Democratic Voters Acted Strategically in a Turbulent California Election

Without a dominant candidate in the governor’s race, Democratic voters ultimately wanted to ensure that their party wasn’t shut out of the general election.Kevin Stull, right, fills out a ballot as barber Bryan Diaz waits to give a haircut at Ana’s Hair Salon on Election Day in the Mission District

L Laurel Rosenhall and Jennifer Medina

Spencer Pratt: 5 Facts About the Candidate for Los Angeles Mayor

The reality TV star has used his status as a victim of the Palisades fire to mount an outsider campaign portraying Los Angeles officials as incapable of solving the city’s problems.Spencer Pratt, a reality TV star, has used his status as a victim of last year’s Palisades fire to mount a mayoral camp

C Conor Dougherty

Justice Dept. Won’t Proceed With Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund, Blanche Says

The acting attorney general told lawmakers that he would leave in place an order forcing the I.R.S. to drop investigations into President Trump, his family and his businesses.Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, made clear to a House committee on Tuesday that the fund proposal would be permane

G Glenn Thrush and Alan Feuer

G.O.P. Works to Jump-Start Immigration Bill After Trump Retreat on Fund

Republicans hoped the acting attorney general’s vow that the administration was “not moving forward” with a fund for people claiming to be victimized by the government would unlock the votes.Senator John Thune, the majority leader, at a news conference on Tuesday.

A Annie Karni and Robert Jimison

CBS News Fires Scott Pelley of ‘60 Minutes’

Mr. Pelley, a former “CBS Evening News” anchor, was ousted after months of tensions between staff and Bari Weiss, the network’s editor in chief.Scott Pelley was fired a day after a tense meeting where he accused the CBS editor in chief, Bari Weiss, of “murdering ‘60 Minutes.’”

B Benjamin Mullin and Michael M. Grynbaum

Supreme Court Clears the Way for Republican-Friendly Map in Alabama

In the first major case since the justices narrowed the Voting Rights Act, the court cleared the way for Alabama to use a map preferred by Republicans that leaves the state with only one majority-Black district.The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that an Alabama congressional district map with only one

A Abbie VanSickle and Emily Cochrane

Graham Platner Meets With Senate Democrats Amid Texting Scandal

Mr. Platner, the likely Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine, met in Washington with several senators. Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, dodged questions about his confidence in Mr. Platner.Graham Platner met with Democratic senators in Washington days after reports that he had sent sexual messa

R Reid J. Epstein

Why the U.S.-Iran Negotiations Are Taking So Long

As negotiations to end the war in Iran drag on, our reporter David E. Sanger describes the factors that are complicating any agreement.Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

D David E. Sanger, Alexandra Ostasiewicz, Nikolay Nikolov, Rafaela Balster, Ray Whitehouse, Jon Miller and Stephanie Swart

War Games and Warnings on Strait of Hormuz Went Unheeded by Trump

Over the past two decades, Iran repeatedly threatened to close down the waterway. President Trump underestimated Iran’s ability to do so.Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz has become a huge source of leverage in negotiations with President Trump.

M Michael Crowley

U.S. Is Said to Be Investigating George Santos Over Kalshi Betting

The former congressman was referred to federal authorities after he bet on his own attendance at the State of the Union address, a person familiar with the matter said.The inquiry into former Representative George Santos is the third insider trading case to come to light in recent weeks.

D David Yaffe-Bellany and Sharon LaFraniere

Rubio Suggests U.S. Return to Global Vaccine Program in Rebuke of Kennedy

Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated in pointed testimony to senators that he was reclaiming control of the U.S. relationship with Gavi, an international vaccine alliance.The State Department is “going to be re-engaging on the issue of Gavi,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a hearing on T

S Stephanie Nolen and Sheryl Gay Stolberg

Scientists Find Way to Supercharge Dangerous Computer ‘Worms’ With A.I.

Researchers at the University of Toronto showed how hackers could use artificial intelligence to create a program that could target any known flaw in the world’s computers.Nicolas Papernot, a professor at the University of Toronto, led a team that demonstrated a way of building a dangerous computer

C Cade Metz

Book Review: ‘View From the East Wing,’ by Jill Biden

Beyond a few pointed digs at her husband’s successor, “View From the East Wing” largely sticks to the head-spinning details of first lady-hood.Jill Biden returning to the White House in January 2025, weeks before her husband finished his term as president.

A Alexandra Jacobs

Peabo Bryson, Soul Singer Known as the Voice of Love, Dies at 75

He was admired for impassioned duets with singers like Roberta Flack and Celine Dion and for the Disney hits “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World.”Peabo Bryson in 2005. His songs, which dealt with complex relationships and passionate love, dominated the soul and R&B charts for nearly two de

C Clay Risen

Carney Says Canada Faces a ‘Crisis of Antisemitism’

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s comments followed calls for action from Jewish organizations and after a government report found that antisemitism had surged in Canada in recent years.Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada speaking at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto on Monday.

Y Yan Zhuang