WASHINGTON — The Justice Department told Congress this past week that President Donald Trump could lawfully continue his lethal military strikes on people suspected of smuggling drugs at sea, notwithstanding a time limit for congressionally unauthorized deployments of armed forces into “hostilities.” In a briefing, the official who leads the...
Early Voting Ends With More Than 735,000 Ballots Cast in NYC Mayor’s Race
NEW YORK — New York City’s candidates for mayor fanned out across the city Sunday, delivering closing messages at churches and rallies and urging supporters to cast their ballots on the last day of early voting. Polls are now closed, but will be open again Tuesday, Election Day, from 6...
Trump Says He Will Not Attend Supreme Court’s Oral Arguments on Tariffs
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said on Sunday he will not attend the Supreme Court's upcoming oral arguments concerning the legality of his global tariffs. Justices have a Wednesday hearing scheduled for arguments on the tariffs case. Trump told reporters on Air Force One that despite his desire to be...
Israeli Fire Kills Three People in Gaza, Medics Say, Further Testing Ceasefire
CAIRO — Israeli fire killed three Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday, north of the southern city of Rafah, which remains under Israeli control, according to local health authorities, further testing the fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire. In a statement issued earlier on Monday, the Israeli military said forces identified "terrorists"...
Powerful 6.3 Quake Kills at Least 20 in Afghanistan, Hundreds Injured
A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, killing at least 20 people, injuring hundreds and damaging the city's historic Blue Mosque, authorities said, with the death toll likely to rise. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at a...
Visalia Police Investigate Late-Night Shooting That Injured Two
Visalia police are investigating a Saturday night shooting that left two people wounded. Officers were called around 11:56 p.m. to the 3700 block of North Shady Court, where they found two people suffering from gunshot wounds, police said. Both victims were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not...
Fresno Launching Neighborhood Repaving Project Monday
Fresno will begin repaving streets in a neighborhood bounded by McKinley, Palm, Olive, and Fruit avenues starting Monday as part of the “Pave More Now” initiative. The weeklong project will include manhole work on Monday and Thursday, roadway grinding on Tuesday, paving on Wednesday, and striping on Friday, city officials...
Under Trump, Becoming a US Citizen Gets Harder
WASHINGTON — A harder civics test. Stricter social media vetting. Neighborhood investigations into people’s “moral character.” The Trump administration is erecting new hurdles for lawful permanent residents applying for U.S. citizenship, part of a broader effort to tighten an immigration system that federal officials say has become too lax. Officials...
Trump Threatens US Military Action in Nigeria Over Treatment of Christians
President Donald Trump on Saturday said he has asked the Defense Department to prepare for possible "fast" military action in Nigeria if the West African nation fails to crack down on the killing of Christians. The U.S. government will also immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, Africa's most...
Israeli Strike Kills One in Gaza as Sides Trade Blame for Truce Violations
JERUSALEM/CAIRO — An Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian man in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, health authorities said, as Israel and Hamas traded blame for violations of the tenuous truce that has mostly halted two years of war. The Israeli military said its aircraft had struck a militant who was...