Headlines From The Times

California moves to fill a critical gap in disaster research after the Trump administration slashes EPA funding. State Democrats then weigh redrawing congressional maps to challenge GOP efforts in Texas. Lyft plans to roll out autonomous shuttles next year, aiming to catch up in the robotaxi race. And Activision Blizzard takes cheat developers to court worldwide, hoping to curb rampant hacking in Call of Duty. Four stories showing how policy, technology, and the courts shape life and business today.

UCLA researchers install sensors to protect Palisades residents from post-fire air pollution. A federal appeals court strikes down California’s voter-approved background checks for ammunition, citing Second Amendment rights. Food delivery robots roll out across Los Angeles, sparking debate over convenience and jobs. And despite Amazon’s extended Prime Day, shoppers turn to Walmart for better deals on everyday essentials. Four stories tracking health, law, technology, and shifting consumer habits across California.

President Trump imposes a 15% tariff on Japanese goods as part of a new trade deal he claims will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, while warning the EU of more tariffs ahead. Meanwhile, a Times investigation into January’s deadly West Altadena fire reveals critical delays and misallocated resources left residents largely unprotected during the worst hours. A judge blocks the Trump administration’s effort to unseal Jeffrey Epstein’s grand jury records in Florida. Another court stops ICE from immediately detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia after a wrongful deportation. Uber tests a women-only ride option in California aimed at safer travel. And the White House launches an AI plan to cut regulations and speed development, drawing support from tech leaders and criticism from civil rights and environmental groups. Four stories shaping law, policy, and technology in the U.S. today.

Israeli airstrikes kill at least 20 people in Gaza, including women and children, as Christian leaders call for an end to the nearly 21-month war. The Trump administration pressures Israel to conclude the conflict after a deadly church strike, while ceasefire talks in Qatar stall. Meanwhile, the U.S. announces it will leave UNESCO again, citing alleged anti-Israel bias and divisive agendas—just two years after rejoining. Erik Menendez, imprisoned for the 1989 killing of his parents, seeks early release to treat a serious medical condition ahead of a parole hearing that could test his life sentence. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell moves for prison relief from her sex-trafficking conviction as the Justice Department plans to meet with her lawyers and considers new subpoenas. Public and political pressure grows for answers in the Epstein case, even as Congress leaves Washington without voting to release more related files.

Britain, France, and 23 other countries demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, accusing Israel of blocking aid and worsening the humanitarian disaster. Meanwhile, Russia launches one of its largest air attacks on Kyiv in months, killing civilians and damaging shelters just before NATO meets to weigh President Trump’s plan to arm Ukraine. California sues the Trump administration over restrictions that block undocumented immigrants from vital public benefits. The Pentagon pulls Marines out of Los Angeles after protests against immigration raids. The FDA appoints biotech executive George Tidmarsh to lead drug regulation under RFK Jr., amid calls for reform. And In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder announces she’s leaving California, joining a wave of businesses moving east while the burger chain keeps its roots on the West Coast.