Category: Los Angeles

live updates get the free app By Graham Kates, Katrina Kaufman, Shawna Mizelle Updated on: May 16, 2024 / 12:00 PM EDT / CBS News More Cohen testimony expected in Trump trial 05:01 The fifth week of Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York is ending as it began: with the former president’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen on the stand . Cohen, the key witness in the case against Trump, is facing questioning from Trump’s defense attorneys about his record of lying under oath in different cases.  Todd Blanche, Trump’s lead lawyer, peppered the former lawyer with questions about his conviction for lying to Congress and his admission that he lied to a judge during sentencing for a number of federal crimes in 2018. He also played clips of Cohen talking about Trump last year, around the time Trump was indicted by a grand jury in Manhattan. “I truly f–king hope that this man ends up in prison,” Cohen was heard saying in one clip. “You better believe I want this man to go down and rot inside for what he did to my family.” Under

Updated on: May 16, 2024 / 11:15 AM EDT / CBS/AFP Combating narco-subs and trafficking Combating narco-subs and narco-terrorism in the U.S. and abroad 04:35 Spanish police said Thursday they had seized 1.8 tons of crystal meth that Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel was trying to sell in Europe , the country’s “biggest-ever seizure” of the narcotic. Police arrested five people during the raid in the eastern Alicante province, one of them a Mexican running the cartel’s Spanish operation, a statement said. “This is the biggest-ever seizure of crystal meth in Spain and the second largest in Europe,” Antonio Martinez Duarte, head of the police’s drug trafficking and organized crime unit, told reporters. “Among those arrested is a Mexican citizen linked to the Sinaloa Cartel,” he added. He did not give his name but indicated the suspect was responsible for receiving the narcotics in Spain then distributing them within Europe. Police officers and journalists stand by part of a haul of 1.8 tons of methamphetamine in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 16, 2024. Spanish police say they have dismantled a major methamphetamine distribution network of the Mexican Sinaloa

By Aaron Navarro, Kathryn Watson Updated on: May 16, 2024 / 11:00 AM EDT / CBS News The Biden campaign has accepted CBS News’ invitation to participate in a vice presidential debate this summer. The Biden campaign says that either the proposed dates of Tuesday, July 23, or Tuesday, August 13 would be acceptable for Vice President Kamala Harris to debate. The Trump campaign has not yet publicly accepted the invitation. And former President Donald Trump has not yet named a running mate.  “We look forward to the Trump campaign accepting one of these dates so that the full debate calendar for this campaign can be set,” Brian Fallon, campaign communications director for Harris, told reporters.  CBS News confirmed that President Biden’s campaign accepted its offer to host a vice presidential debate and has extended the same offer to Trump’s campaign.  Mr. Biden and Trump have agreed to presidential debates on June 27 and Sept. 3. Plans for the debates came together quickly after the president’s campaign said in a letter that he was willing to debate his Republican opponent twice before the November election.

By Kate Gibson Edited By Anne Marie Lee Updated on: May 16, 2024 / 11:02 AM EDT / CBS News Experts share advice on avoiding foodborne illness Experts share advice on avoiding foodborne illness 02:43 Chia seeds sold at Walmart stores nationwide are being recalled because the product may be contaminated with salmonella, according to a notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration. The recall involves 32-ounce pouches of Great Value Organic Black Chai Seeds with an expiration date of Oct. 30, 2026, according to Natural Sourcing International, or NSI, a Los Angeles supplier of private-label food. Walmart introduced its Great Value brand in 1993 to offer lower-cost versions of nationally branded products. The possibly tainted products were sent to Walmart for distribution at its retail stores across the country, NSI stated. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in the young, frail or elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with the bacteria often have symptoms including fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Chia seeds sold at Walmart stores nationwide are being recalled because the product may be

Attorneys for famed illusionist David Copperfield have denied accusations made by 16 women in a new report alleging decades-spanning sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior. More than half the women making allegations in a Guardian U.S. investigation published Tuesday said that they were teenagers at the time of the alleged incidents, which range from the late 1980s to 2014 and include claims that the magician drugged three women before he had sexual relations with them — relations to which they felt they were unable to consent. Four of the women alleged they were groped or were made to touch the entertainer “in a sexual way during live performances on stage,” the report said. Copperfield’s lawyers told the publication that the allegations are “not only completely false but also entirely implausible.” Denying any wrongdoing of any kind, the 67-year-old’s legal representatives instead described him as a champion of the #MeToo movement and said he “never acted inappropriately with anyone, let alone anyone underage.” They said a “truthful” depiction of Copperfield would describe his “kindness, shyness and treatment of men and women with respect.” The Las Vegas headliner

Through 75 years of diplomatic relations and the protracted war in Ukraine, China and Russia want the world to know that their ties are stronger than ever. That was the message blared through a pomp-filled welcome for Russia’s leader to Beijing meant to signal a unified alternative to the West. On Thursday morning, President Xi Jinping received President Vladimir Putin outside the Great Hall of the People while uniformed bands played, soldiers stood at attention and cannons and rifles fired. The red-carpet welcome was followed by a 2½-hour meeting and a joint news conference, where the leaders signed declarations to deepen cooperation between their two nations. “China-Russia relations have withstood the test of time and become even stronger,” Xi said in televised remarks after a 2½-hour meeting with Putin. “The generational friendship and comprehensive cooperation between China and Russia have formed a strong driving force that allows us to move forward without fear of wind and rain.” The fanfare was another show of continued Chinese support for Russia, even as the U.S. has warned Xi against enabling Putin’s assault on Ukraine through enhanced trade and

WASHINGTON —  The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the U.S. consumer protection agency that was created under President Obama and congressional Democrats to protect Americans from financial scams. By a 7-2 vote, the justices rejected a constitutional claim brought by a coalition of payday lenders who had won before a panel of three Trump appointees on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The lower court had questioned the legality of the agency, ruling it was not properly “accountable to Congress” because it did not receive its funding through an annual appropriation. Writing for the majority, Justice Clarence Thomas said “the statute that authorizes the bureau to draw money from the combined earnings of the Federal Reserve system to carry out its duties satisfies the appropriations clause” of the Constitution. Thomas said early American history shows that Congress could fund the government through different means, not just through an annual appropriation. “Based on the Constitution’s text, the history against which that text was enacted, and congressional practice immediately following ratification, we conclude that appropriations need only identify a source of public funds and authorize the expenditure of

VATICAN CITY —  Gov. Gavin Newsom accused former President Donald Trump of “open corruption” in a speech Thursday at a climate summit of Catholic officials and international leaders, elevating his criticism of the Republican leader in the hallowed halls of the Vatican. The California governor referenced news stories alleging that Trump recently solicited campaign donations from oil executives and at the same event vowed to walk back climate protections if elected in the 2024 presidential contest. “He openly asked them for $1 billion dollars to roll back the environmental progress of the Biden administration, environmental progress that we’ve made over the course of the last half century,” Newsom said. “Open corruption. A billion dollars to pollute our states, to pollute our country, and to pollute this planet and roll back progress.” The governor spoke at a three-day “From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience” summit organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Newsom’s appearance and comments likely will elevate his position as a climate leader on a world stage, and his speech received a round of applause from the international gathering of governors, mayors and policy experts.

A Foothill Transit bus collided with an SUV in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday morning, resulting in unknown injuries to the bus driver. As reported by KTLA’s Gil Leyvas, a Foothill Transit bus hit the SUV in the area of Olympic Boulevard and Olive Street. The bus driver was pulled out of the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital in an unknown condition. Men disrupt Los Angeles Metro service by climbing on top of Red Line train The SUV’s driver remained at the scene following the crash and appeared to be uninjured. Olympic was completely shut down in both directions near the crash site, Leyvas reported. It was not immediately clear how long the shutdown would last.

Police were called to a Metro Red Line train in downtown Los Angeles after two men climbed on top of one of the trains Thursday morning. Sky5 was over the Historic Broadway station on West 2nd Street and South Broadway at 5:45 a.m. after authorities received a trespassing call. The incident drew a large presence from the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Fire Department as one of the individuals was believed to be armed with a knife. Two men are seen being taken into custody outside a Metro station in downtown Los Angeles on May 16, 2024. (KTLA) Two people are detained after reports of a man with a knife on top of a train in downtown Los Angeles. (KTLA) Authorities were able to quickly get one of the men off of the train but the second individual seemed less cooperative. Shortly before 6 a.m., aerial video showed two people being detained outside the station. Police at the scene later said that no weapon was found but the men will be booked for “delay of transit.” It was unclear why the men decided

By Melissa Quinn May 16, 2024 / 10:11 AM EDT / CBS News New majority Black district in Louisiana Supreme Court says Louisiana can use new congressional map with second majority-Black district 02:17 Washington — The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the funding structure for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), rescuing the consumer finance agency from another effort by its critics to weaken it. The court said in a 7 to 2 decision that the agency’s funding structure complies with the Constitution’s Appropriations Clause. Justice Clarence Thomas authored the majority opinion. Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented. The dispute, brought by two trade associations, posed a significant threat to the agency and its continued operations, and defenders of the CFPB warned a broad decision could jeopardize regulatory and enforcement actions it’s taken since its creation 14 years ago and disrupt markets. At issue in the case was the mechanism through which the CFPB receives its funding. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the bureau receives a capped amount of money annually from the Federal Reserve. In fiscal year 2022, the

Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals – CBS News Watch CBS News On this edition of CBS Mornings Deals, Gayle Bass and model Chrissy Teigen show us items that might just become essentials in your everyday life. Visit cbsdeals.com to take advantage of these exclusive deals today. CBS earns commissions on purchases made through cbsdeals.com. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Biden, Trump agree to participate in two presidential debates – CBS News Watch CBS News President Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to participate in two presidential debates, one in June and one in September. The debates will be happening earlier than normal, which the candidates desired because early voting in some states starts in September. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

By Li Cohen May 16, 2024 / 9:59 AM EDT / CBS News The “grotesque” baobab tree has long been known as the “tree of life” for its ability to create and maintain its own ecosystem in arid regions. Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, people have marveled at what researchers say is among “the most charismatic species on our planet,” but nobody knew where they originated from – until now.  There are currently eight species of the tall and wide-trunked plants, also known as upside-down trees or “mother of the forest.” Of these groups, six species are found on Madagascar, one is found across continental Africa and another is found only in northwestern Australia.  But only one of those locations is the true origin of them all.  Researchers say they solved the mystery of the “spectacular trees” using the species’ DNA . In a new study published in Nature, they said all the trees came from the African island nation of Madagascar.  Avenue of Baobabs in Madagascar. Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)/Madagascar, Avenue of Baobabs. (Photo by: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group

VATICAN CITY —  Gov. Gavin Newsom accused former President Donald Trump of “open corruption” in a speech Thursday at a climate summit of Catholic officials and international leaders, elevating his criticism of the Republican leader in the hallowed halls of the Vatican. The California governor referenced news stories alleging that Trump recently solicited campaign donations from oil executives and at the same event vowed to walk back climate protections if elected in the 2024 presidential contest. “He openly asked them for $1 billion dollars to rollback the environmental progress of the Biden administration, environmental progress that we’ve made over the course of the last half century,” Newsom said. “Open corruption. A billion dollars to pollute our states, to pollute our country, and to pollute this planet and a roll back progress.” The governor spoke at a three-day “From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience” summit organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Newsom’s appearance and comments likely will elevate his position as a climate leader on a world stage, and his speech received a round of applause from the international gathering of governors, mayors and policy experts.

DULZURA, Calif. —  At dawn came a dozen men, women and children from Nepal. Following in the twilight was a cluster of families from Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, along with half a dozen Chinese men. Behind them were men from India and couples from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan carrying infants. Scattered migrants kept arriving at the top of a steep dirt road to surrender to U.S. border agents in order to claim asylum. “I am finally here, in America,” Justin Agbobli, 30, who had traveled from Togo in West Africa, proclaimed in French. “Today is a dream come true!” Migrants hike toward a makeshift camp near Interstate 8. San Diego County has become the most popular spot for migrants illegally entering the United States, according to the latest government figures. With 37,370 arrests last month, it was the busiest of the Border Patrol’s nine sectors along the southern border for the first time since the 1990s. Driving the numbers is a massive increase in people from countries that usually don’t account for much illegal immigration. It has long been the case that the majority of migrants arriving

Unionized graduate students who work at University of California campuses and graduate student workers at the University of Southern California are threatening Thursday to walk off their jobs in response to escalating tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian protests at schools. The unionized members who work at UC campuses, including UCLA, UC Irvine and UC San Diego, voted to authorize leadership call a strike on Wednesday. Teaching and research assistants who are also graduate students at the universities are members of the union. Graduate students who work in similar capacities at USC filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, which oversees labor matters involving private-sector employers in response to treatment of protesters on campus. United Auto Workers Local 4811 represents thousands of UC graduate student workers and reported that 79% of the union members approved the strike authorization. UAW Local 4811 is asking the UC schools to give amnesty to all academic employees and students who face arrest or disciplinary actions for protesting. The union wants the students to have guarantees of freedom of speech and political expression on campus and is asking for

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County recorded its largest decrease since Jan. 24 Thursday, dropping 1.7 cents to $5.21, its lowest amount since April 3. The average price has dropped for 10 consecutive days and 19 of the past 20, decreasing 16.2 cents, including 1.5 cents Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It dropped nine consecutive days, was unchanged May 6 and resumed dropping the following day. The average price is 7.5 cents less than one week ago and 18.4 cents lower than one month ago, but 37.1 cents more than one year ago. It has dropped $1.284 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022. The Orange County average price recorded its largest decrease since Jan. 17, dropping 1.9 cents to $5.124, its lowest amount since April 1. It has dropped 20 of the past 21 days, decreasing 17.3 cents, including 1.4 cents Wednesday. The Orange County average price dropped 17 consecutive days, rose two-tenths of a cent Monday and resumed decreasing the following day. The Orange County

Tiny homes help grow community to combat homelessness – CBS News Watch CBS News In the “Rebuilding America” series, CBS Mornings features a 51-acre community in Austin, Texas, dedicated to combating homelessness. Filled with tiny homes, it offers affordable and permanent housing for those coming out of chronic homelessness. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

May 16, 2024 / 9:04 AM EDT / AP Slovakia’s prime minister shot multiple times Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico shot: What we know 03:08 The Slovak interior minister said Thursday that a “lone wolf” has been charged in the shooting that seriously wounded Prime Minister Robert Fico and prompted soul-searching among leaders in the deeply divided society. Fico was in serious but stable condition Thursday, a hospital official said, after the populist leader was hit multiple times in an attempt on his life that shook the small country and reverberated across the continent weeks before European elections. The attempted assassination has shocked the small central European nation, with many blaming the attack in part on extreme political polarization that has divided the country. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said Wednesday that an initial investigation found “a clear political motivation” behind the attack on Fico while he was attending a government meeting in a former coal mining town. However, he said Thursday that the suspect charged was a lone wolf who “did not belong to any political groups.” The minister did not specify what the

Prime minister of Slovakia recovering after he was shot in an assassination attempt – CBS News Watch CBS News Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico is recovering after he was shot several times in an assassination attempt. The suspected gunman was detained at the scene. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On