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...
It’s Not Your Imagination. Airlines Are Padding Flight Times.
The average flight today from Kennedy Airport to LAX is slower than it was in 1995 in every conceivable way. Planes face longer delays leaving the gate; take more time taxiing before taking off; and spend more time in the air. But paradoxically, even with an average rise in travel...
Stock Market Today: Stocks Gain as Wall Street Closes Out Strong November
NEW YORK — Stocks are higher as Wall Street puts the finishing touches on one of its best months of the year. The S&P rose 0.7% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 306 points, or 0.7%, as of 12:05 p.m., ET, on Friday. The Nasdaq added 0.8% and...
Collins Returns, but Bulldogs Lose Two in Tournament Action
Despite the return of standout guard Zaon Collins from injury, the Fresno State men's basketball team lost two games at the Acrisure Holiday Invitational in Palm Desert. Collins scored 27 points on Tuesday as the Bulldogs fell to future Pac-12 rival Washington State 84-73 and tallied 10 points in Fresno...