Nithya Raman, a left-wing candidate from the Los Angeles City Council, advanced to the November runoff election for mayor against current Mayor Karen Bass. Raman surpassed Spencer Pratt, a Republican supported by President Trump, after mail-in votes were counted, pushing Pratt out of the race.
Key Facts
Nithya Raman is a Democratic Socialist and a member of the Los Angeles City Council.
Raman received 28.5% of the votes in the mayoral primary, advancing to the runoff.
Spencer Pratt, a Republican backed by President Trump, came in third with 25.8%, losing his chance to be in the runoff.
Karen Bass, the current mayor and former congresswoman, is Raman's opponent in the November election.
California uses mail-in ballots that can arrive after Election Day but still count, causing delays in final results.
Pratt focused his campaign on issues like slow rebuilding after 2025 fires, poor road conditions, homelessness, and city government problems.
A federal prosecutor appointed by President Trump is investigating alleged fraud in California’s primary election.
The runoff election will be held on November 3, the same day as the US midterm elections.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans aim to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Democrats accused Republicans of planning to cut these benefits, but Johnson denied these claims and highlighted efforts to improve oversight and save money.
Key Facts
Republicans say over 74% of federal spending is mandatory, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Mike Johnson called this spending "autopilot" and said it needs adjustment to reduce the national debt of over $40 trillion.
Democrats accused Republicans of planning to cut social safety net programs ahead of the November elections.
Johnson and Republicans claim their focus is on fixing waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs, not cutting benefits.
The House has passed bills aimed at reducing fraud, but Democrats have opposed many of them.
President Donald Trump issued an order in March 2026 to create a task force targeting fraud in federal benefit programs.
Trump and Republicans argue better oversight could save taxpayer money and preserve programs for those in need.
Democrats say Republican actions have already reduced healthcare funding, raising costs and lowering coverage.
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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos arrested two YouTubers and cited another in a Tucson neighborhood after neighbors complained about blocking roads, trespassing, and disturbing the peace. The arrests occurred near the home of Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman who has been missing since February, with a large ongoing investigation.
Key Facts
Sheriff Chris Nanos took action against YouTubers in the neighborhood of missing Nancy Guthrie in Tucson.
Two YouTubers, Alexander Zabel Jr. and Troy Bradshaw, were arrested on charges including obstruction and public nuisance.
A third YouTuber, Damien Todd Enderle, received a citation for public nuisance but was not arrested.
Complaints from neighbors included road blocking, trespassing, and disruptions causing fear.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since February 1.
Authorities describe Guthrie's case as a kidnapping and still have not found a suspect.
Sheriff Nanos warned that repeated violations after citations could lead to jail time.
The crackdown aims to keep order during the ongoing, high-profile investigation.
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A recent Gallup poll shows fewer Americans say that birth control, having a baby outside marriage, and gambling are morally acceptable compared to last year. This shift towards stricter moral views comes as support for LGBTQ+ issues and same-sex marriage also declines, with notable differences in opinions between political parties.
Key Facts
83% of Americans say birth control is morally acceptable, down from 90% last year, the lowest since Gallup started tracking in 2012.
The percentage accepting having a baby outside marriage dropped from 70% in 2022-23 to 58% now.
Gambling’s moral acceptance also reached a new low according to the poll.
Most Americans consider eight behaviors morally wrong, including teen sex, extramarital affairs, cloning, polygamy, suicide, pornography, and gender change.
Support for same-sex marriage and gay and lesbian relationships is decreasing alongside acceptance of gender changes.
Democrats more often view abortion and gender changes as morally acceptable, while Republicans more often support the death penalty, wearing animal fur, and animal testing.
The poll interviewed 1,001 adults from all 50 U.S. states and D.C. in early May 2024 with a margin of error of ±4 percentage points.
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New South Wales prosecutors have started legal actions against two Labor officials accused of hiding donations to Chris Minns during his 2014 election campaign. The officials, Ernest Wong and Jonathan Yee, are alleged to have broken election funding laws by concealing a $10,000 donation, but the premier is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Key Facts
Legal proceedings have begun against Ernest Wong, a former Labor MP, and restaurateur Jonathan Yee.
They are accused of hiding donations to Chris Minns’ 2014 election campaign for the Kogarah seat.
The alleged actions took place between October 2014 and August 2015 in New South Wales.
The donation in question was $10,000 given during a Labor fundraiser.
The NSW Electoral Commission started investigating in 2019 after links to a corruption inquiry by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
ICAC found Wong guilty of concealing illegal donations from a Chinese property developer.
The premier of New South Wales has not been accused and states any donations were received in good faith and later repaid.
The matter is now before the courts, so the Electoral Commission will not comment further at this time.
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Doctors and the NHS in the UK could face lawsuits for mistakes made by artificial intelligence (AI) tools used in diagnosing and treating patients. The current law holds medical staff and the health service responsible even if an AI system causes harm, prompting calls for legal changes to clarify liability.
Key Facts
AI tools are increasingly used in the NHS for tasks like analyzing scans, summarizing doctor-patient talks, and drafting patient letters.
Under current UK laws, doctors and the NHS can be sued for harm caused by AI errors in diagnosis or treatment.
The Medical Protection Society warns doctors might become the main targets for lawsuits resulting from AI mistakes unless laws change.
Examples of AI errors include missing tumors on X-rays or incorrect drug dosing suggestions that cause serious harm.
The MPS suggests AI tools should be legally classified as products, making manufacturers liable under the Consumer Protection Act.
Medical professionals worry that without clear rules, doctors could unfairly carry legal responsibility for AI-driven mistakes.
NHS Resolution is working on guidelines about AI liability to ensure patient safety and clarify accountability.
Experts say strong legal protections and oversight are needed to maintain public trust in AI use in healthcare.
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Representative Nancy Mace is behind other Republican candidates in the South Carolina governor primary polls before Election Day. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, endorsed by President Donald Trump, is favored to win the nomination in a close race with several candidates competing to succeed the term-limited Governor Henry McMaster.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is trailing in polls for the South Carolina Republican governor primary.
President Trump has endorsed Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette.
Governor Henry McMaster cannot run for a third term due to term limits.
The primary election is on June 9, with a runoff on June 23 if no candidate wins more than 50%.
Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson have higher name recognition due to their current statewide roles.
Polling groups involved include Co/Efficient, The Tyson Group, and The Citadel.
Prediction markets give Evette about a 73-77% chance of winning the nomination, Mace around 4%.
Mace’s previous close ties to Trump have shifted, affecting her support within the GOP.
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South Carolina voters are choosing candidates in important races for governor and U.S. Senate. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is seeking a fifth term with President Donald Trump’s endorsement, while Republicans try to keep a winning streak in the state.
Key Facts
South Carolina Republicans have won statewide races for many years.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Trump, is running for a fifth Senate term.
President Trump endorsed Graham before his campaign started.
In the governor’s race, Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette over other GOP candidates.
Democrats have not won a statewide race in South Carolina in 20 years.
Rep. Nancy Mace and other Republicans also sought Trump’s endorsement.
Some candidates criticized Trump or supported others, showing some divisions within the party.
Graham supports Trump’s policies on the Iran conflict and often communicates with the president.
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A parasite called the New World screwworm, which is a type of fly larva that eats living flesh, has been found in new cases beyond Texas, including New Mexico. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working to control the outbreak by quarantining affected areas and using sterile flies to stop the pest from spreading and harming cattle and other animals.
Key Facts
The New World screwworm larva feeds on living flesh and infects animals through open wounds.
Five cases have been confirmed: three calves and a goat in Texas, and a dog in New Mexico.
The dog case in New Mexico is the first ever reported there, and the pet had not traveled to infected regions.
Authorities have set up 12-mile quarantine zones around each confirmed case to limit spread.
The USDA breeds sterile male flies and releases them to mate with wild females, reducing population growth.
Scientists are concerned about the impact on cattle, livestock, and wild deer in Texas.
Officials warn that more cases may appear as monitoring increases, but this does not mean the parasite is spreading rapidly.
Investigations are ongoing in New Mexico to assess local fly populations around the infected dog’s property.
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The U.S. government is working on refunding billions of dollars in tariffs that importers paid before the Supreme Court ruled those tariffs illegal. There is a legal dispute about which companies are allowed to apply for these refunds, and a court hearing will soon discuss details about speeding up and expanding the refund process.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump on goods from most countries.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has collected about $166 billion in these tariffs.
The agency started refunding tariffs on April 20, focusing first on recent payments.
As of June 1, CBP accepted refund claims totaling about $89.6 billion and issued $20.6 billion in refunds.
A judge wants to make all importers who paid these tariffs eligible for refunds, not just those involved in lawsuits.
The Justice Department disagrees and says only companies involved in lawsuits can get refunds.
The case is now with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
A hearing will include testimony from a top CBP official about the refund process and its timeline.
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Voters in Maine, Nevada, South Carolina, and North Dakota are holding primary elections on Tuesday. The biggest focus is on Maine, where Democratic candidate Graham Platner aims to secure his party’s Senate nomination despite recent controversies, while President Trump’s influence will be tested in other states through his endorsed candidates.
Key Facts
Primary elections are taking place in Maine, Nevada, South Carolina, and North Dakota.
In Maine, Democrat Graham Platner is expected to easily win the Senate nomination despite scandals involving inappropriate messages and past relationship allegations.
Platner’s main rival, Governor Janet Mills, stopped her campaign but remains on the ballot, leading some voters to consider her as a protest choice.
The Democratic Party is watching closely to see how Platner handles the controversy and if he can shift attention to the Republican incumbent, Senator Susan Collins.
President Donald Trump has endorsed candidates in states like South Carolina and Nevada, testing his control over the Republican Party.
Democrats aim to gain momentum in Nevada, focusing on winning governor’s seats to strengthen their position.
Some candidates running in Maine and South Carolina have strong family political backgrounds, drawing attention to political legacies.
Overall, these primaries are important for setting the stage for the November midterm elections.
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Emily Cullen, a poet from Galway, discovered that a poem she wrote about her son seven years ago appeared on his Irish Junior Cycle English exam paper. The poem, inspired by a chalk message her son wrote when he was eight, surprised both mother and son during the exam.
Key Facts
The poem is called *Envoi in Chalk* and was written by Emily Cullen.
It was inspired by a message her son Lee wrote in chalk saying “The world is great.”
The poem appeared on the Irish Junior Cycle English exam paper, similar to GCSEs.
Emily did not know the poem would be on the exam; selections are usually kept secret until exam day.
Lee smiled after the exam because he recognized his mother’s poem on the paper.
Lee decided to answer the exam question in the third person to avoid confusion.
The poem was first published as an Irish Times Poem of the Week and is included in Cullen’s third poetry book.
Cullen believes poetry adds important, positive messages to life, especially during hard times.
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A paddleboard company owner was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for causing the deaths of four people during a dangerous paddleboarding trip in Wales in 2021. Her attempt to reduce the sentence was rejected by the Court of Appeal, causing additional distress to the victims’ families.
Key Facts
Four people died in October 2021 while paddleboarding on the Western Cleddau river in hazardous conditions.
The victims were Paul O’Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, and Nicola Wheatley.
Nerys Bethan Lloyd, owner of the paddleboard company Salty Dog Co Ltd, pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter.
Lloyd was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison in March 2025.
The Court of Appeal rejected Lloyd’s appeal to reduce her sentence.
Families expressed ongoing pain and anger over the deaths and the failed appeal.
A Marine Accident Investigation Branch report called the deaths “tragic and avoidable,” citing many errors on the day.
Lloyd was criticized for poor health and safety practices during the fatal trip.
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Republican Steve Hilton is heading to the general election for California governor against Democrat Xavier Becerra. Hilton aims to become the first Republican governor in California in 15 years, following the term-limited Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
Key Facts
Steve Hilton, a Republican, qualified for the general election ballot for California governor.
He will face Democrat Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary.
Governor Gavin Newsom cannot run again due to term limits.
Hilton currently holds around 25.1% of the primary vote, placing second behind Democrat Tom Steyer with 22.4%.
Polls show Hilton is a contender but faces challenges due to California's majority Democratic voters.
President Donald Trump supports Hilton and praised his advancement on social media.
Hilton campaigns on lowering taxes, fighting crime, and opposing Democratic policies.
The last Republican to win California governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.
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The UK government is proposing "Hugh’s law" to give parents who care full-time for seriously ill children financial support and job protections. The law aims to help these parents take paid leave and secure the right to return to work after intense caregiving periods.
Key Facts
"Hugh’s law" is named after Hugh Menai-Davis, who died from a rare cancer in 2021 at age six.
The law would allow parents to take paid time off work during a family health crisis.
It includes job protections similar to those for premature birth and bereavement.
Around 11,000 children a year in the UK have serious health conditions needing major care.
About 4,000 families have children in hospital for at least two months requiring full caregiving.
Current support for parents caring for seriously ill kids is limited.
The government started a consultation on these proposals to get public feedback.
Other countries like Sweden, Canada, and France offer longer paid leave options for caregivers.
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The UK government is considering banning London councils from moving homeless families far away from the city to cheaper housing in poor areas. Ministers are concerned this practice forces vulnerable people, including abuse survivors, into unsafe situations or homelessness. They plan to limit how far councils can send families and crack down on councils breaking the law.
Key Facts
London councils have been moving homeless families hundreds of miles away to cheaper homes due to the housing crisis.
Some people forced to move have returned to abusive partners or had to rely on emergency shelters.
The government is reviewing this policy and may ban long-distance moves, with exceptions for those needing to leave London.
Law requires councils to find housing in their local area if possible and to notify other areas when sending homeless people there.
Several London councils have been found by courts to have acted unlawfully by sending families far away.
Private companies like Reloc8 are paid millions to help councils move homeless families out of London, often providing basic, unfurnished homes.
The number of homeless families moved out of London has doubled in the last two years.
MPs, charities, and council leaders say this practice harms communities and vulnerable people, and call for stronger laws.
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Edward Bartlett, a university student, overcame his video game addiction by taking up birdwatching. He found this new hobby helped him focus on the real world and improved his mental health.
Key Facts
Edward Bartlett used to play video games up to 20 hours a day.
He felt addicted and isolated, avoiding real-life interactions with friends.
Mental health challenges, including depression, were part of his struggle.
A hospital stay and a holiday in nature helped him shift his focus to birdwatching.
Bartlett joined the University of Sheffield Birdwatching Society, which grew from 10 members in 2025 to over 50 in 2026.
Birdwatching is now the second fastest growing hobby among people in Gen Z.
Members enjoy watching local birds like peregrine falcons nesting on a church.
Many young people seek hobbies like birdwatching to reduce screen time and relax.
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A report revealed that children placed at Skircoat Lodge, a council-run care home in Halifax, West Yorkshire, were likely to suffer serious harm. Since the abuse was uncovered, 135 people have made claims for compensation, and the former home manager and his assistant have been found guilty of sexual abuse and other offenses.
Key Facts
An expert report said children at Skircoat Lodge were likely to face significant harm.
135 people made compensation claims related to abuse at the home; 14 claims have been settled so far.
The former home manager, Malcolm Phillips, was found guilty of sexually abusing children over decades but was deemed unfit to stand trial in 2025 and received an absolute discharge.
Phillips’ assistant, Linda Brunning, was found guilty of indecent assault and facilitating abuse and sentenced to 25 years in jail.
The report documented many types of mistreatment including forced punishments, physical abuse, neglect, and a hostile environment among staff.
The home operated from 1976 to 1996 and was run by Calderdale Council.
Survivors have spoken publicly about the daily abuse they experienced at Skircoat Lodge.
The abuse was first formally investigated by the NSPCC in 1994, but justice for some victims came many years later.
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A Brisbane woman, Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, who gave lethal medication to her terminally ill husband with motor neurone disease, has been released on bail after being charged with murder. She is set to stand trial for his death, which occurred at their home in December 2023.
Key Facts
Kylie Truswell-Mobbs is charged with murdering her 56-year-old husband, David Ronald Mobbs.
David Mobbs was suffering from motor neurone disease, a serious neurological illness, diagnosed in April 2023.
His condition worsened quickly, leaving him bedridden and unable to speak by December 2023.
Mobbs told family he would not want to live if he became unable to use the toilet and faced severe loss of dignity.
Truswell-Mobbs admitted to injecting a lethal mixture of medications into her husband’s feeding tube.
A palliative care team had advised the family on options for managing pain and allowing a natural death or applying for voluntary assisted dying, which would take time.
Truswell-Mobbs was denied bail in April 2025 but was granted bail recently due to new evidence and changes in circumstances.
She must not live with or discuss the case with her sons, who are witnesses, and is due to face trial in Brisbane Supreme Court.
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A new poll shows Democratic candidate Graham Platner slightly ahead of incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in the Maine Senate race. Platner faces allegations from former partners, which he denies, calling them politically motivated.
Key Facts
A Tavern Research poll of 1,642 Maine voters shows Platner with 51% support and Collins with 49%, within a 2.8% margin of error.
Platner is competing in a primary against David Costello to be the Democratic candidate.
Allegations from former partners claim Platner engaged in threatening behavior, which he denies.
One accuser said Platner twisted her arm and blocked her in a room but did not hit her; the New York Times reported but could not confirm these claims independently.
Platner has spoken publicly about his struggles with PTSD and asked for support amidst the accusations.
Other polls show Platner leading Collins by similar margins, though some were sponsored by Platner’s campaign.
Collins’ favorability rating is 41% with 57% unfavorable; Platner’s favorability is 42% with 51% unfavorable.
The primary to select the Democratic Senate candidate is scheduled for Tuesday.
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