Category: Los Angeles

A Chinese chemical company, its director, and three senior employees have been indicted on charges of manufacturing and distributing fentanyl precursors and xylazine, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. The company, Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., is based in Wuhan, China, and is accused of fueling the fentanyl crisis in the United States. The 13-count federal grand jury indictment charges the company with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl and the introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. It’s alleged that from November 2016 to November 2023, Hubei Aoks sold significant amounts of fentanyl precursors to customers in the United States. These chemicals were often mislabeled and imported as items such as furniture parts and makeup to evade detection. Some of the shipments were intercepted by U.S. agents, who were posing as buyers. The company is also accused of selling xylazine, an animal sedative commonly referred to as “tranq,” which has saturated the streets of Los Angeles and is known for its effect of causing flesh to rot. Those properties have led to law enforcement dubbing xylazine a “flesh-eating zombie drug.” A

By Kerry Breen Updated on: November 7, 2024 / 4:09 PM EST / CBS News Liam Payne’s final moments revealed Liam Payne’s final moments revealed before tragic hotel balcony fall 01:50 Prosecutors in Argentina have charged three people in connection with the death of former One Direction  singer Liam Payne, officials said on Thursday.  Payne, 31, died on October 16 when he fell from a balcony of the Casa Sur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires.  One person, who authorities say spent time with Payne every day while he was in Buenos Aires, is charged with abandonment of a person followed by death, a charge that carries a sentence of five to 15 years in prison, according to a news release from Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office released Thursday.  A picture of former One Direction singer Liam Payne sits surrounded by flowers and candles as fans gather outside the hotel where he was found dead after falling from a balcony. Natacha Pisarenko / AP The other two charged are accused of supplying Payne with drugs, including cocaine, and have been charged with two acts each of

The Justice Department policy that could end some Trump prosecutions – CBS News Watch CBS News A longstanding Justice Department policy could be applied to some of former President Donald Trump’s legal cases as conversations are underway about winding down the prosecutions before Trump takes office. CBS News’ Katrina Kaufman has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

White House peppered with questions about Biden campaign decisions in 1st post-election briefing – CBS News Watch CBS News White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s first press briefing since Donald Trump’s election win over Kamala Harris saw several questions about whether President Biden regretted ending his campaign or his original decision to run for reelection. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Nov 7: CBS News 24/7, 1pm ET – CBS News Watch CBS News Biden calls on country to “bring down the temperature” following Trump election victory; Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 0.25%. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

On his first day in office four years ago, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón issued a slate of progressive edicts that many prosecutors in his office said handcuffed them in the fight against crime. When Nathan Hochman takes Gascón’s seat in less than 30 days, he has vowed to untie those same prosecutors’ hands, rolling back his predecessor’s policies. Hochman’s agenda includes a return to seeking the death penalty, an increase in the prosecution of low-level misdemeanors and using sentencing enhancements to seek long prison terms in cases that involve guns or gangs. After routing Gascón on election night by 23 percentage points, Hochman said in an interview Wednesday that he plans to immediately deliver on his campaign promises to wipe away several of his predecessor’s “blanket, lazy policies” when he’s inaugurated Dec. 2. Several high-profile cases — including the Gascón-backed resentencing of Erik and Lyle Menendez — could also be up for review, Hochman told The Times. Hochman said Wednesday that his decisive victory is proof that Angelenos — and perhaps Californians at large — are fed up with policies that cause

Six years ago in this newspaper, I coined the term “rancho libertarian” to describe a political ideology I was observing in many of the Latino men I knew. Proud of their family’s rural immigrant roots but fully of this country. Working class at heart, middle class in income. Skeptical of big government and woke politics yet committed to bettering their communities. Believers in the American Dream they had seen their parents achieve — and afraid it was slipping away. The rancho libertarians I knew were mostly Mexican Americans, but not exclusively — there were Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Peruvians, Colombians. They weren’t Donald Trump fans — he only won 28% of the Latino vote in 2016 against Hillary Clinton, according to the Pew Research Center — but I saw how Latino men could easily cozy up to him. An orange-tinted despot seemed relatively harmless compared to the ones in their ancestral lands, so they didn’t view Trump as much of a threat. These guys were used to blabbermouths as bosses. They respected people who said what they wanted and didn’t care about consequences. Besides, rancho libertarians never

During his ultimately victorious campaign for the presidency, Donald Trump made no bones about his intention to use the legal levers of government to go after his perceived enemies. When he takes office in January, we should therefore expect him to launch a reign of terror against dozens of people he sees as having crossed him. And his vengeance will be enabled by the Supreme Court opinion granting presidents broad immunity from prosecution. A recent National Public Radio analysis determined that Trump has threatened more than 100 federal investigations or prosecutions to settle scores. They run the gamut from President Biden and his family, whom the president-elect has promised to pay back on Day 1 of his tenure by appointing a special prosecutor to investigate unspecified crimes; to former Rep. Liz Cheney, whom he recently suggested should face something like a firing squad; to judges involved in his prosecutions; and journalists who refuse to give up their sources. Granted, Trump frequently gives the impression that he has little understanding of or even interest in many of the policies he pressed on the campaign trail. But

What began as an investigation into the illegal sale of a single military-grade laser sight turned into the arrest of an Orange County man for possession of a cache of weapons of war and sexually explicit child content. Arthit Tanjapatkul, 43, was charged Wednesday in the U.S. District Court of Santa Ana with one count of possession of four machine guns and three counts of possession of child pornography stemming from the recovery of hundreds of videos and images of underage sexual content. Tanjapatkul was arrested Oct. 9, the same day he was attempting to leave the country, according to an FBI affidavit attached to the criminal complaint. He is being held on a $250,000 bond. Tanjapatkul is next due in court for his arraignment Nov. 18. A call to Tanjapatkul’s attorney was not immediately returned. Tanjapatkul first came under suspicion of the FBI in March 2023 when the Santa Ana resident promoted and sold on Facebook and Facebook Messenger the military-grade laser sight, a device used for hunting or military purposes that projects a beam onto a target, for $3,250. The weapon was part

As firefighters battled a destructive wildfire in Ventura County, police arrested a man suspected of starting a fire in a parking lot of an animal hospital in the city of Ventura early Thursday. Ventura Police Department identified the suspect as 22-year-old Efrain Troncoso Gonzalez of Moorpark. Police said the man is not suspected of having any connection with the Mountain fire, which broke out near Somis before winds drove the blaze into other nearby communities, damaging or destroying numerous homes. So far, the fire has scorched more than 14,000 acres and is threatening thousands of homes. Police said an emergency dispatcher received a call shortly before 7 a.m. about a man trying to start a fire in the parking lot of the Banfield Pet Hospital at 5380 Ralston St. “There was particular concern given the current wind conditions and ongoing Mountain Fire,” Ventura police said in a written statement. “Within two minutes of the call, a [Ventura police officer] arrived and observed Gonzalez tending to a fire in the parking lot.” Police said the fire was approximately one square foot in size and was made

Investigators believe a man arrested late last month in connection with multiple sex crimes, including some involving juveniles, may have additional victims, Long Beach police said Thursday. Detectives with the Sex Crimes Detail arrested 34-year-old Long Beach resident Melvin Johnson Jr. on Oct. 30 after identifying him as a suspect in several incidents, including one involving a “forcible lewd act against a child under age 14.” The incident occurred near Paramount Blvd and South Street and involved a girl, police said. Melvin Johnson Jr. is seen in an image provided by the Long Beach Police Department. Authorities believe Johnson is also responsible for the following incidents: May 2024 – Long Beach Boulevard and Wardlow Road – Various sexual assaults, against a female adult July 2024 – Long Beach Boulevard and San Antonio Drive – Sexual assault with intent to commit a felony – victim under age 18, against a female minor October 2024 – Orange Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway – Sexual assault with intent to commit a felony, against a female adult October 2024 – Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue – Possession of

A fire spark can quickly turn into a massive wildfire if the conditions are just right, as seen with the ongoing Mountain Fire in Ventura County. Residents impacted often have limited time to grab their belongings and loved ones to escape the imminent danger. Officials urge residents to stay prepared for fires and other natural disasters. Photos capture devastation of the Mountain Fire in Ventura County Here’s what you need to know: An emergency supply kit or “Go Bag” should be accessible for quick evacuation and stocked with necessities should you be away for a long time. According to Cal Fire, a “Go Bag” should include: A three-day supply of non-perishable food & three gallons of water per person A map with at least two evacuation routes Necessary prescriptions or medications A change of clothes & extra eyeglasses/contact lenses Extra car keys, credit cards, cash, or traveler’s checks A first aid kit & sanitation supply A flashlight & battery-powered radio with extra batteries Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.) Pet food & water Family photos and other irreplaceable items Personal computer data on

9/11 masterminds, others could still get plea agreements – CBS News Watch CBS News A military judge ruled that the plea agreements struck for alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants are valid, a defense official confirmed. CBS News’ Charlie D’Agata has more from the Pentagon. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. If you’re struggling with credit card debt, a forgiveness plan may be worth exploring. Getty Images Credit card debt is one of the most persistent financial challenges facing Americans today, with millions of accounts falling into collections each year. When credit card bills go unpaid for extended periods, creditors often sell these delinquent accounts to collection agencies for pennies on the dollar, marking the beginning of an often stressful and confusing process for the cardholders who find themselves pursued by debt collectors . For those struggling with credit card debt in collections, the prospect of having their debt forgiven or significantly reduced can offer a glimmer of hope. With credit card debt forgiveness , the goal is to pay less than what you owe on your balance by negotiating with your card issuers on a lump-sum settlement. While complete debt forgiveness is relatively rare, several pathways can lead to partial debt forgiveness or significant reductions in the amount owed.  That said, the reality of credit

By Graham Kates Updated on: November 7, 2024 / 3:00 PM EST / CBS News Rudy Giuliani disbarred in New York Rudy Giuliani disbarred in New York over 2020 election falsehoods 03:21 Trump ally and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani got a tongue lashing Thursday in federal court after missing a deadline to turn over valuables to two election workers he defamed , including one asset, a vintage Mercedes, that he took for a drive to vote in Florida. He owes the women , Ruby Freeman and daughter Wandrea Moss, millions in damages. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman, upon being informed that Giuliani is the only person listed on a document who has knowledge of his assets — and that he wants his name removed — called the request “farcical.” “My expectation is you’re going to answer that question truthfully and fully,” Liman said, adding that someone else “in the world” must have knowledge of Giuliani’s various assets.   Hearings in the matter were being conducted remotely, but Liman ordered Giuliani to appear Thursday in person after learning that Giuliani ha not met his

“Anora” star Mikey Madison will receive the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 2025 Palm Springs Film Festival. Deadline reported on Thursday that Madison will be honored at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3 for her performance in Sean Baker’s latest film, which took home the Palme d’Or after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival. For her multifaceted portrayal of Ani, an exotic dancer from Brooklyn who envisions a chance at a Cinderella story after marrying a client and son of a Russian billionaire, Madison also earned a Gotham Award nomination last week. “Anora” led all films with four Gotham nominations. “Since winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes, `Anora’ has been the most talked about film this season,” festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a statement. “What makes this film so outstanding is Mikey Madison’s mesmerizing breakout role that serves as the heart and soul of this story. It is our honor to present the Breakthrough Performance Award, to this talented actress in celebration of her outstanding work and star-making performance.” Baker, the movie’s director, is known for spotlighting marginalized people in his

A fire that erupted Thursday in a Riverside apartment building damaged a unit and left the occupant with minor injuries, but the blaze did not spread to neighboring residences. The fire was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday in the 5100 block of Olivewood Avenue, near Boxwood Place, just off of the Riverside (91) Freeway, according to the Riverside Fire Department. Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst said four engine crews and a truck company, numbering roughly 20 personnel, were sent to the location and encountered smoke rising from a second-floor apartment in the two-story building. Vanderhorst said crews quickly knocked down the blaze, which was confined to a room in the apartment. The occupant complained of breathing difficulties and was taken to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment. No adjacent apartments were impacted. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for a second straight time on Thursday in an effort to keep the economy sailing along by easing the high borrowing costs it engineered to fight inflation. But going forward Fed policymakers must contend with a big new unknown: a second Trump presidential term. The quarter-percentage-point reduction in the Fed’s benchmark rate was expected. It comes on the heels of a half-point cut in September when the central bank pivoted to loosen monetary policy after holding rates at a two-decade high to throttle back inflation. “Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace,” the Fed said in a short statement announcing the rate cut. “Since earlier in the year, labor market conditions have generally eased, and the unemployment rate has moved up but remains low. Inflation has made progress toward the [Fed] Committee’s 2 percent objective but remains somewhat elevated.” With inflation having come down sharply from its highs in 2022, officials had signaled a rate cut Thursday and another one in December, followed by several more next year. The Fed eventually wants

Danielle Deadwyler was not expecting to cry. The actor, who won accolades in 2022 for her heartbreaking performance as civil rights advocate Mamie Till-Mobley in “Till,” was describing the emotional journey of her latest project, “The Piano Lesson,” when she suddenly leaned sideways in her chair, twisting her neck at an awkward angle. “I don’t want to mess up my makeup,” said Deadwyler, wiping away tears as she spoke about the film’s acknowledgment of the pain and trauma endured by its characters, descendants of slaves living in Depression-era Pittsburgh. “The whole making of this thing, there’s a tension riding. For me, it’s because of the huge weight of Black families that’s been put on our shoulders in a certain kind of way.” Deadwyler is not alone in being moved by “The Piano Lesson,” which begins its limited theatrical run Friday before landing on Netflix on Nov. 22. Many critics have already given high marks to the latest in the platform’s series of screen adaptations of August Wilson’s “Century Cycle” of plays, which spotlight the triumphs and hardships faced by Black Americans in the 20th century

The bellwether rings true no more. For nearly a quarter-century, voters in Clallam County, Wash. — a lush green dot in the far corner of the country — have gone with the winner in 11 straight presidential elections. That’s an unmatched level of precision among more than 3,000 counties nationwide. But the streak, dating to 1980, ended on Tuesday as voters favored Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Trump, by a decisive 53% to 44% margin. While there are still votes to be counted, Harris’ lead appears certain to hold. That means there are no bellwether counties left in America; heading into the 2020 election there were nearly 20. After that, Clallam County — roughly balanced politically between its three small population centers and sparsely populated rural reaches — stood alone. (Yours truly visited the county and took the measure of voter sentiments in September, just after the Trump-Harris debate: At the time, neither candidate was running away with the contest and virtually everyone was firmly dug into their positions.) Marc Abshire, director of the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce and a Harris supporter

If “A Quiet Place” — the screenplay that put writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods on the map — was a rather tight-lipped, high-concept monster movie in which the characters could barely speak, “Heretic,” their latest film, which they wrote and directed, is the opposite. This is a talky chamber piece of philosophical face-offs, debate duels and wordy warfare, though the outcomes remain just as harrowing. The danger of “Heretic” is nothing extraterrestrial, but rather the most common and mundane of earthly predators: a man. And what a man Beck and Woods have cast in their religious horror film, effectively weaponizing the befuddled British charm of Hugh Grant, who has fumbled and grinned through such rom-com classics as “Notting Hill,” “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and many more. The genius of his performance in “Heretic” is that his manner is no different here than in those other hits. It’s just the nature of the conversation — and what he’d like to do with women — that’s different. The story begins with two young Mormon women on a mission to baptize converts. Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher), savvy, street