NEWS - THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026 - NEWS
A new construction home built in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles is designed to withstand up to three hours of direct fire exposure. New York Post
VOA VIEW: Who wants to try it?
The deal struck between the United States and Iran to end months of conflict has been released days after it was electronically signed by a senior U.S. official who obtained a transcript. OANN
VOA VIEW: Many don't think it was strong enough.
Aurora Phelps, a 44-year-old American who used dating apps to charm older men, and then looted their finances, has been sentenced to 37 years in prison in a Mexican court for the disappearance of an American retiree whose body was found dumped along a road outside of Guadalajara. LA Times
PLEASE DO BUSINESS WITH THOSE WHO DO BUSINESS WITH US -- OUR ADVERTISERS.
More than 100 days after U.S. airstrikes demolished an elementary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab, the president said the episode was still under investigation. New York Times
The president upended the majority leader’s plans by yanking his intelligence nominee from a confirmation hearing and insisting on an end to the filibuster. New York Times
VOA VIEW: Trump is upset.
Skywatchers, get ready — one of June's most spectacular celestial events begins tonight, just days before the summer solstice. New York Post
The leaders of the Georgia legislature pulled the plug on gerrymandering away U.S. House seats held by Black Democrats just hours before a special session was to begin. New York Times
The State Department is taking over much of the control of global health initiatives, for which critics say the department does not have the expertise. New York Times
VOA VIEW: Time will tell.
A county in Iowa reported a wind gust of 94 miles per hour during early morning storms. More are expected throughout the day. New York Times
THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEB PORTAL. PLEASE TELL A FRIEND.
As the battle over the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) continues, President Donald Trump announced he would keep William (Bill) Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), in the role of Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI). OANN
Three defendants were sentenced to prison for federal charges related to an international labor human trafficking operation, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). OANN
Capping off a highly successful G7 Summit, President Donald Trump is set to attend dinner an exclusive dinner at the Palace of Versailles with French President Emmanuel Macron. Arranged by the French government to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, the high profile dinner underscores the administration's central role on the world stage following major foreign policy breakthroughs in the Middle East. OANN
After pleading guilty to discreetly murdering eight women over 17 years in Long Island, Rex Heuermann has been sentenced to life in prison, marking the end of one of the largest serial homicide cases in New York history. OANN
YOU can speak out and be heard by having your own "Column" - Visit the "Public Opinion" Section above.
A Denver middle-school teacher was fired last month after a district investigation and an independent review found her script choices for graded classroom skits had placed female students in a position of feeling pressured to kiss one another.
The Denver Public Schools board unanimously voted May 20 to dismiss the teacher, 50-year-old Jennifer Honka. Washington Times
President Trump plans to erect permanent fencing around Lafayette Square across the street from the White House, according to reports. Washington Times
Gas prices have dipped following the announcement of a peace pact to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Washington Times
WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK ALL OUR SOURCES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN MAKING US AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE NEWS INFORMATION PORTAL.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will halt all flights after noon on the Fourth of July to accommodate fireworks and aerial displays. Washington Times
The U.S. Justice Department accused New York state officials Tuesday of facilitating fraud, saying they let a Georgia company use a sham bidding process to gain control of and then abuse a $10 billion program to provide home care to disabled Medicaid patients. Washington Times
VOA VIEW: It has to be confirmed.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week refused to release a cruise ship passenger exposed to hantavirus in early May from a quarantine facility in Nebraska - despite a federal medical review that said there's no need to confine her far from her Florida home. Washington Times
A business jet with six on board crashed on a Laredo, Texas, highway and caught fire, killing one person and causing chaos as passersby frantically tried to save those inside. CBS
Forecasters say the potential first tropical cyclone of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season could develop into a fully formed storm on Wednesday and bring life-threatening flash flooding. CBS
ATTENTION TALK SHOW HOSTS: We are honored that many radio talk show hosts use our Web Portal for their "show prep." We would appreciate your occasional mention of our site to your audience. Thanks!
President Trump praised Iranian leaders while slamming his greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel, at the G7 summit on Tuesday. CBS
VOA VIEW: It was Trump arogence.
The cost of a typical starter home has never been higher. CBS
Rep. Mike Collins will face off against Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November as Republicans look to Georgia to deliver a key GOP victory that could determine control of the Senate. CBS
ADVERTISEMENT: If you want to advertise your business or Web Site, send us an email by clicking on "Contact" above. It could be the best business decision you make.
A mixed week for mortgage rates resulted in less demand from both current homeowners and potential homebuyers. CNBC
Top lawmakers reached an agreement on a key housing bill that would limit investor ownership, clearing the way for passage through both chambers of Congress. CNBC
Central banks expect gold reserves to rise and more are storing bullion at home amid geopolitical and currency risks. CNBC
Tycen Proper, 19, allegedly planned an attack on a UFC event at the White House after his mother reported concerns about guns and online communications. FOX News
A live explosive device was found in a suspicious package near a Homeland Security office in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio, prompting evacuations Monday. FOX News
Delta Flight 1966 from San Juan sparked a massive FDNY response at JFK after reports of landing gear trouble, but the airline says it was precautionary. FOX News
Trump said he would block renewal of warrantless surveillance unless it was attached to his voter ID bill in a spat with Congress over key nominations. UPI
VOA VIEW: Congress has gone mad.
South Korea's Penetrium Bioscience said Wednesday that the company would start a clinical test combining its investigational cancer drug Penetrium with Merck's immunotherapy Keytruda. UPI
On Tuesday, federal prosecutors announced charges against 15 people in Minneapolis they say "conspired to impede or injure federal officers." UPI
VOA VIEW: They should be charged hard.
General Motors announced a new partnership Tuesday with Lockheed Martin to "strengthen America's manufacturing and defense industrial base." UPI
Rhode Island's top federal judge rebuked Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials Tuesday after an "unfounded public attack" on another judge. UPI
South Korea's LG AI Research said Wednesday that it has agreed to cooperate with D&D Pharmatech to develop next-generation peptide drugs by taking advantage of artificial intelligence. UPI
VOA VIEW -- Is the opinion of "Voice of Americans", which is a private entity not affiliated in any way with the United States government or any of its agencies. The opinions expressed here, in whatever medium or format, are not necessarily the opinions of the ownership or advertisers of this web site - 0415.
P.O. Box 10307
New Orleans, LA 70181
(504) 888-8255
COMMENTARY OF THE DAY
By
Robert Namer
Voice Of America
©2018 All rights reserved
Thanking the U.S. support and showing defiance against China's intentions, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te issued a stern five-point message of independence Sunday, rebuking China as "the root cause of regional instability" and "the destruction of regional peace." All sides are saying something different.
"Taiwan will not, under pressure, give up national sovereignty and dignity, or its democratic and free way of life," the president wrote in a Facebook post, as translated by multiple sources. "Taiwan will never be sacrificed or traded." Lai's comments were his first direct response to the summit last week in Beijing between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping that raised concerns in democratically governed Taiwan about the potential of a Chinese invasion.
Trump remains mum on new weapons sales to Taiwan, but stressed the U.S. was "not looking to have somebody say, 'Let's go independent because the United States is backing us'." Long-term Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation and arms sales were based on the Taiwan Relations Act, Lai said, referencing the 1979 law that mandates the sale of weapons to the island. "This is not only a U.S. security commitment to Taiwan, but also the most important deterrent force over the years against actions that undermine regional peace and stability," he wrote.
Lai's five-point Facebook message was a stern rejection of China's claims of control over Taiwan, and a call for Trump's self-defense assistance:
- "First, Taiwan is the defender of the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region."
- "Second, China is the root cause of regional instability and changes to the status quo."
- "Third, defending the status quo of the Republic of China is not an issue of 'Taiwan independence.'"
- "Fourth, Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation and arms sales are key elements in maintaining regional peace and stability."
- "Fifth, Taiwan is at the heart of global core interests, and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait must never be sacrificed or traded."
