WASHINGTON — For years, Pat Verhaeghe didn't think highly of Donald Trump as a leader. Then Verhaeghe began seeing more of Trump's campaign speeches online and his appearances at sporting events. There was even the former president's pairing with Bryson DeChambeau as part of the pro golfer's YouTube channel series...
Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on the BRIC Bloc of Nations if They Act to Undermine US Dollar
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. His threat was directed at countries in the so-called BRIC alliance, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran...
From Bach to Beyonce, Why a Church Orchestra Aims to Lift Up Young Musicians of Color
ANAHEIM — For over two years, Ebonie Vazquez searched to find a mentor of color for her son, Giovanni, now 11 and passionate about playing the violin. She has now found that space at a local church. New Hope Presbyterian Church, a multiethnic congregation led by a Black female pastor...
How Indie Film Merch Became a Hot Commodity
LOS ANGELES — On a recent Saturday afternoon, hundreds of "Anora" fans lined up for hours on Los Angeles' Melrose Avenue, hoping to snag exclusive merchandise inspired by Sean Baker's latest film about a stripper who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. The one-day-only pop-up from distributor Neon followed...
Family Returns to Lebanon to Find a Crater Where Their 50-Year-Old Home Once Stood
BAALBEK, Lebanon — In eastern Lebanon's city of Baalbek, the Jawhari family gathered around a gaping crater where their home once stood, tears streaming as they tried to make sense of the destruction. "It is heart-breaking. A heartache that there is no way we will ever recover from," said Lina...
Mexican President Says She Is Confident That a Tariff War With the US Can Be Averted
MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday she is confident that a tariff war with the United States can be averted. But her statement — the day after she held a phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump — did not make clear who had offered what. "There...
In a Shock Offensive, Insurgents Breach Syria’s Largest City for First Time Since 2016
BEIRUT — Insurgents breached Syria's largest city Friday and clashed with government forces for the first time since 2016, according to a war monitor and fighters, in a surprise attack that sent residents fleeing and added fresh uncertainty to a region reeling from multiple wars. Sudden Advance on Aleppo Shakes...
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Big Balloons, Wet Weather and 21 Protesters Arrested
NEW YORK — The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade marched, soared and roared into its second century on Thursday despite a drenching rain and a brief disruption from pro-Palestinian demonstrators. New York City police said they arrested 21 people after protesters jumped barricades and sat down on the parade route with...
More Than 3,000 Fake Gibson Guitars Seized at Los Angeles Port
LOS ANGELES — More than 3,000 fake Gibson electric guitars shipped from Asia were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport, authorities said. Had the guitars been authentic, they would have been worth $18 million, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a...
China Has a New Playbook to Counter Trump: ‘Supply Chain Warfare’
HONG KONG — In the world of cheap drones, Skydio was the great American hope. Its autonomous flying machines gave the U.S. defense and police agencies an alternative to Chinese manufacturers, free from the security concerns tied to dependence on Chinese supply chains. But Skydio’s vulnerabilities came into sharp focus...