Author: JohnValbyNation

BARCELONA, Spain  —  Masses of flag-waving demonstrators demanding Catalonia’s independence and the release from prison of separatist leaders jammed downtown Barcelona on Friday as the northeastern Spanish region endured its fifth straight night of unrest. Chaotic scenes of violence erupted after more than half a million protesters, including families with children, marched in the Catalan…

HONG KONG  —  Hong Kong’s leader said Saturday the murder suspect whose case inadvertently helped ignite the city’s protest movement wants to surrender to authorities in Taiwan. Carrie Lam told reporters that Hong Kong’s government would “actively follow up on” a letter she received from Chan Tong-kai requesting help to give himself up. Chan, 20,…

Here are the stories you shouldn’t miss today: TOP STORIES ‘Get Over It’ During a Thursday morning news conference, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney came out and said it: President Trump withheld roughly $400 million in aid to Ukraine earlier this year in part to pressure its new government to investigate Democrats.…

As if to reinforce the idea that money is the most potent drug known to humankind, legislators in California and 10 other states have legalized marijuana, often with visions of a tax windfall dancing in their heads. The fiscal gain may not have been the only rationale for legalization and in some cases not even…

WASHINGTON —  House Democrats’ hopes for a short and focused impeachment inquiry against President Trump are being put to the test by a string of new leads that could lengthen their investigation, as well as by some moderate Democrats who remain skeptical about whether the case has been made for impeachment. Three weeks into their inquiry,…

FORT WORTH —  Energy Secretary Rick Perry has notified the president that he intends to leave his job soon. That’s according to an administration official who confirmed the news on condition of anonymity. Perry was traveling with the president to Texas on Thursday when he shared the news aboard Air Force One. Perry is under scrutiny…

MIRAMAR, Fla. —  Edmond Randle was down the street from Miramar City Hall on Tuesday when he learned his mayor was running for president. “That’s kind of strange because the election is next year,” said Randle, 63. He hadn’t seen a pamphlet or any fliers indicating Wayne Messam was competing for the Democratic nomination, and he…

As part of Staples Center’s 20th-anniversary celebration Tuesday night, the Kings orchestrated an actual laser show during the first intermission, synchronizing more than 600 neon beams of light in a Guinness World Record-breaking stunt. Their hockey team proved far less precise. Despite flinging a season-high 47 shots on net, the Kings were blanked by Buffalo…

When Troy Thomas returned for his second stint as football coach at Anaheim Servite last season, one of the smartest moves he made was hiring Darnell Arceneaux as offensive coordinator. He coached quarterback Marcus Mariota at Honolulu Saint Louis and was entrusted with recharging the Friars’ offense. “He’s a perfect match for the kids,” Thomas…

VANCOUVER, Canada —  Eight hours before the Clippers played their final preseason game Thursday, guard Patrick Beverley jumped out of a courtside seat and jogged into shootaround. “Last one!” he yelled. “Let’s be great!” For much of their last tune-up before Tuesday’s regular-season opener, his team was anything but. They needed six minutes and 26 seconds…