Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will move on to the final election in her effort to keep her job, according to early projections. It is not yet clear who her opponent will be in the runoff.
Key Facts
Karen Bass is the current mayor of Los Angeles.
She is running for reelection to a second term.
Early results show Bass will advance to the final election round.
The final opponent for the runoff has not been decided yet.
Bass identifies as a Democrat.
One of her challengers was Republican Spencer Pratt, known from reality TV.
The race has been competitive with several candidates.
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Australians are using more nicotine now than eight years ago, but they are spending less money on it because most cigarettes smoked are cheap, illegal products. The illegal tobacco market has grown a lot, making it harder for the government to collect taxes and fight health problems.
Key Facts
Nicotine use in Australia increased by 40% from 2017 to 2025.
Population growth in the same period was 14%.
Illegal tobacco went from 12% of total consumption in 2017 to 80% in 2025.
Legal cigarette prices tripled, but illegal cigarette prices stayed steady.
Government tax revenue from legal tobacco dropped to the lowest in 14 years, causing a $6.9 billion budget gap.
New South Wales and Victoria have introduced strong penalties, including heavy fines and prison time, for selling or possessing illegal tobacco.
There is debate about whether lowering taxes on legal tobacco would help reduce illegal sales or if tougher law enforcement is better.
The ABS used new methods, including wastewater testing, to estimate illegal tobacco use for the first time.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is moving on to a November runoff election because she did not get more than 50% of the votes in the primary. She will face either Spencer Pratt, a Republican-leaning independent, or Nithya Raman, a Democrat city council member.
Key Facts
Karen Bass is the current mayor of Los Angeles and a Democrat.
Bass led the primary vote but did not win more than half the votes.
Because no candidate passed 50%, a runoff election will happen in November.
Bass’s opponent will be either Spencer Pratt or Nithya Raman.
Spencer Pratt is a registered Republican and reality TV star running as an independent.
President Donald Trump has expressed support for Spencer Pratt.
Nithya Raman is a Democratic member of the Los Angeles city council.
The final runoff matchup is not yet decided and will be determined by the remaining primary votes.
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The California governor’s race is very close, with no clear winner yet as many votes remain uncounted. The top candidates currently are Republican Steve Hilton and Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer, while two other Democrats have conceded. California’s unique election system means it may take days to know who will move on to the general election in November.
Key Facts
The California governor’s race has many candidates, with 61 people running.
Early results show Republicans Steve Hilton and Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer leading.
Two Democrats, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa, have dropped out after early results.
California uses a "jungle primary," where all candidates compete together and the top two move on regardless of party.
Many votes are mailed in and counted slowly to ensure accuracy, delaying final results.
Voters are concerned about housing, homelessness, wildfires, and the cost of living.
Key Democratic leaders did not enter the race, and party support is divided among the candidates.
In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Karen Bass is moving to the general election, with Spencer Pratt leading another candidate for the second spot.
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Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is projected to advance to the November runoff election in Los Angeles. Her main opponents, Councilmember Nithya Raman and newcomer Spencer Pratt, are competing for the second spot in a closely contested race.
Key Facts
Only the top two candidates in the primary will move on to the November runoff election.
A recent poll showed Bass with a narrow lead of 26%, Raman at 25%, and Pratt at 22%, all within the margin of error.
Many voters were undecided until recently, but now fewer than 10% remain undecided.
The race is drawing national attention due to recent events like major fires and immigration enforcement protests in Los Angeles.
Pratt's residency was questioned after he said he lived in a trailer on his fire-damaged property; he has criticized his opponents’ upscale homes.
Bass has served as a congresswoman and California state assembly speaker before becoming mayor.
She says this will be her last campaign for elected office.
During her term, Bass dealt with challenges like labor strikes, the homelessness crisis, and a $1 billion city budget shortfall.
Bass claims her administration reduced homelessness by 18%, while it rose nationally by the same percentage.
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Karen Bass led the Los Angeles mayoral primary but did not get more than half the votes, so she will face a runoff election in November against either Spencer Pratt or Nithya Raman. Bass, the current mayor, focused her campaign on fighting homelessness and building housing, while Pratt criticized her response to last year’s deadly wildfires.
Key Facts
Karen Bass got the most votes in the LA mayor primary but less than 50%, so there will be a runoff election in November.
Bass will compete against either Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, or city council member Nithya Raman.
Bass pledged to address homelessness and increase housing construction during her next term.
Last year, wildfires killed at least 31 people in LA, and Bass faced criticism for being abroad during the fires and for fire department budget cuts.
Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness early in her term and launched a program to clear encampments and provide interim housing.
Spencer Pratt gained attention with controversial campaign videos and debates, criticizing Bass’s leadership, especially on wildfires.
Pratt is a registered Republican and former reality TV figure, known for his role on MTV’s The Hills.
President Trump expressed support for Pratt, though Pratt said he focuses on local issues, not national politics.
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Federal officials are investigating whether Congressman George Santos used inside information to place a bet on an online prediction market about attending President Trump’s State of the Union address. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Department of Justice are looking into the case after the betting platform Kalshi reported the suspicious trade.
Key Facts
George Santos allegedly placed a bet on Kalshi predicting if he would attend the State of the Union address in February.
Santos had posted on social media that he planned to attend but later said travel issues stopped him.
Kalshi flagged the bet to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The Department of Justice (DoJ) is investigating Santos for potential insider trading.
Kalshi and another betting platform, Polymarket, have faced lawmaker scrutiny over insider trading concerns.
Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023 for ethics violations involving misuse of campaign funds.
In April 2025, Santos was sentenced to seven years in prison for wire fraud and identity theft but had his sentence commuted by President Trump.
Santos did not confirm or deny having a Kalshi account and criticized the news reports on social media.
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Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), stole over £400,000 using the party’s funds by manipulating the accounting system and using fake invoices. He will be sentenced on June 23 and faces possible prison time and legal action to recover the stolen money.
Key Facts
Peter Murrell embezzled more than £400,000 from the SNP.
He used false data, fake invoices, and credit cards linked to the party to hide his theft.
The theft went undetected for many years despite party audits and officials.
Murrell’s sentencing is scheduled for June 23.
Scotland lacks low-security prisons for white-collar criminals, so he will likely serve time in a mainstream prison.
HMP Dumfries is a probable prison where he might be placed for safety and separation reasons.
He could later be moved to an open prison if classified as low risk.
Legal action will be taken to recover the stolen funds under proceeds of crime laws, which may include selling assets or savings.
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The Trump administration plans to impose extra tariffs of 10% or more on products from many major trading partners after a review found they did not stop imports made with forced labor. These additional taxes aim to address unfair competition against American workers and push countries to better enforce rules against forced labor.
Key Facts
The U.S. Trade Representative proposes tariffs of 10% or more on goods from countries like Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, and the UK.
China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil, and Switzerland would face 12.5% extra tariffs.
The tariffs respond to a report that 60 countries failed to stop imports made with forced labor.
The investigation used Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows tariffs for unfair trade practices.
Public hearings on the proposed tariffs are scheduled to start on July 7, with tariffs not taking effect immediately.
President Trump recently met with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, to discuss trade and investment improvements.
The move follows recent trade tensions and tariff agreements involving the European Union.
U.S. officials say forced labor imports create unfair competition for American workers and disrupt U.S. commerce.
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A woman who says she was trafficked and abused linked to Mohamed Al Fayed revealed that the Metropolitan Police mistakenly sent her personal details to the wrong person. The police have launched an investigation into the case, which is part of a broader inquiry into alleged abuse connected to Al Fayed.
Key Facts
Joanna Brittan, who says she was trafficked to Mohamed Al Fayed and abused, gave a statement in 2017 which police shared by mistake with another alleged victim in Australia.
The personal details sent included her handwritten notes, address, contact number, and date of birth.
The police data breach was caused by human error and has been reported to the Information Commissioner's Office.
The Met Police began investigating Al Fayed’s abuse in November 2024, after many women reported abuse before Al Fayed's death in 2023.
Allegations include abuse by Ahmed Obaidly, a UAE diplomat and associate of Al Fayed, who died in 2015, so his case cannot proceed.
The criminal investigations related to Al Fayed are part of “Operation Cornpoppy,” looking into people who may have helped or allowed abuse.
Over 200 alleged survivors of Al Fayed will meet virtually with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the issue.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating five current or former Metropolitan Police officers for possible misconduct in handling abuse reports.
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A church in Boston, Lincolnshire, has seen more people come for free hot meals because many struggle to pay bills and buy food on limited incomes. The government says household incomes have grown and food bank use has decreased, but some people still find it hard to get help.
Key Facts
Carol Kemp, 64, uses free meals at Centenary Methodist Church and sometimes has only soup and bread for dinner.
The church’s meal service began during the Covid-19 pandemic for homeless people and now serves a wider group.
The number of people coming for meals increased by about 50% since early in the year, from 60-70 to over 90.
Many users, like single dad Scott, struggle with rising costs such as petrol, gas, and electricity.
The café also helps reduce loneliness, with attendees like 90-year-old Audrey Burrell finding company and support.
Meals are served twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 1 pm.
The Department for Work and Pensions says UK household incomes have risen by 5% in real terms, food bank use has fallen, and a £1 billion fund helps local areas prevent crises.
Despite government help, some people find it hard to admit they need assistance or find available support.
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The UK government will invite thousands more Black men to join a prostate cancer screening trial but will not start screening all men for the disease. The decision follows expert advice that widespread testing may cause more harm than good, but men with a high-risk gene mutation will be regularly screened.
Key Facts
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in UK men, with over 64,000 cases yearly.
The UK National Screening Committee recommended against using PSA blood tests for all men.
Men with a BRCA2 gene mutation, which raises prostate cancer risk, will be screened every two years from ages 45 to 61.
Around a few thousand high-risk men will be screened annually under this plan.
A £20 million investment was announced to support prostate cancer research, including expanding the Transform screening trial.
The trial will include more Black men aged 45 to 74 who have not had recent PSA or MRI tests.
Some campaigners criticized the government for not widening screening to all Black men, citing concerns about health inequalities.
The program rollout is expected to begin in 2027.
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State Senator Scott Wiener has advanced to the November general election in the race to replace Speaker Nancy Pelosi in California’s 11th Congressional District. The top two candidates will move on, but the second candidate to advance is not yet known.
Key Facts
The 11th Congressional District covers most of San Francisco except a few neighborhoods.
Ten candidates ran: eight Democrats, two Republicans, and one no party preference.
Scott Wiener, a Democrat, is currently leading with 40% support in early polls.
Other notable Democratic candidates include Saikat Chakrabarti and Connie Chan.
Wiener has served in the California State Senate since 2016 and was previously on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Nancy Pelosi, the outgoing representative, is the first woman to have served as Speaker of the House.
Saikat Chakrabarti has spent the most money in the race, about $8.8 million.
Nancy Pelosi endorsed Connie Chan earlier this month; the California Democratic Party endorsed Wiener in February.
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Democrat Rob Sand is running for governor of Iowa in 2026, aiming to win a seat held by Republicans for over ten years. The race is competitive because the current Republican governor is not running again, and Sand has strong fundraising and some support from voters across party lines.
Key Facts
Rob Sand is the Iowa state auditor and a Democrat seeking the governor's office in 2026.
The current Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, is not running for reelection, making this an open-seat race.
Iowa has voted for President Donald Trump in the last three elections and typically leans Republican.
Polling and political analysts now consider the race a "toss-up," meaning it is very competitive.
Fundraising numbers show Sand has raised more money than all the Republican candidates combined.
In early 2026, Sand had about $18 million available for his campaign.
Sand has a reputation for bipartisan work and fiscal responsibility, which helps him appeal to voters beyond his party.
Republicans still hold strong influence in Iowa politics, so winning the governor's seat will be challenging.
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CBS News fired Scott Pelley, a longtime correspondent for "60 Minutes," after a heated meeting with the show's new executive producer, Nick Bilton. The firing came a day after Pelley publicly criticized Bilton and CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss during a staff meeting, and both sides failed to find a way to work together in a private follow-up meeting.
Key Facts
Scott Pelley was a longtime correspondent for "60 Minutes" and former anchor of "CBS Evening News."
Nick Bilton recently became the new executive producer of "60 Minutes."
During a staff meeting, Pelley openly criticized Bilton’s qualifications and Bari Weiss, calling Weiss’s leadership damaging to the show.
Bilton said Pelley acted with hostility and showed no interest in collaborating.
CBS News announced they had "parted ways" with Pelley after unsuccessful private talks.
Weiss and Bilton had tried to engage Pelley privately before the public conflict.
Some "60 Minutes" staff applauded Pelley during the difficult meeting.
CBS News leadership wants to take the show in a new direction for the modern era.
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Businessman Zach Lahn won the Republican primary for Iowa governor, beating four other candidates. State Auditor Rob Sand ran without opposition in the Democratic primary. They are expected to compete against each other in the November governor’s election.
Key Facts
Zach Lahn is a businessman who won the GOP primary for Iowa governor.
Lahn defeated four other Republican candidates, including Representative Randy Feenstra.
Feenstra had endorsements from President Donald Trump and Senator Joni Ernst.
Lahn was endorsed by Turning Point Action, a conservative political group.
Rob Sand, the State Auditor, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
The governor’s race between Lahn and Sand is projected to take place in November.
The election will decide who becomes the next governor of Iowa.
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Rebecca Bennett won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District and will face Republican Tom Kean Jr in the November midterm elections. Kean, supported by President Donald Trump, is currently recovering from an illness that has caused him to miss many House votes.
Key Facts
Rebecca Bennett won about 47.2% of the vote in the Democratic primary against three rivals.
Tom Kean Jr, a Republican backed by President Trump, ran unopposed in his primary.
Kean has missed more than 100 House votes since early March due to an illness.
Kean plans to return to in-person work soon but has promised more transparency about his health.
Bennett is a former Navy helicopter pilot and focused her campaign on economic issues like rising grocery and gas prices.
The 7th District seat has switched parties twice in the last eight years and is considered a key battleground.
Bennett criticized Kean’s absence in Washington and called for better representation.
Kean comes from a well-known New Jersey political family and has political ties in the state.
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The Justice Department has issued a new version of the charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), adding details about how donations were allegedly used to pay informants in hate groups. The SPLC faces charges of fraud and money laundering but denies wrongdoing and says it helped prevent violence.
Key Facts
The DOJ filed a superseding indictment against the SPLC in Alabama with new details but no new charges or defendants.
The indictment says about $4.1 million in tax-exempt funds were used to pay informants inside extremist groups.
These informants allegedly took part in recruiting members and buying materials for hate group activities.
The DOJ claims the SPLC did not tell donors about these payments and used fake bank accounts to hide money transfers.
SPLC faces 11 counts including wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
SPLC pleaded not guilty and claims it did not mislead donors or banks and that its informants helped stop violence.
The new indictment fixed legal language errors from the first version related to false vs. misleading statements, following a Supreme Court ruling.
SPLC's lawyer criticized the DOJ for sharing the indictment with the media before court approval.
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The U.S. Supreme Court allowed Alabama to use a new congressional map that favors Republicans in upcoming elections, despite concerns that the map discriminates against Black voters. Justice Sonia Sotomayor disagreed with the decision, warning it would cause confusion and harm Black voters’ rights.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court blocked a lower court ruling that required Alabama to use an older congressional map protecting Black voters.
The new map was created by Alabama and is said to intentionally discriminate against Black voters.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson, calling the decision harmful and chaotic.
The older map had helped elect two Black Democratic representatives to Congress.
Alabama officials must update hundreds of thousands of voter registrations in a short time due to the new map.
Legal groups criticized the ruling, saying it allows racial discrimination to continue without consequences.
Many other states have also created new congressional maps after recent elections.
This case is ongoing, and more updates are expected.
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Iowa Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson said in a private talk that the ongoing conflict with Iran could hurt Republicans politically if it lasts more than a few weeks. She expressed support for President Donald Trump’s efforts to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and said she does not expect a military draft.
Key Facts
Ashley Hinson is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Iowa, currently held by Senator Joni Ernst, who is retiring.
Hinson spoke at a campaign event on May 28 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where she discussed the U.S.-Iran conflict.
She said a prolonged war with Iran would be a “political liability” because Iowa soldiers have died.
Since December, Hinson has attended four funerals for Iowa service members killed in the conflict.
Hinson defers to President Trump and his team on negotiations with Iran, including a ceasefire and talks about Iran’s nuclear program.
She strongly opposes Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Hinson said she has not heard of any plan for a military draft and hopes none will be needed.
The Senate race in Iowa is seen as important for control of the Senate in 2026.
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