U.S. auto sales are expected to decline this year as high vehicle prices push many middle-class buyers out of the new-car market, according to Bloomberg. Major carmakers including General Motors, Honda and Hyundai reported weaker sales in the final quarter of last year. While total U.S. vehicle sales likely topped...
Where Do Valley Congressmembers Stand on Arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro?
Republican Congressmember Vince Fong of Bakersfield justified the Trump administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in comments made Monday. "This is a law enforcement action. There is an active indictment against Maduro. He’s an illegitimate president, and it was necessary to hold him accountable and bring him to justice,"...
Fresno Man Killed in Wrong-Way Head-On Crash on Highway 99 Identified
A 58-year-old Fresno man was killed Sunday afternoon after driving the wrong way on Highway 99 and colliding head-on with two vehicles, authorities said. The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner's Office identified the man as Paul Nichelmann. The California Highway Patrol said its Fresno dispatch center began receiving calls around 2 p.m....
Teen Motorcyclist Killed in Head-On Crash in Fresno County Identified
A 17-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a head-on crash with a pickup truck Friday afternoon on Auberry Road in Fresno County, according to the California Highway Patrol. The teen was identified as Jayce Alonzo of Junction City, Kansas, according to the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. The crash was reported about...
Dow Hits Record, Energy Stocks End Higher After US Strikes Venezuela
Wall Street ended higher on Monday, with surging financial shares helping lift the Dow Jones Industrial Average to an all-time peak, while energy firms jumped after a U.S. military strike captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Investors bet Washington's move against Venezuela's leadership would allow U.S. firms access to the world's...
Colombia to Continue Work With US on Drug Trafficking, Government Says
Colombia will continue to work with the United States to fight drug trafficking using Washington's intelligence and technology, the South American nation said on Monday. "The government of Colombia has let the U.S. government know … that we are going to keep coordinating and cooperating in the fight against drug...
Amazon Must Face Price Gouging Lawsuit, US Judge Rules
A U.S. judge on Monday rejected Amazon.com's bid to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing the online retailer of price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik in Seattle, Amazon's hometown, found "unpersuasive" a claim that Washington state consumer protection laws were vague as applied to pricing,...
Pentagon to Cut Senator Mark Kelly’s Military Retirement Pay, Alleging ‘Reckless Misconduct’
President Donald Trump's Pentagon chief announced plans on Monday to demote U.S. Senator Mark Kelly from his rank as a retired Navy captain for alleged "reckless misconduct" after he and other Democratic lawmakers urged troops to refuse any illegal orders. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon has begun...
Trump Administration Sets Meetings With Oil Companies Over Venezuela, Source Says
The administration of President Donald Trump is planning to meet with executives from U.S. oil companies later this week to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production after U.S. forces ousted its leader Nicolas Maduro, according to a source familiar with the matter. The meetings are crucial to the administration's hopes of...
Oil Flotilla Sails From Venezuela Despite US Blockade
About a dozen oil tankers loaded with Venezuelan crude and fuel have left the country's waters since the start of the year in apparent defiance of the U.S. government's blockade on exports, according to documents seen by Reuters and industry sources including monitoring service TankerTrackers.com. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed...