WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has described President Vladimir Putin as "savvy" and "genius" for invading Ukraine, while bragging about his "very, very good relationship" with the autocratic Russian leader. Trump has helped the Kremlin recast Ukraine as the villain rather than the victim in the war, and has publicly...
Fresno Will Build New Firehouse, Replacing ‘Temporary’ Station After 50 Years
Fresno's "temporary" Fire Station 12 at Marks and Acacia avenues will be replaced by a state-of-the-art facility at 3315 W. Ashlan Ave., city officials said Wednesday at a groundbreaking. Firefighters have worked out of the so-called temporary quarters since 1977 as tight budgets and other City Hall priorities blocked the...
Canada Wants to Kill 400 Ostriches. RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz Want to Save Them.
TORONTO — What do U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., celebrity physician Mehmet Oz and some Canadian animal lovers have in common? They all want to save a flock of 400 ostriches on a British Columbia farm. But there's a catch. The birds were in contact with a deadly...
White House Acknowledges Problems in RFK Jr.’s MAHA Report
WASHINGTON — The White House will fix errors in a much-anticipated federal government report spearheaded by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which decried America's food supply, pesticides and prescription drugs. Kennedy's wide-ranging “Make America Healthy Again” report, released last week, cited hundreds of studies, but...
UN May Cut Staff by 20%, Internal Memo Says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United Nations Secretariat is preparing to cut its $3.7 billion budget by 20% and slash about 6,900 jobs, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. The directive, which asks staff to detail cuts by June 13, comes amid a financial crisis triggered in part by...
‘I’m Really Scared’: Elderly and Disabled Californians Could Lose Medi-Cal Over $2,000 Limit
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Cynde Soto, a quadriplegic who requires around-the-clock care, has been on Medi-Cal for most of her life. Recently, she came into a modest inheritance, about $8,000, that has helped cover her daily expenses. But it also means that...
California’s War Over Charter Schools Rages On in Court
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The decades-long wars among the kingdoms of medieval Europe have their political equivalents in California's decades-long political conflicts among economic and cultural interest groups. Governors and legislators come and go with election cycles, but warriors employed by the...
Fresno’s First Fit Fest Mixes Sweat, Sportsmanship, and Support for Local Causes
In a spirited clash that blended community fun with charitable giving, the Fresno Fire Department booted their way to victory over the Fresno Police Department in a friendly soccer match Saturday during the First Annual Fresno Fit Fest at Todd Beamer Park. Hosted by Councilmember Nick Richardson, the event brought...
Could Aleko’s Playful Antics ‘Purrsuade’ You to Adopt Him?
Aleko is a charming 1-year-old ball of energy and affection, always ready to bring joy to your day. While he may be slightly less boisterous than his brother, his playful spirit knows no bounds. You'll often find him chasing after toys or engaging in lively games of hide-and-seek. But don't...
Netanyahu Says Israel Accepts Witkoff’s New Gaza Truce Proposal, Media Report
(Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Israeli media reported on Thursday. Channel 12, Kann, I24 and Haaretz were among the Israeli media outlets...