WASHINGTON — Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was attacked and severely beaten by an assailant with a hammer who broke into their San Francisco home early Friday, according to people familiar with the matter. Pelosi, 82, suffered blunt force trauma to his head and body, according to...
Mortgage Rates Top 7% for the First Time in Two Decades
WASHINGTON — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate topped 7% for the first time in more than two decades this week, a result of the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate hikes intended to tame inflation not seen in some 40 years. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on...
Iran’s Leaders Try to Link Shooting to Massive Protests Over Young Woman’s Death
Iran’s supreme leader and its president tried Thursday to link the nationwide protests roiling the country to an Islamic State-claimed gun attack on a famous mosque that killed 15 people. The comments come as Iran's theocracy has been unable to contain the demonstrations, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa...
Pentagon: Despite Russia’s War, China Still Top Threat to US
China remains the greatest security challenge for the United States despite Russia's war in Ukraine, and the threat from Beijing will determine how the U.S. military is equipped and shaped for the future, according to a new Pentagon defense strategy. While the document released Thursday says that conflict with China...
Lebanon and Israel Sign Sea Border Deal
Lebanon and Israel signed copies of a U.S.-mediated sea border deal on Thursday and delivered them to the U.N. in the coastal border town of Naqoura. The agreement to demarcate the maritime border comes after months of indirect talks mediated by Amos Hochstein, the U.S. envoy for energy affairs, and...
US Economy Returned to Growth Last Quarter, Expanding 2.6%
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.6% annual rate from July through September, snapping two straight quarters of contraction and overcoming high inflation and interest rates just as voting begins in midterm elections in which the economy's health has emerged as a paramount issue. Thursday’s better-than-expected estimate from the Commerce Department showed...
Nevada County Begins Conspiracy-Inspired Ballot Hand Count
A county in Nevada started an unprecedented hand count of its midterm election ballots Wednesday, a process fueled by voting machine conspiracy theories, amid concerns about early results being leaked ahead of Election Day. Nye County, a scrub brush-dotted old silver mining region between Las Vegas and Reno, got clearance...
Gunmen Attack Major Shiite Holy Site in Iran, Killing 15
Gunmen attacked a major Shiite holy site in Iran on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens. The attack came as protesters elsewhere in Iran marked a symbolic 40 days since a woman's death in custody ignited the biggest anti-government movement in over a decade. State TV blamed...
Former Clovis West QB Adrian Martinez, Now at K-State, Among Academic Heisman Finalists
Kansas State quarterback Adrian Martinez, a former Clovis West standout, and Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell were among 15 players named finalists Wednesday for the William V. Campbell Trophy, given to college football's top scholar-athlete. Finalists are chosen from all levels of college football by the National Football Foundation and earn...
37 Million Pine-Sol Bottles Recalled Because of Harmful Bacteria
OAKLAND — If you're thinking of wiping down your kitchen with that bottle of Pine-Sol all-purpose cleaner under your sink — stop. It may contain bacteria that could cause serious illness in people with compromised immune systems. The Clorox Company said Tuesday it has recalled its scented multi-surface cleaners and...