Progressive Nithya Raman advances to November runoff against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Progressive city council member Nithya Raman has advanced to a November runoff against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, setting up an unexpected matchup between two Democrats and former political allies to run the struggling city of nearly 4 million. The outcome means Spencer Pratt, a Republican and former reality television personality from “The Hills,” is out of the running. Raman made a last-minute entry into the race, after she had endorsed Bass for reelection. The race also has historical markers. Bass is the first Black woman to hold the post, and Raman could be the first South Asian woman in the job.
Israel and Iran appear to pause strikes after trading fire for the first time since April ceasefire
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel and Iran appear to be backing away from further strikes, just hours after they traded fire for the first time since the U.S. and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire two months ago. However, both countries warned Monday that they remain ready to launch retaliatory attacks if provoked. The renewed fighting raised concerns that the Middle East could be plunged back into a full-scale war. Iran's military says it has halted offensive strikes but will respond to aggression by Israel or its allies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hinted the latest round of fighting is over. But he said Israel will respond with force if attacked further by Iran.
Netanyahu and Trump are at odds over the war they started together
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s latest strikes on Lebanon and Iran have made clear that U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who started the war in lockstep, want different things. Trump had publicly warned Israel not to strike Beirut in its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. When it did, on Sunday, Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at Israel for the first time since the April ceasefire. Israel then struck Iran, with which Trump has been engaged in weeks of high-stakes negotiations. The fighting has since died down, but the differences between the two leaders are likely to persist, in part because of their domestic political considerations.
OpenAI files confidential SEC paperwork for IPO, opening the door to a Wall Street debut
OpenAI has filed preliminary paperwork to potentially become a publicly traded company. The company announced Monday it has submitted confidential documents to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. OpenAI says it hasn't decided on timing yet, as there are advantages to staying private. This move follows Anthropic's June announcement of its own IPO plans. Both companies are following SpaceX, which is also pursuing an IPO. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman mentioned last fall that an IPO was the “most likely path” due to the company's size and capital needs.
A 7.8 magnitude quake in the Philippines kills at least 35, collapses buildings and sparks tsunami
DAVAO, Philippines (AP) — A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake has rocked the southern Philippines, killing at least 35 people. Most of the deaths occurred in Sarangani province due to a landslide. The quake struck Monday, causing buildings to collapse and triggering small tsunamis. Waves were detected as far away as Japan. Officials report more than 200 injuries and significant damage in General Santos city. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered disaster-response efforts. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifted its alert hours after the quake. The Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire."
Republican senators warn surveillance program may lapse after Trump intel pick backlash
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators are warning that a key U.S. surveillance authority could expire this week after bipartisan opposition to President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the nation’s intelligence community derailed an extension effort. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows intelligence agencies to collect communications from foreign targets overseas without a warrant and is set to expire June 12. Senate leaders had been nearing a deal to renew the program, but support collapsed after Trump named housing finance regulator Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Intelligence officials say the authority is critical to national security and foreign threat detection.
Fewer Americans say democracy is central to country's identity, AP-NORC poll finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new AP-NORC poll finds that as the U.S. prepares for an extravagant celebration of its founding principles, fewer Americans see their country or its system of government as exceptional. The findings highlight many Americans’ feeling of unease over the future of its representative government — particularly among young people. Only about one-quarter of Americans say the U.S. stands above all other countries in the world, and Americans are less likely to see a democratically elected government as “extremely” or “very” important to the United States’ identity as a nation than they were just a few years ago.
ICC chief prosecutor suspended pending decision by oversight body on sexual misconduct allegations
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The embattled chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has been suspended from his duties after the court’s oversight body referred Karim Khan for disciplinary proceedings. In a scandal that has dragged on for more than two years, Khan is facing allegations of sexual misconduct with a female aide. He has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. A final decision on the fate of the British barrister is now up to the Assembly of States Parties, the body that oversees the ICC, which will hold a special session to decide if Khan can remain in his job at the global court.
Apple unveils an upgraded Siri voice assistant with new AI features at its annual conference
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple is unveiling new artificial intelligence features at its annual developers conference. The World Wide Developers Conference started Monday. It's the last one featuring CEO Tim Cook before he turns his post over to John Ternus in September. The conference attracts thousands of developers from some 65 countries to Apple’s Silicon Valley headquarters. It usually focuses on software, in contrast to the fall unveiling of the latest iPhones. Apple showed off updates on new AI features, including upgrades to its Siri assistant. Apple says it's focusing on day-to-day use and privacy.
Judge clears QB Brendan Sorsby to play for Texas Tech despite NCAA ban for gambling
Brendan Sorsby has been granted a temporary injunction against the NCAA. The ruling could clear the way for him to play for Texas Tech this fall, even after the transfer quarterback was declared ineligible for wagering on college sports. Some of those bets were made on his own team while at Indiana. The ruling prevents the NCAA from being able to block Sorsby’s eligibility for what will be his final college season. The NCAA late Monday filed its notice of an accelerated appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Seventh District of Texas in Amarillo.
