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Note: This is story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. To subscribe, click here.Happy World Cup Eve all!We’re just one day away from action getting underway and I personally can’t wait until the soccer takes center stage. It’s been a testing week for organizers as we tip-toe closer to that opening match, but the teams have been busy putting the finishing touches on their preparations.Lionel Messi also reminded us of what he can do, the FIFA president has been busy cracking jokes and a tiny Caribbean island has been having a l

Somali World Cup referee denied US entry ahead of World Cup

Trump signs bill giving nearly $70B to his immigration enforcement agenda through end of his term

Trump administration proposes new rules on prediction markets that would still allow most sports activity

Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|US

Cracker Barrel rallies on upbeat forecast as logo uproar subsides

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store shares rose nearly 30% on Wednesday after it reported a second straight quarter of surprise profit and lifted its annual targets, signaling that the restaurant chain is moving on from a tumultuous period of backlash around its logo change.Store traffic was improving gradually, and consumers were responding to the company's efforts to introduce more add-ons and value-focused bundled items to its menu, executives said on a post-earnings call on Tuesday.Visits to Cracker Barrel stores had taken a hit right after the company drew criticism from conservatives, incl

Novelis restarts production at New York plant key to Ford trucks

Six men found dead after abduction in India's Manipur, police says

Business|Economy|Finance

As renovation costs rise, are fixer-upper homes still worth it? Tell us what you think

For years, many first-time buyers saw fixer-uppers as one of the few affordable ways into homeownership: buy a cheaper house, renovate it over time, and build equity along the way.But recently, that calculation has become more complicated.Renovation costs have climbed as inflation, tariffs and construction labor shortages have driven up the price of materials and labor, while high home prices and mortgage rates have stretched many buyers’ budgets. As a result, homes that need significant work are selling at some of the steepest discounts in years, and many buyers are rethinking whether a fix

After troubled World Cup lead-in, UN human rights chief urges 'rethink' of US immigration policy

Israeli airstrikes kill 13 in south Lebanon, Lebanese sources say

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Crime|Interview|US|World

Vance suggested Tucker Carlson interview Ghislaine Maxwell amid Epstein fallout, new book reveals

Vice President JD Vance suggested last summer that former Fox News host Tucker Carlson should interview Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell to clear the president’s name, a new book reveals.The suggestion from the vice president came during a Situation Room meeting of top administration officials on July 17, 2025, as they grappled with mounting pressure to release files related to the late convicted sex offender, according to an excerpt of the book “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump” that was published in The New York Times on Wednesday. The book, by r

MidEast|Political|US|World

Trump blames Iran for helicopter attack, says US must respond

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Iran shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter that was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz overnight and vowed to respond, but gave no other details."I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote in a social media post. "Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," he added. (Reporting by Susan Heavey and David Ljunggren)

Olympics-LA28 to open second ticket sale after selling 4 million in first release

Trump says Iran has taken too long to negotiate, will 'pay the price'

Africa|Sports|US|World

Somali soccer referee denied entry to US for World Cup is welcomed home as a hero

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. Omar Artan, who was named as Africa's best male referee in 2025., said he plans to be at the next World Cup and urged Somali youth to be proud of their country. Artan was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament. He was denied entry to the U.S. at Miami International Airport

House passes $70B bill to fund immigration enforcement for 3 years, sending to Trump

A bill to provide nearly $70 billion for immigration enforcement narrowly passed the House on Tuesday and now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature, bolstering the administration’s deportation agenda for the remainder of his time in the White House. Republicans used their majority to get the bill over the finish line, funding a pair of Homeland Security agencies through the next three years. The bill passed by a vote of 214-212, over the objections of Democrats. Trump is expected to sign it into law on Wednesday. The White House says the bill will prov

US households, businesses stung by higher energy prices that have pushed inflation above 4%

Trump argues lawsuit seeking to halt White House UFC fight was brought too ‘late’

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Asia|Environment|Science|World

Deadly Indonesia floods wiped out at least 7% of rare orangutan population, report says

Deadly floods and landslides in Indonesia's Sumatra last year have wiped out at least 7% of the total population of the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan, a new report released on Wednesday showed.The cyclone-induced floods and landslides killed at least 1,200 people and damaged around 300,000 homes, with environmental groups blaming the extent of the damage on the rapid deforestation of Sumatra island.At least 58 Tapanuli orangutans, which are endemic to an area around north Sumatra's Batang Toru forest, were killed in the floods, the report said, citing a survey of the western block

Sports|World

Lionel Messi shines on eve of World Cup

Bill Gates tells lawmakers meeting Epstein was a 'grave error in judgment' in closed-door hearing

Hong Kong authorities charge seven people, two companies over deadly fire

Political|World

Trump threatens more strikes on Iran, as back-and-forth attacks threaten truce deal

The United States launched airstrikes Wednesday against Iran, and President Donald Trump said more were coming, as Tehran fired back at countries in the region. The escalating attacks threatened to derail efforts to end the war, with Trump warning that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations. Trump’s warnings at the White House and on social media came hours after Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan — all of which host U.S. troops — came under Iranian fire. It was the second time this week that back-and-forth strikes have tested a two-month ceasefire. On Monday, I

Business|Crime|Economy|Environment|World

Arson trial starts for man blamed for Los Angeles' deadly Palisades fire

Opening statements were set to begin on Wednesday in the federal arson trial of a former Uber driver charged with deliberately setting a blaze that grew into one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires on record in Los Angeles.Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, was indicted last October on one felony count each of destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and illegal burning of timber on public lands.He is accused of "maliciously" starting a fire in January 2025 that was quickly suppressed but continued to smolder under dense vegetation be

Rising fuel prices hit US farms as Iran war drags on

Higher gasoline prices likely pushed up US consumer inflation again in May

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Business|Crime|Political

Bill Gates tells Congress Jeffrey Epstein tried to use information about his infidelities to get close to him

Election

Postal Service won’t deliver mail ballots for states that don’t hand over voter lists, under plan for Trump directive

Kalshi to collect employment info from customers trading in some high-risk markets

Kalshi will start collecting customer employment information for trading in certain high-risk markets

Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton will face off in California governor’s race

Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|Technology

Markets whipsaw as AI sell-off resumes

Americas|Political|Sports|Travel|World

Iran soccer body claims fans' tickets for World Cup games in the US have been revoked

The Iranian soccer federation claims FIFA has revoked its ticket allocation for fans at the team’s three World Cup games in the United States

Business|Economy|World

The Strait of Hormuz is ‘leaking’ oil

Political|Sports|World

Crew members safe after Trump says Iran shot down US helicopter

Economy|Health|Political|World

US launches new strikes on Iran after helicopter downed

The United States launched strikes against Iran on Tuesday after President Donald Trump said Tehran had shot down

Business|Europe|MidEast|Political|World

UK, Canada, France and Norway announce coordinated sanctions over West Bank settler violence

Britain, Canada, France and Norway announced new coordinated sanctions on Tuesday against Israeli networks involved in

California & Local

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Local

From LA to Scottsdale: The Founder Behind AdDynamix Is Building the Bridge Between AI and Business Tools

An LA digital advertising veteran of 28 years has moved to Scottsdale and is building what he calls the missing piece between business software and the AI assistants people now use every day. SCOTTSDALE, AZ. When Benoit Pecqueur talks about his latest company, he sounds less like a founder pitching a product and more like an operator who got tired of watching the same problem repeat itself. “Most small business owners are watching the AI revolution from the sidelines,” he says. “Not because they don’t want it. Because their tools don’t talk to ChatGPT or Claude. Their accountant still pulls