Headlines From The Times

California test scores rose for a second straight year, with major gains in Compton and L.A. Unified as the state adopts new literacy reforms. The federal shutdown deepened after President Trump suggested furloughed workers might not get back pay. A Lakers fan sued LeBron James, claiming a misleading retirement tease. Trump announced an Israel-Hamas peace deal with hostage releases and troop withdrawals. L.A. County moved toward declaring an emergency over ICE raids. In business, experts warn of an AI investment bubble, and three University of California scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physics for advances in quantum computing.

Federal agents arrested a Florida man accused of starting the Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. President Trump deployed Texas National Guard troops to Chicago, sparking lawsuits from state leaders. Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to lying to Congress in a politically charged case. Los Angeles residents will see trash bills nearly double to offset a billion-dollar budget deficit. In business, police raided L.A.’s CoolKicks store and arrested its CEO over allegedly buying stolen sneakers, meanwhile California shoppers face new import fees after tariff exemptions were rolled back.

Illinois and Chicago sue to block a federal plan to deploy National Guard troops as tensions rise in major U.S. cities. The Supreme Court rejects Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal, while indirect talks begin in Egypt to end the war in Gaza. Three scientists earn the Nobel Prize for breakthroughs in immunology. Then, a Chevron refinery fire threatens to raise gas prices, and developers in Los Angeles prepare for flying taxis that could reshape urban travel.

Firefighters battled a massive explosion at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, shaking nearby homes and raising questions about operations and gas prices. In Michigan, thousands donated to the family of a church gunman. Russia launched its largest drone assault on Ukraine’s energy grid as Ukraine struck targets deep inside Russia. Former President Trump declared drug cartels terrorist groups, prompting bipartisan concern over unchecked military action. In Burbank, a former school board member was charged with diverting district funds for personal gain. In business, Apple shifted resources from its Vision Pro product to AI smart glasses following weak sales and PepsiCo is testing natural dyes for Cheetos and beverages to meet consumer demand for healthier ingredients.

Title: Kilmar Abrego Garcia Denied Asylum, Israel Intercepts Flotilla, Manchester Synagogue Attack, Trump Cuts Climate Funds, Sephora Waste Settlement, UCLA Stagflation Forecast Description: A Baltimore judge denied asylum to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvador native at the center of immigration debates, leaving him at risk of deportation. Israeli naval forces intercepted a flotilla bound for Gaza, detaining activists and drawing international condemnation. In the U.K., two people were killed in a terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur. The Trump administration cut nearly $8 billion from clean energy projects in Democratic states, while expanding coal production. In business, Sephora will pay $775,000 in a hazardous waste settlement, and a UCLA forecast warns of “stagflation-lite” due to the Trump administration’s tariff policy and fed rate cuts.

Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist and conservationist, has died at 91. President Trump urges military training in U.S. cities, sparking lawsuits and backlash. The U.S. government shuts down after failed negotiations, while California ends carpool lane access for clean-air vehicles. In business, OpenAI launches new parental controls for ChatGPT, and DoorDash expands its grocery services nationwide through a major Kroger partnership.

The federal government moves to reopen DACA for first-time applicants as legal challenges loom. In California, police confront gaps in the law after stopping a driverless Waymo car. President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announce sweeping changes to military standards and policies. In Silicon Valley, AI “vibe-coding” reshapes software development. In business, California fire survivors gain mortgage relief under a new law and Trump’s revived TikTok security plan draws criticism for leaving national security risks unresolved.

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announce a 20-point plan to end the Gaza war, though Hamas has not responded. Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, accused of killing activist Charlie Kirk, seek more time to review evidence as prosecutors pursue the death penalty. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass orders increased patrols at houses of worship following a deadly church shooting in Michigan. Trump also met with congressional leaders ahead of a looming government shutdown. In sports, the Dodgers open their playoff run against the Reds, while the Clippers face an NBA investigation into possible salary cap violations. In business, L.A.’s tourism industry reports sharp drops in international arrivals after wildfires, immigration raids, and tariff threats. In Sacramento, Governor Newsom weighs two new AI chatbot safety bills aimed at protecting minors amid pushback from tech giants.

Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted, while Trump announces new tariffs that could raise drug prices. At the UN, dozens of delegates walked out of the organization's general assembly when Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu took the stage. A U.S. veteran detained by ICE speaks out. In business, Starbucks announces mass layoffs, and new polls show Trump’s economic approval slipping.

The long-awaited report on the Eaton Fire reveals critical evacuation failures, while Californians see refunds on their October electric bills. The White House warns federal agencies of job cuts ahead of a shutdown, and debate grows over a $1 million restroom project at Runyon Canyon. In business, Calvin Harris says he lost $22.5 million in a stalled Hollywood development, and Amazon agrees to a $2.5 billion settlement over deceptive Prime membership practices.