A founder of one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent drug cartels has pleaded guilty in the U.S. to a federal narcotics conspiracy charge. Erick Valencia Salazar co-founded the Jalisco New Generation Cartel with Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the drug lord known as “El Mencho” who was killed by the Mexican army in February. Valencia Salazar faces a mandatory-minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison after pleading guilty on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to conspiring to distribute cocaine for U.S. importation. Chief Judge James Boasberg is scheduled to sentence him on July 31.
American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad last week, has been released. That's according to an Iraqi official with direct knowledge of the situation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because he was not authorized to comment publicly. He says Kittleson was freed in the afternoon. He did not share her current whereabouts but said that prior to her release, she had been held in Baghdad. The powerful Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah said in a statement earlier in the day that it had decided to free the journalist.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday requested that U.S. President Donald Trump make a two-week extension to a deadline he imposed on Iran to end its blockade of Gulf oil.
"To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture," Sharif said in a post on X.
Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT) in Washington - 3:30 a.m. in Tehran - to end its blockade of Gulf oil or see the U.S. destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran.
Sharif urged "all warring parties" to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks "to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war".
He added that diplomatic efforts to settle the war peacefully were "progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future".
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sources told Reuters on Tuesday that talks between the U.S. and Iran were at risk of being derailed following Tehran's attacks on Saudi Arabian industrial facilities.
Pakistan has been the main go-between for proposals shared by Iran and the United States, but there has been no sign of a compromise.
The FBI is investigating an ICE-involved shooting in Patterson, California.
During a targeted vehicle stop, ICE officers attempted to arrest Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez. He is allegedly a gang member of the 18th Street Gang and is wanted in El Salvador.
On Tuesday’s show, Josh explains how the Left once again fell hook, line, and sinker for Trump after reacting to a social media post earlier in the day. Josh argues this is exactly why Trump continues to resonate with everyday Americans while his critics keep missing the point. He also breaks down why NATO should take the president’s remarks at Monday’s press conference very seriously. Later, Josh looks at why Democrats may not be in the strong position many assumed heading into the 2028 midterms. He wraps up by discussing the vice president’s trip to Hungary and why the VP has a Tucker Carlson problem.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that a “whole civilization will die tonight” but said Iran still has time to capitulate ahead of a deadline set for 8 p.m. in Washington. The American leader issued the stark threat Tuesday, about 12 hours ahead of his deadline for Iran to agree to a deal that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz or face punishing strikes. Iran rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal and said it wants a permanent end to the war as Trump’s ultimatum to make a deal ticked closer with an expanded threat of strikes against the Islamic Republic to include all power plants and bridges.
U.S. strikes on Iran's Kharg Island do not represent a change in American strategy, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Tuesday as a U.S. official separately told Reuters the additional strikes on military targets did not impact oil infrastructure.
The official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, described at least some of the strikes as targeting sites that had been previously struck before and said the attack occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday.
Vance, speaking separately in Budapest, said the strikes were not a change in U.S. strategy, with the Trump administration confident that it can get a response from Iran by 8 p.m. (0001 Wednesday GMT) in negotiations to end the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump is demanding Iran forswear nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit waterway.
“We were going to strike some military targets on Kharg Island, and I believe we have done so," Vance said.
"We're not going to strike energy and infrastructure targets until the Iranians either make a proposal that we can get behind or don't make a proposal," he added. "I don't think the news in Kharg Island ... represents a change in strategy, or represents any change from the President of the United States.”
The Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah says that it will release American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped from a Baghdad street corner last week. The group said in a statement on Tuesday that its decision came “in appreciation of the patriotic stances of the outgoing Prime Minister” Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, without giving more details. It added that “this initiative will not be repeated in future.” Kataib Hezbollah had not previously acknowledged that it was the one responsible for Kittleson’s abduction, although both U.S. and Iraqi officials had pointed fingers at the group. Three Iraqi officials had said earlier in the day that attempts to negotiate her release had run into obstacles.
With President Donald Trump as our leader, America is undergoing a profound vibe shift — a return to the age of heroes and miracles where American exceptionalism is on full display.
With Mark Weaver, Constitutional Lawyer in PA and OH, former DOJ Spokesperson, author of the new children’s book God Bless America: 250 Years Strong (released 11/3/2025) | @MarkRWeaver
With Steve Moore, Committee to Unleash Prosperity, former economist at the Trump White House, author of the daily “Hotline” newsletter from the Committee to Unleash Prosperity | Co-author of The Trump Economic Miracle: And the Plan to Unleash Prosperity Again (released September 24, 2024) ||| @StephenMoore
A top Federal Reserve official says interest rates could soon be heading higher. Beth Hammack, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, prefers to keep the benchmark rate unchanged “for quite some time,” but says an increase could be appropriate if inflation remains persistently above the Fed’s 2% target. Other Fed officials have recently opened the door to potential rate hikes.
President Trump has spent his second term criticizing the Fed for not cutting rates further, adding context to the central bank’s cautious approach.
Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media >>Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show . . . . <<
The Todd Starnes Show showcases Todd’s unique down-home humor with interviews >>The Todd Starnes Show showcases Todd’s unique down-home humor with interviews featuring major newsmakers, entertainers, artists and leaders. During the daily show, Todd also covers breaking news. <<
The Voice of Reason is a nationally syndicated conservative talk show that >>The Voice of Reason is a nationally syndicated conservative talk show that focuses on activism at the local level. The show discusses current events while applying Constitutional principles, traditional values, and logic to the issues of today. <<
Steve Sommers is LIVE! every weeknight with his call-in talk show — a >>Steve Sommers is LIVE! every weeknight with his call-in talk show — a continuation of a family legacy that stretches back decades. If you’ve listened to the radio at night, odds are, you’ve listened to Steve Sommers. <<
Joe Thomas is more than just a radio host; he’s a seasoned broadcaster with an >>Joe Thomas is more than just a radio host; he’s a seasoned broadcaster with an illustrious career spanning diverse markets and memorable events. <<
Salem Media, our partners, and affiliates use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, personalize site content, and deliver relevant video recommendations. By using this website and continuing to navigate, you consent to our use of such technologies and the sharing of video viewing activity with third-party partners in accordance with the Video Privacy Protection Act and other privacy laws.Privacy Policy