Author: rpnadmin

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Weeks before voting ended in California’s primary for governor, Los Angeles-based influencer Shaka Smith took to Instagram to tell his more than 700,000 followers whom he was voting for and why. “Healthcare shouldn’t bankrupt you, housing should not feel impossible, polluters shouldn’t pass their bill to us and artists should not be replaced by AI,” Smith said. “That’s why I’m supporting Tom Steyer for governor.” But Smith started the video with a disclaimer: “This is an ad, and honestly, I wish more political content said that first.” His caption specified that he was paid by Steyer’s campaign.…

NICOSIA, Cyprus — European consumers can expect natural gas from an undersea deposit off Cyprus to help meet their energy needs as early as March 2028, the island nation’s energy minister said. Michael Damianos said the East Mediterranean is fast becoming an alternative energy source for European nations as Russia’s war in Ukraine and upheaval in the Middle East compel the continent to seek out new sources. Damianos said partners TotalEnergies of France and Italy’s Eni made a final decision last month to proceed with developing the Cronos natural gas field off Cyprus’ southern coast. The project will be the…

LONDON — The alleged leader of an Irish organized crime gang is on his way back to Ireland from Dubai to face charges that he ran an international drug smuggling and money laundering empire with tentacles that stretched to Britain, Spain and the U.S. An Irish military plane carrying Daniel Kinahan, 49, is expected to land on Sunday evening at an airport outside of Dublin after a court in Dubai refused to block his extradition, Irish media reported. Kinahan is expected to be taken directly to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin where he will face charges of directing an…

Wildfires burning across the western U.S. and Canada on Sunday left some residents keeping a weary eye out for possible evacuation orders while others already forced to flee their homes waited to see what would be left on their return. In western Canada, over 20,000 people were forced to flee communities along Okanagan Lake in British Columbia over the weekend as a fast-moving wildfire destroyed homes and dozens had to be rescued by aircraft. Anette Boulet was among residents who fled Summerland, home to about 12,000 people. As she and her family left around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, their home was…

NEW YORK — A woman and infant died after a boat capsized Saturday night in New York Harbor, police said. The boat overturned around 10:25 p.m. near Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty. Twelve people were rescued from the water before police arrived, and police divers later located the 27-year-old woman and 5-month-old girl in the water. Both were taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. The victims’ identities have not been released pending notification of family, police said Sunday. No arrests have been made and the investigation continues. Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.…

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — On opening day at the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma’s new Harrah’s-branded casino, the tribe’s chairman watched customers pack the gambling floor while a queue of cars spilled out of the parking lot. “We couldn’t let them in because we were so full,” Chairman Jacob Keyes said. “That’s a direct impact from the Harrah’s name.” But a vacancy in Washington is preventing the tribe’s partnership with the gambling giant from moving beyond branding. Plans for Harrah’s parent company to take over day-to-day management of the casino in Chandler, Oklahoma, stalled after it opened in April, because no one…

Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday struck a government-held port on the country’s Red Sea coast, killing several people and deepening fears over threats to strategic Middle East shipping routes and a potential return to civil war. They also said they attacked an oil facility in neighboring Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Israel is rejecting a deal announced by President Donald Trump for Gaza. Details have emerged on the potential deal between Iran and Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz. And the Pentagon is pressing the U.S. defense industry to accelerate production of weapons as concerns about shortages grow. Here’s a…

In a landmark ruling against Meta, a New Mexico judge likened the company’s social media platforms to factories. The psychological harm to children who use Facebook and Instagram, he said, can be seen as their pollution. Judge Bryan Biedscheid fined the company $567 million in his ruling Thursday, but he also prescribed steps to clean up what he described as its byproducts. He ordered new safety measures, including a time limit of 90 hours per month for users under 18, AI chatbot restrictions, and mandatory warnings on the platforms. How easily those features can be implemented, and how effective they…

Traveling with babies and toddlers can be daunting for parents. Questions about air travel, what to pack and safety are often top of mind, especially on long-distance flights and international trips. “Traveling with kids is a whole new world,” said Dr. Shannon Thompson, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, adding that it’s important to “enjoy your kiddo on your trip” as much as you can. Here are some tips and tricks for parents to travel safely with young children – and have fun with them, too. Look for amenities like cribs and high chairs before you book Before you decide…

DETROIT — Michigan Democrats on Friday urged voters to rally behind their statewide candidates, three days after a bitter U.S. Senate contest highlighted divisions between the party’s progressive and moderate wings. A slate of nominees and other notable Democrats emphasized unity to a crowd of more than 1,000, who cheered loudest for Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official. He narrowly beat establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens in a contentious, closely watched primary for an open U.S. Senate seat. “Michigan, we will fight to build the America that we are proud to hand off to our kids and our grandkids,” El-Sayed…