Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Hedrick Chevrolet on Wednesday announced “Driving Change,” a campaign aimed at preventing impaired driving through community partnerships, education and enforcement. The monthlong campaign brings together local businesses, law enforcement, and community leaders with a shared goal of keeping families safe. As part of the effort,...
Saudi Coalition Says Separatist Leader Fled Yemen With UAE Help, Advances to Aden
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates had spirited a separatist leader out of the country by boat in a dramatic twist to a rift between the Gulf powers, as Saudi-backed forces advanced to the port of Aden after losing ground there. The escape...
Visalia Probation Search Uncovers Live Explosive, Police Say
A Wednesday probation search in Visalia led officers to discover a live explosive at a residence, police said. Just before 10 a.m., a Visalia Police Department Special Enforcement Unit officer, along with a probation officer, made contact with Ruben Zayas, 37, who is on probation, near Church Street and Myrtle...
Israel Bars Some Aid Workers From Gaza as Groups Face Suspension
Israel said on Thursday it had barred entry to Gaza of foreign medical and humanitarian staff whose organizations were ordered to cease operations unless they register employee details with Israeli authorities and meet other new rules. Fearing a renewed humanitarian crisis if medical and aid services can suddenly no longer...
Oil Rises as Market Focuses on Venezuela and US Sanctions Plans
Oil prices rose on Thursday after two days of declines as investors assessed Venezuela developments and reports on the progress of proposed U.S. sanctions legislation against countries doing business with Russia. Brent crude futures were up $1.21, or 2%, at $61.17 a barrel by 1417 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate...
Madera Police Seize Firearms, Arrest Man on Felony Gun Charges
Madera police seized multiple firearms and ammunition from a home after responding to a reported disturbance in which a firearm was brandished, authorities said Wednesday. Officers with the Madera Police Department were dispatched to the 900 block of Barnett Way, where they identified Anthony Lopez, 28, as the suspect. Police...
Merced County Traffic Stop Leads to DUI Arrest of Underage Driver
A Merced County traffic stop led to the arrest of a 20-year-old driver on suspicion of driving under the influence, the California Highway Patrol’s Merced area office said on Thursday. A CHP officer stopped the driver for failing to stop at a posted stop sign. During the stop, the officer...
Global Defense Stocks Advance After Trump Calls for Higher US Military Budget
Global defense stocks climbed on Thursday after President Donald Trump called for a substantial increase in the U.S. military budget, fueling a fresh rally amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. U.S. defense companies rebounded after falling on Wednesday following Trump's threat to block American contractors like RTX from dividend payouts or share...
Israeli Forces Kill Four in Gaza, Say They Hit Rocket Launch Site
Israeli forces killed at least four Palestinians in two separate strikes in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, hours after the military said it had hit the site of a failed militant rocket launch, the latest violence to jeopardize the ceasefire. Medics said an Israeli airstrike killed at least three people...
ICE Fatal Shooting of Minnesota Woman Puts US on Edge
The fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Minnesota mother by a U.S. immigration agent has put the city of Minneapolis and much of the United States on edge, with the potential of becoming another flashpoint in a polarized country. State and federal officials offered starkly different accounts of the shooting, in...