BRAD SHERMAN

Cryptocurrency tycoons are emerging as new power players in American politics.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, the value of the Russian currency, the ruble, has plunged by more than a third to a record low.

Fears are growing on Capitol Hill that the window to deliver critically needed military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine is quickly closing. Backed by the United States and other NATO allies, Ukrainian forces have defied all expectations, mounting a fierce resistance to the superior forces of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv remains under Ukrainian control, the skies over the country are contested, and there are signs of waning morale among...

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., blasted the firebrand Democrat in a press release for her recent tweet claiming America and Israel had committed “unthinkable atrocities” akin to the Taliban and Hamas.

Its a rare break for Republicans from Trump, who earlier this month told the Wall Street Journal that some people wear masks simply to show that they disapprove of him. Those outside the administration including White House visitors and members of the media who are in close proximity to him and Pence are also tested. But even with safeguards, the virus has found its way into the White House. I learned something major, and that is the White House is a mask-free zone, Sherman told The Associated Press. But Pence and members of the White House coronavirus task force frequently appear in public wearing masks.

A smartphone displays the Bitcoin GBP market value on the stock exchange via the Yahoo Finance app. Bitcoin nosedived Wednesday as Congress members highlighted the downsides of cryptocurrency on Capitol Hill. The world's largest digital currency fell as much as 9% to a low of $7,435.26 Wednesday. While some analysts say Facebook's involvement put crypto on the map, it has also brought new scrutiny to the fledgling technology. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., was among those from both political parties Wednesday who highlighted libra's potential use by drug dealers, tax evaders and terrorists.

Facebook has suggested its Libra project could use multiple cryptocurrencies backed by different existing currencies like the dollar, rather than having one single digital token tied to a basket of currencies. The tech giant had initially proposed one synthetic unit of value that would be tied to a basket of currencies and government debt. "Instead of having a synthetic unit we could have a series of stablecoins, a dollar stablecoin, a euro stablecoin, a sterling pound stablecoin, etc." Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies that are usually pegged to government-backed currencies like the dollar. Such currencies aim to reduce the volatility seen in virtual currencies like bitcoin and ether.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A fierce, wind-driven wildfire swept through foothills and canyons along the northern edge of Los Angeles on Friday, engulfing homes, closing roads and devouring acres of dry brush and chaparral as 100,000 residents were forced to flee. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared localized emergencies on Friday for the counties of Los Angeles and Riverside, which was dealing with a smaller blaze than the one in Los Angeles. The conflagration was stoked by strong, dry Santa Ana winds blowing into Los Angeles from desert areas to the east. By Friday evening, the Los Angeles Fire Department said it was lifting evacuation orders for some areas farthest from the flames. Mountains and other areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties were under a red flag alert for heightened fire danger until Saturday evening, the National Weather Service said.