Republican Steve Hilton will advance to the November general election in the race for California governor, setti…
HONG KONG (AP) — Just hours before the World Cup was set to kick off, Hong Kong authorities announced the seizure of 230,000 suspected counterfeit items worth an estimated $20 million, including jerseys tied to the highly anticipated soccer tournament.
About 75,000 voters in northwest England are about to make a significant decision. They will vote in a contest that could choose the U.K.’s next prime minister or add more chaos to British politics. The special election on June 18 in Makerfield has drawn global attention. If Andy Burnham from the Labour Party wins, he could replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He's competing against Reform UK, a hard-right party. Immigration is a key issue, with recent tensions adding to the debate. Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, needs a seat in Parliament to challenge Starmer. The election is expected to be close.
Today is Thursday, June 11, the 162nd day of 2026. There are 203 days left in the year.
Shares are mixed in Asia following another sell-off of artificial-intelligence stocks that dragged the U.S. market sharply lower. U.S. futures advanced. Oil prices fell, after rising earlier as the U.S. launched a second round of airstrikes against Iran. The S&P 500 dropped 1.6% Wednesday for its first back-to-back drop in three weeks. It is back to where it was in early May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 953 points, and the Nasdaq composite led the market lower with a 2% slide. Wall Street has been shaky since last week, when AI stocks went from roaring to records to suddenly turning lower. Among the worries is that their prices have simply shot too high, too fast.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The sound of construction roared over the most memed metro station in Mexico City as workers hammered at marble floors under a chandelier and rows of lamps reminiscent of a scene from “Harry Potter” or “Titanic,” racing to finish ahead of the FIFA World Cup opening ceremon…
The United States has launched a second round of airstrikes on Iran and Iran has fired back at Gulf Arab states after President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations. The new U.S. assault across multiple Iranian cities came on Thursday as efforts to negotiate an end the war again appeared stuck, with Iran insisting it would maintain its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global energy supplies and sent oil prices higher. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, all of which host U.S. troops. Kuwait closed its airspace briefly in response.
The mayor of a quake-hit southern Philippine town is pleading for air force helicopters to transport food to stave off hunger in places isolated by landslides. The earthquake Monday off southern Sarangani province has left 47 people dead with 31 others still missing and 45,000 displaced. Glan Mayor Victor James Yap said Thursday that 10 villages remained isolated mostly due to landslides. He pleaded for the immediate deployment of air force helicopters to deliver food to the stricken areas. The town doesn't have power and phone service is spotty.
Pope Leo XIV is travelling to the Canary Islands to draw attention to the plight of migrants who risk their lives every year trying to reach Europe. Leo is spending the final two days of his trip to Spain in the archipelago. The Spanish islands are closer to Africa than the Iberian Peninsula and are a key point of entry for migrants smuggled from West Africa. Leo plans to commemorate the dead from a pier that became known as the “dock of shame" because of the squalid conditions migrants lived in when they arrived. Leo is fulfilling a wish of Pope Francis to visit one of the epicenters of the European migration debate.
Hostilities between the U.S. and Iran have escalated, with Iran retaliating against U.S. air and cruise missile strikes. The exchange intensified Thursday, as air defenses fired in Kuwait and Bahrain after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran would "pay the price" for stalled negotiations. The U.S. launched a second round of airstrikes overnight, targeting Iranian military sites. Talks have stalled partly due to Israel's attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. The U.S. Central Command said its latest strikes targeted Iranian military capabilities. Explosions were reported in Tehran and Bandar Abbas.
Indian shipping minister says 3 Indians killed in U.S. attack on oil tanker America accused of violating Iran blockade.
Honda is recalling more than 800,000 vehicles because rear suspension components may fail and cause drivers to lose control, increasing the chances of a crash or injury. American Honda Motor Co. said the recall covers certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The recall includes 880,514 vehicles. Honda has had no warranty claims and no reports of an injury or death related to the problem. Honda and Acura dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a reinforcement kit if necessary, or repair or replace the rear subframe components at no cost to vehicle owners.
Police have used water cannons on protesters in Northern Ireland after violence erupted a second night over a stabbing in Belfast. A Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, appeared in court Wednesday charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing Stephen Ogilvie with a knife and leaving him partly blind. The incident has sparked anti-immigrant violence, with masked men setting fires and attacking police. Authorities have increased police presence and called for calm. Politicians condemned the violence, emphasizing the importance of unity. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and others have denounced the attacks, urging people not to let this incident fuel further division.
Pope Leo XIV has celebrated the Sagrada Familia Basilica as a masterpiece of “stones, colors and light.” He marked the centenary of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí, with a Mass. Leo called Gaudí’s unfinished temple, one of the world’s most visited monuments, a “sign of unity and harmony for all of Spain.” The service Wednesday was the highlight of Leo’s weeklong visit to Spain. It was the first visit by a pope in 15 years to the once-staunchly Catholic European country that, like many others, has experienced secularizing trends. The trip, though, has shown the country still has plenty of faithful Catholics who have turned out in droves to welcome the American pope.
Even as President Donald Trump boosts coal over clean energy, solar power is hitting new milestones in the U.S. and remains the leading source of new power. New reports released Wednesday by global energy think tank Ember and the Solar Energy Industries Association show the continued growth of solar and decline of coal in the United States despite federal policy. Ember says in May, for the first time, solar supplied more of the nation's electricity than coal, or 12.8%. Coal supplied 12.2%, its fourth-lowest monthly share ever. The Republican president has been helping the struggling U.S. coal industry while curtailing solar and wind. A Democratic California congressman says the coal industry is dying.
The New York Knicks made a record comeback from 29 points down and moved to the brink of their first championship since 1973 by beating the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. OG Anunoby tipped in the miss of Jalen Brunson’s long 3-point attempt with 1.2 seconds remaining to complete the rally, giving the Knicks a 3-1 series lead and three chances to win the championship. It looked impossible early, when the Spurs rolled to a 27-point halftime lead. But Brunson helped bring the Knicks back with 36 points and Anunoby finished with 33. Game 5 is Saturday night in San Antonio.
Damaging storms are sweeping through the Midwest, disrupting flights at Chicago airports and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of customers. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings Wednesday across Illinois, Kansas, northern Missouri, and southern Iowa. There were also severe thunderstorm watches in place for parts of the Great Lakes. Storms moved into the Chicago area in the afternoon, causing downed trees and some building damage. By the evening, residents were preparing for round two. The National Weather Service warned of storms potentially bringing “damaging winds, a brief tornado or two, and localized torrential rainfall increasing the risk for flash flooding.”
A series of long-range Ukrainian attacks hit targets deep inside Russia, part of Kyiv's efforts to raise the costs of the war for the Kremlin by striking energy facilities and military industries. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces struck several military and energy infrastructure sites on Wednesday, including a military factory in the city of Cheboksary, that he said supplied components for Russian drones and missiles. Zelenskyy also said a refinery in Russia's Samara region and two oil infrastructure facilities in the Vladimir region had been targeted. The increasingly deep and audacious Ukrainian strikes have cast a challenge to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, defying his claim that Moscow was winning the war now in its fifth year.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Escalating protests and social tensions in Mexico's capital threaten to derail FIFA World Cup celebrations on the eve of the opening ceremony as protesters effectively block off access to the plaza set to host the country's main fan celebrations.
The man charged in the political assassinations of the top Democrat in the Minnesota House and her husband, as well as the attempted murders of a state senator and his wife, is due to appear in federal court to change his not-guilty plea, after federal prosecutors said they would not seek the death penalty against him. Vance Boelter is charged with killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and attempting to kill state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. The victims were shot by a man who came to their doors in the early hours of June 14, 2025, disguised as a police officer and driving a fake squad car.
A rare lapse in a law that allows the U.S. to gather intelligence abroad has grown more likely. President Donald Trump is resisting calls from Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill to immediately name a permanent director of national intelligence. Instead, Trump has doubled down on his temporary pick to lead the intelligence agencies, federal housing finance regulator Bill Pulte, even though he has little experience for the job. Senate Republicans have urged him to change course, and Democrats are withholding their votes for the spy tool’s renewal in protest. The House is set to vote Thursday on a short-term extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, known as FISA, but it is unlikely to pass. It expires Friday.
US launches new strikes on Iran, which fires back at Gulf states and Jordan
It is up to a New Mexico judge to settle a challenge over the legality of New Mexico’s fledgling universal childcare program, an ambitious and closely watched effort to eliminate daycare costs for all working families. A lawsuit brought by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Rodriguez and other plaintiffs challenges the process used by state officials to eliminate an income cap and co-pays for childcare assistance. They say the Legislature didn't have a chance to weigh in or approve funding before regulations were adopted last fall by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration. Attorneys for the administration argue the case is moot since funding has since been approved.
Randy Villegas, a populist insurgent, has won the Democratic primary for a House seat representing California’s Central Valley. This sets up a significant race against Republican Rep. David Valadao, a key target for Democrats aiming to regain the U.S. House majority. The November election will test whether progressive candidates can succeed in traditionally Republican areas. Villegas' victory highlights a broader trend of Democratic voters rejecting establishment-backed candidates. Despite initial support for another candidate, the Democratic Party now backs Villegas. The race is crucial for Democrats, who are eager to flip the seat and strengthen their position in Congress.
New York Knicks set record for biggest NBA Finals comeback, rally from 29 points down to beat San Antonio Spurs 107-106.
The United States launched a second round of airstrikes on Iran and Iran has fired back at Gulf States after President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations. The new U.S. assault across multiple Iranian cities came Thursday as efforts to negotiate an end the war again appeared stuck, with Iran insisting it would maintain its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global energy supplies and sent oil prices higher. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, all of which host U.S. troops. Kuwait closed its airspace in response.
Younger students have regained academic ground lost during the pandemic, but older students' test scores remain stagnant. That's according to the latest testing data released Wednesday by the federal government. The report shows 9-year-olds have returned to pre-pandemic reading levels and improved in math. But scores for 13-year-olds in math and reading are still below pre-pandemic averages. Schools have focused on revamping elementary instruction, especially in reading, but experts say more attention is also needed for adolescents, especially middle schoolers. The national test has been given every four years since the 1970s. Students' scores peaked in 2012, then declined, corresponding with the rise of social media on cellphones.
US Embassy in Jordan warns that 'reports indicate missiles, drones or rockets are in Jordanian airspace.'
US launches new strikes on Iran, which fires back at Gulf states
Amnesty International has accused Israel of carrying out a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank. The London-based rights group says the Israeli government is deliberately trying to annex the Palestinian territory. The accusation came in a new, 149-page report released on Wednesday. It alleges that the forced displacement of West Bank Palestinians resulted from a state policy, not just the actions of violent settlers. The United Nations says over 100 West Bank villages were fully or partially emptied out between January 2023 and April 2026. Israel did not immediately respond to the report. It has denounced past accusations as longtime unfair bias against Israel.
Rising gas prices pushed inflation to its highest level in three years last month, a headache for the Federal Reserve and a potential political challenge for the Trump administration as midterm elections near. New data showed Wednesday that consumer prices rose 4.2% in May from a year earlier, the third straight monthly increase. Prices have now risen faster than wages for several months. Families are dipping into savings to maintain their spending, and more people are falling behind on their credit card bills. Large retailers say they have also noticed changes in customer behavior, like buying smaller amounts of gas during visits to the pump.
Kuwait says its air defense systems are firing after Iran threatened retaliation for US strikes.
Scientists have unearthed marine communities thriving on a millions-year-old whale graveyard. These graveyards form when whale carcasses fall to the sea floor, becoming a sustaining snack for nearby critters. Researchers used a submersible to explore the remains in the southeastern Indian Ocean and found bones dating back 5.3 million years, as well as living creatures like jellyfish and tubeworms. The researchers say many factors likely conspired to preserve the bones, including the bones' high density, their location deep underwater and a special coating of minerals. The new study was published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A leading soccer referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup tournament was warmly received by a crowd of supporters and officials on Wednesday as he arrived home.
President Donald Trump's immigration and deportation agenda is getting a nearly $70 billion boost through the end of his term. Trump signed a bill into law in the Oval Office on Wednesday giving $38 billion to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and $26 billion to the Border Patrol. An additional $5 billion would cover unforeseen costs. The Republican president signed it a day after House Republicans pushed the measure through by a 214-212 vote. His signature ended a nearly six-month fight over Department of Homeland Security funding that began with shooting deaths in January of two U.S. citizens during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — As the clock ticks down to the Netherlands' opening World Cup match, soccer fans are gripped once more by orange fever.
U.S. prosecutors say they will not seek the death penalty as part of a plea agreement with the man charged in the political assassinations of the top Democrat in the Minnesota House along with her husband, as well as the attempted murders of a state senator and his wife. Vance Boelter has a change-of-plea hearing scheduled for Thursday morning in federal court in Minneapolis. Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were shot by a man who came to their doors in the early hours of June 14, 2025, disguised as a police officer and driving a fake squad car.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A Somali soccer referee who was due to become the first from his country to officiate the World Cup but was denied entry to the United States was named Africa’s best referee and is considered a hero to many in his country.
Prosecutors in the federal trial of the man accused of sparking last year’s deadly Palisades Fire have laid out a narrative for jurors of a premeditated arsonist who tried to cover his tracks. Jonathan Rinderknecht's attorneys on Wednesday offered an alternate story of a man who tried his best to stop the blaze. The 29-year-old Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to starting what became one of the most destructive wildfires in California history. Attorneys presented opening statements Wednesday. Whether prosecutors can prove that Rinderknecht started a fire in Los Angeles on Jan. 1, 2025, and that it then turned into the Palisades Fire will be at the center of the trial.
A Los Angeles jury has ordered California socialite Rebecca Grossman to pay $21 million in punitive damages to the parents of two young brothers who died when her car struck them in a hit-and-run collision in 2020. Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson must also pay $1.17 million in punitive damages. That is in addition to the $176 million in damages for wrongful death and emotional distress that a jury awarded last week to the parents of 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander. Jurors found Grossman and Erickson negligent in the boys' deaths. Attorneys for the parents said Grossman and Erickson had been drinking and were driving recklessly when Grossman’s car struck the boys. Defense attorneys denied those claims.
U.S. military's Central Command says new round of airstrikes against Iran 'completed.'
Bill Gates says he made an error in judgment by ever meeting with Jeffrey Epstein as the Microsoft co-founder faces questions behind closed doors from lawmakers about his relationship with the disgraced financier. In an opening statement provided Wednesday to The Associated Press, Gates said he should never have met with Epstein, but that he never had any indication that Epstein was engaged in criminal activity. The tech billionaire became the latest powerful figure linked to Epstein to testify before the House Oversight Committee. As Gates arrived at the Capitol, he noted that he was there voluntarily.
President Donald Trump's planned UFC fight on the White House's South Lawn has required a monumental effort from more than seven federal agencies, hundreds of staff working onsite daily and at least $60 million, according to a legal filing that offers a glimpse into the preparations.
TORONTO (AP) — Canada introduced legislation on Wednesday that could bar children younger than 16 from having social media accounts unless the companies show they can make their platforms safe.
Bahrain sounds its missile alert sirens as Iran says it will retaliate for new US airstrikes.
After years of preparation, a supersized World Cup has finally arrived. This year’s tournament is hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. It was expanded to 48 teams that will play in 16 stadiums in a record 104 matches over the 39-day tournament. Mexico gets the World Cup started on Thursday and will be a heavy favorite when it hosts South Africa in Mexico City. The second game of the day will be between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico. All four teams are part of Group A. Canada and the United States will host their first games on Friday.
Pakistan has launched new airstrikes on Afghanistan, ending a month of calm and escalating what Islamabad previously called "open war" between the neighbors. The strikes hit the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar, and Paktika, killing 13 people, including 11 children. Pakistan confirmed the strikes and said 26 militants were killed as it targeted hideouts linked to recent attacks inside Pakistan. Fighting between the two countries has been ongoing since February. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants, while Kabul denies the charge. The border has been closed since October, disrupting trade and transportation. Efforts for peace talks have failed to produce a lasting truce.
David Briscoe, a journalist for The Associated Press who chronicled the collapse of dictatorship and the rebirth of democracy during a dramatic period of upheaval in the Philippines, has died, his family said. He was 82.
Chicago police are urging residents to come forward with any information about a cross burning in a public park. The burning of a cross is a historic symbol of hate and intimidation against Black Americans. However, the intent behind the fire Tuesday afternoon in Grant Park was still unclear. Police released a community alert Wednesday that included an image of a person walking away from the area Tuesday. Video taken by a driver that circulated widely online showed the wooden cross engulfed in bright orange flames as it leaned against a tree in the park. Chicago firefighters put out the blaze.
The U.S. has launched airstrikes against Iran, and President Donald Trump says more are coming, as Tehran fired back at countries in the region. The U.S. military says it fired on a tanker trying to transport oil from Iran in violation of its blockage on Iranian ports. It is the eighth merchant vessel disabled in the waters off Iran. Trump would not say if he planned to follow through on threats he made earlier in the war to attack bridges and utility plants. He urged Iran to sign a deal with the U.S. Also Wednesday, the president signed a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill that aims to ensure uninterrupted funding for the administration’s deportation agenda through the end of his term.
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CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
Fewer democrats would be quite helpful
Dirk van Ulden said:
Commented