The American Express Times
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Indian gang smashed in Calif. & beyond
Federal, state, and international law enforcement agencies arrested at least 37 alleged members of the Bishnoi organized crime syndicate across the U.S., Canada, and Europe in coordinated raids targeting murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and racketeering. The operation disrupted a transnational criminal network led from prison in India, but authorities continue to pursue remaining fugitives and…
★ Featured Stories
Chinese Startup DeepSeek Developing AI Chip
Chinese startup DeepSeek is developing its own AI chip focused on the inference stage to reduce reliance on Nvidia and Huawei hardware. This move highlights…
Letters on immigration and July 4 celebrations
Readers submitted letters debating birthright citizenship, immigration reform, Fourth of July reflections, environmental policy on microplastics, and criminal justice programs. These responses highlight ongoing public…
Farage’s gamble gives power to the people
Nigel Farage has announced he will resign and trigger a by-election in Clacton to seek a fresh mandate from voters amid scrutiny of his finances…
Pasadena doctor’s attempted murder charges dismissed after mental health program
Dharmesh Patel, a Pasadena radiologist accused of attempted murder for driving his family’s car off a cliff in early 2023, had all charges dismissed after…
★ All Stories
Heat Wave Hits Southern California With Temperatures Topping 100 Degrees
Southern California is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures soaring above normal, reaching up to 107 degrees in some inland areas, prompting heat advisories across…
How America Can Become World-Class in Soccer
The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team lost to Belgium, ending their winning streak and exposing weaknesses in their defense and overall play. Despite the defeat,…
Paul Pelosi Spotted at Home Following Alleged Hit-and-Run
Paul Pelosi was spotted at his San Francisco home days after police found him leaving the scene of a hit-and-run crash in Napa Valley involving…
US Launches Powerful Strikes on Iran Following Attacks on Commercial Ships
The United States carried out military strikes on Iranian missile and surveillance sites following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which heightened…
Fight Viewership Disputes Over White House UFC Event
The UFC held a “Freedom 250” event on the White House lawn on June 14, attracting an estimated 34 million global viewers amid conflicting reports…
Ukrainian Intelligence Officer Admits Killing Oligarch’s Assassin
Anastasiia Berezovska, suspected of orchestrating a bombing targeting Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev in Monaco, was found dead from gunshot wounds in Kyiv, with a Ukrainian…
89-Year-Old Man Robbed Outside Queens Bank
An 89-year-old man was assaulted and robbed outside a Capitol One bank in Queens last Thursday, with the suspect fleeing the scene with $1,300 and…
Restaurant owner charges parents for rowdy children
Bay Area restaurateur You You Xue has begun charging parents fees for damages caused by unruly children at his two Chinese restaurants to encourage better…
Court hearing examines mental health and danger concerns in Patel case
A court hearing reviewed conflicting expert opinions on Raj Patel’s mental health and risk to public safety after a crash that led to criminal charges,…
First Woman Accusing Platner Criticizes New York Times Coverage
Lyndsey Fifield, the first woman to accuse Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner of abuse, criticized The New York Times for selectively reporting her allegations and…
National Mall Brawl Erupts During US-Belgium World Cup Game
A physical fight erupted among fans at a FIFA Fanzone on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., during the U.S. men's soccer team's 4-1 loss…
Trump Slams European NATO Members, Praises Erdogan Ahead of Summit
President Donald Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Turkey's cooperation on Iran tensions while criticizing European NATO members for their refusal to support…
New Israel-Lebanon Deal Tests US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to allow the Israel Defense Forces to remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed and Lebanese forces can manage…
House Republicans Probe AFT President’s Use of Union Dues
House Republicans have launched an investigation into whether American Federation of Teachers union funds were improperly spent on producing and promoting union president Randi Weingarten’s…
Massive Midtown High-Rise Buckles, Prompting Large Evacuation
A 37-story building in Midtown Manhattan became unstable after steel support columns buckled during its conversion from offices to luxury apartments, leading to the evacuation…
California’s Ban on Native American Mascots Creates Controversy
California has expanded its ban on Native American mascots and school names with Assembly Bill 3074, which now prohibits multiple terms deemed derogatory unless approved…
Wall Street Analysts Bullish on SpaceX Despite Stock Dip
Several leading financial firms, including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, initiated coverage on SpaceX with mostly “buy” ratings and an average price target about 47%…
Northern California homeowner gets $100K fine for illegal fireworks
A Northern California homeowner was fined $100,000 for hosting an illegal and extensive fireworks display in Sacramento on the Fourth of July, which involved prohibited…
Santa Monica Studies ‘Cap Park’ Over I-10 Freeway
The Santa Monica City Council approved a $2 million federal grant to study options for addressing the divisive impact of the Interstate 10 freeway through…
Stephen King Defends Platner Despite Sexual Assault Allegations
Stephen King publicly defended Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner despite allegations of sexual assault made by Platner’s former girlfriend. King’s comments sparked backlash for seemingly…
Federal Prosecutor Rob Fuentes Resigns Amid ICE Criticism
Rob Fuentes, a federal prosecutor and Fresno City Council candidate, resigned after being placed on administrative leave following his public criticism of ICE and allegations…
Ukraine Seeks Better Deal, New Leverage at NATO Summit
Ukraine is revising its peace negotiation strategy with Russia, moving away from a US-backed 28-point plan to leverage its strengthened military and strategic position. This…
‘Jeopardy!’ Hiring New Clue Writer Opportunity
"Jeopardy!" is hiring a new clue writer, requiring candidates to pass a challenging 50-question quiz and create original, verified clues without AI assistance. This rare…
Gun-Toting Teen Charged in NYPD Friendly Fire Shooting
An 18-year-old man from New Jersey, Camani Barletto, was charged with multiple offenses after a friendly fire incident in Brooklyn injured veteran NYPD Detective Robert…
First Lady’s Pro-Palestinian Spiritual Retreat Sparks Controversy
Rama Duwaji, New York City's first lady, is co-hosting a sold-out pro-Palestinian spiritual retreat on Corsica that honors Mary, mother of Jesus, through a Palestinian…
Parenting Tightrope: Challenges Raising Teens in Los Angeles
Liz Angeles, a massage therapist and mother of a teenager in Santa Monica, described the challenges Los Angeles parents face as their teens navigate social…
Oakland police search for woman violently kidnapped
Oakland police are investigating the abduction of a white woman in her early 30s who was forced into a dark-colored sedan at gunpoint near Laurel…
Gov. Newsom’s Return-to-Office Policy Faces Conflicting Job Listings
California Governor Gavin Newsom's mandate requiring most state employees to work in the office at least four days a week took effect on July 1,…
Top Democrats Withdraw Support for Platner Amid Scandal
Key Democratic leaders have withdrawn their support for Graham Platner’s Senate campaign in Maine following allegations of sexual assault and scrutiny of his controversial past.…
Volcano Fire Forces Evacuations Near Murrieta
A wildfire named the Volcano Fire erupted near the La Cresta community in Murrieta, spreading over 75 acres and triggering evacuations. Over 125 firefighters and…
Trump Considers Lifting Sanctions, Selling F-35 Jets to Turkey Despite Opposition
President Donald Trump announced plans to lift sanctions that have barred Turkey from purchasing U.S. military equipment, potentially reopening the sale of F-35 stealth fighter…
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Rock Opera Returns to West End
“Jesus Christ Superstar” has reopened at London’s Palladium with a new production that highlights its origins as a concert-style rock opera, featuring a live 19-piece…
America 250’s Pride and Joy
The United States marked its 250th anniversary with nationwide patriotic events, including a tall ships parade in New York Harbor and hosting the World Cup,…
Cold Case Murder From 1985 Solved After Renewed Investigation
An Ohio man, Randy McAllister, has been charged with the 1985 murder of traveling salesman John Warren in Middletown, Ohio, following a cold case investigation…
California lawmakers pass bill allowing higher local sales taxes
California lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 762, allowing certain counties and cities to seek sales tax increases beyond the state's 2% cap, pending final Senate…
Maine Democrat Graham Platner Refuses To Drop Senate Race Amid Rape Allegations
Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner faces mounting pressure to withdraw from the Maine race following sexual assault allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, which he denies.…
Dave Portnoy Berates USMNT for World Cup Loss
Dave Portnoy sharply criticized the US Men’s National Soccer Team after their 4-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup, calling their performance "embarrassing" and…