Los Angeles-area mayors demand that Trump administration stop stepped-up immigration raids
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dozens of mayors from across the Los Angeles region banded together to demand that the Trump administration stop the stepped-up immigration raids that have spread fear across their cities and sparked protests across the U.S. They also called on President Donald Trump to pull back from using troops alongside immigration agents during the raids. Meanwhile, the commander in charge of the troops said about 500 National Guard soldiers deployed to the Los Angeles protests have been trained to accompany agents on immigration operations. And while some troops have already gone on such missions, he said it’s too early to say if that will continue, even after the protests die down.
US reduces the presence of staffers not deemed essential in the Middle East as tensions rise
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is drawing down the presence of staffers who are not deemed essential to operations in the Middle East and their loved ones due to the potential for regional unrest. The State Department said Wednesday that it's ordered the departure of all nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The department also is authorizing the departure of nonessential personnel and family members from Bahrain and Kuwait, giving them the option to leave those countries. In addition, U.S. Central Command said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations” across the Middle East.
Trump says US gets rare earth minerals from China and tariffs on Chinese goods will total 55%
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that China will make it easier for American industry to obtain much-needed needed magnets and rare earth minerals, clearing the way for talks to continue between the world’s two biggest economies. In return, Trump said, the U.S. will stop efforts to revoke the visas of Chinese nationals on U.S. college campuses. Details remain scarce. Trump didn’t fully spell out what concessions the U.S. made. Beijing has not confirmed what the negotiators agreed to, and Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump himself have yet to sign off on it. What Trump described as a “deal’’ is actually less than that: It’s a “framework’’ meant to set the stage for more substantive talks.
Kennedy's new CDC panel includes members who have criticized vaccines and spread misinformation
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has named eight new vaccine policy advisers to replace the panel that he abruptly dismissed earlier this week. They include a regional director for a nursing association who is linked with a group that is widely considered to be a leading source of vaccine misinformation. He named prominent critics of COVID-19 vaccines, including a scientist who researched mRNA vaccine technology and transformed into a conservative darling for his misleading criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy’s decision to “retire” the previous panel was widely decried by doctors’ groups and public health organizations.
Brian Wilson, Beach Boys visionary leader and summer's poet laureate, dies at 82
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys has died at 82. One of the world’s most beloved and influential musicians, his family posted news of his death to his website Wednesday. Further details weren't immediately available. The Beach Boys’ many hits include “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls” and “Surfin’ USA.” The eldest and last surviving of three musical brothers, he and his fellow Beach Boys rose from local California act to national hitmakers to international ambassadors of the American dream. Wilson himself was celebrated for his beautiful music and agonizing perfectionism and pitied for the demons that plagued him.
Jury convicts Harvey Weinstein of top charge in split verdict at #MeToo sex crimes retrial
NEW YORK (AP) — Former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has been convicted of one of the top charges in his sex crimes retrial. But the former movie mogul was also acquitted Wednesday of another charge, and jurors were as yet unable to reach a verdict on a third charge. The split verdict meted out a measure of vindication to his accusers and prosecutors, but also to Weinstein after the landmark case was thrown into limbo. Weinstein was initially convicted five years ago, but that conviction was overturned. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He told the court Wednesday that the trial was not fair.
More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza health officials say
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Gaza Health Ministry says the Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has passed 55,000. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but has said that women and children make up more than half the dead. Local hospitals said Wednesday that 21 people in Gaza were killed on their way to collect aid from food distribution sites. The circumstances of the deaths near the sites weren't immediately clear. The Israeli army said it fired warning shots in central Gaza toward “uspects that posed a threat to troops. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said five of its local aid workers were killed in an attack that it blamed on Hamas. That account couldn't immediately be confirmed.
Russian attacks kill 3 and wound 64 as drones hit Kharkiv and other parts of Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces have launched a large-scale drone assault across Ukraine, where officials said three people were killed and 64 others wounded. The overnight strikes caused widespread destruction in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, where apartment buildings, private homes, playgrounds, industrial sites and public transportation were hit. Moscow’ has deployed high numbers of drones and missiles in recent days. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by reiterating calls for greater international pressure on Russia.
Thunder find themselves in familiar territory in NBA Finals, trailing 2-1 in another series
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Game 1, a loss on the opposition’s final shot. Game 2, an easy win. Game 3, another loss to fall behind in the series again. This formula is not the one that would be considered optimal by the Oklahoma City Thunder, especially in the NBA Finals. But if there is some consolation for the overall No. 1 seed in these playoffs, it’s this: the Thunder have been in this spot before and found a way to prevail. That resiliency will be tested yet again after the Indiana Pacers beat the Thunder 116-107 on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 series lead in these finals. Game 4 is in Indianapolis on Friday.
25 years after Tiger's romp, a huge fan, Chase Johnson, is US Open's only player of Black heritage
OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — On the 25-year anniversary of Woods’ historic dismantling of Pebble Beach in the U.S. Open — a milestone win that some thought might puncture golf’s stereotype as a sport for rich, white men — Chase Johnson is the only player of Black heritage in the 156-man field at Oakmont. The last man to qualify for this year's Open, Johnson says he's trying to build his profile so maybe he can inspire young players the way Woods once inspired him.
