a utility vault beneath a downtown Fresno bridge overpass, authorities said. Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 8:20 a.m. to the H Street overpass at Fresno Street after reports of smoke in the area, according to the Fresno Fire...
Newsom Adds Allies to High-Speed Rail Board as Fresno’s Tom Richards Exits
A sudden change at the High-Speed Rail Authority board means the end of prominent Fresno developer Tom Richards' longtime position overseeing the controversial transportation project. On Friday, Newsom announced appointments for close political allies Jason Elliott and Steve Kawa, filling vacancies left by outgoing board chair Richards and board vice...
Virginia Democrats Ask Supreme Court to Revive Their US House Voting Map
Virginia Democrats asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to revive a congressional map designed to boost their party’s chances in November’s midterm elections, turning to the court as Republicans — including allies of President Donald Trump — seek to preserve narrow control of Congress. The case thrusts Virginia into...
US Supreme Court Extends Pause on Decision Narrowing Abortion Pill Access
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday extended a pause on a ruling that would curb the abortion pill mifepristone from being prescribed through telemedicine and dispensed through the mail in a challenge by a Republican-led Louisiana lawsuit to a federal rule that had eased access. Justice Samuel Alito kept the...
US Issues New Sanctions Over Iran’s Oil Shipments to China
The U.S. government on Monday announced sanctions against three people and nine companies, including four based in Hong Kong and four in the United Arab Emirates, for aiding Iran's shipment of oil to China. The ninth company is based in Oman. The Treasury move follows sanctions announced on Friday on...
European Union Hits Israeli Settlers With Sanctions
European Union foreign ministers agreed to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of violent attacks on Palestinians on Monday, breaking months of political deadlock over such a move. The move comes after months of delay caused by Hungary and sends a clear signal. The defeat of Viktor Orban, Hungary’s former...
US Senate Committee Set to Consider Long-Awaited Crypto Bill This Week
U.S. senators are set to consider long-awaited legislation that would create a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency on Thursday, potentially ending a deadlock over the bill that pitted crypto companies against U.S. banks. The bill, dubbed the Clarity Act, would, if signed into law, clarify financial regulators' jurisdiction over the burgeoning...
Reflecting Pool Repairs to Cost $13.1 Million. Trump Had Promised $1.8 Million.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said that his handpicked contractor would charge only $1.8 million to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and paint it blue. The actual cost is now more than seven times that, after the Interior Department nearly doubled the size of the contract late last week,...
Dollar Edges up as Trump Rejects Iran Peace Move
The dollar was slightly higher on Monday, but off earlier highs after U.S. President Donald Trump rebuffed Iran's response to a U.S. peace proposal, which kept concerns about an extended war intact and lifted oil prices. Trump said on Monday that a ceasefire with Iran was "on life support" after...