WASHINGTON - The U.S. military is "prepared to execute" any decision President Donald Trump might make on matters of war and peace, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday, even as he declined to confirm preparations of strike options on Iran. "If and when those decisions are made, the Department...
Wall Street Indexes Edge Higher Ahead of Fed’s Interest Rate Verdict
Wall Street's main indexes ticked up on Wednesday, as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision, while the Israel-Iran attacks entered the sixth day. Investors will closely monitor Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments to gauge how he plans to combat the risk of rising prices, which remains a dominant...
US Supreme Court Upholds Tennessee Law Banning Youth Transgender Care
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court backed a Republican-backed ban in Tennessee on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors on Wednesday in a setback for transgender rights that could bolster efforts by states to defend other measures targeting transgender people. The court, in a 6-3 ruling powered by its conservative...
Iran Leader Rejects Trump’s Call for Surrender, Trump Says Patience Has Run Out
DUBAI/JERUSALEM - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected Donald Trump's demand for unconditional surrender on Wednesday, and the U.S. president said his patience had run out, though he gave no clue as to what his next step would be. Speaking to reporters, Trump declined to say whether he had...
‘Who’s Running the White House?’ Trump Brings Back ICE Raids on Farms, Restaurants
U.S. immigration officials on Tuesday walked back limits on enforcement targeting farms, restaurants, hotels and food processing plants just days after putting restrictions in place, two former officials familiar with the matter said. The reversal is an abrupt shift that followed contradictory public statements by President Donald Trump. After the...
Granite Park Eviction Lawsuit Heads Toward Trial
The city of Fresno's attempt to evict a nonprofit operating the Granite Park Sports Complex is headed to trial. Judge Robert Whalen denied an attempt by the Central Valley Community Sports Foundation to toss the city's eviction attempt in his Fresno County Superior Courtroom on Tuesday. The city says CVCSF...
Missing Clovis Man Found Dead. No Foul Play Suspected
A Clovis man who had been reported missing earlier this month was found dead on Tuesday, authorities said. Mark Kismet, 50, reported as an at-risk missing person on June 6, was discovered deceased in a wooded area north of Clovis, according to Clovis police. Detectives located Kismet near Shepherd and...
Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement
Kings County Sheriff Dave Robinson announced Tuesday that he will retire on Nov. 24, ending a nearly 30-year career in public service. Robinson made the announcement during a Board of Supervisors meeting, where he informed county leaders of his decision. His announcement provides supervisors time to consider their options for...
General Mills to Remove Artificial Colors From All Its US Cereals and Foods
(Reuters) -General Mills said on Tuesday it would remove artificial colors from its full U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027. The Cheerios maker also said it would remove synthetic dyes from all its U.S. cereals and foods served in K-12 schools by summer 2026. General Mills added the...
US FDA to Shorten Review Time for Drug Developers Under New Voucher Program
(Reuters) -The U.S. FDA is launching a program under which its commissioner can issue vouchers to companies he finds are aligned with national priorities to shorten their review time for a drug application to one to two months from the typical timeline of about 10-12 months. The regulator said on...