BUCHAREST, Romania — A top Romanian court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by far-right politician Calin Georgescu to lift a ban on his candidacy for the rerun in May of Romania's presidential election, after the same court annulled last year's election in which Georgescu won the first round. The ruling...
Trump Orders Strikes on Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Issues New Warning to Iran
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, promising to use "overwhelming lethal force" until Iranian-backed Houthi rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. "Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial...
Merced Kicks Off $3.5 Million Bob Hart Square Renovation
The ever-changing appearance of Merced's downtown is getting another important upgrade. Merced leaders held a noon ceremony Tuesday to officially kickoff the $3.5 million renovation of Bob Hart Square, the historic central hub of the city's downtown at West Main and Canal streets. City leaders planned to give the square...
Playing Political Whac-A-Mole As Issue Of Bond Measure Language Pops Up Again
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The California Legislature is often the arena for games of political Whac-A-Mole. A piece of controversial legislation fails to clear all of the Capitol's procedural hurdles and appears to die, but suddenly it reappears through the legislative gimmick...
A Loophole in California Law Makes It Hard to Prosecute Threats Against Schools. Will Lawmakers Close It?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. For over six months, San Diego resident Lee Lor sent hundreds of emails threatening a mass shooting at Shoal Creek Elementary School as replies to random spam emails. He was arrested and spent 10 months in jail, but...
Rubio Says South Africa’s Ambassador to the US ‘Is No Longer Welcome’ in the Country
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that South Africa's ambassador to the United States "is no longer welcome" in the country, in the latest Trump administration move targeting the African nation. Rubio, in a post on X, accused Ebrahim Rasool of being a "race-baiting politician" who hates...
Dodgers’ Star Mookie Betts Sidelined in Japan With Flu-Like Symptoms
TOKYO — Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers' two exhibition games in Japan because of an illness, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. Roberts said he's still hopeful that the eight-time All-Star will be available for the team's first regular season game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday...
US Imposes Sanctions on Thai Officials After Uyghur Men Are Deported to China
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Friday announced sanctions on an unknown number of current and former Thai officials for their role in deporting at least 40 Uyghur men to China despite worries that they could be jailed or even face death there. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said...
Shohei Ohtani Hits 2-Run HR in Return to Japan Against Yomiuri Giants
TOKYO — Japanese star Shohei Ohtani showed off some prodigious power in his return to the Tokyo Dome on Saturday night. In an exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants, the three-time MVP belted a two-run homer to right field in the third inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a...
Polish PM Offers Jesse Eisenberg Military Training for ‘James Bond’ Role
WARSAW, Poland — Poland's prime minister has made a tongue-in-cheek offer to U.S. actor and director Jesse Eisenberg, who recently gained Polish citizenship, to give him military training that would land him "the new James Bond role." Poland's president earlier this month conferred the country's citizenship on Eisenberg, who has...