New college graduates are facing unexpected challenges in today’s job market, and the culprit isn’t what many might expect, according to recent findings.
A study conducted by the New York Fed has determined that remote work policies, rather than artificial intelligence, are creating barriers for younger college graduates seeking employment in the post-pandemic era.
The research indicates that companies are showing reluctance to bring on board recent graduates who typically require more intensive training and mentorship – support that becomes more challenging to provide in remote work settings.
This trend has left many new degree holders on the sidelines of the job market, despite their educational qualifications and readiness to enter the workforce.
The findings suggest that the shift toward remote work, while beneficial for experienced professionals, has created an unexpected disadvantage for those just beginning their careers who depend on in-person guidance and professional development opportunities.
Delaware State Police are looking into a string of break-ins that hit seven businesses along Coastal Highway in Lewes during the early morning hours of Saturday.
Troopers were called to Coastal Plaza at 18388 Coastal Highway around 6:30 a.m. on May 30, 2026, following reports of burglaries and break-in attempts at four establishments: Go Brit, Cabana’s Restaurant, Tienda la Bendicion, and The Listening Booth. According to initial findings, two unidentified individuals broke into or tried to break into these businesses during the overnight hours, taking cash or attempting to do so. Law enforcement also discovered three similar incidents occurred nearby at Bushel’s Sports Bar and Grill on 18289 Coastal Highway, Café Pink Blossom on 18266 Coastal Highway, and Matt’s Fish Camp on 34401 Tenley Court.
The Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit is handling the ongoing investigation into these crimes. Investigators are requesting that anyone who observed unusual activity in the vicinity or possesses information related to these cases reach out to Detective A. Stimac at (302) 752-3791. Tips can also be submitted through private messages to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Delaware State Police have launched a death investigation following a fatal incident at Alapocas Run State Park in Wilmington.
Authorities responded to the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail within the park around 10:45 p.m. on May 30, 2026, after receiving reports of CPR being performed on an individual. Officers discovered 45-year-old Lori Rogers of Wilmington suffering from apparent physical trauma and provided emergency medical assistance until paramedics arrived on scene. Rogers was transported to a local medical facility where she succumbed to her injuries.
The circumstances surrounding Rogers’ death prompted the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit to take over the investigation due to suspicious factors involved in the case.
Rogers’ body has been transferred to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science, where officials will work to establish both the cause and manner of death.
While the investigation remains ongoing, authorities emphasize there is no current threat to community safety. Investigators are seeking information from the public and encourage anyone with relevant details to reach out to Detective B. McDerby at (302) 741-2821. Tips can also be submitted through private messages to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
Those affected by crime or sudden loss can access support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, which provides 24-hour assistance via their hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). The unit can also be reached by email at [email protected].
The New York Giants have welcomed back wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to their roster.
The 33-year-old wideout inked a deal with the team on Monday following a visit and workout session with the organization in April.
The team has also brought aboard receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Braxton Berrios, as reported by a source familiar with the signings. The source provided information to The Associated Press while requesting anonymity since the contracts had not yet been officially revealed.
The receiver additions follow last week’s injury to wideout Gunner Olszewski, who suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during an offseason practice session. Additional concerns exist at the position with Malik Nabers working back from a right knee ACL tear, leaving questions about his availability for the September season opener.
Originally selected 12th in the 2014 draft by the Giants, Beckham played his initial five NFL seasons with the team before being dealt to the Cleveland Browns in 2019. The primary draft selection New York obtained in that trade was utilized to select defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who was subsequently traded to the Cincinnati Bengals this spring.
Beckham sat out the previous NFL season while completing a six-game suspension related to a failed performance-enhancing drug test. During the 2024 campaign, he participated in nine contests with the Miami Dolphins, recording nine receptions for 55 yards.
The 29-year-old Smith-Schuster contributed 33 receptions for 345 yards and one touchdown during the previous season with Kansas City, earning 12 starts while playing in all 17 games for the Chiefs.
The 30-year-old Berrios brings return specialist capabilities, with his signing serving as a direct response to Olszewski’s injury.
General manager Joe Schoen and new coach John Harbaugh have continued building their receiving corps since free agency began in May. The Giants have added Calvin Austin, Darnell Mooney and Ryan Miller while re-signing Isaiah Hodgins after the departure of slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to Tennessee following his 1,000-yard campaign.
DOVER — Governor Matt Meyer revealed today that Delaware has completed its initial automated processing under the Clean Slate law, successfully removing over 64,000 qualifying cases from publicly accessible criminal background records. This development represents a significant milestone in Delaware’s rollout of its Clean Slate legislation.
The automated batch processed represents more than three times the volume previously handled through manual processes in the state’s Clean Slate program.
Cleveland is sending star defensive end Myles Garrett to Los Angeles in a major NFL trade, according to three sources familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.
The sources requested anonymity since the transaction hasn’t been completed yet.
In return, Cleveland will receive pass rusher and linebacker Jared Verse — who earned 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors — along with a first-round pick in 2027 and additional draft selections still being negotiated.
Garrett has been absent from the team’s offseason training activities. Head coach Todd Monken revealed two weeks ago that he hasn’t met with Garrett in person since taking the job in late January. Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg mentioned last week that he’s only spoken with Garrett by telephone.
Last season, Garrett earned unanimous Defensive Player of the Year recognition after recording 23 sacks and setting a new NFL single-season mark. Despite his individual success, Garrett has grown increasingly dissatisfied with Cleveland’s trajectory in recent seasons. The team posted an 8-26 record over the last two campaigns following their 2023 playoff appearance.
Following the 2024 season’s conclusion, Garrett requested a trade, even though he had signed a four-year extension worth $204.8 million last March that established him as the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback.
Garrett’s dissatisfaction with the franchise’s direction continued to intensify. This March, both sides agreed to restructure his deal and postpone option payments scheduled for the 2026-28 seasons. An initial payment of approximately $10 million that was originally due May 28 was pushed back to around the start of the regular season.
Massive demonstrations by ultra-Orthodox Jews brought Israel to a virtual standstill Monday as tens of thousands took to the streets opposing compulsory military service, shutting down major roadways and rail lines while setting vehicles ablaze.
Israeli police reported that demonstrators occupied key traffic intersections and assaulted a military member who got off a bus near the demonstration site. Authorities deployed water cannons and mounted officers in attempts to manage the unruly crowds.
The demonstrations effectively paralyzed Israel’s central region, forcing highway closures and suspending public transit services as massive crowds gathered in Jerusalem and throughout the Tel Aviv metropolitan region.
While military service remains mandatory for most Jewish citizens in Israel, ultra-Orthodox political factions have secured religious exemptions allowing their members to avoid military duty in favor of religious seminary education. However, these exemptions now face potential elimination.
Growing numbers of Israelis express frustration with the existing arrangement that permits ultra-Orthodox men to avoid military obligations while the armed forces face severe personnel shortages and many citizens complete multiple reserve deployments. This controversy threatens Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, potentially accelerating fall elections after ultra-Orthodox parties removed their backing for Netanyahu.
Annual statistics show approximately 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men reach the draft age of 18, yet fewer than 10% actually enlist, parliamentary committee data reveals.
Confronting acute personnel deficits, military leadership considers extending mandatory service periods. Most Jewish men must complete nearly three years of active duty plus additional reserve obligations, while Jewish women serve two mandatory years.
“This public is determined, they see this as a war for their lives,” said Israel Tropper, a demonstrator in Jerusalem. “From their perspective, going into the Israeli army means giving up religion … we don’t want to give up our religion, so from our perspective it’s a war for our lives.” He added that there is no way to force tens of thousands of people vehemently opposed to the idea to serve in the military.
Protest signs displayed strong opposition to Israel, reading “We would rather die as Jews than live as Zionists” and “We refuse to serve an army for the sake of the Zionist religion.”
The ultra-Orthodox community, representing approximately 13% of Israeli population and its most rapidly expanding demographic, has historically obtained exemptions for full-time religious seminary students. These exemptions originated with Israel’s establishment in 1948, when limited numbers of students aimed to rebuild Jewish educational institutions devastated by the Holocaust.
These exemptions, along with government financial support for seminary students until age 26, have angered many Israelis. Israel currently maintains simultaneous military operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria while confronting Iran, severely straining its capable but overstretched armed forces.
Israel’s Supreme Court declared these exemptions unlawful in 2017, though repeated postponements and government stalling tactics have maintained their existence.
Within Israel’s Jewish population, mandatory military service functions as both a unifying experience and traditional milestone. Many within the isolated ultra-Orthodox community worry that military service would subject young people to secular cultural influences.
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — The president of the European Council, António Costa, declared Monday that this week’s summit between European Union officials and Western Balkan hopeful member states is designed to demonstrate that expansion opportunities are genuine.
During remarks in Bosnia as he began a regional tour ahead of the summit, Costa emphasized that given current worldwide geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, “enlargement is a geostrategic interest for Europe.”
“It (enlargement) is an investment in the peace, stability and security of our continent,” Costa stated. “This tour is a clear sign that the commitment of the European Union to the Western Balkans is real. As real as the opportunity for enlargement.”
Costa will serve as co-chair for Friday’s summit taking place in Montenegro, bringing together EU leadership with senior officials from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro.
Each of the six countries finds itself at varying points in the membership application process, with Montenegro and Albania currently in the lead positions. The EU has recently intensified efforts to promote reforms among these hopeful nations due to concerns about expanding Russian and Chinese influence.
Ukraine and Moldova also number among roughly ten countries seeking to become part of the bloc.
Nations seeking membership must align their legislation across 35 policy areas, known as “chapters,” covering everything from judicial standards to agricultural and fishing regulations. All 27 existing EU members must reach consensus before any chapter can begin, and again before completion.
Friday’s gathering at the Adriatic Sea resort of Tivat will serve as “a clear demonstration of our determination to bring forward our cooperation and build on the momentum of the European Union’s enlargement,” Costa explained.
Bosnia has fallen behind other candidates, remaining significantly fractured along ethnic divisions decades after the 1992-95 conflict that claimed over 100,000 lives and forced millions from their homes. Bosnian Serb separatist leadership with pro-Russia leanings continues advocating for maximum autonomy — the same approach that originally triggered the ethnic warfare following the dissolution of the former Yugoslav federation.
Costa’s visit occurs as an international organization responsible for monitoring peace in Bosnia, created through a U.S.-mediated peace accord, prepares to select a new High Representative this week after German diplomat Christian Schmidt stepped down.
The High Representative possesses authority to modify legislation and remove officials who threaten post-conflict reconciliation efforts. Bosnian media outlets have indicated that Peace Implementation Council member nations remain split regarding the replacement choice.
“If the future of the country is in the European Union it’s important that the new high representative … embodies Bosnia and Herzegovina choice to pursue European Union accession,” Costa remarked.
He advised Bosnian leadership that “now is the time to focus on your goal and accelerate the pace of reforms.”
Florida’s Attorney General filed a groundbreaking lawsuit Monday against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging the artificial intelligence company deliberately hid significant safety concerns while promoting ChatGPT to consumers.
Attorney General James Uthmeier announced during a press briefing that the company buried internal safety alerts and misled users about the product’s actual risks and capabilities.
“Today, we announced the first-in-the-nation state-led lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman,” Uthmeier said. “OpenAI and Altman ignored internal and external safety warnings, put children at great risk, and allowed a dangerous product to reach millions of Floridians.”
The civil case, filed in Florida’s circuit court, accuses OpenAI and Altman of choosing rapid market entry and profits over user protection while dismissing safety concerns raised by specialists within and outside their organization. According to the lawsuit, the company released technology that promotes harmful behaviors, including self-injury and violence, while falsely claiming it was secure.
The legal filing further contends that ChatGPT gathers information from children without proper parental supervision and creates addictive behaviors and mental harm. The company has also deliberately minimized dangerous mistakes, according to the suit.
State officials noted that Florida law bans unfair and defective business practices. The legal action claims OpenAI’s actions continue to harm Florida residents and seeks accountability.
OpenAI did not immediately provide a response to The Associated Press’ request for comment.
In April, Uthmeier launched a criminal probe into OpenAI regarding whether ChatGPT provided guidance to a shooter who killed two individuals and injured six others at Florida State University last year. In a separate incident, prosecutors revealed that the person accused of murdering two University of South Florida doctoral students had questioned ChatGPT about what would occur if a human body was placed in a garbage bag and disposed of in a dumpster, just days before the victims disappeared.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal appeals court judges ruled Monday that a policy from the Trump administration unconstitutionally prohibited transgender individuals from serving in the armed forces.
A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit mostly affirmed a March 2025 decision by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C. Reyes had determined that President Donald Trump’s directive barring transgender military personnel likely infringed upon their constitutional protections.
The government challenged Reyes’ preliminary injunction, which was sought by lawyers representing six transgender active-duty personnel and two individuals hoping to enlist. The appeals panel’s majority determined the injunction should apply only to current military members among the plaintiffs, not prospective recruits.
The decision will not take immediate effect, giving the government opportunity to petition the complete appeals court for review.
The U.S. Supreme Court permitted the transgender service ban to proceed last year while court challenges continue. A separate lawsuit contesting the prohibition was brought in Washington state, resulting in a favorable ruling for those plaintiffs.
Trump issued an executive order in January 2025 stating that transgender service members’ sexual identity “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life” and undermines military preparedness.
Following the directive, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth established a policy that generally disqualifies individuals with gender dysphoria from military participation. Gender dysphoria describes the emotional distress experienced when someone’s assigned gender differs from their gender identity. Medical professionals have connected this condition to depression and suicidal ideation.
Judge Robert Wilkins, writing for the majority, stated the policy “appears to be driven by the bare desire to harm a politically unpopular group: persons who identify as transgender.” Wilkins received his nomination from Democratic President Barack Obama.
Judge Justin Walker disagreed in his dissenting view, arguing courts cannot override military exclusion decisions.
“We have neither the expertise nor the authority to decide whether the military can exclude the plaintiffs from its ranks. The Constitution assigns that authority to Congress and the Commander in Chief,” Walker wrote. Trump, a Republican, nominated Walker to his position.
Judge Judith Rogers, nominated by Democratic President Bill Clinton, supported Wilkins’ majority opinion while also filing a partial dissent.
Illinois legislators wrapped up their spring session on Monday without taking action on a proposal designed to prevent the Chicago Bears from potentially moving to Indiana for their new stadium.
The legislation, introduced by State Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), would allow municipalities in Cook County with more than 70,000 residents — including Arlington Heights and Chicago — to create their own sports stadium authorities. The Bears would cover construction costs, having allocated $2 billion for the project, while building on publicly-owned property.
The proposal would allow the Bears to benefit from stadium construction by limiting their tax obligations to only the property around the stadium. In Arlington Heights, for instance, the team has development plans for land next to the proposed stadium location. The Bears would then transfer ownership of the stadium to the newly formed sports authority and enter into a lease arrangement.
While the Illinois Senate approved the measure 37-17 at 3:39 a.m. Monday, the House ended its session less than an hour afterward without holding a vote. Lawmakers will not reconvene until the fall veto session in October unless the governor calls a special session.
The Bears are weighing options between constructing their new facility in Arlington Heights, where they possess a 326-acre tract at the former Arlington International Racecourse location, or in Hammond, Indiana. The franchise has maintained its Illinois home base since its founding in 1920, never playing a home game outside the state. However, Indiana recently enacted similar legislation to Cunningham’s proposal, aimed at attracting the Bears to build a domed facility in Hammond, which sits less than 30 miles from Chicago.
“We will finalize our evaluation of both Arlington Heights and Hammond and remain on the late spring/early summer timeline that we have previously communicated,” the Bears stated. “We will provide an update when we have a decision to share.”
A commercial cargo ship experienced two separate blasts while navigating Gulf waters roughly 40 nautical miles from Iraq’s Umm Qasr port on Monday, with Iraqi authorities confirming at least one explosion resulted from a drone strike.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) initially reported that some type of projectile struck the vessel’s starboard side, resulting in a significant blast.
Iraqi officials later informed Reuters that a second explosion hit the same ship, which preliminary investigations indicate was caused by a drone attack.
Crew members successfully extinguished the fire that broke out on the vessel following the incidents, the officials confirmed.
Authorities have not identified who was behind the attack, and details about the targeted ship remain unavailable.
Chicago completed a deal Monday that sends forward Jack Pridham to Tampa Bay in return for a third-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft.
The 20-year-old finished second in the Ontario Hockey League with 46 goals and placed fifth with 90 points across 65 games while playing for the Kitchener Rangers during the 2025-26 season. He earned the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year.
Chicago selected Pridham during the third round (92nd overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Over his last two seasons with Kitchener, he has accumulated 144 points (73 goals, 71 assists) across 113 games.
American crude oil exports reached an unprecedented level of 5.6 million barrels daily during May, as ongoing Middle East conflicts drove international refiners to seek alternative supply sources, according to shipping data released Monday.
The conflict between the U.S. and Israel against Iran has created the most significant disruption to global energy markets on record, forcing refiners worldwide to find replacements for Middle Eastern oil. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping channel that handles approximately 20% of global oil and gas transportation, was effectively shut down when hostilities began in late February.
May’s export figures exceeded the previous record of 5.2 million barrels per day established in April, data from analytics company Kpler revealed. The surge coincided with U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude trading at a significant discount compared to Brent, the international pricing standard.
The pricing gap between WTI and Brent reached as wide as $20.69 per barrel in March, marking the largest differential in 13 years. During April, when many May export contracts were negotiated, the spread averaged approximately minus $8.86, compared to the pre-war average of minus $4.85.
Both European and Asian markets achieved record import levels in May, with Asia purchasing 2.45 million barrels daily to maintain its position as the leading buyer for the second consecutive month. European imports closely followed at 2.4 million barrels daily.
Japan, which traditionally sources most of its crude from Middle Eastern suppliers, led Asian purchases of American oil at 808,000 barrels daily in May – representing a 32% monthly increase and establishing a new high.
“It’s not a surprise to see Asia pulling so much given the loss of barrels from the Mideast Gulf,” commented Matt Smith, Director of Commodity Research at Kpler.
Shipments destined for Mediterranean and Black Sea regions also achieved record levels during May, with Bulgaria, Croatia, Turkey and Greece becoming unusual transatlantic purchasers. Italy’s record imports of 335,000 barrels contributed significantly to increased European demand.
“We believe the Asian buying was mainly driven by necessity while European buying was mainly favorable shipping economics and lower transatlantic freight rates,” explained Rohit Rathod, a senior oil market analyst at Vortexa.
Approximately 283,000 barrels daily, representing about 5% of May’s total exports, originated from America’s strategic petroleum reserve. This oil, drawn from the ongoing release of 172 million barrels from emergency stockpiles to counter rising prices, was shipped to both European and Asian customers.
Following May’s exceptional performance, export volumes are projected to decline in June as potential peace negotiations have reduced supply concerns and narrowed the WTI-Brent price difference. While the discount remained substantial in early May, it diminished during the month’s second half and was trading around minus $6 on Monday.
Energy Aspects consultancy projects exports will average approximately 4.9 million barrels daily in June and about 4.60 million barrels daily in July.
“We would expect exports to fall by over 1 million bpd in June compared to May,” stated Georgios Sakellariou, chartering analyst at Signal Maritime, noting his company has observed at least 10 fewer Very Large Crude Carriers scheduled for June compared to May.
Reduced WTI crude inventories within the United States will also encourage more domestic storage rather than exports, according to industry sources and analysts.
Pricing for America’s primary export grades – WTI Midland crude at East Houston and Mars sour crude – both weakened for July trading as demand decreased. MEH traded at a $1.15 premium to WTI on Friday, down from a high of $7.75 in April for May delivery. Mars traded at a $1.50 premium Friday, compared to an April peak of $17.50.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum accused far-right elements in the United States on Monday of working alongside domestic groups to target her administration, intensifying her criticism of Mexico’s primary trading partner.
Her comments came after a weekend gathering where Sheinbaum criticized what she described as meddling by U.S. government departments and business groups.
“I believe it is sectors of the far right in the United States who want a bad relationship with Mexico” due to “ideological” differences, Sheinbaum stated during a press briefing.
The leftist leader indicated she does not think these efforts are being directed by her U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.
Diplomatic ties between the neighboring countries have deteriorated since Trump started his second presidency in January, with disagreements over trade tariffs and border policies creating friction.
The situation worsened in April when the U.S. Department of Justice brought charges against 10 Mexican officials, including Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha from the ruling Morena party, over suspected connections to narcotics smuggling.
Since the U.S. charges against Morena party members, Sheinbaum has strengthened her appeals to safeguard Mexico’s national independence.
“Who decides in Mexico, foreign agencies or the people?” Sheinbaum asked her supporters on Sunday during a gathering marking the second anniversary of her 2024 presidential victory. “We are going to defend Mexico’s sovereignty and independence.”
Mexico’s legislature recently passed a constitutional change last week that would permit canceling elections due to “foreign interference.” Critics from opposition parties have condemned the measure as an excuse to call new elections when results don’t favor the governing party.
Even with the diplomatic tensions, Sheinbaum maintains solid support at home. A survey from newspaper El Financiero revealed her approval rating at 69%, recovering from a minor drop that started in March.
The artificial intelligence firm Anthropic is taking steps to become a publicly traded company, marking another milestone in its rapid transformation from an obscure research lab into a major AI industry player with a $965 billion valuation.
On Monday, Anthropic announced it had filed confidential paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission seeking approval for an initial public stock offering.
“This gives us the option to go public after the SEC completes its review,” Anthropic said in a brief statement. “The proposed initial public offering will depend on market conditions and other factors.”
The firm has not yet determined how many shares will be offered or their pricing.
Just last week, Anthropic disclosed it had secured $65 billion in private investment funding, boosting its market worth to $965 billion. This massive figure positions the five-year-old creator of the Claude chatbot among the planet’s most valuable startup companies.
This development puts Anthropic in front of its primary competitor, OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT, in terms of both market worth and reported earnings. Anthropic reports it is currently generating $47 billion in annual revenue by licensing its technology to individuals and businesses that use Claude for coding and various professional and personal tasks.
Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives, Anthropic joins both AI companies, along with Elon Musk’s rocket and AI venture SpaceX, in preparing for public trading. However, all three enterprises continue to spend more than they earn, raising questions about a potential AI market bubble.
A healthcare professional is making a difference in agricultural communities by combining her medical background with farm safety education. Katie Hammock serves in the dual role of nurse and farm safety educator, bringing valuable healthcare perspective to agricultural safety initiatives.
Hammock’s work represents an important intersection between healthcare and agriculture, as she uses her nursing experience to help educate farming communities about safety practices and injury prevention.
Her unique position allows her to address safety concerns from both a medical and practical farming standpoint, providing comprehensive education to those working in agricultural settings.
A recent video presentation from the Virginia Farm Bureau documents the complete journey of locally-grown flowers as they move from agricultural production through retail sales.
The educational content explores how flowers are cultivated on Virginia farms and follows their path to consumers in the marketplace.
The Farm Bureau’s video production aims to showcase the agricultural process behind flower farming and the supply chain that brings these products to market.
The recently appointed chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, Greg Abel, has completed his inaugural major transaction since succeeding Warren Buffett, purchasing homebuilder Taylor Morrison for $6.8 billion in what may signal a shift away from the investment giant’s traditional hands-off approach.
In announcing the acquisition, Abel indicated plans to merge Taylor Morrison with Berkshire’s current site-built home construction operations under the Clayton Homes division. This represents a departure from Buffett’s six-decade practice of allowing acquired companies to operate independently under their existing management structures.
“We are excited to welcome Taylor Morrison into Berkshire’s portfolio, reflecting our long-standing commitment to housing, exemplified by Clayton Homes and our other building products businesses. Over time, we expect to unify our site-built homebuilding operations into a combined platform enabling us to deliver the dream of homeownership to more Americans,” Abel stated in the announcement.
Beyond Clayton, which focuses primarily on manufactured housing while maintaining a site-built division, Berkshire controls multiple housing-related enterprises including Benjamin Moore paint and Shaw Floors.
The extent of potential consolidation across Berkshire’s extensive portfolio remains uncertain. The conglomerate owns numerous companies spanning major insurance providers like Geico, manufacturing giants such as Precision Castparts, and various retail and service enterprises including NetJets, Dairy Queen and Helzberg Diamonds. However, Abel is recognized for being significantly more hands-on in his management style compared to Buffett.
“Given Greg’s strength as an operator it will be interesting to see if he does consolidate these units to get some greater scale and efficiencies,” said CFRA Research analyst Cathy Seifert.
Since 2018, Abel has supervised all of Berkshire’s non-insurance operations without implementing major operational changes, though he has promoted increased collaboration between subsidiaries when beneficial. Abel assumed the CEO position in January while Buffett continues as chairman and remains the company’s primary shareholder.
Investors are likely pleased to see Abel pursuing acquisitions given that the Omaha-headquartered corporation currently holds approximately $400 billion in cash reserves. While this particular transaction may not substantially impact Berkshire’s overall financial performance due to the company’s massive scale, dealmaking and investment activities were the aspects of Abel’s background that generated the most investor uncertainty.
During a Monday morning CNBC interview, Buffett offered praise for Abel’s performance.
“Greg did that faster than I could have done it, smoother than I could have done it, and I never talked to the CEO. He has launched,” Buffett told CNBC.
While Abel previously managed acquisitions during his tenure leading Berkshire’s substantial utility operations, those deals would have required Buffett’s approval. Abel now makes these decisions with guidance from Buffett and the board of directors.
“I think investors will cheer Greg’s foray into M&A as CEO. The purchase price seems rich given the current interest rate/macro environment,” Seifert said.
The agreement calls for Berkshire to pay Taylor Morrison shareholders $72.50 per share in an all-cash transaction. This represents a 24% markup over the company’s prior closing price of $58.50. Stock prices for the Scottsdale, Arizona-based homebuilder surged close to the purchase price Monday while Berkshire’s shares declined 1%.
Raymond James analyst Buck Horne noted in a research report that Berkshire might encounter competition from private equity companies or other potential purchasers willing to offer higher bids for Taylor Morrison before shareholders vote on accepting the current proposal.
“We would not be shocked if other players and/or private equity began to sharpen their pencils before the ink on this agreement is fully dry,” Horne said.
For the past 16 years, Nicole Calvin has made an annual journey to the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor to experience the university’s impressive peony display firsthand.
This year, she made the trip twice.
“I just love walking through the gardens,” Calvin shared on Monday. “I love that they come from different places, and there’s different varieties, different colors. It smells amazing. It’s just a really beautiful place to be.”
University officials expect approximately 100,000 people will visit to witness these distinctive flowering plants and their spectacular displays of pink, white, and red blossoms in numerous varieties and shades.
The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden houses what may be the world’s most extensive assembly of historical herbaceous peonies dating before 1950.
“There’s been a long fascination with this plant, because, when it’s peak, it’s so out there. It’s such a big show,” explained Doug Conley, who serves as horticulture lead at Nichols Arboretum, locally called The Arb. “And our collection is overwhelming. When you see this garden at peak bloom, there’s nothing like it. You’re captivated by it.”
Watching the peonies has become such a popular springtime activity that shuttle services transport the numerous visitors who flock to The Arb each year to view these garden plants.
Within the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, visitors can explore hundreds of historical cultivated types from the 1800s and early 1900s, showcasing American, Canadian, and European peony varieties from that period. During peak blooming season, the garden displays tens of thousands of individual flowers.
Access to the garden costs nothing and remains available from dawn until dusk. Visitors seeking the strongest peony fragrance should plan morning or evening visits when the scents are most pronounced.
“It is restorative for all of us, I think, to come out into nature and be surrounded by joy, beauty,” Conley noted. “It’s a delightful place for people to just come and gather and be.”
Soccer enthusiasts across multiple states will have more options for watching World Cup matches with a drink in hand as officials approve extended operating hours for bars and restaurants during the tournament.
Officials in six states have greenlit measures allowing establishments to serve alcohol later into the night throughout the global soccer championship. The initiatives aim to support struggling hospitality businesses while enhancing the viewing experience for fans who couldn’t afford tournament tickets. Some view these extensions as a final attempt to generate revenue as projected World Cup economic benefits have fallen short of expectations.
Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington have all enacted different versions of extended service hours during the competition. Similar legislation is under review in New York and Massachusetts.
Under the new rules, Philadelphia venues can remain open until 4 a.m. during both the World Cup and America 250 festivities. Kansas City establishments may operate until 5 a.m. under certain conditions.
These modifications require local government approval, and no establishment faces mandatory participation. However, the hospitality sector, already facing declining revenue and rising costs, welcomes the opportunity for extended operations.
Mark Prinzinger, who operates Lion Sports Bar in Philadelphia, called watching matches with international fans a “magical experience.” With the chance to extend operations by two hours, he’s brought on additional employees, simplified food offerings and organized late-evening events.
“People want to have a beer with other soccer fans and the great thing about the World Cup is that it brings people together from all over the world into one place to watch a sport that everybody loves,” he said.
Pennsylvania establishments like Prinzinger’s can shift their 2 a.m. closing time to 4 a.m. from June 11 through July 20, covering both the World Cup and America 250 commemorations. Gov. Josh Shapiro endorsed the measure in a social media video where he opened a beer while signing, adding the playful warning: “Celebrate responsibly, Philly.”
The extended drinking hours have prompted public safety concerns and questions about law enforcement resources, despite receiving support from both political parties.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas initially opposed the idea, stating his city “doesn’t need bars operating 23 hours” during the tournament and quipping, “Worry not, if you want to drink a ton, bars can open quite early.”
Bar operators push back against such criticism, emphasizing that most establishments focus on training employees to prevent excessive alcohol consumption.
“Just because people are hanging out at the bar watching a soccer game doesn’t mean they’re getting blitzed,” Prinzinger said. “In fact, I would say it’s completely the opposite. I think people want to watch the game. People want to be engaged.”
Rhode Island Rep. Teresa Tanzi supported this perspective.
“Not everybody that’s going to walk into a place is going to be chugging drinks and getting loaded,” Tanzi, a Democrat, said earlier this month on the House floor. “There are going to be families who are going to want a cheeseburger, an American cheeseburger, and a Coca-Cola.”
Rhode Island, positioned closer to host venue Gillette Stadium than Boston, is considering extending alcohol service until 3 a.m. and closing times until 4 a.m. The state currently enforces a 1 a.m. last call, with limited exceptions in Providence.
Lucas eventually changed his position, proposing a plan that permits Kansas City bars and restaurants to operate until 3 a.m., with select venues staying open until 5 a.m. if they provide security plans to police. Standard alcohol sales currently run from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
The trend extends beyond American borders. Pubs in England and Wales may remain open until 2 a.m. when English or Scottish teams compete in elimination rounds, following relaxed government licensing regulations.
In Scotland, which maintains separate governance, local officials can permit pubs to operate until 30 minutes after matches conclude.
Most World Cup games are scheduled for early afternoon through early evening hours. However, some matches begin later, with four starting at midnight and eight beginning at 10 p.m. in the Eastern time zone.
The actual demand for late-night food and beverages remains uncertain. American consumer patterns have changed significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, with people preferring earlier outings and reduced overall spending, according to David Henkes, senior principal at restaurant industry research firm Technomic.
“It’s so hard to stay open late night or overnight just because it’s hard to find labor,” Henkes said. “I applaud the effort to give restaurants an opportunity to earn more revenue, but I’m not sure that there’s going to be significant enough demand for it to make sense for a lot of operators to do so.”
The policy changes also mirror international approaches, with pubs in England and Wales receiving permission for extended hours during key matches involving their national teams.
North Carolina authorities deployed wildlife camera technology and aerial drones to track down and capture a man accused of killing a Virginia sheriff’s deputy during what was supposed to be a routine welfare check, officials announced.
Michael Puckett, 55, was taken into custody Sunday evening in Surry County, North Carolina, just a few miles south of the Virginia border. Law enforcement found him carrying a firearm as he approached the front door of a residence. He remains held without bail, according to the state bureau of investigation. The manhunt involved multiple police agencies working together.
During Monday’s extradition proceedings, Puckett declined legal representation and agreed to be transferred back to Virginia, WXII-TV reported.
The deadly incident began Friday when Carroll County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a family member’s request for a wellness check in Virginia. Upon arrival at the residence, a man inside opened fire on the responding officers, who shot back in defense. Both deputies sustained gunshot wounds before the shooter fled the scene. Additional people inside the home were unharmed during the exchange, Carroll County Sheriff Kevin Kemp confirmed.
Deputy Logan Utt lost his life in the shooting. His partner, who was protected by body armor when struck, has been released from medical care and is recovering at his residence in stable condition, Kemp reported Sunday.
Law enforcement launched an extensive search operation for the gunman, who was captured on a trail camera in Surry County, North Carolina, near Mount Airy on Sunday morning. Investigators then deployed unmanned aircraft to monitor his location and movement patterns.
The fallen deputy, age 31, served his country in the military before joining the sheriff’s department in 2023. A memorial convoy was planned for Monday afternoon, traveling from Roanoke, Virginia, to Mount Airy, where Utt previously worked as a firefighter.
“He had a servant’s heart. He cared for others, he cared for his country, he cared for his family,” Kemp said.
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A pharmaceutical company executive revealed that the firm is working with international health organizations to potentially deploy its COVID-19 antiviral medication against a devastating Ebola outbreak currently spreading in Africa.
The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo has infected an estimated 1,100 individuals and claimed 42 lives. Health officials are particularly concerned because this outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, a rare form of the virus for which no authorized vaccines or treatments currently exist.
Eliav Barr, chief medical officer at the company’s research laboratories, explained the potential application during an interview at the American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago on Sunday. “Molnupiravir is a non-specific RNA virus drug. We’re thinking about how we could use that,” Barr stated.
“We’re talking a lot with different parties about this,” Barr added.
The medication, created by the New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company in partnership with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and marketed as Lagevrio, received emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration during the pandemic. It was approved for treating mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults facing high risk for serious illness.
While not currently authorized as an Ebola therapy, molnupiravir has demonstrated effectiveness against Ebola in laboratory animal testing and might prove valuable for preventing infections in high-risk individuals. However, the medication is not advised for pregnant women.
The company also produces an Ebola vaccine named Ervebo, which has approval for protecting against the more prevalent Zaire Ebola virus. Barr indicated that the vaccine’s underlying technology might prove helpful in creating a new vaccine.
“They may be able to alter it. We’re looking at that,” he explained.
Barr described the expanding outbreak as “very frightening,” pointing out that his company operates HIV research facilities in Uganda, located across one of Africa’s major lakes from the DRC. Uganda has already confirmed nine Ebola cases and recorded one fatality.
President Donald Trump stated Monday that Iranian officials have not informed him they are halting discussions with Washington, though he indicated he would be comfortable with a pause in communications and is prepared to wait indefinitely.
“I think we’ve been talking too much if you want to know the truth. I think going silent would be very good, and that could be for a long time,” Trump said in an interview with NBC News.
“It doesn’t mean we’re going to go and start dropping bombs all over there,” Trump was quoted as saying. “We’ll just go silent. We’ll keep the blockade.”
“I think I can wait as long as they want. They’re losing a fortune.”
Earlier reports from Iranian state news agency Tasnim indicated that Iran was pausing indirect discussions with the United States following Israel’s directive for its military forces to advance further into Lebanon, which has complicated diplomatic efforts to resolve three months of ongoing conflict.
While Trump characterized the Iranians as superior negotiators compared to combatants, he emphasized that he had received no official notification regarding any suspension of diplomatic talks.
The leader of the United Nations maritime organization says conditions in Gulf waters remain too dangerous to evacuate thousands of sailors trapped on ships, even with an ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, spoke with Reuters on Sunday before the Posidonia shipping industry week began in Athens. He explained that rescue operations cannot begin until underlying issues are resolved.
“We will not be able to activate anything until the root causes are addressed and there is more of a final agreement, a ceasefire, or complete agreement, between the parties involved in the conflict,” Dominguez stated.
Approximately 20,000 seafarers remain trapped on ships in the Gulf as Iran continues limiting vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
“In the meantime, it’s going to be too risky to take any actions in moving the seafarers because there are no guarantees on their safety,” Dominguez explained.
According to IMO statistics, eleven sailors have lost their lives in Gulf waters since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran started on Feb. 28.
The maritime organization has been working to establish a secure shipping corridor that would allow trapped vessels to leave safely. Dominguez said recent discussions involving Iran took place in Oman.
“You get announcements that the Strait of Hormuz is open, and then a few hours later, the Strait of Hormuz is closed. We can’t take the risk until we have something more secure,” he noted.
The strait typically handles 20% of global daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, but traffic has dwindled to just a few tankers.
Shipping companies say their crews desperately need a negotiated safe passage after three months of being stranded.
Pankaj Khanna, CEO of Heidmar Maritime Holdings Corp, spoke to Reuters during a Capital Link shipping conference in Athens on Monday. He described the human cost of the crisis.
“The seafarers on board are missing out, not only on seeing their families but also on births, on deaths, on marriages,” Khanna said.
Khanna’s company has one vessel that has been trapped in Gulf waters for three months.
“What we need is obviously a framework, rules, regulation, whatever tells us exactly how we can go in and get out. So even if a peace deal was signed, that needs to be clarified,” he added.
Brazilian authorities are putting finishing touches on major law enforcement initiatives aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within the online gambling and tobacco industries, according to a high-ranking government insider who spoke with Reuters on Monday.
The upcoming operations are part of a broader approach focused on cutting off funding sources for criminal enterprises, the official explained, noting that these plans will remain unchanged despite the United States’ recent decision to classify the nation’s two largest criminal organizations as terrorist groups.
Authorities believe criminal networks have established significant involvement in tobacco smuggling operations and unauthorized tobacco sales, while also penetrating unlicensed gambling websites that remain active despite new regulations governing Brazil’s betting industry.
According to the source, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, both criminal sectors are reportedly utilizing smaller financial companies, including financial technology firms, to wash illicit proceeds.
“These operations could take place at any moment,” the official stated, explaining that precise timing remains uncertain because of the complex coordination required between law enforcement agencies, prosecution offices, and court systems.
Israeli military forces have reclaimed control of a historic medieval fortress in southern Lebanon that carries deep symbolic meaning from decades of regional conflict.
The ancient Beaufort Castle, constructed nine centuries ago, fell back into Israeli hands on Saturday as troops advanced into territory they had previously controlled during an 18-year military presence from 1982 to 2000. That earlier occupation ended after sustained attacks by Hezbollah forced their withdrawal.
The current military action against the Iran-supported Shi’ite organization has brought Israeli forces back to this Crusader-era stronghold, which holds UNESCO cultural protection status, amid fighting that has displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the fortress’s recapture, addressing criticism of his military strategy in Lebanon and Iran.
“I remind you that, 44 years ago, this place was a symbol of a heroic battle by our fighters, but it was also a symbol of deep division among us,” he said.
“Today, we returned to Beaufort differently. We returned united, determined, and stronger than ever.”
Hezbollah representatives stated they maintained no military operations at the castle when Israeli forces arrived, though combat continues in nearby areas.
The fortress sits dramatically above the Litani River, offering commanding sightlines toward the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights six miles eastward and the Mediterranean Sea 25 miles westward, making it a crucial strategic position.
Originally constructed by a Crusader leader in the 12th century on top of existing fortifications, the castle later fell to the renowned Muslim commander Saladin before passing through the hands of the Knights Templar and Egypt’s Mamluk rulers.
Independent Middle East security expert Riad Kahwaji emphasized that modern warfare technology hasn’t diminished the location’s military importance.
“The site for the castle was chosen because of its significant strategic location. The significance has not declined with time. It’s still important, especially in ground operations,” he said.
During Lebanon’s civil conflict that began in 1975, Palestine Liberation Organisation militants used the deteriorating castle ruins as an operational base for attacks against Israel.
Israel’s 1982 invasion, which reached as far as Beirut, included seizing the fortress as a command center for operations in the predominantly Shi’ite Muslim southern region.
Battle damage from Israeli bombardments of PLO positions in the 1970s and subsequent Hezbollah assaults on Israeli troops in the 1980s and 1990s remains visible on the castle walls today.
For Lebanese residents, the fortress became an enduring reminder of foreign occupation, with Israeli flags prominently displayed atop one of the area’s highest peaks while soldiers maintained surveillance below.
“The fact that they’re back now in Beaufort I think is reminiscent of that era and that level of control over people’s lives,” said Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy director for research at the Carnegie Middle East Center.
“It’s an occupation that you can see.”
Following Israel’s 2000 withdrawal after years of costly fighting, Hezbollah’s yellow banner flying from the castle battlements became central to the group’s victory messaging.
This history creates conflicted emotions among Israelis regarding the fortress.
“It was a symbol for heroism,” said Danny Orbach, a military historian at Israel’s Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
“But it was also a symbol in the eyes of many of the futility of war; the narrative that Israel has nothing to do with Lebanon.”
However, following Israel’s intensive 2024 campaign against Hezbollah and territorial gains this year, those perceptions may be shifting.
“Israel occupying Beaufort is actually telling Hezbollah and the world: we overcame the trauma. We’re not afraid anymore,” Orbach said.
After a brief 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the castle was largely demilitarized and carefully renovated as a tourist destination.
UNESCO, which does not include Israel as a member nation, recognizes the site as among the Middle East’s finest preserved medieval fortresses and recently placed it on a special protection list during the current conflict.
June has been designated as National Ocean Month, providing an opportunity to recognize the vital significance of our marine environments and their vast array of resources that provide inspiration, sustenance, and economic advantages to our communities.
This annual observance highlights the critical role that oceans play in supporting both our environment and economy, serving as a reminder of the countless ways these marine ecosystems benefit society.
Artificial intelligence company Anthropic announced Monday that it has privately submitted documentation for a United States stock market debut, potentially setting the stage for a pivotal moment in Wall Street’s artificial intelligence investment surge.
This development creates a crucial evaluation of whether financial market enthusiasm for the artificial intelligence transformation that has altered professional work globally can meet the elevated expectations surrounding this rapidly expanding industry.
The company chose not to reveal the magnitude or conditions of the stock offering. During late May, Anthropic secured $65 billion in funding at a post-investment valuation of $965 billion, positioning it ahead of competitor OpenAI.
June has been designated as National Ocean Month, offering an opportunity to recognize the marine environments that provide essential resources supporting coastal communities and their economies.
The observance focuses attention on how ocean waters serve as sources of inspiration, food, and economic opportunity for communities along the coast. These marine resources play a crucial role in sustaining local economies through various industries and activities.
The recognition comes as coastal areas continue to depend on healthy ocean ecosystems for their economic well-being and quality of life. Marine environments contribute to local prosperity through fishing, tourism, recreation, and other ocean-related industries.
PHILADELPHIA — Before their latest matchup, Cristopher Sánchez and his friend Marcell Ozuna, both from the Dominican Republic, engaged in some playful banter.
The designated hitter for the Pirates boasted to Sánchez that he would hit a home run off him.
Instead, Sánchez dominated Ozuna completely — striking him out four times during the May 16 shutout win, while recording 13 strikeouts total in the game.
“That wasn’t a very good idea to piss him off,” Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto said with a laugh.
With his devastating combination of sinker, slider, and changeup that has established him among baseball’s elite pitchers, Sánchez dominated virtually every hitter during an outstanding scoreless stretch in May.
During May, Sánchez compiled a 4-0 record while striking out 45 batters — issuing just three walks — across 39 innings, shattering a franchise record that had stood for 115 years. Sánchez enters Wednesday’s matchup against San Diego having pitched 44 2/3 straight scoreless innings, surpassing the previous team mark of 41 innings established by Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1911.
Now within reach is the major league record established by former Los Angeles Dodgers star Orel Hershiser, who compiled 59 consecutive scoreless innings for the World Series champions between Aug. 30 and Sept. 28, 1988.
“I’m pulling for anybody to have a life-changing moment,” Hershiser said. “’88 and the 59 scoreless changed my life. The only time I’m not going to root for him is when he’s pitching against the Dodgers.”
Sánchez was not scheduled to face the Dodgers during the Phillies’ recent 4-2 road trip, and Los Angeles currently sits at 21-10 under interim manager Don Mattingly.
He has dominated nearly everything else, leaving opposing batters swinging at air.
“It’s something special,” Sánchez said through an interpreter. “Something really important. I never imagined something like this. So, I’m really happy and proud of myself.”
Sánchez has delivered a minimum of seven shutout innings across five consecutive starts — requiring him to reach that threshold in two additional outings, plus one more inning to surpass Hershiser — with only six other pitchers ranking above him on the consecutive shutout innings list since the Live Ball Era began in 1920.
Arizona pitcher Zac Gallen remains the only other current pitcher who can relate to Sánchez’s experience during such an extended scoreless run. Gallen — recently surpassed by Sánchez — recorded six consecutive scoreless outings of six-plus innings and concluded with 44 1/3 total innings in 2022.
“When you’re on a streak like that, it’s fun,” Gallen said. “It’s kind of like walking around, I wouldn’t say on eggshells of, ‘Oh man, you never know when this thing’s going to end.’ But it’s fun when you’re out there and you’re in flow state and the zeros start to stack up. So, it’s awesome for him. I hope he can take down the record.”
Sánchez carries a 6-2 record with a major league-leading 1.47 ERA into Wednesday’s matchup against a Padres squad he defeated just last week with seven outstanding innings. If Sánchez begins the contest with three scoreless frames, he would surpass Sal Maglie, Carl Hubbell, Zack Greinke, and Bob Gibson on the scoreless streak rankings.
Only Don Drysdale and Hershiser would remain ahead of him.
“What I do watch, he’s very, very special,” Hershiser said. “His changeup, his athleticism, his ability to change speeds to both sides of the plate. I just think he’s a real special pitcher. You can’t do what he’s doing without repeating your mechanics and having some deception and making a lot of good pitches. He’s putting it all together.”
Sánchez’s previous 28.2 innings at Citizens Bank Park have all been scoreless, giving him the third-longest scoreless streak in the venue’s history, behind only Roy Halladay in 2010 (33 innings) and Cliff Lee in 2011 (29).
The 29-year-old Sánchez has steadily approached excellence over the past two seasons.
He finished as the NL Cy Young Award runner-up in 2025 after posting a 13-5 record with a 2.50 ERA while striking out 212 batters across 202 innings. In March, Sánchez received a guaranteed $104 million contract spanning six years through the 2032 season, featuring $20 million in deferred payments from 2035-44.
The Phillies invested heavily in Sánchez financially, and the early results have been remarkable — he earned his first opening day assignment and could secure an All Star starting role in July at his home ballpark.
Sánchez joined the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent in 2013 and came to the Phillies six years later via trade for infielder Curtis Mead in a largely overlooked winter deal. Mead failed to establish himself as a regular player and is hitting .242 across 45 games this season with the Washington Nationals.
Sánchez — featuring a changeup that averages 86.5 mph while limiting opponents to a .153 batting average — has partnered with Zack Wheeler to create a powerful top duo in the rotation, helping the Phillies recover from a 9-19 beginning to regain wild card positioning.
Sánchez has primarily induced weak contact, with his scoreless streak never facing serious threat since he last surrendered two runs during the opening inning of a 3-2 Phillies victory over the Giants on April 30.
The defensive highlight during his streak occurred in his most recent outing when centerfielder Justin Crawford pursued Manny Machado’s deep fly ball and collided with the wall to secure the catch.
Sánchez remained on the mound and acknowledged the defensive gem with applause.
Should Sánchez reach 60 scoreless innings, Hershiser will be among those celebrating.
“If Cristopher would break it, that would be an honor to be mentioned and I would treat him the same (respectful) way that Don Drysdale treated me,” he said.
CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian researchers have discovered a remarkable collection of ancient treasures, including burial furnishings from the Pharaonic era, remnants of a Roman religious structure, and a carved marble representation of Aphrodite, the Greek deity associated with love and beauty.
These findings, revealed on Sunday, represent part of Egypt’s strategy to revitalize its tourism sector and generate revenue for its struggling economy. Central to this initiative was the November opening of the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum, a massive development situated close to the renowned Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.
The basilica remnants and Aphrodite sculpture were discovered at an ancient burial ground in Beni Suef province, located 130 kilometres (80 miles) south of Cairo, according to the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry.
The Ehnasiya burial site, also recognized by its historical Roman designation Heracleópolis Magna, ranked among ancient Egypt’s most important urban centers.
Mohammed Abdel-Badei, who leads the antiquities department at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that researchers discovered massive stone blocks that supported columns, with some weighing as much as 45 tons and used in the basilica’s construction. He noted that three blocks continue to stand in their original locations.
The Aphrodite sculpture, measuring approximately 24 centimeters by 25 centimeters (9½ inches by nearly 10 inches), displays intricate details of the deity’s facial features and flowing hair, demonstrating the traditional artistic styles of Greek and Roman eras, according to his description.
Researchers discovered carved writings connected to Senusret III, whose reign spanned from 1837 B.C. to 1819 B.C. during the historic 12th Dynasty. These inscriptions feature his royal and birth designations of the Pharaoh, alternatively called Sesostris III, who stands as one of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom’s most notable leaders.
Additional discoveries included pieces of wall sculptures and clay molds, thought to have been utilized for creating coins during Roman rule. These artifacts demonstrate that Ehnasiya served as a bustling economic and trade center while Egypt remained under Roman control from 30 B.C. to A.D. 395, Abdel-Badei explained.
In Cairo, researchers uncovered an almost intact collection of burial furnishings in the Matariya district, which previously belonged to the historic city of Heliopolis, the ministry reported.
Abdel-Badei explained that excavators found a mud brick tomb containing golden remains within a coffin, thought to belong to a military official. They also discovered various beauty implements, including a bronze mirror and alabaster containers for eye makeup.
Researchers also found a set of yellow-toned metal earrings, featuring five pairs of different dimensions, suspected to be crafted from gold, he added.
The discoveries in Beni Suef and Cairo represent the most recent archaeological finds, which officials hope will strengthen the crucial tourism industry, partly sustained by visitors interested in ancient sites.
The tourism sector has faced challenges during periods of political unrest and conflict following the 2011 uprising. Recently, it has begun recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and economic impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict — both nations serve as significant sources of Egyptian tourists.
A historic total of approximately 19 million visitors traveled to Egypt last year, representing a 21% growth from 2024, based on government statistics. The initial four months of 2026 recorded 6.1 million tourists entering the country, compared to 5.7 million during the corresponding period in 2025, the prime minister’s office announced in May.
A federal judge on Monday agreed to delay civil court proceedings regarding the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore following a series of recent settlements that resolved the majority of outstanding claims.
U.S. District Judge James Bredar voiced his displeasure with the timing of last week’s settlement agreements, which included resolutions for all outstanding wrongful death claims involving six construction workers. The workers had been repairing potholes when the container vessel Dali experienced power failure and struck the bridge during early morning hours on March 26, 2024.
Nearly all remaining claims involve businesses and local governments seeking compensation for economic damages. None of the parties still involved requested to proceed with the trial as originally planned for this week.
Bredar, appointed to his position by Democratic President Barack Obama, had been set to hear opening arguments Monday for proceedings anticipated to run about five weeks. He delayed the case indefinitely while considering legal arguments that might result in additional settlements and potentially conclude the litigation without trial.
The judge stated he was “highly frustrated,” while recognizing that civil lawsuits frequently reach settlements just before trial begins.
“It’s not directed at just one side or another. It takes two to tango,” Bredar said. “I’m frustrated on behalf of the public (and) the court.”
Settlement terms with the construction workers’ families were not made public.
Under two weeks earlier, Bredar had denied a previous motion to postpone the trial following criminal charges filed against companies responsible for managing the Dali.
On May 12, Justice Department prosecutors revealed indictments against Singapore-based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. and Chennai, India-based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd.
The vessel’s operator and its technical superintendent face charges including conspiracy, misconduct causing death, failure to promptly notify the U.S. Coast Guard of dangerous conditions, obstructing the National Transportation Safety Board and providing false statements.
The criminal charges allege the ship operator deliberately used an inappropriate fuel pump and subsequently misled investigators about it.
Synergy Marine criticized prosecutors for inappropriately treating an accident as criminal conduct and stated it would “vigorously” fight the indictment’s “inaccurate” claims.
“This was a maritime casualty that should be assessed through the full factual, technical and regulatory record, rather than through selective mischaracterizations in a criminal indictment,” the company said in a statement last month.
In April, Maryland state officials, Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean Private Limited, the Singapore-based vessel owner, announced a $2.25 billion settlement agreement. Grace Ocean has not faced criminal charges related to the collapse.
Among those with unresolved claims is the city of Baltimore, which seeks economic damages attributed to the bridge’s destruction. The city joined the companies in requesting trial postponement.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Final arguments concluded Monday in the murder trial of a convenience store owner who fatally shot a 14-year-old Black teenager in 2023, with attorneys presenting vastly different versions of what led to the deadly encounter.
The prosecution contends the shooting was without justification, while the defense maintains that Chikei Rick Chow, 61, fired his weapon only to protect his son from harm.
The Asian store owner shot Cyrus Carmack-Belton in the back while pursuing him on foot through Columbia. Chow mistakenly thought the teenager had taken four water bottles from his gas station convenience store, according to prosecutors. The death sparked significant pain and mourning within Richland County’s African American community, which makes up nearly half the area’s residents.
While Chow acknowledges firing the fatal shot, his legal team contends that Carmack-Belton aimed a weapon at Chow’s son Andy, prompting the father to discharge one round in defense of his child.
The prosecution concedes the teenager possessed a semiautomatic handgun but maintains it dropped to the pavement during the pursuit and was never used to threaten anyone. According to prosecutors, Chow pursued the teen for more than 130 yards beyond his store.
Community members organized memorial gatherings outside the business following the incident, arranging empty water containers to form the name “Cyrus.”
Witness Lori Carson told the court she observed Carmack-Belton fleeing from the store while Chow and his son gave chase. She testified she never observed a weapon or any other object in the teenager’s possession and described him as appearing frightened.
The defense argues Chow acted in an instant to safeguard his son’s life. They point to Chow’s attempts to perform CPR on Carmack-Belton as evidence he harbored no ill will — a necessary component for murder conviction under South Carolina law.
NEWARK, Del. – The Delaware men’s basketball program has welcomed back Corey McCrae to its coaching staff in an assistant role, head coach Martin Ingelsby revealed on Monday. McCrae joins the Blue Hens after completing his most recent position as an assistant coach at Boston College.
This marks a reunion between McCrae and Ingelsby, as McCrae previously worked on Delaware’s coaching staff under Ingelsby for six seasons spanning 2016 through 2022. Their professional relationship extends even further back, as McCrae was a player under Ingelsby’s guidance during his freshman season at Wagner College in 2002-03.
LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) — The British government on Monday made public extensive documentation connected to Peter Mandelson’s selection as U.S. ambassador, providing insight into Westminster’s sharp-tongued political environment and the complicated vetting process for his role.
The controversy surrounding Mandelson, which led to the exit of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s top advisor, has emerged as a central point of attack against the prime minister, who is struggling to maintain his position amid a likely leadership contest.
Through a massive 1,504-page release, officials published communications spanning from background check emails to private WhatsApp conversations in what appears to be an effort to shift attention away from Starmer while demonstrating that Mandelson was not completely honest about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
MANDELSON: ‘YOU WILL NEVER REGRET’ THE APPOINTMENT
According to one document, officials contacted Mandelson on March 31 requesting access to information stored on his personal device as part of their review of his selection and duties — a request he refused to fulfill.
Personal communications from Mandelson — who was dismissed from cabinet positions twice during Tony Blair’s tenure as Labour’s most enduring prime minister — reveal his frequent conversations with Labour party figures, advocating for his candidacy and occasionally sharing harsh assessments of the administration.
In a note written by hand to then-foreign minister David Lammy on November 18, 2024, Mandelson stated: “I just wanted you to know that if you were minded to appoint me (as ambassador), I would make sure you never regret it.”
He additionally mentioned becoming “tonto” regarding the administration’s delay in approving a customized red ministerial box intended as a present for U.S. President Donald Trump, employing slang that means losing one’s temper.
He also criticized Starmer directly, informing senior minister Pat McFadden that he felt “Keir is not leading from the front”.
During that same conversation, McFadden informed Mandelson that the administration was “asking the wrong questions”, explaining that every discussion centered on “who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others”.
Officials hope that making these documents and communications public will end ongoing questions about Starmer’s decision-making in selecting someone whose relationship with Epstein was already known. However, this is unlikely to quiet demands for the prime minister to resign following Labour’s defeat in last month’s local elections.
Mandelson faces a police inquiry regarding allegations that he shared confidential government materials with the deceased Epstein. He is not accused of any sexual wrongdoing.
A preliminary set of documents was made available in March, revealing that Starmer had been cautioned about the dangers of the appointment, not only concerning Mandelson’s Epstein connections but also due to the Labour veteran’s advocacy for strengthened relations with China.
Starmer currently confronts a potential leadership battle later this year, should his primary opponent, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, secure a parliamentary seat in the June 18 election.
The chief executive of Nvidia welcomed leading South Korean technology executives to an exclusive dinner gathering Monday evening in Taiwan’s capital, working to strengthen partnerships as the artificial intelligence sector prepares for what he described as an exceptionally demanding period ahead.
Among the attendees at the “Korean Partner Night” were SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-Jung and representatives from Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Naver. The event took place at a traditional Taiwanese restaurant in Taipei during the Computex trade show.
“I want to go congratulate them, thank them, and also prepare for the second half of this year. It’s going to be very busy and next year is going to be incredibly busy,” Huang told reporters.
“Korea is a critical part of our ecosystem.”
The Nvidia leader moved between tables, raising toasts with attendees while crowds of supporters and media personnel gathered outside, chanting “Jensen, Jensen!” His arrival temporarily disrupted local traffic flow.
While Huang regularly organizes similar gatherings for Taiwanese suppliers such as chipmaker TSMC during his visits, Monday’s dinner marked the first event specifically arranged for Korean business partners during his Taipei stay.
Stock prices for Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and additional South Korean technology companies climbed Monday as market participants anticipated that expected discussions between the American semiconductor company and South Korean leadership at Computex could result in fresh collaborations in artificial intelligence and robotics sectors.
Following his nearly two-week visit to Taiwan, where he was born and enjoys celebrity-like popularity, Huang indicated he would travel to South Korea next, possibly on Friday.
“We always consider investments in Korea,” he said, speaking after a meal featuring fried oysters, radish omelette and clams, accompanied by Taiwan Beer and Korean soju.
“Really smart companies. Very technical.”
He expressed hopes to “contribute to robotics in Korea,” though he avoided confirming whether meetings with Samsung and SK Hynix would occur in Seoul.
South Korea has become one of Nvidia’s essential markets.
During the previous year, Nvidia announced plans to deliver more than 260,000 of its most sophisticated AI chips to South Korea’s government and several of the nation’s biggest corporations, including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group, supporting the country’s efforts to enhance its artificial intelligence computing infrastructure.
Iran is pursuing a temporary agreement with the United States as a strategy to reduce economic pressures and stabilize conditions domestically, while steering clear of significant compromises regarding its nuclear activities, sources and analysts report.
This strategy represents a well-established pattern for the Islamic Republic: withstanding pressure, preventing permanent concessions, and maintaining diplomatic talks without altering fundamental stances, according to three Iranian sources with ties to decision-makers.
However, the current initiative stems from more pressing concerns. Government officials view a narrow agreement as an opportunity to gain time, secure financial assistance, and manage increasing domestic threats from a worsening economy without tackling the most divisive matters.
This diplomatic activity comes after weeks of intensification following U.S.-Israeli strikes in late February that escalated into wider regional hostilities. Iranian offensive actions throughout the Gulf region increased concerns about the safety of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for approximately one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Three months later, despite a fragile ceasefire established in early April, the situation has solidified into deadlock. A U.S. blockade targeting Iranian ports and Tehran’s control over the Strait have maintained reciprocal pressure, increasing economic expenses while leaving the possibility of renewed combat unaddressed.
Given these circumstances, both nations have reduced expectations for a complete resolution. They are instead examining what officials characterize as a temporary memorandum — essentially an interim agreement — designed to prevent a return to open warfare while postponing fundamental disagreements about Iran’s nuclear operations.
For Tehran, this type of arrangement serves mainly as a method to transform military and economic pressure into financial resources, relief, and reduced tensions, without restricting sensitive nuclear activities.
Iran wants an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, access to billions of dollars in oil revenues, waivers on crude exports, removal of the U.S. port blockade, and maintained control over the strait — while delaying decisions on the most controversial matters.
The structure would focus on temporary relief and gradual access through the waterway, leaving unanswered questions about enrichment capabilities and Tehran’s inventory of highly enriched uranium, including material enriched to 60%.
Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said Tehran’s reasoning is influenced more by economic pressure and uncertainty than battlefield threats.
“Iranian leaders understand that time is not necessarily on their side… their calculation appears to be that dialogue, even limited dialogue, is preferable to entering an open-ended period of economic attrition and uncertainty that could gradually weaken its ability to govern at home and project influence abroad.”
The success of negotiations carries significant weight. President Donald Trump faces pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce U.S. fuel costs, while defending against criticism from Iran hawks within his own Republican party regarding any concessions to Tehran.
Iran’s leadership also confronts domestic challenges. Extended sanctions, economic mismanagement, and conflict have driven inflation, currency devaluation, and a steep drop in living standards.
Immediate financial assistance is therefore essential to Tehran’s interest in a preliminary agreement, sources indicated, as it could maintain economic operations, reduce urgent pressures, and prevent a return of civil unrest.
In January, Iran’s clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guards killed thousands while suppressing nationwide protests sparked by economic grievances.
Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, said a memorandum could also tackle growing concerns about the system’s long-term durability.
“By ending the conflict, reducing economic strain, removing U.S. military pressure around Iran, and creating space for reconstruction, an MoU could help prevent a gradual erosion of state capacity and governance,” Azizi said.
The Strait of Hormuz continues to be fundamental to Iran’s leverage. Within the clerical establishment, it is increasingly viewed less as a negotiating tool than as a lasting strategic advantage.
Any agreement that restores shipping while maintaining that leverage would preserve Tehran’s influence over the chokepoint, sources indicated, permitting traffic to resume while stability remains connected to political negotiation.
One source said a limited deal would effectively restore prewar conditions without forcing Iran to surrender to Washington’s demands, adding: “With the start of the war, Trump gave Iran the gift of control over the Strait.”
PLZEN, Czech Republic – A Czech court ruled Monday that German far-right activist Marla-Svenja Liebich, who has been convicted of several crimes, may be sent back to Germany. The case has generated significant discussion regarding which correctional facility should house her following her legal gender transition.
The activist maintains the option to challenge the extradition decision, according to a court spokesperson.
In 2023, while legally recognized as male and going by the name Sven, Liebich received an 18-month prison sentence for various violations including inciting hatred, insults, unlawful entry, and defamation.
The conviction was confirmed by the Halle regional court in Germany during August 2024. A subsequent challenge to a regional court was rejected in May 2025.
Following the implementation of Germany’s Self-Determination Act on November 1, 2024, which allows people to modify their gender identification paperwork, Liebich officially transitioned to female status and took the name Marla-Svenja.
According to regional correctional facility assignment protocols, this change necessitated her placement at Chemnitz women’s prison.
The decision drew backlash, with critics claiming tactical exploitation of the legislation and raising concerns about possible gaps in the law. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt characterized the situation as proof of the law’s vulnerability to misuse.
Liebich escaped and did not surrender to the correctional facility in August 2025. Czech authorities captured her this year in a community close to the German border.
At a preliminary court session in Plzen on May 18, she resisted extradition, expressing concerns about potential placement in a men’s correctional facility.
Technology company Seagate has agreed to pay $175 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging the firm misled investors by hiding sales that violated U.S. trade restrictions with China’s Huawei Technologies.
The preliminary agreement in the proposed class action lawsuit against Seagate, along with Chief Executive Dave Mosley and Chief Financial Officer Gianluca Romano, was submitted on Friday evening to a federal court in San Francisco and awaits judicial approval.
Investment groups led by retirement funds from Arkansas, Mississippi, Germany and Luxembourg alleged that Seagate artificially boosted its earnings and stock value by hiding its sale of over 7.4 million hard disk drives to Huawei.
While agreeing to the settlement, Seagate has maintained it did nothing wrong. The company’s alleged infractions resulted in a $300 million fine from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security in April 2023, marking the agency’s largest civil penalty not connected to a criminal matter.
Seagate has not yet responded to requests for comment made on Monday regarding the settlement.
The company has allocated $105 million toward the settlement costs and expects insurance companies to cover approximately $70 million of the total amount.
The lawsuit covers the time period from September 14, 2020 through April 19, 2023.
According to regulatory documents, Seagate maintains its headquarters in Singapore and is incorporated in Ireland, while operating U.S. facilities in Fremont, California.
Huawei, headquartered in Shenzhen, conducts business across more than 170 nations and employs approximately 213,000 workers.
The U.S. government added Huawei to a trade restriction list in 2019 citing national security concerns. Officials subsequently limited sales to Huawei of certain international products containing U.S. technology. Huawei has rejected claims that it poses a security risk.
Legal representatives for the Seagate shareholders intend to request up to 25% of the settlement amount to cover attorney fees.
Newark police made an arrest following an early morning break-in incident in the Robscott Manor neighborhood over the weekend.
Law enforcement received a call about a burglary happening in real time at a home on the unit block of Argyle Road around 1:39 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
When police arrived at the scene, they found two people involved in a physical confrontation in the front yard of the property.
BRUSSELS, June 1 – Recent United Nations climate conferences have not produced the bold measures that researchers believe are essential to combat global warming, according to the European Union’s climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, who made the remarks on Monday.
Speaking at a Politico-sponsored event in Brussels, Hoekstra stated: “If you look at what the problem actually needs and where the bar should then be, and what most of the COPs of the last five, six, seven, eight years have delivered, then you just have to admit that that was underwhelming.”
The commissioner emphasized that while work should continue at these international climate conferences, where approximately 200 nations make decisions through consensus, there’s also value in having smaller coalitions of countries that are prepared to advance more quickly in addressing global warming.
Raymond Berry, the legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver who starred for the Baltimore Colts and later guided the New England Patriots to their first Super Bowl, has passed away at age 93.
Berry died on May 25 in Murfreesboro, Tenn., with family members by his side, according to a statement his relatives issued Monday through the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
During his 13-season career with the Colts spanning 1955-67, Berry earned six Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors, capturing NFL titles in 1958 and 1959 while playing alongside quarterback and fellow Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas.
Berry entered the Hall of Fame in Canton as part of the 1973 class in his initial year of eligibility, after leading the league in receiving yards on three occasions and touchdown receptions twice. His career statistics included 631 catches for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns across 154 regular-season contests (139 as a starter). The Colts retired his No. 82 jersey and the Baltimore Ravens placed him in their Ring of Honor.
“People said Raymond Berry was not blessed with the size or speed of other receivers in the National Football League, but no one worked harder to refine his skills and master his craft. The chemistry he developed with quarterback Johnny Unitas through hours of route-running thousands of repetitions in practice created a dynamic tandem that thought with one mind on game days,” Hall of Fame president and CEO Jim Porter said. “Together they helped the Colts win consecutive titles in the late 1950s, including the classic 1958 NFL Championship Game that served as a springboard for professional football becoming this country’s most popular sport.
“On top of that, there was no finer gentleman — a person who remained humble and grounded when others sought to thrust stardom upon him.”
Berry delivered a memorable performance in “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” the 1958 NFL championship contest where his Colts beat the New York Giants 23-17 at Yankee Stadium. He hauled in 12 receptions for 178 yards and one touchdown.
Transitioning to coaching, Berry served as an assistant in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys (1968-69), Detroit Lions (1973-75), Cleveland Browns (1976-77) and Patriots (1978-81), plus at the college level with Arkansas (1970-72).
Berry took over as Patriots head coach during the middle of the 1984 campaign, posting a 48-39 record through 1989. In 1985, he led New England from a wild-card position to an AFC title and a spot in Super Bowl XX against the powerful Chicago Bears, who won 46-10. The Patriots captured the AFC East crown the next season but fell in the divisional playoff round.
“Raymond Berry holds a special place in Patriots history,” said Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “He led our franchise to its first Super Bowl appearance following a remarkable playoff run, a milestone that was the greatest achievement in team history at the time. I was fortunate to get to know Raymond over the years, and one of my fondest memories was spending time with him and his son, Mark, during a trip to Israel in 2015 with several fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers. He was every bit the gentleman people knew him to be; humble, faithful, kind and deeply respected by all who knew him.
“The entire Patriots family joins me in mourning Raymond’s passing and celebrating a life that left a lasting impact on our franchise and the National Football League. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Berry family and all who mourn his loss.”
Berry continued his coaching career as a quarterbacks coach with the Lions (1991) and Denver Broncos (1992).
Tennis legend Serena Williams announced her return to competitive play at 44 years old, accepting a wildcard invitation to compete in doubles at Queen’s Club Championships in London this month, according to a club announcement Monday.
Williams, who captured 23 Grand Slam titles during her career, stepped away from the WTA Tour in September 2022 following a third-round defeat at the U.S. Open, marking her retirement from professional tennis.
“Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter. Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages,” Williams was quoted as saying.
WTA chair Valerie Camillo expressed enthusiasm about Williams’ comeback decision.
“Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all-time, with a legacy that extends far beyond the court… I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players,” Camillo said in a statement.
“We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this hugely exciting moment for women’s tennis.”
Speculation about Williams’ potential return began last year when she rejoined the sport’s anti-doping testing program. The rumors gained momentum after she avoided directly answering comeback questions during an NBC interview.
Novak Djokovic suggested in March that Williams might target Wimbledon for her return, while her former coach Rick Macci indicated she was “going all out” in training preparations for a comeback to the sport she and her sister Venus controlled for twenty years. Venus captured seven Grand Slam championships during her career.
Venus, who is 15 months older than Serena, continues competing and participated in the Australian Open in January through a wildcard entry.
Crowds gathered in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki on Monday, demonstrating against American plans to establish an Ebola isolation facility at a nearby military installation, according to local witnesses who spoke with Reuters. The demonstration came several days after Kenya’s High Court issued a temporary halt to the project.
The court issued its suspension order on Friday following legal action that argued the proposed location could pose risks to community health and safety.
American officials described the proposed 50-bed facility at the Laikipia county air force installation as a treatment center for Americans who have had contact with the virus but show no symptoms. Kenya’s leadership has endorsed the project, with Health Minister Aden Duale stating Saturday that the facility represents part of broader efforts to enhance emergency preparedness capabilities.
According to American officials, the facility was scheduled to begin operations last Friday. Multiple military aircraft were observed arriving and departing from Nanyuki throughout the previous week and weekend, which diplomatic sources and analysts suggested indicated continued American preparations despite the judicial suspension.
A Reuters correspondent reported Saturday that police and military forces had strengthened their presence along routes approaching the air installation.
Video footage from Monday revealed approximately 100 demonstrators positioned roughly 4 kilometers from the proposed facility location, using whistles and some positioned on a pickup truck. Smoke was visible from materials burning in the roadway. Community members estimated the total number of protesters reached into the hundreds.
Local television networks NTV Kenya and Citizen Kenya broadcast images of people gathered near a wall surrounding the air installation, showing a tank positioned there with several soldiers standing guard.
Patrick Wahome, among those organizing the demonstration, explained to Reuters that participants wanted the medical facility permanently closed by Tuesday, June 9.
“Nanyuki is a very small town. The military personnel who serve the base… live with us. Our kids go to the same schools and that means if anyone is infected, we are all infected,” he said.
“We are picketing for our lives,” he added.
Local business owner Patrick Maina said he had to close his cafe and characterized the circumstances as “very bad.”
“We haven’t opened since morning and it’s likely to be worse tomorrow,” he told Reuters.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed a U.S. military C-130 cargo aircraft arrived in Nanyuki as recently as Friday afternoon.
Two local residents also reported observing military aircraft approaching the installation over the weekend, though Reuters could not verify whether these were American aircraft.
Alternative asset management firms have extended nearly $560 billion in fresh financing to American companies during the past three years, resulting in the creation of over 6.5 million jobs, according to new research from the Managed Funds Association obtained by Reuters.
The findings highlight how essential alternative asset managers have become in supporting business operations and the overall economy, as this sector has experienced rapid growth during the last decade while investors have increased their commitments to private market opportunities.
When conventional banking institutions pulled back from higher-risk lending due to tightened regulatory requirements in recent years, private credit companies moved in to bridge the financing gap.
The MFA calculates that private credit financing activity since 2023 has produced approximately $897 billion in nationwide economic impact, with California, Illinois and Texas capturing the biggest portions.
“Alternative asset managers provide a meaningful contribution to the U.S. economy and everyday Americans. Regulators should continue fostering a regulatory framework that encourages these benefits nationwide,” MFA CEO Bryan Corbett said.
The Washington, D.C.-based MFA, which represents the global alternative asset management industry, analyzed private credit and hedge fund investment data from BlackRock’s Preqin and federal datasets for the report.
Commitments to hedge funds by pensions, university endowments and non-profit foundations across the U.S. have surged to approximately $1.6 trillion, as investors seek to finance long-term financial obligations.
Institutional investors utilize hedge funds to diversify their holdings and produce consistent long-term gains. Pensions dominated with $940 billion invested in hedge funds, while non-profit foundations have committed $510 billion.
New York, California and Texas lead as the primary states for institutional hedge fund commitments.
Private credit loans to U.S. businesses by year: 2023 – $163.6 billion; 2024 – $157.6 billion; 2025 – $238.7 billion
Pension, foundation, and endowment allocations to hedge funds (growth over time, not annual investment totals): 2023 – $1.43 trillion; 2024 – $1.44 trillion; 2025 – $1.56 trillion
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The Orlando Magic officially announced Monday that Sean Sweeney will become their new head coach, following an agreement reached in principle the previous week.
The current associate head coach for the San Antonio Spurs will continue his duties with San Antonio until the NBA Finals conclude. Orlando plans to formally introduce Sweeney following the championship series between the Spurs and New York Knicks.
“We’re excited to welcome Sean to the Orlando Magic family,” said Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman. “Sean brings a tremendous work ethic and a high degree of intensity that set the tone for everything he does. Sean’s attention to detail and his ability to communicate and teach the game clearly stands out. He’s grounded in competitiveness and accountability, while also embracing a modern, creative approach to coaching.”
The 41-year-old coach takes over from Jamahl Mosley, who Orlando dismissed following five seasons that included three straight first-round playoff eliminations. Mosley subsequently joined the New Orleans Pelicans as their head coach.
Known as a defensive specialist, Sweeney has earned recognition as one of the NBA’s most promising young defensive minds. During his first year in San Antonio, he transformed the team’s previously struggling defense into one of the league’s strongest units, building his system around Victor Wembanyama, who earned unanimous Defensive Player of the Year honors this season.
Before joining San Antonio, Sweeney served four seasons as an assistant coach in Dallas. His coaching journey also includes stops with Detroit, Milwaukee and Brooklyn, where he began as a video coordinator when the franchise was still based in New Jersey.
The Minnesota-born coach played college basketball for one season at Green Bay before transferring to the University of St. Thomas, where he started for three years.
“Happy for Orlando, and happy for us as he’s in the Eastern Conference,” said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson last week.
Raymond Berry, the Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver who formed one of the NFL’s most legendary partnerships with Baltimore quarterback Johnny Unitas and guided the Colts to victory in the famous 1958 championship game, has passed away at age 93.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Monday that Berry died May 25. According to his family, Berry passed away peacefully at his Tennessee home in Murfreesboro, with loved ones by his side, including Sally, his wife of 65 years.
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon praised Berry’s transformative impact on the sport. “In NFL history, there are only a handful of players who we can say truly changed the sport. Raymond Berry is one of the few names on that list,” Irsay-Gordon stated. “As a player during a historic era of Colts football, Raymond redefined the standard for what a wide receiver could and should be. … Simply put, not only was Raymond Berry one the greatest players in the history of the Colts, but he was one of the most influential and foundational players of the modern NFL.”
Selected in the 20th round from SMU in 1954, this Texas-born player exemplified dedication and perseverance. Despite having modest speed, uneven leg lengths, back problems, vision issues, and large feet that earned him the high school nickname “Skis,” Berry transformed himself into a star through relentless preparation and study. His training methods included using Silly Putty for finger strengthening and recreating complete games during practice sessions.
Berry established himself as one of the most dependable pass catchers in NFL history, with an exceptional record for holding onto the ball and only two career fumbles according to Pro Football Reference. He created 88 different pass routes to find openings, displaying such intense dedication that his coach, Weeb Ewbank, sometimes had to step in.
“One of his drills was to throw nothing but bad balls to him,” Ewbank shared with the Los Angeles Times in 1986. “I used to have to run John (Unitas) off — ‘John, you’ve had enough throwing today’ — and he’d say, ‘Yeah, talk to that guy out there.’”
During his 13-year career, Berry hauled in a then-record 631 receptions (Jerry Rice now holds the all-time mark with 1,549) and scored 68 touchdowns. He topped the NFL in catches three times and earned six Pro Bowl selections. As a cornerstone of one of the league’s premier offenses alongside Unitas, running back Lenny Moore and offensive lineman Jim Parker, Berry captured championships in 1958 and 1959 and reached the finals in 1964.
The NFL inducted Berry into its Hall of Fame in 1973, and he earned spots on both the league’s 50th and 75th anniversary all-time teams. The Colts honored him by retiring his jersey number 82, while SMU retired his college number 87.
Berry delivered his finest performance during one of the NFL’s most memorable moments: the 1958 championship against the Giants at Yankee Stadium, an overtime thriller many call “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This nationally broadcast contest is frequently mentioned as the catalyst for the league’s explosive growth in subsequent decades.
Facing the NFL’s most formidable defense, Berry hauled in 12 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown, including three straight receptions during the 86-yard march that forced a 17-17 tie in regulation, plus two key catches in the 80-yard overtime drive that secured a 23-17 victory. This first overtime championship game helped establish Unitas as a household name while showcasing Berry as his perfect receiving target.
“We worked and got to know each other and developed timing you just can’t get any other way,” Berry later explained to the Sports & Torts radio show. “He (Unitas) knew I was going to be there when I was supposed to be there and he knew I was going to catch it.”
Following his 1967 retirement as a player, Berry served as a receivers coach for the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots before becoming New England’s head coach from 1984-89. His Patriots record stood at 48-39, highlighted by an 11-5 campaign in 1985 and the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance. However, the Chicago Bears dominated that championship game 46-10.
“Raymond Berry holds a special place in Patriots history,” team owner Robert Kraft commented. “He led our franchise to its first Super Bowl appearance following a remarkable playoff run, a milestone that was the greatest achievement in team history at the time.”
Kraft noted that Berry created a lasting influence on both the Patriots organization and the entire NFL.
Following the Super Bowl loss to Chicago, the Boston Globe published revelations about drug issues affecting several New England players. Berry had cooperated with the Globe’s investigation and advocated for team drug testing, which faced strong opposition from the NFL players union.
Berry’s strong stance against substance abuse stemmed from personal experience, as this deeply religious man who avoided alcohol and tobacco had witnessed his former Colts teammate, All-Pro defensive tackle Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb, battle addiction.
“They didn’t help him, they just cut him,” Berry told The Patriot Ledger in 1986. “Three years later, he was dead.”
In 1960, Berry wed fellow Texan Sally Crook, and the couple raised three children together.
Born in Corpus Christi in 1933, Berry attributed part of his success to his high school coach and father, Mark Raymond Berry, who taught fundamental football skills despite limited playing time for his son. After spending one year at Schreiner College in Kerrville, he transferred to SMU, where a crucial game featuring two fumbles motivated him to eliminate such mistakes in professional football.
Berry managed just 13 receptions during his rookie season with Baltimore, but the following year brought a pivotal change when the team signed a free agent quarterback released by the Pittsburgh Steelers — Unitas. The pair quickly began working together in practice.
“I didn’t know my butt from first base about how to run pass routes,” Berry admitted to Sports & Torts. “If you saw both of us in training camp in 1956, you may have gone away sobbing. We were two pitiful football players, good grief.”
A new Federal Reserve Bank of New York study released Monday reveals that the shift to remote work following the pandemic has created significant barriers for young job seekers, making employers less willing to hire recent college graduates.
Research conducted by the New York Fed examined the difference between jobs that can be performed remotely — like software development — versus positions requiring in-person presence, such as nursing roles. The analysis discovered that joblessness among young college graduates in remote-capable positions increased by approximately 1 percentage point when comparing 2017-2019 data to 2022-2024 figures.
Meanwhile, workers 29 and older in these same remote-capable fields experienced a slight decrease in unemployment rates, creating a significant disparity between younger and older college graduates in these occupations. However, positions that cannot be performed remotely showed minimal differences in unemployment between age groups, according to the research. This pattern was also observed among workers without college degrees.
Research economist Natalia Emanuel, who led the New York Fed study, determined that companies are hesitant to bring new graduates into remote work environments due to the challenges of providing proper training and guidance from a distance. The researchers calculated that remote work accounts for nearly two-thirds of the increased unemployment rate among young college graduates since the pandemic began.
“Remote work has weakened incentives to hire young workers by impeding on-the-job training,” the study said. “Employers may not want to hire fresh graduates onto distributed teams because it is more difficult to teach them the requisite skills from afar.”
The research emphasizes that rising unemployment among recent college graduates began before artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT became widely available. When researchers analyzed how different occupations were affected by AI technology, they discovered minimal impact on youth unemployment rates.
College graduates under 29 saw their unemployment rate climb 20% from pre-pandemic levels to an average of 3.7% during 2022-2025, according to the New York Fed data. Graduates between ages 22 and 27 faced a 5.8% unemployment rate last year, marking the highest level outside the pandemic period since 2012.
These findings align with current job market conditions characterized by minimal layoffs and stable unemployment rates overall, while those seeking employment face significant challenges finding new positions.
The New York Fed research also examined internal data from an unnamed Fortune 500 technology company, which showed hiring patterns consistent with the broader trends identified in the study.
During office closures when employees worked entirely from home, “the firm hired fewer inexperienced workers and more experienced workers, who might need less mentorship to do their jobs well.”
“Once its offices reopened, the company shifted back to hiring younger workers,” the study said. However, even after returning to office operations, the company continued to prefer experienced candidates for teams that included remote work components.
WASHINGTON – April construction spending across the nation exceeded analyst predictions, driven primarily by single-family home construction, even as climbing mortgage rates connected to the war with Iran continue to create challenges for housing markets.
Data released Monday by the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau showed construction spending climbed 0.4% following a revised 0.2% gain in March. Financial analysts surveyed by Reuters had anticipated a 0.2% increase after March’s initially reported 0.6% growth.
Year-over-year construction spending grew 0.9% in April. Private construction project spending moved up 0.4% after the previous month’s 0.2% gain.
Residential construction investment jumped 0.8% following March’s 0.6% increase. New single-family housing project spending surged 1.4%.
Mortgage rates have climbed sharply as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has fueled inflation concerns. Last week, the widely-tracked 30-year fixed mortgage rate hit 6.53%, marking a nine-month peak according to mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac data. This compares to 5.98% at February’s end when the conflict began, as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae increased their mortgage-backed securities purchases.
Climbing mortgage rates are dampening housing demand and limiting builders’ capacity to start new single-family construction projects. Construction companies also face elevated expenses from tariffs, land scarcity, and workforce shortages.
Multi-family housing unit spending, representing a smaller portion of the housing sector, dropped 0.3% in April.
Private nonresidential structure investment, including power plants and manufacturing facilities, declined 0.2% in April. Nonresidential structure spending has decreased for nine consecutive quarters, even with increased data center construction supporting artificial intelligence development.
Public construction project investment grew 0.4% after March’s 0.2% rise. State and local government construction spending increased slightly by 0.1% in April, while federal government project expenditures surged 4.8%, potentially tied to detention center construction amid immigration enforcement efforts.
Israeli defense officials revealed Monday that France has prohibited government representatives from Israel from participating in the Eurosatory defense exhibition scheduled for this month in Paris.
According to the announcement from Israel’s Defence Ministry, French authorities have also imposed restrictions on Israeli weapons manufacturers, preventing them from showcasing offensive military systems at the exhibition. The companies will only be allowed to present “air defence products” during the event.
Military officials from China and the United States conducted discussions in Hawaii late last month, with both sides describing the talks as productive and straightforward, according to a statement released Monday by the Chinese navy.
The Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group convened from May 28 through May 29, focusing on air and sea safety protocols and exploring ways to strengthen military maritime security cooperation. Both delegations concluded that enhanced communication between their forces could help prevent misunderstandings and promote greater professionalism in military operations.
In its official statement, China’s navy also outlined its position on regional security matters. “China firmly opposes any action to undermine China’s sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation and overflight, (and) opposes any infringement, provocation and close-in reconnaissance and harassment targeting China,” the statement added.
A Canadian pharmaceutical company announced Monday its intention to pursue a major public stock offering that could breathe new life into Toronto’s struggling initial public offering landscape.
Apotex Health revealed plans to sell between 41.7 million and 50 million shares priced between C$20 and C$24 each, targeting gross proceeds of C$1 billion as part of its Toronto Stock Exchange debut.
The health company plans to generate approximately C$850 million through new share issuance, while current stakeholders will divest roughly C$150 million worth of existing stock during the offering process.
This represents among the most significant TSX listings attempted this year, following several years of minimal public offering activity as corporations steered clear of lackluster market conditions when seeking new funding.
Nevertheless, growing economic optimism combined with an improving TSX performance has sparked renewed enthusiasm, prompting companies across technology, natural resources and additional sectors to reconsider their public offering strategies.
Earlier this year, Toronto-based quantum computing company Xanadu Quantum Technologies completed its public debut through a special purpose acquisition company merger, securing dual listings on both Nasdaq and TSX while raising approximately $300 million.
The pharmaceutical firm, which serves customers across roughly 70 nations throughout North and South America, reported revenue increases of approximately 8% during the past four fiscal years, driven primarily by its generic drug operations through emphasis on first-to-market products and expansion into higher-value segments including specialty generics, branded medications, and biosimilars.
The offering’s underwriting team features RBC Capital Markets, TD Securities, and Scotiabank, while BMO Capital Markets and Jefferies serve as joint bookrunners, according to the company’s press release.
The Delaware Public Archives will examine the historical reasons behind Delaware’s separation from Pennsylvania during their upcoming First Saturday Program this month.
The event, called “Not Today, PA,” will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Leah Greer will lead the presentation, which will explore the factors that drove Delaware’s counties to break away from Pennsylvania and form their own independent government.
The program comes as the country marks and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, providing a timely opportunity to examine Delaware’s unique historical path to independence.
Motorists traveling on northbound Concord Pike should expect delays today as construction work has forced the closure of the right lane between Righter Parkway and Rocky Run Boulevard.
The lane restriction is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 PM this afternoon, according to traffic officials.
Drivers are advised to use caution when approaching the work zone and allow extra time for their commute through the area.
Motorists traveling through Hockessin should prepare for traffic disruptions on Brackenville Road as the Delaware Department of Transportation conducts tree removal operations.
DelDOT has announced that traffic restrictions will be implemented across three separate sections of the roadway:
• The stretch from Limestone Road to Mill Creek Road will see restrictions on Tuesday, June 9th
• The portion from Mill Creek Road to Old Lancaster Pike will have restrictions on Wednesday, June 10th
Drivers are advised to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time when navigating through these areas during the scheduled tree removal work.
A traffic collision has forced authorities to shut down the northbound lanes of US Route 13 at Paddock Road, creating significant delays for motorists in the area.
The crash is blocking traffic flow in the northbound direction, though details about the severity of the accident or any potential injuries have not been released at this time.
Drivers traveling north on Route 13 should plan for extended delays or consider using alternative routes while emergency crews and transportation officials work to clear the roadway and investigate the incident.
The closure remains in effect as authorities continue their response to the scene.
An African electric vehicle company announced Monday it has secured $215 million in equity funding to expand its battery-swapping infrastructure and electric transportation services throughout the continent.
Spiro received backing from institutional investors across Europe and Africa, including Denmark’s Impact Fund, highlighting increased investment interest in Africa’s sustainable transportation and energy industries.
“This past year marked a defining strategic milestone for Spiro,” said Gagan Gupta, founder of Spiro and chair of Equitane. “Across seven active markets, our deployment of 100,000 electric vehicles and 2,500 smart-swap stations has turned sustainable mobility into an affordable, everyday reality.”
According to Gupta, the company’s upcoming growth phase will concentrate on providing transportation options to millions of riders throughout Africa.
The company currently operates across Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon. Officials said the fresh capital will help expand the battery-swapping network, bolster local manufacturing and assembly facilities, and speed up market entry into the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.
Company representatives did not reveal the valuation associated with this funding round.
The investment arrives as African nations work to decrease reliance on imported fossil fuels, enhance energy independence and upgrade urban transportation systems amid rising fuel costs and increasing demand for affordable mobility solutions.
Lars Bo Bertram, CEO of Impact Fund Denmark, stated the investment demonstrated confidence in Africa’s electric mobility sector.
Electric motorcycles are becoming a significant growth area across Africa, where two-wheeled vehicles serve as the primary form of urban transportation and delivery services in numerous cities.
The company runs manufacturing facilities in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, plus operates a battery recycling center in Nigeria.
According to Spiro, riders utilizing its electric motorcycles can reduce daily transportation expenses by up to 40%, potentially saving as much as $2 daily compared to traditional gasoline-powered motorcycles.
The company reported it is also creating solar-powered battery-swapping locations and second-life battery storage solutions.
While Africa’s electric mobility sector remains smaller than those in China and Europe, industry analysts indicate rapid growth as governments implement cleaner transportation policies and startups create business approaches designed for local markets, including battery-swapping networks that minimize charging delays and initial vehicle expenses.
Construction work has temporarily blocked traffic on a section of North Tatnall Street, creating a detour for drivers in the area.
The roadway is shut down between 7th and 8th Streets while crews complete their work. Officials expect the closure to remain in effect until noon today.
Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes when traveling through the area during the construction period.
British immigration officials announced Monday they have prevented two political commentators from entering the United Kingdom for planned speaking engagements.
The commentators affected are Hasan Piker, a Turkish American who streams political content online, and Cenk Uygur, who runs the “Young Turks” internet political program and is said to be Piker’s uncle. Piker, who regularly criticizes U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel and the Gaza conflict, has built a following of 2.8 million on the Twitch platform.
Immigration authorities revoked the electronic travel permits for both men, stating their entry “may not be conducive to the public good,” according to the Home Office.
“Decisions to refuse or cancel an ETA on these grounds are based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to U.K. society,” the Home Office explained.
Both men had been scheduled to appear at SXSW London, a festival celebrating culture, technology and creativity, happening this month. Uygur was additionally set to address the Oxford Union, the well-known student debate organization.
Responding on his YouTube channel, Piker stated: “A sad state of affairs where obviously the interests of Israel take the highest priority.”
On the social media platform X, Uygur wrote he had been prohibited “for criticizing Israel. Are we free any more?”
Piker has drawn controversy for certain statements, including expressing support for the Hamas militant organization, which both the U.K. and U.S. classify as a terrorist group.
Hamas-led fighters launched an assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 people taken captive, sparking the current Gaza war.
A Labour lawmaker named David Taylor, who had advocated for blocking Piker’s entry, stated that “there is no reason we should open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially someone who’s supported a proscribed terror group.”
However, Green Party leader Zack Polanski argued the government was “doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli government.”
This action follows a similar decision in April when British authorities prevented rapper Ye, previously called Kanye West, from entering the country for a scheduled London festival performance following controversy over his antisemitic statements.
At that time, Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared his administration “stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.”
Ocean City, MD – Law enforcement agencies worked together to apprehend suspects following an incident involving a stolen vehicle that occurred in the early morning hours of May 30, 2026.
At around 1:15 a.m., officers with the Ocean City Police Department tried to pull over a vehicle that was speeding along Baltimore Avenue. However, the car was traveling at such high speeds that police were unable to safely execute the traffic stop.
Authorities provided a description of the vehicle as the incident unfolded. The collaborative response between multiple law enforcement agencies ultimately resulted in arrests being made in connection with the stolen vehicle case.
NEW YORK (AP) — Physical bookstores faced extinction when Ann Patchett launched Parnassus Books in 2011, as Nashville witnessed the closure of two major book retailers while Amazon’s market dominance continued expanding. Though Amazon maintains its leading position, traditional bookshops have made a comeback — with author-operated stores like Patchett’s forming their own specialized category, spanning locations from Brooklyn to New Mexico.
Below is a cross-country look at bookstores run by published writers.
In Key West, Florida, Judy Blume and her spouse George Cooper have established themselves as community mainstays. Cooper assisted in transforming a former movie theater into a multi-purpose complex, while both helped establish the nonprofit Books & Books — a satellite of the Miami-based chain that launched in 2016 — situated near the town’s primary thoroughfare. Though Blume gained international recognition for works like “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” visitors often encounter her working the cash register, assisting customers with book selections, or welcoming devoted readers who’ve journeyed considerable distances to meet the writer they credit with transforming their lives.
Louise Erdrich established Birchbark in Minneapolis in 2001 with a purpose deeply connected to her Ojibwe heritage (she holds citizenship in the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians). The shop focuses on Indigenous writings and describes itself as a gathering place for “literate Indigenous people who have survived over half a millennium on this continent.” Birchbark even inspired Erdrich’s 2021 work “The Sentence,” told through the perspective of a bookstore worker whose supervisor happens to be named Louise. “I guess I have some things in common with her,” the writer revealed to GMToday.com.
Lauren Groff’s Gainesville, Florida establishment represents both the author-owned movement and a recent trend of bookstores with broader social purposes. Operating in a state ranking among the nation’s top book banners, The Lynx is a general bookstore that Groff and spouse/co-owner Clay Kallman launched in 2024, highlighting titles banned from schools and libraries. “One of the purposes is to create a lighthouse, sort of showing that the rest of the country and world that Florida is not an intolerant backwater,” Groff, writer of National Book Award finalist “Fates and Furies,” shared with the Southern Literary Review in 2025. “It is full of good people who work very hard to allow for the freedom of expression, tolerance, and love of all people.”
Independent bookstores typically operate on a smaller scale, but the massive success of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” franchise allowed author-owner Jeff Kinney to pursue superstore ambitions. Rather than renovating an existing structure, he commissioned an entirely new building with premium features. An Unlikely Story operates from a colonial-style, three-story structure in downtown Plainville, Massachusetts, incorporating a cafe, event venue and creative workspace for the author. Kinney, who launched his shop in 2015, recently announced plans to develop a restaurant, beer garden and park in the downtown district.
Similar to establishments operated by Groff and Erdrich, Santa Fe, New Mexico’s Beastly Books directly reflects its owner’s perspective — “A Game of Thrones” writer George R.R. Martin. The store functions as a “cozy den” for speculative fiction, per its website description, and serves as a sanctuary for banned titles, local authors and rare first editions. Opened in 2019, Beastly Books sits near another Martin property, the Jean Cocteau Cinema, taking its name partly from Cocteau’s renowned film version of “Beauty and the Beast.”
Few bookstore launches result in appearances on Stephen Colbert’s show, but one year following Parnassus’s debut, Ann Patchett appeared on “The Colbert Report,” where the host compared her project to the Nora Ephron romantic comedy “You’ve Got Mail,” featuring Meg Ryan as an independent retailer forced out by a nearby chain. The Nashville-based Parnassus has evolved into one of America’s premier independent booksellers, welcoming visitors including “You’ve Got Mail” co-star Tom Hanks, while providing Patchett a venue to promote fellow writers.
Emma Straub, like Patchett, entered bookselling following a local void: BookCourt, where the writer previously worked, had shuttered. She and spouse Michael Fusco-Straub established Books Are Magic in Brooklyn in 2017. The shop featuring pink exterior murals became a neighborhood favorite and earned national attention, receiving endorsement as a personal preference by “Today” show’s Jenna Bush Hager. Straub and her husband have subsequently opened a second Books Are Magic site within the borough.
The nation’s highest court requested input from President Donald Trump’s administration Monday regarding a legal battle involving the popular trading app Robinhood Markets.
The Supreme Court justices are weighing whether to review Robinhood’s effort to dismiss a class-action lawsuit filed by investors who claim the company provided misleading information before its stock market debut.
The legal challenge centers on allegations that Robinhood failed to properly inform potential investors about financial troubles stemming from a social media-driven trading boom that had already cooled off before the company went public in July 2021.
Investors who purchased Robinhood shares connected to the IPO filed the lawsuit under the Securities Act of 1933, a federal law designed to protect investors by requiring companies to provide accurate financial information.
According to the plaintiffs, post-IPO results showing declining revenue and performance metrics led to a steep drop in the Menlo Park, California-based company’s stock value.
The investors argued that Robinhood’s IPO paperwork contained false and misleading information by failing to reveal how heavily the company depended on trendy trading activity involving social media-hyped meme stocks like GameStop and the digital currency Dogecoin, both of which had lost momentum months before the public offering.
Robinhood has disputed these allegations, arguing that its IPO documentation included comprehensive risk warnings and extensive disclosures about potential downturns following the early 2021 surge in trading activity driven by meme stocks and Dogecoin.
The lawsuit’s primary plaintiffs are Vinod Sodha, a psychiatrist from Beverly Hills, California, and his daughter Amee Sodha, a physician from Millburn, New Jersey. They initially filed the case in 2021.
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco threw out the lawsuit in 2024, determining that the plaintiffs had not provided sufficient evidence of Robinhood’s alleged wrongdoing to move forward with the case.
However, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals brought the case back to life in 2025, ruling that Chen had used incorrect legal standards when evaluating the securities law claims.
Robinhood has petitioned the Supreme Court to take up the matter, arguing that the appeals court’s ruling creates unreasonable liability exposure for companies while establishing demanding disclosure requirements that could overwhelm investors with unnecessary details.
Manufacturing across the United States saw stronger-than-anticipated growth last month, climbing to its best performance in four years as companies scramble to secure orders amid supply disruptions and rising costs linked to the ongoing war with Iran.
Data released Monday by the Institute for Supply Management showed the manufacturing index climbed to 54.0 in May, up from April’s 52.7 reading. This marks the strongest showing since May 2022. Any figure above 50 signals growth in the manufacturing sector, which represents 9.4% of the nation’s economy. Market analysts had predicted a more modest increase to 53.
The sector has now posted expansion for five consecutive months, fueled primarily by heavy spending on artificial intelligence technology.
Ongoing conflict between the U.S.-Israeli alliance and Iran has resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, creating major disruptions to commodity shipping routes and driving up costs for energy, aluminum and fertilizer products.
New orders within the ISM report jumped to 56.8 last month, rising from April’s 54.1 figure. The data also showed increases in both order backlogs and export activity.
The supplier delivery index held steady at an elevated 60.6 reading. Numbers above 50 reflect slower delivery times. Supply networks were already under pressure from comprehensive import tariffs implemented last year, though the U.S. Supreme Court overturned these measures in February. President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced additional duties while arguing such measures are essential for rebuilding domestic manufacturing capacity.
With delivery performance remaining poor, factory-level prices kept climbing, though the rate of increase moderated somewhat in May. The survey’s input cost index dropped slightly to 82.1 from April’s 84.6, which had been the highest since April 2022. This came in below the predicted 85.0 level. The military conflict continues pushing prices upward, with inflationary pressures spreading beyond just energy products.
Government data released last week showed inflation accelerated at its fastest rate in three years during April. Rising prices that are cutting into household spending power have led financial markets to anticipate the Federal Reserve will maintain its key interest rate between 3.50% and 3.75% through next year.
Even with order increases, factory hiring remained weak last month. The ISM’s employment measure recorded its 32nd consecutive month of decline following brief growth in September 2023. The organization noted that workforce management rather than expansion continues as the standard approach in manufacturing, typically through job cuts, natural turnover and leaving positions unfilled.
Factory employment has dropped by approximately 77,000 positions since January 2025.
Iran announced Monday it is ending diplomatic message exchanges with the United States conducted through third-party mediators, according to the Tasnim news agency. The decision comes as Tehran objects to ongoing attacks in Lebanon during the continuing three-month conflict.
According to the news agency, Iran and the Resistance Front—which encompasses its Shiite allies across Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq—have developed plans to fully obstruct the Strait of Hormuz and engage other strategic locations, including the Bab El Mandeb Strait, as a means to “punish” Israel and its supporters.
Should the Houthis, who are Iran’s partners in Yemen, establish a new battlefront, they would likely target the Bab El Mandeb Strait located near Yemen’s coastline. This narrow waterway serves as a crucial shipping corridor that regulates maritime traffic flowing toward the Suez Canal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X Monday: “Violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The U.S. and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” addressing Israeli military actions in Lebanon.
The conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28 has resulted in thousands of casualties, predominantly in Iran and Lebanon. The war has also triggered worldwide economic disruption by elevating energy costs, as Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial international corridor for oil and liquefied natural gas transport.
Tasnim further reported: “The immediate cessation of the Zionist regime’s aggressive and brutal army operations in Gaza and Lebanon and the necessity of the regime’s complete withdrawal from the occupied areas in Lebanon have been emphasized by Iranian officials and negotiators, and there will be no talks until Iran and the resistance’s views on this matter are met.”
Nvidia has placed artificial intelligence-powered computers in the spotlight following CEO Jensen Huang’s introduction of a new processor designed to integrate AI capabilities straight into personal computers and laptops, even as the market shows varying levels of interest in these devices.
While HP reported last week that computers optimized for artificial intelligence helped boost its quarterly earnings, Dell stated in January that the AI surge hadn’t created the level of consumer interest the company had expected.
Here’s what you need to know about AI-enabled computers:
UNDERSTANDING AI-POWERED COMPUTERS
According to manufacturers, these AI-enhanced machines can analyze information faster than conventional computers and manage larger amounts of artificial intelligence operations directly within the device itself, including running chatbot programs.
These systems don’t need to depend on remote cloud servers that currently power most AI programs like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude. Some versions can even support the training of AI models locally on the machine — a resource-heavy process usually performed on specialized servers.
The emergence of AI agents, which are programs capable of completing computer tasks independently with little human oversight, is also bringing renewed focus to AI-powered personal computers.
Nvidia’s RTX Spark, revealed before the Computex technology conference in Taiwan, represents what the company described as a partnership with Microsoft to “reinvent the PC” for the artificial intelligence age. This new processor was created working alongside MediaTek to operate agents directly on the device instead of depending on cloud-based computing.
Computer manufacturers hope these advanced AI capabilities will attract customers as more consumers rely on generative artificial intelligence for tasks ranging from composing emails to organizing travel plans.
HP announced in late May that AI computers represented 44% of its PC sales in the second quarter, an increase from over 35% in the prior quarter, helping the company exceed revenue and profit projections.
Nevertheless, widespread adoption of AI computers might face obstacles due to memory chip shortages and increasing costs.
Research company IDC anticipates that worldwide PC sales will drop in 2026 because of memory shortages, rising component costs and supply limitations, despite higher average prices boosting overall market value.
TECHNOLOGY BEHIND AI COMPUTERS
AI-powered computers feature specialized chips known as neural processing units that manage most of the artificial intelligence work performed on the device.
These NPUs collaborate with standard processing units and graphics chips to handle complicated operations, provide faster processing capabilities and run programs such as AI assistants.
CURRENT AI COMPUTER OPTIONS
Nvidia announced that RTX Spark laptops and small desktop computers are anticipated this fall from ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft and MSI, with Acer and Gigabyte planning to release models later.
Many of these manufacturers, together with Microsoft and Qualcomm, currently sell Copilot+ PCs, which need processors specifically built to handle AI operations on the device.
POTENTIAL ISSUES
When Microsoft announced its “recall” function in 2024, it sparked privacy worries. This feature would monitor every activity on the laptop from voice conversations to internet browsing, creating a comprehensive record saved on the device. Users could then search this database and review previous activities.
After facing significant criticism regarding privacy and security issues, Microsoft postponed the feature’s launch and made it available through a testing mode for select users after implementing additional security measures. This optional function is included in the latest Copilot+ PCs.
However, some technology specialists argue that handling more AI-related operations directly on the device provides better privacy protection by removing the requirement to use personal information for training large AI systems.
Motorists traveling on Sunny Meadow Drive should expect delays due to ongoing construction work that has forced the closure of one lane.
The lane restriction is in effect along the stretch of roadway between Trailwood Drive and Morning Dew Drive, where flaggers are directing traffic through the construction zone.
The intermittent lane closure is scheduled to remain in place until 6 p.m. today as crews complete their work in the area.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the construction zone.
RALEIGH, N.C. — The championship series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes appears remarkably balanced, leaving little room for mistakes.
The Golden Knights have captured 12 victories in 16 playoff contests, including a complete sweep of Colorado in the Western Conference final, while the Hurricanes have secured 12 wins in 13 games. Both teams rank among the top three in fewest goals allowed, with each squad averaging more than three goals per contest.
What factor will tip the scales in this matchup between two NHL elite teams? The answer lies in special teams performance.
The Hurricanes boast an impressive penalty kill operating at 92.5% effectiveness, surrendering just four goals while netting one short-handed score.
“Carolina’s been an elite penalty-killing team for years now and that’s part of their identity and that comes from their puck pressure and their sticks, their discipline — all that kind of stuff,” said goaltender-turned-NHL Network analyst Cory Schneider. “Vegas will have its work cut out for itself.”
The Golden Knights have demonstrated their own excellence in this area. Vegas has surrendered only six power-play goals across three playoff rounds while recording four short-handed tallies.
Defenseman Brayden McNabb, a veteran since the franchise’s first season in 2017-18, has anchored this effort, accumulating over 45 total minutes on penalty kill duty. Three additional crucial contributors are players that general manager Kelly McCrimmon acquired during the season.
Netminder Carter Hart, despite facing scrutiny regarding his role, has turned aside 64 of 70 shots during opposing power plays. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson, obtained before the Olympic break, and center Nic Dowd, added just before the trade deadline, have joined McNabb as primary penalty killers.
This has become a dependable strength for the Hurricanes, with stay-at-home defenseman Jaccob Slavin logging over 56 minutes of short-handed ice time. Coach Rod Brind’Amour’s squad employs consistent structural play throughout games, reaching peak effectiveness in penalty kill situations when the three or four skaters protecting goalie Frederik Andersen work in unison.
The Golden Knights’ power play has converted 11 times in 46 chances, producing a 24% success rate. Captain Mark Stone and winger Pavel Dorofeyev have contributed four goals each, while centers Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl have recorded six power-play assists apiece.
“I find the Vegas power play to be more threatening,” Schneider noted. “Can Carolina quiet Vegas’ power play and force them 5 on 5 in order to beat them?”
The more pressing question concerns whether Carolina’s power play can match that production. The Hurricanes have scored 7 times in 56 opportunities, a 12.5% conversion rate that proved sufficient against Ottawa, Philadelphia and Montreal.
However, Vegas represents “a different animal,” as Brind’Amour acknowledged.
“Carolina’s got a good power play, don’t get me wrong, but I think that could be a bit of a wash and Carolina’s going to have to try to generate more 5-on-5 offense than rely on their power play like Vegas should,” Schneider explained.
Considering both teams’ ability to score during even-strength play, maintaining discipline becomes crucial. Avoiding penalties and playing 5-on-5 hockey favors neither side significantly, as the Golden Knights have tallied 34 even-strength goals compared to the Hurricanes’ 30.
Vegas has averaged slightly under four minor penalties per game compared to Carolina’s five infractions. This disparity makes each power-play opportunity more critical, with games becoming battles between two squads led by demanding coaches who emphasize attention to detail.
“They play the right way,” Slavin observed. “They play a very similar style to us. It’s going to be who can do it better and who can stay on it longer? But it’s going to be an awesome series.”
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has notified drivers that lane restrictions will begin this weekend on northbound Interstate 95 as part of ongoing work for the Four Bridges Project.
Starting Saturday night at 8:00 PM, two lanes of northbound I-95 will be shut down from Route 1 to the Airport Road exit, leaving three through lanes available for traffic. All lanes will reopen by 7:00 AM Sunday morning.
More extensive closures are planned for Monday night beginning at 8:00 PM, when two lanes will initially close in the same stretch. At 10:00 PM, restrictions will increase to a triple lane closure, reducing traffic to just two through lanes on northbound I-95 until 4:00 AM Tuesday.
DelDOT is advising drivers to exercise caution and anticipate traffic delays in the construction zone. Additional details are available on the DelDOT website at www.deldot.gov or through the DelDOT mobile application.
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 1, 2026) — The Maryland Department of Agriculture has launched its online application process for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program for the 2026 season.
The state agriculture department announced that eligible seniors can now apply through an online portal accessible via a link posted on the department’s main website.
Officials emphasized that all participants must complete a fresh application for this year’s program, even those who have participated in previous years.
Ocean City, Maryland announced the start of its 2026 summer entertainment lineup as students finish the school year and vacation season gets underway. The popular beach destination revealed plans for a season packed with activities designed for families and visitors of all ages.
The summer programming will feature outdoor movie screenings directly on the beach at no cost to attendees, along with fireworks displays and live entertainment options. City officials are promoting what they describe as nationally recognized events alongside opportunities for creating lasting beach vacation experiences.
The announcement, made on June 1, 2026, signals the official beginning of the resort town’s busy tourist season as it prepares to host visitors looking for summer recreation and entertainment along the Maryland coast.
The Seattle Mariners may have found their moment to seize control of the AL West division.
Despite struggling below .500 for much of the campaign, Seattle now sits atop their division with a 31-29 record following six consecutive wins. This impressive streak has come while missing power hitter Cal Raleigh, who was batting just .161 before landing on the injured list more than two weeks ago.
The AL West standings remain fluid, with small changes creating major shifts. Seattle’s winning streak featured a complete three-game sweep of the Athletics this past week. Oakland had been leading the division but has dropped seven contests in their last nine outings. Meanwhile, Houston has captured eight of their previous 12 games to stay competitive, sitting just 4 1/2 games behind first place. The entire division spans only 8 games, with the top three clubs separated by merely 2 1/2 games.
Even with Raleigh sidelined, the Mariners rank fourth in the American League for home runs, though their pitching staff has truly powered this recent surge. Seattle has limited opposing teams to two runs or less in five of their past six contests.
The same quintet of starters has taken the mound for 57 of Seattle’s 60 games. Bryan Woo (3.44), Logan Gilbert (3.69), George Kirby (3.77) and Emerson Hancock (2.78) all possess ERAs ranking in the AL’s top 25. While Luis Castillo (5.53) trails the other four starters statistically, Seattle has recently deployed him in a tandem approach with Bryce Miller, alternating between starting and relief duties.
During a 9-2 victory against the Athletics, Castillo delivered four shutout innings before Miller completed the final five frames. In Sunday’s matchup versus Arizona, Miller opened with five innings, then Castillo finished the remaining five as Seattle claimed a 3-2 triumph in 10 innings.
The New York Yankees exploded for 13 runs during the third inning Sunday in their 13-8 triumph over the Athletics. Remarkably, the Yankees managed no hits in the other eight innings combined.
Anthony Volpe joined an exclusive group as just the third player in the past 50 years to record two hits, two runs and two steals within a single inning. Who were the other two players?
Bonus question: Volpe nearly reached the plate three times in the inning, standing on deck when the third out occurred. Who was the most recent player with three plate appearances in one inning?
Jacob Misiorowski dominated with 12 strikeouts across seven innings of two-hit ball — firing 57 pitches at 100 mph or faster — leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 5-1 victory over St. Louis last Monday. Milwaukee proceeded to complete a three-game sweep of the Cardinals, extending their NL Central lead to 4 1/2 games over St. Louis.
The Orioles faced a four-run deficit with one out and empty bases in the ninth inning Saturday. Toronto failed to record another out, as Jeff Hoffman allowed the next six batters to reach safely before Connor Seabold walked Adley Rutschman with the bases loaded to even the score. Pete Alonso then delivered a game-winning single for Baltimore’s 6-5 comeback victory.
According to Baseball Savant, Toronto held a 99.3% win probability before Hoffman hit a batter and surrendered a triple, single, double and two walks.
The Orioles finished 7-3 during their homestand against Detroit, Tampa Bay and Toronto. This stretch included walk-off victories against each opponent and a three-game sweep of the AL East-leading Rays.
Detroit’s Alan Trammell achieved two hits, two runs and two steals in the first inning on Sept. 20, 1983, against Baltimore. Seattle’s Mike Cameron accomplished the feat in the seventh inning on May 16, 2002, versus Toronto.
Bonus answer: Boston’s Johnny Damon recorded three plate appearances in the first inning on June 27, 2003, against Florida. He collected a single, double and triple as the Red Sox scored 14 first-inning runs.
Montana residents will head to voting booths Tuesday to choose candidates in a state primary featuring contests to fill seats being vacated by departing Republican office holders in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. However, a significant candidate will be absent from the ballot, while various legislative races showcase fractures within Montana’s controlling Republican Party.
The GOP maintains narrow control in both congressional chambers. While Montana hasn’t topped Democrats’ target list for potential pickups in their bid to reclaim either chamber, these retirements create possibilities for candidates who might capitalize on the state’s history of independent-minded voting.
Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines has decided against pursuing a third term. He has thrown his support behind former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme as his replacement. The timing of Daines’ withdrawal in March and Alme’s campaign launch, both occurring shortly before filing deadlines, suggested strategic coordination. President Donald Trump appeared to validate this orchestrated approach when endorsing Alme.
“In fact, if Kurt didn’t have the highest level of aptitude and talent, Steve would have remained exactly where he is….,” Trump said in a social media post.
Alme has secured backing from the state’s leading Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte. His Republican primary opponents are Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child.
On the Democratic side, former state Rep. Reilly Neill leads the field, having raised five times more money than her four primary competitors combined.
Both party winners will compete against former University of Montana president Seth Bodnar, who is pursuing the seat as an independent candidate. Through mid-May, Bodnar had collected more campaign funds than any other candidate from either party. Bodnar represents one of several independent hopefuls who chose to skip party primaries and could potentially disrupt general election outcomes for some Republican incumbents.
For the 1st Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke has announced he won’t pursue a fourth complete term, pointing to health issues. He joins Trump, Sheehy and Gianforte in backing talk radio personality and former Zinke congressional aide Aaron Flint against Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, former state Sen. Al Olszewski and former high school government teacher Ray Curtis. Democratic contenders include former gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse and union organizer Sam Forstag.
State legislative contests reveal continuing tensions among Montana Republicans.
When the 2025 legislative session began, nine Republican state senators broke ranks with their party on multiple important floor votes, effectively giving chamber control to Democrats.
State Sen. Shelley Vance of District 34 stands as the sole member of these rebel legislators, labeled the “Nasty Nine” by the Montana GOP, facing reelection in 2026. Two additional members, state Sens. Jason Ellsworth and Bruce Gillespie, chose to seek state House positions in Districts 34 and 18 instead. The remaining six face term limits, retirement or aren’t running this cycle.
Responding to this Republican caucus rebellion, the Montana Republican Party published a list of endorsed state legislative candidates, including some challenging sitting Republican House members. However, some party selections conflict with Gianforte, who has produced social media videos featuring four targeted state House incumbents.
The governor expressed support for state House Speaker Brandon Ler and state Reps. Valerie Moore and Ken Walsh, all seeking reelection, plus state Rep. Eric Albus, who is campaigning for state Senate District 14. While Gianforte stops short of formal endorsements in these videos, he described one as a “great partner” and said he was “proud of the work” accomplished with another.
Twenty-five of the state’s 50 state Senate positions and all 100 state House seats face voters in 2026.
Key election details and data points the AP Decision Team will track during vote counting:
Voting concludes at 8 p.m. MT, equivalent to 10 p.m. ET.
The AP will deliver vote tallies and announce winners in competitive primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Public Service Commission, state Senate and state House.
All qualified voters can participate in any party’s primary election.
Voter registration reached approximately 791,000 as of May 25. Montana doesn’t require party registration.
The 2024 U.S. Senate primaries drew roughly 190,000 Republican votes and about 108,000 Democratic votes.
Early voting accounted for approximately 68% of total 2024 primary turnout.
By Friday, around 166,000 ballots had been submitted for Tuesday’s election.
Vote reporting methods differ across counties. Historical patterns show absentee results typically released alongside Election Day in-person voting throughout the evening. Roughly two-thirds of Montana’s 56 counties usually report most or all mail and early in-person voting results in their initial update, often combined with Election Day in-person totals. About half the counties typically include most or all Election Day in-person results in their first report.
During the 2024 U.S. Senate primary, the AP began reporting results at 10:26 p.m. ET, 26 minutes after polls closed. The final overnight update came at 4:06 a.m. ET with approximately 84% of votes tallied.
The Associated Press avoids projections and only declares winners when no possible scenario exists for trailing candidates to overcome their deficit. For uncalled races, the AP continues covering significant developments like candidate concessions or victory claims while clarifying no winner has been declared and explaining the reasoning.
Montana mandates automatic recounts solely for tied votes. Candidates may request recounts when margins fall below 0.5% of total votes, though state funding applies only to margins of 0.25% or less. The AP may announce winners in recount-eligible races if the lead appears too substantial for recounts or legal challenges to alter outcomes.
Following Tuesday, 154 days remain until the 2026 midterm elections.
Four Republicans are competing in Tuesday’s primary election for South Dakota governor, creating one of the most contested races in the state. The current governor, along with the state House speaker, the state’s sole congressional representative, and a business owner are all vying for the nomination.
Larry Rhoden, the incumbent governor, is seeking his first full term in office. Rhoden previously served as lieutenant governor under Kristi Noem but took over the governor’s role when Noem left in early 2025 to join Donald Trump’s presidential administration.
Despite his position as sitting governor, Rhoden faces significant opposition from three challengers: Dusty Johnson, who currently represents South Dakota in the U.S. House; Jon Hansen, who leads the state House as speaker; and business owner Toby Doeden.
The Republican primary winner will go head-to-head with Dan Ahlers, a former state senator, in November’s general election. Ahlers faces no competition for the Democratic nomination.
Tuesday’s ballot also features a U.S. Senate race where Mike Rounds, the Republican incumbent, seeks his third term. Rounds will face Justin McNeal in the primary, a Navy veteran who attempted to run as an independent against Johnson in 2024 but was removed from the ballot due to signature issues on his petition.
Julian Beaudion, a nonprofit leader and former state trooper, runs unopposed for the Democratic Senate nomination. Brian Bengs, an attorney and military veteran, will compete in the general election as an independent candidate. Bengs previously sought the Senate seat in 2022, capturing 26% of votes against John Thune, the Republican Senate Majority Leader.
For the U.S. House position, Marty Jackley, the state attorney general, is running to take Johnson’s seat. His Republican primary opponent is James Bialota.
Donald Trump has given his endorsement to Rounds for Senate and Jackley for the House race, but chose not to back any gubernatorial candidate.
South Dakota’s primary system requires candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House to earn at least 35% of votes to secure the nomination. Should no candidate meet this benchmark, the two highest vote-getters will compete in a June 23 runoff election.
The mayor’s race in Sioux Falls, the state’s largest city, features five candidates competing to succeed the term-limited Paul TenHaken. A runoff will occur if no candidate wins a majority of votes.
Election observers will focus on two key counties: Minnehaha County in the east, which includes Sioux Falls, and Pennington County in the west, home to Rapid City.
Given South Dakota’s strong Republican voting history in general elections, Tuesday’s GOP primary winners are expected to have substantial advantages heading into the fall campaign.
Voting concludes at 7 p.m. local time, translating to 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time due to the state spanning two time zones. Most polling locations operate on Central time and close at 8 p.m. ET, while Mountain time zones close an hour later.
The Associated Press will track results and announce winners in competitive primaries for federal and state offices, as well as the Sioux Falls mayoral contest.
Voting rules restrict registered party members to their own party’s primary. Democrats cannot participate in Republican primaries and vice versa. Independent voters and those without party affiliation can vote in Democratic primaries but are excluded from Republican contests.
Registration data from April 1 shows approximately 674,000 voters statewide: roughly 318,000 Republicans, 138,000 Democrats, and 157,000 independents or unaffiliated voters.
The 2022 Republican U.S. Senate primary drew nearly 119,000 voters. Early voting accounted for about 19% of the 2024 primary turnout and roughly 20% in 2022.
Through May 26, approximately 17,000 ballots were already submitted for Tuesday’s election, with about 79% in the Republican primary and 15% in the Democratic primary.
The state typically releases mail-in and early in-person voting results alongside Election Day totals. More than half of South Dakota’s 66 counties usually report most or all results in their initial update.
Despite the two-time-zone challenge, state regulations prevent any results from being released until 9 p.m. ET, when the final polls close.
In 2022’s most recent Senate primary, the AP began reporting results at 9:02 p.m. ET and provided the final update at 3:22 a.m. ET with over 99% of votes tallied.
The AP declares winners only when trailing candidates have no mathematical path to victory, never making projections. Uncalled races receive continued coverage of significant developments like candidate concessions, with clear explanations of why no winner has been declared.
Automatic recounts occur only in tie situations. Statewide candidates may request recounts when margins are 0.25% or less of total votes, while state legislative and local candidates face a higher 2% threshold. The AP may still call races subject to recounts if leads are too substantial for challenges to alter outcomes.
The 2026 midterm elections are 154 days away as of Tuesday.
WASHINGTON — California voters face a crowded ballot Tuesday as they choose between 61 candidates seeking the governor’s office, while also selecting congressional nominees under newly drawn district lines approved by voters in a 2025 ballot measure.
The ballot includes numerous state and local races, featuring a Los Angeles mayoral contest where the sitting Democratic mayor confronts over a dozen opponents. One challenger is a former reality television star who has gained attention from President Donald Trump, another former reality TV figure.
California’s unique primary system, which places all candidates on one ballot without party divisions, has created complex campaign strategies in several prominent races, particularly the contest to succeed term-limited Democratic governor. Though Democratic contenders typically benefit from facing Republican opponents in this heavily blue state, the abundance of well-known Democratic candidates risks dividing their party’s vote and potentially allowing two Republican candidates to reach the general election, ensuring a Republican victory.
Democratic hopefuls include former health secretary, former congressional representative, the mayor of San Jose, a billionaire who ran for president in 2020, and a former Los Angeles mayor. Republican contenders feature a county sheriff from Riverside and a conservative media personality backed by Trump.
Two additional Democrats appear on the ballot despite ending their campaigns. One was a leading candidate who withdrew on April 12 amid sexual assault claims he disputes, subsequently resigning from Congress two days afterward.
Congressional races for the closely contested House feature a new district map that favors Democrats, creating challenges for several incumbent Republican representatives. Voters endorsed these new boundaries in a November 2025 referendum, responding to Trump’s efforts in Texas and elsewhere to increase Republican seats before the midterm elections.
In one congressional district, a Republican representative evaluated his limited prospects and departed the Republican Party in March to seek reelection as an independent candidate.
Two Republican House members now compete against each other in another district, while a Democratic challenger hopes to secure one of the two general election positions.
A special election in another congressional district will complete the term of a late Republican representative who passed away in January. The contest features five candidates, including the Democratic state Senate leader and the Republican Assembly minority leader. Without a majority winner, the leading two candidates will face off on August 4. The victor will serve under current district lines, not the new map taking effect next Congress.
A separate special election for another vacant congressional seat will occur June 16, also using existing boundaries.
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Karen Bass pursues a second term in the nonpartisan position against multiple challengers including a technology entrepreneur, a former MTV reality show participant, a city council member, and others. Trump recently expressed support for the reality show veteran, saying he would like to see him succeed.
Democrats maintain substantial advantages in statewide contests due to strong support in densely populated regions around major cities. Republicans perform better in less populated northern areas and the Central Valley, while remaining competitive in Southern California suburbs outside the largest metropolitan areas. No Republican has captured statewide office in California since 2006.
Voting concludes at 8 p.m. Pacific Time, equivalent to 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Associated Press will report results and announce winners across numerous contested positions including congressional seats, statewide offices, state legislative races, and major local contests.
All registered California voters may participate in the primary election.
Current registration includes approximately 23.1 million voters as of April 3, with roughly 10.4 million Democrats, 5.8 million Republicans, and 5.3 million unaffiliated with any party.
Previous primary turnout reached about 7.3 million votes in 2024, representing roughly one-third of registered voters.
Nearly 89% of 2024 primary votes were submitted before election day.
Early voting has already produced about 2.6 million ballots as of Thursday.
Most California counties typically release mail-in voting results in their initial reports, usually before reporting in-person election day totals. Nearly half release most early in-person voting results in their first update.
Since mail voting generally favors Democrats while election day voting tends toward Republicans, early mail ballot reports may show Democratic leads that Republicans could narrow as election day results arrive.
In 2024 primaries, initial results appeared at 11:08 p.m. Eastern Time, eight minutes after poll closing. Final overnight updates came at 6:01 a.m. Eastern with approximately 52% counted. The tally reached 99% completion about two weeks later.
The Associated Press declares winners only when no remaining scenario could allow trailing candidates to overcome their deficits. For uncalled races, coverage continues for significant developments while clarifying that no winner has been determined.
California lacks automatic recount provisions. Any registered voter may request and fund a recount. The AP may declare winners in races subject to recounts when leads appear too large to overcome.
Upcoming election dates include 14 days until the June 16 special primary, 63 days until the August 4 special general election, 77 days until the August 18 special general election, and 154 days until the November 3 general election.
Rising energy costs stemming from the conflict with Iran are now affecting U.S. government borrowing costs, pushing interest rates higher and creating economic pressures that could pose political risks for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
On Monday, the United States announced it had targeted radar and drone facilities in Iran following Tehran’s weekend downing of an American drone. Iran responded with its own strike, and Kuwait reported receiving incoming fire.
The fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States continues to face challenges from these tit-for-tat strikes, while diplomats from both nations work to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.
Here are the latest developments:
A political impasse between the White House and the Senate persists after Republican senators departed Washington 10 days ago without approving funding legislation for President Trump’s immigration enforcement departments.
Returning Republican senators said Monday they lack sufficient votes to approve the Homeland Security funding measure unless the White House collaborates on establishing limits for the new $1.776 billion settlement fund meant to compensate Trump’s allies. However, Trump has demonstrated minimal interest in such cooperation, even following a judge’s temporary suspension of any disbursements.
The path to resolving this disagreement remains uncertain.
Former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell utilized one of his initial major public speeches since departing his role to advocate for institutional independence while receiving recognition Sunday for his work protecting the central bank’s autonomy.
At the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library overlooking Boston Harbor, Powell described universities, courts, Congress and the central bank as “the foundation and the embodiment of our democracy” and maintained that the Fed’s independence represented a “priceless asset” requiring protection.
This marked one of his most direct appeals for Fed independence, cautioning that any administration’s choice to dismiss bank leadership over policy disagreements would establish precedent for future elected leaders to do likewise, eventually eroding the credibility the Fed has built over decades.
Powell, who regularly disagreed with Trump throughout his eight-year tenure as chair, concluded his service when his term ended in May. Kevin Warsh, Trump’s selection to head the central bank, replaced him.
On Saturday, Trump labeled the federal judge who halted his Kennedy Center renovation plans as “an anti Trump Hater” and forecast that the nation’s leading performing arts venue, which he sought to close for a two-year renovation, will “soon be closed, probably never to open again.”
Through an extended Truth Social post, Trump expressed anger about Friday’s ruling from U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who additionally mandated Trump’s name be stripped from the facility. Frustrated by this latest legal defeat, he claimed it was “impossible for me to be treated fairly,” connecting Cooper’s decision to previous setbacks, including the Supreme Court’s February rejection of his comprehensive tariffs.
His message attempted to justify the project while announcing his withdrawal from it. Following Cooper’s ruling, Trump said he was abandoning the renovation plans and arranging to transfer control back to Congress of what had been called the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts before the Republican president’s second term.
A planned celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, “The Great American State Fair,” recently saw multiple musical performers withdraw partly due to the event’s connections to President Trump. Now Trump himself will serve as the main attraction, organizers announced Saturday.
“I understand Artists are getting ‘the yips’ having to do with their performance,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday, noting he was considering bringing “the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists.’”
Freedom 250, the organization planning the June event on Washington’s National Mall, verified the announcement in a statement, declaring, “We are excited to announce that President Trump will personally kick off this historic celebration on Wednesday, June 24.”
While Freedom 250 presents itself as nonpartisan, Trump established it last year and a former State Department official from Trump’s initial presidency leads it. Multiple performers, including Bret Michaels, the Commodores and Martina McBride withdrew last week.
Monday’s U.S. bombing of Iranian radar and drone installations followed Tehran’s weekend destruction of an American drone. Iran subsequently announced its own retaliatory strike, with Kuwait reporting incoming attacks.
The unstable ceasefire between Iran and the United States faces ongoing challenges from these reciprocal attacks, while representatives from both governments attempt to negotiate a war’s end. The proximity to reaching an agreement remains unclear — and any attack risks undermining those discussions.
Meanwhile, Iran continues controlling the Strait of Hormuz, interrupting worldwide energy distribution and inflating global fuel costs, creating widespread effects.
Combat has also intensified between Israel and Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah, despite their supposed ceasefire. Israel has expanded its occupation throughout Lebanon, while Hezbollah — which entered the conflict supporting Iran, its primary sponsor — persists in sending drones into Israel.
Global investors are becoming increasingly cautious about financing President Donald Trump’s government — pushing interest rates upward in ways that worsen affordability challenges, restrict economic expansion and generate fresh political risks for Republicans in November’s midterm contests.
Energy cost increases resulting from the Iran conflict have influenced U.S. government bond pricing. Ten-year U.S. Treasury note interest rates now exceed 4.44%, rising from 3.95% before the war began in late February. Typical mortgage rates have reached nine-month peaks, while automobile sales are declining.
This challenge spans globally, as multiple nations face rising interest rates while the world adapts to potential higher inflation, growing concerns about government debt sustainability and a significant increase in artificial intelligence investment.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Between writing novels, Ann Patchett dedicates considerable time to supporting fellow authors: crafting endorsements for Douglas Stuart, creating video birthday greetings for author-bookseller Emma Straub, or opening interviews by promoting colleagues’ work.
“The new Liz Strout book is the best,” she remarks about Elizabeth Strout’s “The Things We Never Say.” “You know, every single book she publishes, you just think, ‘Oh, well, she can’t possibly do that again.’ And then she comes out with another book and it’s even better.”
Now 62, Patchett has achieved the uncommon position of being a writer whose recommendations carry weight with both colleagues and the general public. She operates Parnassus Books, one of America’s premier independent bookstores, serving everyone from local literature enthusiasts to celebrity customers like Tom Hanks. As a celebrated novelist, her upcoming releases consistently rank among the year’s most eagerly awaited titles, while her earlier works, including the renowned “Bel Canto,” maintain strong sales. The National Humanities Medal recognized her contributions in 2021 for “putting into words the beauty, pain, and complexity of human nature.”
Though her works have appeared in over 20 languages worldwide, Patchett remains rooted in Nashville, where she spent childhood years and currently resides with her husband, physician Karl VanDevender. During a recent interview with The Associated Press at Parnassus, conducted on a bright weekday morning before store hours, she also gathered with staff members in the center of the 4,800-square-foot space to plan upcoming events, occasionally interrupted by employee-owned “shop dogs” that roam the premises like eager shoppers.
Patchett arrived early to discuss “Whistler,” launching Tuesday. Similar to “Bel Canto,” “State of Wonder” and her other novels, it chronicles unexpected encounters that develop into meaningful relationships. The story follows 53-year-old Daphne Fuller and her spouse, who meet elderly Eddie Triplett at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and discover he was once her stepfather during her childhood. Daphne and Eddie develop a strong friendship while revisiting shared memories, including a severe automobile accident that preceded Eddie’s divorce from her mother.
While Patchett avoids writing with predetermined themes, “Whistler” reads like a celebration of kindness and goodwill. The book’s title comes from a tale about a horse that escapes but returns during a moment of need. Following the crash, when Daphne questions whether it’s safe to leave for assistance, Eddie reassures her, “I swear to you, it’s mostly good people out there, with a few bad people around the edges.”
“The people that I interact with every single day are good people,” Patchett explains. “It is vanishingly rare when I meet someone who’s not nice. Now, if you watch the news and read the news, it seems like everyone’s terrible and murderous. But it’s the difference between primary and secondary sources. So if I’m just operating off primary sources, what I see is goodness. I completely understand that there is incredible horror and cruelty in the world, but I also feel like incredible horror and cruelty is very well represented (in art). And what I actually experience in my daily life is not as well represented in art.”
“I don’t set out to write books about nice people,” she continues, “but I like people.”
PEN America recently honored Patchett’s civic contributions by presenting her with its Literary Service Award at the organization’s May gala in Manhattan. Author Patrick Ryan introduced her to hundreds of attendees at the American Museum of Natural History, highlighting her diverse efforts, from working “to get books into the hands of children in underserved communities” to supporting emerging writers and inspiring readers “who recognize themselves in her novels.”
Patchett possesses a deeply personal understanding of human connections and how they can fracture through conflict or end with death.
Born in Los Angeles, she experienced her parents’ divorce during early childhood and relocated eastward with her mother — experiences that informed her novel “Commonwealth.” She has also penned tributes to deceased loved ones. The memoir “Truth & Beauty” commemorated her close friend Lucy Grealy, a poet and memoir writer who battled a rare cancer and underwent numerous surgeries before dying at 39. The title essay from her 2004 collection “These Precious Days” pays tribute to the late Sooki Raphael, an assistant to Hanks who became close to Patchett while fighting terminal cancer.
“Whistler” bears a dedication to her friend Jim Fox, former chief legal counsel at HarperCollins who passed away in 2024 and served as inspiration for Eddie (and provided the name for a character in “State of Wonder”).
“He was brilliant, and a great reader,” she reflects. “Jim isn’t Eddie and I’m not Daphne, and certainly the circumstances aren’t the same, but the huge love that Eddie and Daphne shared is the huge love Jim and I shared.”
A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, Patchett recalls creating stories before she could read — an experience that she says deepened her love for written words. Growing up before “young adult” literature emerged, she began with childhood classics like “Charlotte’s Web” and “The Little House on the Prairie” series, then moved directly to literary masters who shaped her development: Saul Bellow, Philip Roth and John Updike.
By her early twenties, Patchett had achieved enough recognition to publish a story in The Paris Review. Her first novel, “The Patron Saint of Liars,” appeared before she reached 30. She has subsequently released nine additional fiction works, including “Whistler,” alongside four nonfiction titles and three picture books illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser.
“I was at my cousins’ house a few months ago and they had boxes of old papers of mine,” Patchett recalls. “And they were from grade school, middle school, high school — notebook after notebook, poetry and stories. I was shocked by the extent I was practicing my craft at age 10.”
Patchett’s bookselling career started around 2010, when two Nashville store closures reflected the nationwide challenges facing independent retailers, partly due to Amazon’s expansion. Patchett and business partner Karen Hayes developed what seemed like an ambitious plan: launching a new bookstore — a decision that drew skepticism initially but now represents the changing landscape for independent booksellers.
American Booksellers Association membership has more than doubled during the past decade — including author-operated establishments like Straub’s Books Are Magic in New York City and Jeff Kinney’s An Unlikely Story in Plainville, Massachusetts. Straub recalls consulting various small business-owning friends when considering opening her store.
“They all told me not to do it, but when I talked to Ann, she said ‘Do it,’” Straub explains. “She’s my hero. I think the friends who were telling me not to do it were speaking practically. But I didn’t want to hear practical advice. I wanted to hear inspiration.”
Marine archaeologists in Norway have pulled up an impressive collection of Chinese porcelain and European artifacts from an 18th-century shipwreck recently discovered in waters off the country’s coast, according to government and museum officials who announced the find Monday.
The Norwegian Maritime Museum reports that divers retrieved carefully packed blue and white porcelain bowls, drinking vessels, fabric, grain, and chandelier components from what remains of the unidentified sailing vessel.
According to the museum, a salvage company owner discovered the wreck in the Skagerrak strait waters near southern Norway. The vessel, thought to have gone down sometime during the mid-1700s, sits approximately 600 meters below the surface.
Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, praised the discovery in an official statement: “This find is not only extraordinary, it’s also of considerable scientific value and demonstrates an important technological advancement in underwater archaeology.”
While researchers have yet to determine where the ship originated or its intended destination, the Maritime Museum indicates that investigation into the wreck and its contents continues.
A quantum computing company spun off from Honeywell has expanded its plans for going public, now aiming for a market value that could reach $14.3 billion as investors show strong interest in the emerging technology sector.
Quantinuum, headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, announced Monday it plans to raise as much as $1.46 billion through the sale of 26.5 million shares, with each share expected to sell for between $53 and $55.
The company had previously planned a smaller public debut, looking to generate up to $1.05 billion by selling approximately 21.1 million shares at a lower price range of $45 to $50 per share.
This month is shaping up to be particularly active for companies going public, as businesses attempt to take advantage of favorable market conditions before SpaceX’s highly anticipated stock market debut. Seven companies from various industries including defense and energy are planning to price their public offerings during this week.
The investment banks J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley are serving as the primary underwriters managing the Quantinuum stock offering.
Trading for Quantinuum shares is scheduled to begin Thursday on the Nasdaq stock exchange, where the company will trade under the ticker symbol “QNT.”
Anna Kalinskaya secured her first-ever French Open quarterfinal spot on Monday with a hard-fought 6-4 2-6 7-6(10-7) victory over 28th seed Anastasia Potapova in Paris. This achievement represents just the second occasion the Russian player has advanced to the quarterfinal round of a Grand Slam tournament.
Kalinskaya previously reached the Australian Open quarterfinals earlier in 2024 and will now look to surpass that accomplishment at Roland Garros. Her next opponent will be determined by the match between Frenchwoman Diane Parry and Pole Maja Chwalinska.
The French Open women’s draw remains highly competitive, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka emerging as the leading favorite after surprising early departures by defending champion Coco Gauff and four-time Paris champion Iga Swiatek.
Potapova, who eliminated defending champion Gauff in the previous round, came out aggressively and quickly established a 4-1 advantage before losing control of the opening set in dramatic fashion.
After claiming the first set, Kalinskaya faced difficulties in the second as Potapova surged to a 3-1 lead. The 22nd seed could not stop the match from extending to a decisive third set on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Potapova’s unsteady play allowed Kalinskaya to build a 4-1 advantage in the final set, but the Russian-born Austrian mounted a comeback and had the opportunity to close out the match while serving at 5-4, only to surrender her serve once more.
Following additional momentum changes, the deciding set proceeded to a match tiebreak, where Kalinskaya maintained her composure to secure victory after two hours and 49 minutes of play.
PARIS, June 1 – Italian tennis player Flavio Cobolli, seeded tenth, secured his place in the French Open quarterfinals Monday after defeating American competitor Zachary Svajda in a four-set match with scores of 6-2, 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(5).
The 24-year-old from Italy reached his second Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, following his previous advancement to the final eight at last year’s Wimbledon tournament. Prior to this match, Cobolli had maintained a perfect record without losing a single set throughout the tournament’s early rounds.
Drawing on his superior clay court experience compared to his 85th-ranked opponent, Cobolli established early dominance by securing an initial break of serve and maintaining control throughout the opening set before claiming it with a second break.
Svajda, participating in his first French Open main draw, entered the tournament having secured just one clay court victory this season. The American player’s inexperience on the surface became apparent as he struggled with his second serve while Cobolli demonstrated superior court movement.
The 23-year-old American adjusted his strategy in the third set, adopting a more aggressive approach and frequently advancing to the net. While unable to break Cobolli’s serve, Svajda managed to capture the tiebreak and reduce the Italian’s advantage.
Cobolli appeared to have secured victory after breaking serve twice to establish a commanding 4-0 lead in the fourth set. However, Svajda mounted a comeback with powerful forehand winners, forcing a decisive tiebreak after the Italian failed to convert a match point while leading 5-4.
The world number 14 ultimately prevailed in the final tiebreak and will advance to face either fourth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime or Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in the next round.
Motorists traveling on Barney Jenkins Road are encountering traffic delays today as construction crews have closed the southbound lane in a busy section of the roadway.
The lane closure affects the stretch of Barney Jenkins Road running from Walnut Shade Road to Currant Circle. Officials say the construction-related closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 6 PM today.
Drivers in the area should expect delays and may want to consider alternate routes during the closure period.
Delaware Transit Corporation has rolled out a comprehensive customer satisfaction survey, encouraging public transit users throughout the state to share their experiences and suggestions. The initiative represents an effort to collect meaningful rider input that will shape improvements to the public transportation system.
The survey focuses on gathering feedback about current DART operations while also helping transit officials pinpoint priorities for future system enhancements that align with passenger needs and expectations.
Transit users can weigh in on various aspects of their travel experience through the survey, including how dependable services are, how well vehicles and facilities are maintained, security measures, information sharing practices, and their general satisfaction with the system.
Motorists traveling south on Route 1 should expect delays this afternoon as construction crews have shut down the left lane in a busy corridor.
The lane closure affects the stretch of southbound Coastal Highway between Deep Branch Road and Paynter Road, with work scheduled to continue until 3 PM today.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and merge safely into the right lane when approaching the construction zone.
Motorists traveling south on Coastal Highway should expect delays due to ongoing construction work that has shut down the left lane of traffic.
The lane restriction is affecting the stretch of Route 1 southbound from Deep Branch Road to Paynter Road, according to transportation officials.
The construction-related closure is expected to be lifted by 3 PM today. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the work zone.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Hundreds of women marched through Kenya’s capital city on Monday, demanding immediate government action to address escalating gender-based violence and femicide cases.
Demonstrators carried signs reading “Stop Killing Women” as they walked through Nairobi’s streets, accompanied by police escorts. The protesters also brought a coffin and raised awareness about recent local reports of missing and murdered children.
Advocacy organizations for women’s rights have sounded alarms about increasing gender-based violence incidents and are pushing for the government to officially recognize it as a national emergency.
The demonstration follows a tragic incident where a local singer was burned alive after being doused with gasoline, later dying from her injuries.
Police announced on May 23 that they had established a special investigation team, combining criminal intelligence analysts, forensic specialists, homicide detectives and other experts.
According to police findings, most gender-based violence incidents stem from household disputes, partner violence, sexual crimes, physical attacks and unresolved family issues.
The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya reports handling approximately 70 gender-based violence cases weekly through their offices in Nairobi, the coastal city of Mombasa and lakeside Kisumu.
Advocacy organizations delivered a 40-day deadline to the government on May 21, threatening nationwide demonstrations if no action is taken. However, protests have begun ahead of schedule.
Drivers traveling through downtown Wilmington should plan for potential delays as construction work continues to impact traffic flow on Pennsylvania Avenue.
DelDOT reports that intermittent lane restrictions are affecting the stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue located between N Rodney Street and N Bancroft Parkway. The construction-related closures are expected to remain active until 5 PM today.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes when possible to avoid delays in the area.
Motorists traveling on southbound Interstate 95 should be aware of ongoing litter removal activities taking place along the highway’s right shoulder today.
The cleanup operation extends from mile marker 0 all the way to the Pennsylvania state line. Work crews are expected to complete their litter collection efforts by 4 PM this afternoon.
Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the area where the cleanup activities are occurring.
A wild mushroom pasta dish was showcased by Chef Tammy Brawley during an episode of Real Virginia, the weekly television show produced by Virginia Farm Bureau.
The Chicken of the Woods Scampi recipe calls for 2 tablespoons each of butter and olive oil, along with 1 sliced garlic clove and crushed red pepper to taste. The dish also requires 2 tablespoons of dry white wine, 2 cups of coarsely sliced Chicken of the Woods mushrooms, and 1 package of angel hair pasta prepared according to package instructions.
For garnishing, the recipe suggests chopped parsley, fresh squeezed lemon, and shredded parmesan cheese.
To prepare the dish, cooks should first make the pasta according to directions, drain it, and set it aside while keeping some pasta water in reserve.
The cooking process begins by combining butter and olive oil in a large saute pan. Next, add the garlic and cook until it becomes tender, then incorporate the red pepper. Pour the wine into the center of the pan and allow it to simmer.
The mushrooms should then be added to the pan and stirred. Finally, mix the prepared pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if the mixture appears too dry.
A culinary professional recently showcased a flavorful condiment recipe during an appearance on Real Virginia, the weekly television show produced by Virginia Farm Bureau. Chef Tammy Brawley demonstrated how to create a sauce that balances sweetness with spice, designed to complement both seafood and grilled fruit.
The recipe calls for two pounds of very large shrimp along with several sauce ingredients including one tablespoon of sambal oelek chili paste, one teaspoon of kosher salt, one teaspoon of orange zest, one tablespoon of orange juice, half a cup of agave or maple syrup, one tablespoon of tomato paste, two minced green onions, and pineapple spears for grilling.
To prepare the dish, cooks should combine all ingredients thoroughly using a whisk, setting aside the pineapple spears. The cooking process involves heating a grill or indoor grill pan to medium temperature, then placing the pineapple spears on the cooking surface. Once grill marks become visible, the fruit should be brushed with the prepared sauce. The same sauce serves as an accompaniment for the shrimp as well.
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — A flamboyant attorney who supports former President Trump has emerged as the frontrunner in Colombia’s presidential contest following first-round voting over the weekend, tapping into widespread demand for tough action against criminal organizations throughout Latin America.
However, the runner-up, progressive senator Iván Cepeda, along with his political partner President Gustavo Petro, challenged Sunday night’s election outcomes without offering proof.
Aberaldo de la Espriella quickly built momentum before Sunday’s voting, securing almost 44% of ballots cast, overtaking progressive senator Iván Cepeda, who had maintained polling leads during the campaign but received less than 41% of votes.
Both candidates will advance to a runoff contest scheduled for June 21, where de la Espriella is anticipated to gain additional support from Colombians who backed other conservative contenders in the initial round.
Cepeda faces significant challenges in the upcoming runoff, according to Colombian political analyst Sergio Guzmán. “Abelardo de la Espriella won the first round. In other words, that’s a shift in public opinion that is very difficult to overcome. So now Abelardo is emerging as the likely favorite to win.”
De la Espriella, nicknamed “El Tigre” or “The Tiger,” has no previous governmental experience in Colombia and boasted about his lavish lifestyle in Italy before choosing to seek the presidency. He marketed himself as a political outsider who would align with President Donald Trump and adopt El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s anti-gang strategy, which has reduced murder rates while sparking human rights violation allegations.
“I will wipe out narcoterrorism and those who I’ve declared a military target like cockroaches, like rats. I will unleash upon them the wrath of God never seen before,” De la Espriella said in an interview with The Associated Press in the final stretch of the campaign, where he promised to open 10 mega-prisons to fight crime.
He represents a growing trend of leaders throughout Latin America – from Chile to Honduras – attempting to embrace the “Bukele model” as voters across the region increasingly reject leaders who promoted progressive policies designed to tackle underlying conflict causes, including limited youth opportunities and corruption.
De la Espriella’s backers represent diverse demographics. Yolanda Peréz, a 64-year-old woman serving coffee in downtown Bogotá who smoked a cigarette, said with a wink the day before the election: “I’m thinking of voting for El Tigre.”
Miguel Maheca, a 20-year-old first-time voter, displayed a paper proving he voted to his mother while leaving the polling location on Sunday, saying with a smile, “Love isn’t what’s going to make us safe in Colombia.”
However, analysts argue El Salvador’s security achievements will be virtually impossible to duplicate in a nation like Colombia, which is more than 50 times larger than the Central American country and contains many more armed factions fighting for control.
The divided election occurs as the Trump administration takes a more assertive stance in Latin America than any U.S. government in recent decades, applying increased pressure on nations including Colombia, Mexico, and Ecuador to combat crime.
De la Espriella, 47, built his reputation as an attorney representing prominent clients including former President Álvaro Uribe (2002–2010), along with controversial individuals like Alex Saab, a close associate of Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolás Maduro who faces legal troubles in the U.S. and whom he ceased representing approximately seven years ago.
De la Espriella’s emergence as a presidential contender creates difficulties for progressive Cepeda, who maintained polling advantages before Sunday’s election, although his opponent rapidly gained momentum in the weeks preceding the vote.
Cepeda is a progressive senator who has pledged to continue his ally Petro’s troubled strategy to achieve “total peace” through negotiating peace agreements with guerrillas and criminal gangs.
Their political movement emerged from strong opposition by many Colombians to a militarized campaign by Uribe in previous decades used to defeat the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrillas, which resulted in thousands of civilian deaths by Colombian forces in a scandal called “false positives.”
Mr. De la Espriella “represents a return to the paramilitary politics and drug-trafficking, – a mafia-run, plutocratic, and corrupt past that the country experienced during Álvaro Uribe’s two administrations,” Cepeda said on Sunday.
Petro, a former rebel, captured Colombia’s presidency in 2022 in a landmark election that concluded decades of right-wing control by leaders from Uribe’s political faction. He received enormous support from rural, indigenous and lower-income Colombians who believed they had never been directly addressed by Colombian leaders.
Currently, that movement finds itself in a defensive position.
“This is De la Espriella’s election to lose,” wrote Renata Segura, director of International Crisis Group’s Latin America and the Caribbean Program. “Cepeda thought he could win appealing squarely to the left, and that proved to be a massive mistake. How he pivots in the next month will determine if he has any chance to win.”
KHUJAND, Tajikistan (AP) — Dawn breaks at 5:30 a.m. as activity kicks into high gear at the Panjshanbe Bazaar, among the nation’s most expansive marketplaces. Merchants empty trucks filled with fresh cabbage while pigeons gather near the adjacent mosque, all under the watchful gaze of a towering image of President Emomali Rahmon.
Since taking office in 1992, Rahmon has led this Central Asian nation through decades of change following its break from the crumbling Soviet Union. The landlocked, mountainous territory ranks as the most economically disadvantaged among the 15 nations that gained independence, enduring a brutal five-year conflict between Moscow-supported government troops and opposition groups made up primarily of democracy advocates and Islamic forces. The Khujand region served as a stronghold for government supporters during this period.
Now, with the nation approaching its 35th independence milestone, the area enjoys stability and relies heavily on money sent home by workers employed in Russia. Images of Rahmon are displayed throughout educational institutions, lodging facilities, dining establishments and cultural sites. His stern expression and prominent eyebrows even watch over patrons at the community swimming facility, surrounded by Soviet-inspired artwork.
Similar to other areas across the country, Khujand’s marketplace retains elements from the Soviet period, including aging infrastructure and Cyrillic lettering mixed with Islamic designs. Though Panjshanbe means Thursday in the local language, Sunday brings the weekly livestock market to life. Colorful parakeets, rabbits and hedgehogs are available for purchase while youngsters and their fathers observe cockfighting matches in the parking area.
Despite the ever-present reminders of its Soviet heritage, Tajikistan has joined other Central Asian nations in developing its distinct cultural identity. In Khujand, previously known as Leninabad, a monument honoring Soviet Union creator Vladimir Lenin once stood prominently in the city center. Authorities relocated it in 2011 to the city’s edge, where it now sits between a muddy lot and a gravel pathway.
Government statistics show Tajikistan welcomed 1.8 million visitors in 2025, with more than 91.5% arriving from other former Soviet territories. Though tourist numbers continue growing annually, travelers from English-speaking nations remain uncommon. Local bread makers, surprised to encounter an American visitor, eagerly displayed their 3-somoni ($0.32) non, or lepyoshka, bread.
At an educational facility, uniformed female students prepared for an inspection by a regional administrator by cleaning the building’s front, which displayed a banner commemorating Tajikistan’s 34th independence year and featured words from poet Rudaki, whom the government honors as a national icon: “Whoever has not learned from the passing of time will also not learn from any teacher.”
NEW DELHI (AP) — India announced it will maintain diplomatic relations with Myanmar following Monday’s meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the head of Myanmar’s military-backed administration, even as Western countries continue sanctions after the military takeover in 2021.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri explained that India’s approach is “not intended to be a commentary on the internal political arrangements” in Myanmar, with New Delhi viewing continued engagement as the most effective path forward.
Countries in the West have attempted to isolate Myanmar’s military leadership since they removed the democratically elected administration of Aung San Suu Kyi through a 2021 coup that sparked widespread repression and created a nationwide conflict and humanitarian emergency. Some observers and human rights organizations argue that Min Aung Hlaing’s trip to India could provide credibility to the military-controlled government.
“We have always proceeded on the principle that sustained dialogue is what is important,” Misri stated, emphasizing that cutting off Myanmar would prove ineffective.
“History has shown that disengagement doesn’t give us any results that are better than engagement,” he explained.
This marks Min Aung Hlaing’s initial trip to India since taking office as president in April after an election that opponents claim was structured to solidify military control. His previous Indian visit occurred in 2019 while serving as Myanmar’s top military commander.
India and Myanmar share a 1,643-kilometer (1,020-mile) land border plus a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. India currently shelters thousands of Myanmar refugees, including many who escaped violence in northwestern Chin state and other war-torn regions.
Myanmar holds strategic significance for India’s security concerns. Both nations have coordinated on border protection and intelligence operations to counter insurgent organizations active along their shared frontier.
Following their discussion, Modi and Min Aung Hlaing did not speak publicly, breaking from the typical protocol for bilateral meetings with visiting foreign leaders in New Delhi.
However, Misri revealed that the leaders covered trade, defense and security partnerships, border oversight, and regional matters, with conversations also emphasizing expanded economic and technological relationships. He noted both parties committed to strengthening cooperation in multiple areas including commerce, energy and essential minerals, while accelerating major infrastructure projects.
The officials also addressed joint efforts against cybercrime and human trafficking, problems that have impacted thousands of Indians deceived into working at fraudulent operations throughout the region. Misri reported that India and Myanmar have collaborated to rescue over 2,400 Indian citizens during the past 18 months.
Throughout his stay, Min Aung Hlaing also conducted meetings with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
WASHINGTON — Tuesday’s primary elections in Iowa feature wide-open contests for the state’s top offices after two leading Republican figures decided not to seek reelection, setting up competitive races that will have significant implications for November’s general election.
The departure of Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst from their respective races has created a domino effect of contested nominations and vacant seats throughout the ballot. These primary results will determine who competes in November’s crucial midterm elections, where Iowa’s federal legislative seats could help decide which party controls the closely divided Congress.
Four candidates are seeking to fill Ernst’s Senate seat after she declared in 2025 she wouldn’t pursue a third term. On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson is battling former state Sen. Jim Carlin, while Democrats will choose between state Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach Wahls. Carlin previously sought Iowa’s other Senate seat in 2022, earning approximately 27% of the primary vote in a race against U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.
Reynolds similarly announced in 2025 her decision against seeking another gubernatorial term. Five Republicans are competing for their party’s nomination: state Rep. Eddie Andrews, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, entrepreneur and private school co-founder Zach Lahn, former state Rep. Brad Sherman, and former state administrative services director Adam Steen.
The Republican gubernatorial nominee will face Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand, who runs unopposed in his primary. Sand currently serves as Iowa’s sole Democrat holding statewide elected office.
The congressional campaigns of Hinson and Feenstra have opened up races in Iowa’s 2nd and 4th Congressional Districts. While Feenstra’s heavily Republican district is unlikely to impact chamber control, Hinson’s more competitive district could play a larger role, despite her 57% reelection victory in 2024.
Iowa’s most contested congressional races feature Republican U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of the 1st District and Zach Nunn of the 3rd District both running for reelection. Miller-Meeks faces a second matchup with advertising executive David Pautsch, who captured about 44% of the vote in their 2024 primary battle. The Democratic field includes former state Rep. Christina Bohannan, who fell just 800 votes short of defeating Miller-Meeks in 2024.
In the 3rd Congressional District, both Nunn and his Democratic challenger, state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, face no primary opposition.
Republican Donald Trump secured approximately 54% of the 2024 presidential vote in both the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts, and about 52% in the 3rd District.
The state’s three most populous counties — Polk, Linn, and Scott — will significantly influence both Republican and Democratic statewide primary outcomes. Johnson County ranks fourth in population, but its status as home to Iowa City and the University of Iowa makes it a Democratic stronghold with limited impact on Republican contests.
Polling locations close at 8 p.m. Central Time, which translates to 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Associated Press will track vote totals and announce winners in competitive primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, auditor, and state legislative positions.
Primary participation requires voter registration with the corresponding political party, though voters can switch party affiliations at polling places on election day.
Current voter registration data from May 4 shows approximately 2.1 million registered voters statewide, with about 692,000 Republicans, roughly 496,000 Democrats, and around 589,000 unaffiliated voters.
The 2022 U.S. Senate primaries drew about 196,000 Republican votes and approximately 157,000 Democratic votes.
Early voting comprised roughly 16% of Republican primary ballots and about 25% of Democratic primary ballots in the 2022 Senate primaries.
Through Thursday, approximately 41,000 ballots had been submitted for Tuesday’s election, with roughly 26,000 from Democratic primary voters and more than 15,000 from Republican primary participants.
Most counties report mail-in absentee results at the beginning of election night, though timing varies for in-person absentee vote reporting.
During the 2022 contested state primary, the AP began reporting results at 9:12 p.m. Eastern Time, just 12 minutes after polls closed. The final vote update occurred at 2:29 a.m. Eastern Time, with over 99% of votes tallied.
The AP bases winner declarations on mathematical certainty that trailing candidates cannot overcome existing vote gaps, rather than making projections. When races remain undecided, the AP continues covering significant developments while clearly stating no winner has been declared and explaining the reasoning.
Iowa lacks automatic recount provisions, but candidates may request and fund recounts. No payment is required for recounts when margins fall below 1% of total votes or fewer than 50 votes, whichever is greater. The AP may declare winners in recount-eligible races if the lead appears too substantial for recounts or legal challenges to alter the outcome.
Tuesday marks exactly 154 days before the 2026 midterm elections.
New Jersey voters will head to polling stations Tuesday to choose congressional nominees in primary elections, with particular focus on a crucial swing district that may determine which party controls the U.S. House.
The Republican Party currently maintains a slim House majority but confronts challenging midterm conditions where the party occupying the White House traditionally loses congressional seats. While Republicans might benefit from recent redistricting efforts in multiple states and a Supreme Court decision that threatens Democratic-majority Black districts in the South, securing competitive districts such as New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District remains vital to both parties’ plans for maintaining or gaining chamber control.
In the 7th District, U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. seeks a third term and faces no Republican primary challenger. His father, Thomas Kean Sr., held the New Jersey governor’s office for two terms during the 1980s as a Republican.
The congressman will meet the victor of a contested Democratic primary that includes former healthcare executive Rebecca Bennett, former Small Business Administration official Michael Roth, physician Tina Shah and entrepreneur and business owner Brian Varela. Bennett has raised more money than her Democratic rivals and possessed the largest campaign war chest entering the race’s final phase.
Questions have emerged regarding Kean’s presence both on the campaign circuit and in congressional chambers. He issued a statement on April 27 explaining he was dealing with “a personal medical issue” and anticipated returning “very soon.” Through Monday, he had missed every legislative vote since March 5, accumulating more than 100 consecutive absences.
The 7th Congressional District spans northern New Jersey from Staten Island to the Pennsylvania border. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump won the district narrowly in 2024, defeating Democratic nominee Kamala Harris by 49.6% to 48.5%.
The ballot also includes U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, who encounters no Democratic primary opposition while pursuing a third full term. Republicans vying to face him in November include physician Robert Lebovics, former Tabernacle Deputy Mayor Justin Murphy, Army veteran and former state trooper Richard Tabor and former local TV news reporter Alex Zdan.
Bergen and Middlesex counties near New York City rank among the state’s most populated areas and serve as crucial battlegrounds in both Democratic and Republican statewide primaries. Essex County, home to Newark, represents another major population hub, though its heavily Democratic makeup reduces its influence in Republican contests. Ocean, Monmouth and Morris counties typically generate the highest Republican primary vote totals statewide.
Union County delivers the largest portion of 7th Congressional District votes, with Somerset and Hunterdon counties following.
Polling locations close at 8 p.m. ET.
The Associated Press will report vote tallies and announce winners in competitive primaries for U.S. Senate and U.S. House seats.
Only registered party members can participate in their party’s primary, meaning Democrats cannot vote in Republican contests and vice versa. Independent or unaffiliated voters may join either primary, though participation automatically enrolls them in that party.
New Jersey had approximately 6.7 million registered voters as of May 1, consisting of roughly 2.5 million registered Democrats, 1.7 million registered Republicans and 2.4 million unaffiliated voters.
The 2025 gubernatorial primary drew about 841,000 Democratic votes and 466,000 Republican votes. This exceeded turnout for 2024 U.S. Senate primaries, which recorded approximately 525,000 Democratic votes and 318,000 Republican votes.
Early voting comprised about 46% of Democratic primary ballots and 31% of Republican primary ballots in the 2025 gubernatorial races.
Through Wednesday, roughly 285,000 ballots had been submitted for Tuesday’s election, with about 79% from Democrats and 20% from Republicans.
New Jersey counties generally report mail and early in-person voting results before Election Day totals. Counties usually publish all or nearly all mail and early voting numbers in their initial report before releasing any Election Day results.
During the 2025 gubernatorial primaries, the AP began reporting results at 8:03 p.m. ET, three minutes after polls closed. The final update occurred at 11:43 p.m. ET with approximately 93% of votes tallied.
The AP avoids making projections and declares winners only when determining no possible scenario exists for trailing candidates to overcome deficits. When races remain undecided, the AP continues covering significant developments like candidate concessions or victory claims while clarifying it has not declared a winner and explaining the reasoning.
New Jersey rarely conducts recounts. The state lacks automatic recount provisions, but candidates and voters may request and fund them, receiving cost refunds if outcomes change. The AP may declare winners in recount-eligible races when determining leads are too substantial for recounts or legal challenges to alter results.
Tuesday marks 154 days until the 2026 midterm elections.
Motorists traveling on southbound Dundee Road should expect delays this afternoon as construction crews have closed the right lane between Willow Grove Road and Bison Road.
The lane closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 4 PM today while work continues in the area.
Drivers are advised to use caution when approaching the construction zone and allow extra time for their commute through this section of roadway.
