KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told lawmakers Wednesday that Ukraine's Western partners are increasing pressure to negotiate with Russia, but he hinted such talks would be unfavorable to Kyiv as he unveiled what he called his "victory plan" for the war. Major points of the plan include an invitation...
What is the THAAD Antimissile System the US Is Sending to Israel?
A team of U.S. military personnel has reached Israel to prepare an advanced THAAD air defense system that the Biden administration is sending to thwart more attacks by Iran and its allies. The Pentagon said in a statement Tuesday that the system would be ready “in the near future,” but...
Harris Agrees Trump Is a Fascist: 5 Charlamagne Interview Takeaways
WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris agreed on Tuesday with radio host Charlamagne Tha God that former President Donald Trump was a fascist, going a step further than she had before in casting her Republican rival as a dangerous authoritarian leader. During a free-flowing interview that often spoke to the...
Frazier Wins First Round of Fresno Heavyweight Parking Brawl
Terance Frazier and Kyle Kirkland rode down in the same elevator from Judge Jonathan Skiles' fourth floor courtroom at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse in downtown Fresno on Tuesday. They did not make eye contact, but their attorneys were cordial to each other. Just minutes earlier, Fresno County Superior Court Judge...
Where a Million Desperate People Are Finding Shelter in Lebanon
TRIPOLI, Lebanon — At dusk, the parking lot of Tripoli’s Quality Inn is packed with cars and families milling about. Children’s shouts fill the air, reminding some of better times, when the hotel hosted weddings and birthdays parties. Now, though, the cars in the lot are dusty and battered, the...
People With Felony Records Can Now Vote in Nebraska — and It Could Help Tip the Balance in November
OMAHA, Neb. — Nebraska's top election official had no authority to strip voting rights from people convicted of a felony, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in a decision that could add hundreds of new voters to the rolls and potentially help tip the balance on Nov. 5. The order...
A Brown Dwarf Discovered 30 Years Ago Is Actually Twins Circling Each Other
NEW YORK — A celestial object discovered decades ago is actually twins orbiting each other, a new study confirms. Scientists have puzzled over the object known as Gliese 229B, the first known brown dwarf discovered 30 years ago. Brown dwarfs are sometimes called failed stars because they're lighter than stars,...
Stock Market Today: Wall Street Holds Steadier a Day After Sliding From Its Record
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are holding steadier Wednesday following better-than-expected profit reports from Morgan Stanley, United Airlines and other big companies. The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher in afternoon trading, a day after sliding from its all-time high because of tumbling energy and technology stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial...
California Health Care Workers Get a Pay Bump Under a New Minimum Wage Law
SACRAMENTO — Some of the lowest-paid health care workers in California will get a pay bump Wednesday under a state law gradually increasing their wages to at least $25 an hour. Workers at rural, independent health care facilities will start making a minimum of $18 an hour, while others at...
Madera County Mountain Areas Brace for PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff
Madera County mountain residents should prepare for a public safety power shutoff event as PG&E plans to de-energize power lines in several areas, the Madera County Sheriff's Office said. According to authorities, the shutoff is expected to begin Friday around 4 a.m. and power is anticipated to be restored by...