Good Morning! Today’s edition is 916 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• LA nightclub attack

• Astronomer fires its CEO after Coldplay debacle

• New World Heritage Sites

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Big Stories

AI Bots Divided Over Epstein

• Researchers uncovered a hidden network of over 400 AI-driven accounts on X that consistently reply to conservative users with pro-Trump messages. But after Attorney General Pam Bondi declined to release new Epstein files, the bots began contradicting each other, sometimes posting opposite views within minutes.

• Created in batches last year, the accounts mimic real Trump supporter behavior, often echoing MAGA talking points in replies. Researchers say the bots aren’t designed to go viral but to subtly shape partisan sentiment through repetition. The recent contradictory messaging appears to reflect the growing division among conservatives following the decision not to release Epstein files.

• While it’s unclear who runs them, X’s weakened moderation and reduced researcher access since Elon Musk’s takeover make it harder to gauge how widespread this manipulation is.

Scottie Keeps on Rolling

• Scottie Scheffler won The Open Championship by four strokes at Royal Portrush, becoming only the fourth player in the tournament’s history to shoot 68 or better in all four rounds. The win gives the world's No. 1 golfer the third leg of the career Grand Slam, with only the US Open remaining for a complete set of major championships.

• Scheffler converted his 54-hole lead into victory for the 11th straight time. Since February 2022, he has won 20 tournaments worldwide, a pace that could match Tiger Woods' dominant stretch from 1999-2004 when he won 31 tournaments over five years.

• Harris English finished second despite playing without his regular caddie, who couldn't get a UK visa due to a 20-year-old criminal record. Chris Gotterup capped a great trip by finishing third at his major championship debut, a week after winning the Scottish Open. Rory McIlroy finished seven shots back in front of the home crowd in Northern Ireland.

LA Nightclub Attack

• A driver plowed into a crowd outside The Vermont Hollywood nightclub in Los Angeles around 2 a.m. Saturday morning, injuring 30 people, including 7 critically. The incident appears intentional, according to police, after the driver was kicked out earlier for being intoxicated and disruptive.

• Bystanders dragged the driver from his car, beat him, and then shot him before he could flee. The driver was hospitalized while the shooter fled the scene on foot.

• The driver, Fernando Ramirez, was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, but has not been booked due to his hospitalization. Police were still searching for the shooter as of Sunday night.

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Quick Stories

US News

• Texas Republicans plan to redraw congressional maps this week, targeting Democrats like Vicente Gonzalez to help the GOP keep House control through the 2026 elections. (More)

• Oregon's Cram Fire has burned over 95,740 acres and is 49% contained, making it the year's largest US wildfire that could become a megafire if it reaches 100,000 acres. (More)

• An off-duty Border Patrol agent was shot in the face and arm during a suspected robbery at a Manhattan park Sunday night. Police have a suspect in custody. (More)

World

• Japan's Liberal Democratic Party lost its upper house majority Monday, making Prime Minister Ishiba's coalition a minority in both houses for the first time since 1955. (More)

• Israeli forces killed at least 85 Palestinians seeking food aid across Gaza Sunday, including 79 shot at a convoy in northern Gaza, the deadliest day for aid-seekers in 21 months of war. (More)

• EU officials are cracking down on Chinese retailers Shein and Temu after finding dangerous goods, including baby soothers with choking hazards and cosmetics with banned toxic chemicals. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed mixed on Friday (S&P -0.01%, Nasdaq +0.05%, Dow -0.32%). Stocks sank after Trump called for higher tariffs on the European Union. (More)

• Astronomer CEO Andy Byron has resigned after being caught on a Coldplay concert kiss cam with the company's head of HR. (More)

• Clothing-rental company CaaStle founder Christine Hunsicker was arrested for defrauding investors of $300 million through fake audits and revenue projections while the company neared collapse. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• President Trump called for the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Guardians to change back to "Redskins" and "Indians," but both teams rejected returning to their former names. (More)

• Napheesa Collier scored a record 36 points to lead Team Collier past Team Clark 151-131 in the WNBA All-Star Game. Injured star Caitlin Clark sat out. (More)

• Manny Pacquiao failed to become the oldest welterweight champion at 46 after a majority draw with Mario Barrios, who swept the final three rounds to retain his WBC title. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Giving pedestrians a 7-second head start at traffic lights reduced pedestrian injuries by 33% and fatal daytime crashes by 65% in New York City, a Columbia University study found. (More)

• Scientists studying the Dead Sea found "salt snow" and giant underwater salt deposits forming in real time, offering clues about massive salt formations found in ancient Mediterranean seabeds. (More)

• Superbugs could cost the global economy $1.7 trillion yearly by 2050 and increase deaths by 60% as US and UK aid cuts potentially worsen antimicrobial resistance worldwide. (More)

Extra Credit

UNESCO just added 22 new World Heritage Sites.

The physics of the football spiral with Tom Brady.

Lucid broke the longest journey by an EV on a single charge at 749 miles.

The logistics of the largest gathering in the world.