President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he did not sign off on a $200 million border security advertising campaign featuring U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. "I never knew anything about it," Trump told Reuters in a phone interview. Noem - a top official overseeing Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown...
Ukraine, Russia Exchange 200 POWs Each in Latest Swap
Ukraine and Russia exchanged 200 prisoners of war each on Thursday in their latest swap, officials on both sides said, despite a deadlock in U.S.-backed negotiations to end the four-year conflict. Kyiv and Moscow have carried out regular POW exchanges throughout the war, committing during recent talks in Geneva to...
Newsom Compares Israel to ‘Apartheid State,’ Questions Military Support
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat widely seen as a likely presidential candidate, delivered sharp criticism of Israel this week, suggesting that the U.S. should reconsider its military support for the country, which he compared to an apartheid state. Newsom’s comments reflect a stark shift in the Democratic Party, which...
WHO Says It Has Verified 13 Attacks on Health Sites in Iran
The World Health Organization chief said on Thursday that it has verified 13 attacks on health infrastructure in Iran amid a U.S.-Israeli campaign and it was checking reports that four healthcare workers were killed and 25 others injured. "An estimated 100,000 people have left Iran and in Lebanon, more than...
UK Says Drone Attack on Cyprus Base Not From Iran
Britain's Ministry of Defense says a drone that struck RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus on Sunday was not launched from Iran, according to Middle East Eye. The Shahed-type drone hit a hangar housing American U-2 spy planes, causing a fire but no casualties or equipment damage. Officials believe the drone...
Britney Spears Arrested for DUI, TMZ Reports
Britney Spears was arrested Wednesday night in Ventura County, California, for allegedly driving under the influence, according to law enforcement sources cited by TMZ. California Highway Patrol arrested Spears around 9:30 p.m., and she was booked around 3 a.m. before being released at 6 a.m. The arrest follows a recent...
Former Marine Injured in Capitol Hill Struggle With US Senator Sheehy
A man protesting the U.S. and Israel's strikes on Iran was injured in a struggle with U.S. Capitol Police and Republican Senator Tim Sheehy on Wednesday. The man, Brian McGinnis, a former Marine who is a Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, interrupted a Senate Armed Services hearing shouting...
Trump Says He Needs to Be Involved in Selecting Iran’s Next Leader, Axios Reports
President Donald Trump told Axios on Thursday that he needs to be personally involved in selecting Iran's next leader. "Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," Axios quoted Trump as saying in an interview. "I have to be involved in...
Oil Jumps More Than 3% on Supply Concerns as Iran Conflict Widens
Oil prices jumped more than 3% on Thursday, extending a rally as the escalating U.S.-Israeli war with Iran disrupted supplies and shipping, driving some major producers in the Middle East to reduce output. Brent crude was up $2.98, or 3.66%, at $84.38 per barrel by 10:55 a.m. EST (1555 GMT),...
How Big Is Fresno Unified’s Budget Reserve? It Depends on Who’s Counting
Fresno Unified’s reserves have become a hot topic amongst critics of the district’s recent decision to move forward with potential layoffs. The Fresno Teachers Association is stoking the flames in social media posts, which claim reserve levels are almost double what the district says. The organization is citing the unrestricted...