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President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Republican candidate Steve Hilton in California’s upcoming gubernatorial contest, a move that could significantly influence an already crowded and unpredictable field.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump praised Hilton, saying, “I have known and respected Steve Hilton, who is running for Governor of California, for many years,” and described him as “a truly fine man.” Criticizing current state leadership, Trump added, “This once great State has gone to Hell,” blaming Democrats for rising crime, high taxes, and an exodus of residents. He expressed confidence in Hilton’s leadership, stating, “Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so!” and emphasized, “Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!”

Hilton welcomed the endorsement, writing on X, “With President Trump’s full backing and federal support, we are going to take California back and make it better than ever before! Thank you, Mr. President! This is the moment California has been waiting for!”

A former Fox News host and British-born political strategist, Hilton became a U.S. citizen in 2021. Before moving to California in 2012, he advised former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and played a role in shaping Conservative policies, including environmental initiatives and decentralization efforts.

The June 2 primary features a large pool of candidates, including eight prominent Democrats and two leading Republicans—Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Under California’s “top-two” primary system, all candidates appear on the same ballot, and the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

Trump’s endorsement may consolidate Republican voters around Hilton, potentially weakening Bianco’s chances. However, given Trump’s limited popularity in heavily Democratic California, the backing could become a disadvantage in a general election matchup against a Democrat.

On the Democratic side, the field remains divided among several well-known figures, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and entrepreneur Tom Steyer, among others.

Recent polling suggests no clear frontrunner has emerged. Surveys show Hilton and Bianco slightly ahead, with several Democratic candidates close behind, all within a narrow margin. The fragmented vote has raised concerns among Democrats about the unlikely—but possible—scenario of two Republicans advancing to the general election.

Hilton has centered his campaign on lowering taxes, addressing housing affordability, and improving education outcomes. He has also argued that long-term Democratic control is to blame for the state’s economic challenges, saying, “working families can barely afford to pay the bills,” and attributing those struggles to state policies.

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The Supreme Court has opened the door for the criminal case against Steve Bannon to be dismissed, undoing a prior ruling that upheld his conviction for contempt of Congress.

In a brief order issued Monday, the court vacated a decision from a Washington, D.C. appeals court and sent the case back for further proceedings. This move allows the United States Department of Justice to follow through on its request to drop the charges, which it says is in the “interests of justice.”

The case against Bannon, a former adviser to Donald Trump, has stretched back to 2021; he had been out of government since 2017 and was a private citizen at the time of the events in question. Bannon was convicted in 2022 on two counts of contempt after refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 United States Capitol attack. The panel had sought documents and testimony related to efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.

At the time, Bannon argued he could not cooperate because Trump had invoked executive privilege—an argument his legal team says he followed in good faith. Prosecutors, however, maintained that he willfully defied the subpoena. Although Bannon later indicated a willingness to testify and claimed Trump had waived executive privilege, it did not change the outcome of his trial. His conviction was upheld on appeal in 2024 before now being set aside by the Supreme Court. A jury ultimately found him guilty, and he served a four-month prison sentence in 2024, along with paying a fine.

Now, with the high court’s latest action, the legal process shifts back to lower courts, where the Justice Department is expected to formally move to dismiss the case—effectively erasing the conviction, though largely as a symbolic step since Bannon has already served his sentence.

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President Donald Trump has renewed his warnings to Iran, threatening sweeping attacks on the country’s infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by a newly set deadline Tuesday evening.

In a series of posts and interviews, Trump used forceful and often profane language to signal potential military action, saying Iran would be “living in hell” if the vital shipping route remains restricted. He also pledged strikes targeting power plants and bridges, adding that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!”

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply moves, has been at the center of the escalating conflict. Iran’s actions in the area — including attacks on vessels — have effectively limited access, sending energy and shipping costs higher worldwide and raising concerns about global supply chains.

Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Trump has sent mixed signals about a possible diplomatic resolution. He suggested there is still a “good chance” of reaching an agreement but warned that failure to do so would result in massive military action, stating that “if they don’t make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there.”

Iran, for its part, has denied direct negotiations with the United States, though both sides acknowledge indirect communication through intermediaries. Tehran has maintained that the strait remains open to certain देशों and has indicated that access could depend on compensation for war-related damages.

Meanwhile, tensions have intensified across the region. Iran has struck infrastructure targets in neighboring Gulf countries and threatened to disrupt another key maritime route, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In response, countries across the Middle East have experienced damage to oil facilities, power plants, and water infrastructure, while global markets continue to feel the strain.

The conflict has also seen dramatic military developments. U.S. forces recently carried out a high-risk rescue mission to recover two crew members from a downed F-15E fighter jet inside Iran. Trump described one as “seriously wounded and really brave,” saying the operation took place “deep inside the mountains.” Conflicting accounts have emerged about the mission, with Iran claiming it downed additional U.S. aircraft, while American officials say some equipment was destroyed due to technical issues.

Casualties continue to mount. Thousands have been killed in Iran alone since fighting began in late February, with additional deaths reported across Lebanon, Israel, and other parts of the region. Critical civilian infrastructure — including oil facilities and desalination plants — has been repeatedly targeted, raising concerns among legal experts about potential violations of international law.

Trump’s shifting deadlines and rhetoric have drawn criticism at home. Lawmakers have questioned the administration’s strategy, arguing that the U.S. risks becoming further entangled in a widening conflict without a clear plan. Even so, diplomatic efforts remain underway. Regional and international officials have been in contact behind the scenes, seeking a path to de-escalation and the restoration of safe passage through one of the world’s most important waterways.

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In his first Easter address as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, urging the world to reject war and rediscover a commitment to peace. Speaking before tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, he cautioned that humanity risks becoming desensitized to suffering as global conflicts continue.

The celebration drew an estimated 50,000 people into St. Peter’s Square, with thousands more watching from nearby areas. After delivering his message, the pope greeted the crowd in multiple languages and later rode through the square in the popemobile, blessing children and acknowledging pilgrims who had traveled from around the world.

The American-born pope’s Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and the world”) blessing emphasized the moral urgency of ending violence. He warned that people are increasingly “accustomed to violence,” growing indifferent to widespread death and the deep divisions caused by war. Calling for a shift in mindset, he urged leaders and individuals alike to move away from aggression and toward reconciliation. “Let those who have weapons lay them down,” he said. “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! We cannot continue to be indifferent, and we cannot resign ourselves to evil.”

Throughout his message, Leo stressed that peace must come through understanding rather than domination. He appealed for the abandonment of ambitions rooted in power and control, asking humanity to seek solutions grounded in dialogue and mutual respect. His remarks come amid ongoing global tensions, including the war in the Middle East. In recent days, Leo has directly addressed Donald Trump, encouraging efforts to de-escalate conflict. “Hopefully he’s looking for an off-ramp,” the pope said earlier in the week, expressing hope for reduced violence.

Drawing inspiration from his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo echoed concerns about what Francis once described as a growing “thirst for death.” He reinforced the idea that faith should never be used to justify war, instead presenting Christianity as fundamentally rooted in nonviolence.

The pope also contrasted his stance with rhetoric that frames conflict in religious terms. Observers note that Leo is actively pushing back against attempts to give warfare moral or divine endorsement, emphasizing instead the ethical responsibility of leaders—especially those who identify as Christian—to reflect on their actions.

Beyond his speech, Leo’s Easter celebrations underscored themes of hope and renewal. Earlier in the day, he spoke of enduring faith in the face of suffering caused by war, inequality, and environmental damage. He acknowledged the widespread sense of despair but reminded the faithful that renewal remains possible even in dark times “Easter gives us this hope, as we remember that in the risen Christ a new creation is possible every day,” he said.

Leo also announced a special prayer vigil for peace to be held on April 11 at St. Peter’s Basilica, continuing his effort to unite people in nonviolent action and reflection.

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