TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Friday two missiles struck one of its oil tankers traveling through the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia, a mysterious assault not immediately corroborated that still spiked oil prices amid months of heightened tensions at sea across the wider Mideast. There was no...
Billionaire Tom Steyer Raises $2 Million for White House Run
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential hopeful Tom Steyer has raised $2 million for his presidential campaign over the past three months. The California billionaire said Thursday that he collected an average contribution of about $12 from 166,000 donors without holding any fundraisers. Steyer is set to appear at next week's debate...
Ukraine President: 'No Blackmail' in Conversation With Trump
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine's president insisted Thursday that he faced "no blackmail" from President Donald Trump in their phone call that led to an impeachment inquiry, distancing himself from the U.S. political drama and trying to claw back his own credibility. Volodymyr Zelenskiy said for the first time that his...
As Trump Abandons Kurds, Israel Worries How Dependable He Is
JERUSALEM — For the past three years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has bet heavily on President Donald Trump and been rewarded with major diplomatic gains in exchange for his warm embrace of the U.S. leader. But the U.S. pullback from northeastern Syria, essentially abandoning its Kurdish allies, has called that strategy —...
2 Florida Men Tied to Giuliani Arrested on Campaign Charges
WASHINGTON — Two Florida businessmen tied to President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani have been arrested on campaign finance violations resulting from a $325,000 donation to a political action committee supporting Trump's reelection. Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman were arrested on a four-count indictment that includes charges of conspiracy, making false statements...
Growers Group Leader Disappointed by Ag Pesticide Ban
LOS ANGELES — A widely used agricultural pesticide that California environmental officials have said has been linked to brain damage in children will be banned after next year under an agreement reached with the manufacturer, state officials announced Wednesday. Under the deal, all California sales of chlorpyrifos will end on...
For 1st Time, Joe Biden Calls for Trump to Be Impeached
ROCHESTER, N.H. — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Wednesday for the first time that President Donald Trump must be impeached for abusing the powers of his office to help his own reelection. Biden made the remarks as part of a blistering 25-minute speech in New Hampshire, departing from his...
Newsom Signs Statewide Rent Cap Law
SACRAMENTO — California will limit rent increases for some people over the next decade after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law Tuesday aimed at combating a housing crisis in the nation's most populous state. Newsom signed the bill at an event in Oakland, an area where a recent report...
Turkey Launches Offensive Against Kurdish Fighters in Syria
AKCAKALE, Turkey — Turkey launched a military operation Wednesday against Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria after U.S. forces pulled back from the area, with a series of airstrikes hitting a town on Syria's northern border. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of the campaign, which followed an abrupt...
Trump Defends Syria Move, Doesn't Want US Troops in Mideast
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday over sharp criticism of his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northeastern Syria, insisting he is focused on the "BIG PICTURE" that doesn't include American involvement in "stupid endless wars" in the Middle East. "Fighting between various groups that has been...