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.
We are keeping a close eye on a developing area of low pressure expected to form off the East Coast during the middle of the week. While the system bears watching, current indications suggest it will remain far enough offshore to spare the Delmarva Peninsula from any significant impacts.
An upper-level trough currently moving through the Northeast is expected to become more amplified over the next several days. As this occurs, we expect the base of the trough to close off into an upper-level low pressure system somewhere near the North Carolina coast or farther northeast over the Atlantic Ocean.
As the upper-level low develops, a corresponding surface low pressure system is expected to form offshore. However, forecast guidance continues to indicate that the storm will remain well east of the Mid-Atlantic coastline.
A large area of high pressure centered over the Great Lakes and Northeast is expected to act as a blocking mechanism, preventing the storm from moving closer to land. Because of this, confidence is increasing that dry weather will continue across Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and much of the surrounding region through the end of the workweek.
While rainfall is not expected, the offshore storm could still have a minor influence on local weather. If the low pressure system tracks slightly closer to the coast than currently forecast, northeasterly winds could develop, leading to somewhat cooler temperatures, particularly near the Atlantic beaches and Delaware Bay shoreline.
Despite that possibility, the overall forecast remains favorable with seasonable conditions expected through midweek.
Temperatures are forecast to gradually warm during the second half of the week as high pressure shifts southeastward. Afternoon highs should climb into the 80s by Thursday before potentially reaching the lower 90s across parts of Delmarva on Friday and Saturday.
The warming trend will be driven by a much warmer air mass moving into the Northeast, bringing summerlike conditions back to the region after several days of more comfortable temperatures.
Looking ahead to the weekend, there are some early indications that precipitation chances may begin to increase. However, forecast confidence remains low regarding the timing and coverage of any showers or thunderstorms.
For now, residents can expect several more days of dry weather, plenty of sunshine, and a gradual return to hotter temperatures heading into the first weekend of June.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A pair of weak cold fronts will move through the Delmarva Peninsula today, bringing a shift in winds, slightly cooler temperatures, and the possibility of a few isolated showers.
The first cold front moved through the region during the early morning hours as a weak area of low pressure tracked across the Mid-Atlantic. While no rainfall accompanied the front, residents may notice changing wind directions throughout the day. Winds that began from the south overnight will gradually shift to the southwest, northwest, and eventually north as the front exits the area.
Attention then turns to a second feature known as a back door cold front, which will slide southward through Delmarva this afternoon. Unlike a traditional cold front that approaches from the west, a back door front moves in from the northeast, allowing cooler marine air from the Atlantic Ocean to spread inland.
The combination of increasing onshore flow and a weak disturbance in the middle levels of the atmosphere could be enough to trigger a few isolated light showers across portions of Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and southern New Jersey. However, rainfall amounts are expected to remain minimal, with many locations receiving only a trace of precipitation. Any areas that do see measurable rain will likely receive no more than a few hundredths of an inch.
East winds will increase to around 10 to 15 mph during the afternoon, with occasional gusts reaching 20 mph. Temperatures will remain seasonable for early June, with afternoon highs reaching the middle to upper 70s across much of Delmarva. Communities along the Delaware and Maryland beaches will remain cooler due to the onshore flow.
Conditions improve tonight as skies gradually clear behind the departing front. The cooler air mass will allow temperatures to fall into the 40s and lower 50s by daybreak Tuesday, providing a crisp and comfortable night across the region.
While today’s weather will not be a washout, residents may encounter a brief passing shower this afternoon before drier and pleasant conditions return tonight.
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.
Motorists using Route 14 westbound in the Milford area should be aware of an active lane shift affecting traffic patterns through 5 PM today.
The lane shift is in place on the Milford Harrington Highway heading west between Canterbury Road (Route 15) and Church Hill Road. Drivers should use caution and expect possible delays while navigating through the work zone.
The Delaware Department of Transportation is managing the traffic pattern change, which is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 PM this evening.
Drivers traveling westbound on Commerce Street should expect delays today as construction crews have closed the right lane between Brown Street and Farmington Road.
The lane closure is expected to remain in effect until 4 PM, according to traffic officials. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the work zone.
Traffic is being directed around the construction area, but delays are likely during peak travel hours.
A major global investment company has brought aboard a seasoned technology expert as it positions itself for what executives anticipate will be a significant wave of artificial intelligence-driven business deals.
Permira announced it has recruited Mike Hoffmann from rival firm Thoma Bravo to serve as a partner on its technology investment team. Hoffmann began his new position Monday and will operate from the company’s Menlo Park, California office.
The new hire brings more than 15 years of expertise in software and technology investments to his role. During his tenure of over ten years at Thoma Bravo, Hoffmann served as a partner on the firm’s primary buyout fund, spearheading investments spanning software, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data management and information technology sectors. His portfolio included companies such as ConnectWise, which develops software for managed IT service providers; Verint, a customer engagement and analytics firm; and Talend, which specializes in data integration and management software. Prior to Thoma Bravo, he held positions at Providence Equity Partners and Citigroup Global Markets.
In his new position, Hoffmann will concentrate on transactions across various investment approaches, encompassing large-cap and upper middle-market buyout transactions as well as smaller growth-focused investments.
The investment firm is seeking to broaden its technology platform across software and AI-enabled enterprises, while intensifying its focus on investments in AI-enabled infrastructure, particularly data centers, as computing capacity demand continues to rise.
“The next investing cycle will produce one of the most exciting and challenging investment vintages for some time, particularly in the technology industry as AI continues to transform the economy,” Brian Ruder, Co-CEO of Permira, said. “What’s clear is that even deeper sector expertise than before is a must.”
During 2025, Permira’s technology team achieved its largest-ever annual distributions to investors, contributing to more than €12.6 billion ($14.7 billion) returned across the entire firm. A significant portion of these returns resulted from strategic exits, including the sale of Informatica to Salesforce and Genesys’ sale of equity stakes to Salesforce and ServiceNow.
Established in 1985, Permira provides advisory services for funds across two primary asset classes, private equity and credit, managing approximately $100 billion in total committed capital. The Permira funds have previously supported and helped scale numerous major technology companies worldwide, including Genesys, TeamViewer, Zendesk, McAfee, Mimecast, Octus, Informatica, Klarna, Magento and Teraco, among others.
The European Union is developing new regulations that could prevent major American technology companies from securing critical government cloud computing contracts, according to internal documents obtained by Reuters.
The restrictions would target Amazon, Microsoft and Google through stringent requirements for highly sensitive state procurement projects. These proposed rules form part of the European Commission’s Cloud and AI Development Act, which the EU’s technology leader Henna Virkkunen plans to unveil on Wednesday.
The announcement will be included in a broader set of initiatives designed to decrease Europe’s reliance on American technology firms. The draft proposal, which has not been previously disclosed and may still undergo modifications, would establish mandatory evaluation standards beyond pricing considerations.
These new standards would include stipulations that software and hardware be created within EU borders, a requirement that would put American technology giants at a significant disadvantage in the bidding process.
When asked for comment, the European Commission refused to discuss specific details of the upcoming proposal. However, officials stated that the technology independence package represents something that is “crucial for strengthening Europe’s own technological capacities, for Europe’s competitiveness and security.”
Drivers using Janice Road southbound are dealing with lane restrictions today as construction crews work in the area.
The left lane remains blocked between Siham Boulevard and Coastal Highway (Route 1) while the work continues.
The lane closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 PM today. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when driving through the construction zone.
Motorists traveling on Nassau Road are facing lane restrictions today due to ongoing construction work in the area.
The southbound right lane is currently blocked between New Road and Coastal Highway (Route 1), creating potential delays for drivers during the afternoon commute.
Transportation officials indicate the lane closure will remain in effect until 5PM today while construction crews complete their work.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the construction zone.
Motorists traveling on N Star Road should expect traffic delays today as construction work continues to impact traffic flow in the area.
According to DelDOT, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures along the stretch of N Star Road located between Neptune Drive and Cox Road. The construction-related restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect until 5 PM this evening.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time when using this route and to exercise caution while navigating through the work zone.
NAIROBI, Kenya — Large crowds of young demonstrators gathered Monday in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki to voice opposition to plans for establishing an Ebola quarantine facility for American citizens at the Laikipia Air Base.
The demonstrations occurred just two days following a Kenya High Court decision to temporarily halt the facility’s creation and block any incoming foreign patients while reviewing a legal challenge brought by the Law Society of Kenya and a constitutional watchdog organization.
Both groups pointed to Kenya’s vulnerable healthcare infrastructure as justification for why foreign Ebola patients should not receive quarantine treatment within the country’s borders.
American officials announced Thursday their intention to transport Americans who have been exposed to Ebola overseas to this new Kenyan facility rather than bringing them back to the United States. Speaking anonymously about the administration’s strategy, these officials indicated the Laikipia Air Base location would become operational by Friday with capacity for 50 quarantine patients.
During Monday’s demonstration, large numbers of young people gathered at the air base entrance, shouting slogans opposing Ebola-related activities.
Health Minister Aden Duale stated Sunday that the quarantine facility was designed for “everyone” rather than being limited to U.S. citizens exclusively.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a statement that the U.S. government plans to provide $13.5 million to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness initiatives.
Regional officials, including Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, have expressed their opposition to creating an Ebola quarantine center to media representatives.
“This will expose our people to Ebola,” he stated, noting that numerous local residents are employed at the air base and face potential exposure risks.
While Kenya has recorded no Ebola infections, nearby Uganda has documented nine cases and shut down its border with Congo.
Congo has reported a minimum of 282 confirmed infections along with more than 1,000 suspected instances of the Bundibugyo virus, the current Ebola strain, for which no authorized treatment or vaccination exists.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International arbitrators have dismissed Rwanda’s $134 million legal challenge against the United Kingdom over a terminated refugee resettlement program that Prime Minister Keir Starmer cancelled upon assuming office in 2024.
The agreement, established in 2022 under Starmer’s predecessor, Rishi Sunak, called for relocating asylum seekers who reached the U.K. by boat or as stowaways to the East African nation. The arrangement included financial provisions to Rwanda for associated expenses. When Starmer terminated the program, his home secretary at the time, Yvette Cooper, described it as “the most shocking waste of taxpayer money I have ever seen.”
The Permanent Court of Arbitration dismissed two separate Rwandan demands, each worth 50 million pounds ($67 million), related to financing for the cancelled program. While the ruling was dated May 15, the Hague-based tribunal officially released it on Monday. The panel also turned down two additional Rwandan complaints concerning alleged U.K. violations of the agreement.
In their 76-page decision, arbitrators determined that formal diplomatic correspondence between both nations following Starmer’s cancellation constituted a mutual understanding that the U.K. would not provide the two 50 million-pound installments scheduled for April 2025 and 2026 to fund migrant relocations.
The original plan called for transferring migrants to Rwanda, where asylum applications would be reviewed and approved applicants would remain permanently. Britain’s Supreme Court declared the policy illegal, ruling that Rwanda could not be considered a safe destination for relocated migrants.
The British government issued a statement saying: “The U.K. robustly defended its position, and the tribunal has now ruled in favor of the U.K. on all grounds.”
The statement continued that Starmer’s government is “now focused on delivering vital reforms to restore order and control to our borders, including removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain and scaling up removals of those with no right to be here.”
Rwanda has not yet provided a response to the ruling.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Technology giant Nvidia announced Monday the launch of advanced computer processors designed to integrate sophisticated artificial intelligence capabilities into personal laptops and desktop machines, with new computer models from manufacturers like Microsoft and Dell scheduled for release later this year.
The Santa Clara, California-based technology company has already achieved tremendous success providing high-performance processors for data centers during the global AI expansion, but now seeks to broaden its reach into additional AI systems and consumer products.
Company founder and CEO Jensen Huang, who is Taiwanese-American, revealed the announcement during Nvidia’s annual GTC conference in Taipei. He stated that Microsoft and Nvidia “are going to reinvent the PC (personal computer)” during his main presentation.
“This is going to be the new PC,” Huang declared while introducing Nvidia’s RTX Spark superchip — which merges CPU, or central processing unit, and GPU, or graphics processing unit, functions — designed to operate new Windows laptop and desktop models in what the company termed “AI personal computers,” anticipated to launch this fall.
Nvidia currently holds the position as the world’s most valuable corporation, surpassing Apple, Google’s parent Alphabet and Microsoft.
The corporation stated it will be “reinventing the personal computer” for content creation and gaming purposes. “When it has an autonomous (AI) agent, an agent that’s helping you, that understands you, you could talk to it. It could look at you. You could ask it to read files, go help you do some research. It could do a lot more,” Huang explained.
Microsoft announced in a separate statement that personal computers operating on Nvidia’s RTX superchips would support “highly capable AI models” and demanding computational tasks. Using the new superchips, these personal computers can operate AI agents directly on the device, Nvidia reported.
Nvidia’s strategy represents a major development as demand increases for personal AI assistant usage, according to Lian Jye Su, chief analyst at technology research and advisory firm Omdia.
“For consumers, it means more choices, which is always a good thing,” Su commented.
Neil Shah, analyst and co-founder of Counterpoint Research, characterized Nvidia’s announcement as a development that’s “revolutionizing how PCs would look like in the next 10 years.”
The upcoming laptops and desktop computers “will drive agentic AI applications in every home,” Shah explained, aiming to establish an “AI supercomputer” in every household.
During Monday’s presentation, Nvidia’s Huang also announced that its new Vera CPUs for data centers are in complete production and are “going to be our new major growth driver” during the expansion of AI agents, with initial customers anticipated to include Anthropic, OpenAI and SpaceXAI. He additionally presented a humanoid robot reference design that could serve as a framework for future research, particularly in the higher education field.
WASHINGTON (AP) — New Mexico voters will head to the polls Tuesday to select party nominees for governor and other major state and federal positions in the state’s primary election.
The voting occurs while ongoing conflict in Iran drives up gasoline costs, generating unexpected revenue for the country’s second-largest oil-producing state that the next governor will help oversee. Current Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham cannot seek reelection due to term limits.
Competing for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination to succeed Lujan Grisham are former congresswoman and former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. Haaland previously served as the first Native American cabinet secretary and would make history as the first Native American woman governor in any state if successful.
Three Republicans are vying for their party’s gubernatorial nomination: former Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, medical cannabis entrepreneur and former state cabinet secretary Duke Rodriguez, and small business owner Doug Turner.
In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Ben Ray Luján is seeking his second term while facing opposition from business owner and community organizer Matt Dodson.
The Republican U.S. Senate primary ballot contains no printed names, though 2024 state Senate candidate Larry Marker is pursuing the nomination through a certified write-in campaign. Marker previously mounted a write-in bid for land commissioner in 2022.
New Mexico’s election rules require certified write-in candidates running unopposed in primaries to meet specific vote minimums to secure nominations. This threshold matches the signature requirement for write-in qualification. Republican statewide candidates need 2,351 votes. Should Marker fall short of this requirement, no Republican Senate nominee will advance to November’s general election.
Several other races feature only write-in candidates competing for Republican nominations in state auditor, treasurer and state House Districts 14 and 44. A Democratic write-in candidate is the sole contender for the nomination in state House District 38. All must meet their respective vote thresholds to proceed to the general election.
Bernalillo County, which includes Albuquerque, contains the state’s largest population and significantly influences both primary and general election outcomes. Additional counties worth monitoring include Doña Ana, Santa Fe, Sandoval, San Juan and Valencia.
Key election details and data points the AP Decision Team will track during vote counting:
Voting concludes at 7 p.m. MT, equivalent to 9 p.m. ET.
The Associated Press will report vote totals and announce winners in competitive primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, land commissioner and state House. The AP will also assess whether write-in candidates for U.S. Senate, auditor, treasurer and three state House seats will proceed to the general election.
Only registered party members can participate in their respective party’s primary. Democrats cannot vote in Republican contests and vice versa. Unaffiliated or independent voters may choose either primary.
Registration data from April 30 showed approximately 1.4 million New Mexico voters, comprising roughly 573,000 Democrats, 443,000 Republicans and 378,000 unaffiliated voters.
The 2022 gubernatorial primaries saw approximately 125,000 Democratic votes and 118,000 Republican votes cast.
Early voting accounted for about 55% of Democratic primary ballots and 48% of Republican primary ballots in 2024, slightly exceeding 2022 levels.
Through Friday, roughly 94,000 Democratic primary ballots and 46,000 Republican primary ballots had been submitted for Tuesday’s election.
New Mexico’s 33 counties follow different schedules for releasing vote results. More than half typically report most mail and early in-person voting results in their initial update. Some counties include Election Day in-person results in the first report, while others release them throughout the evening.
During the 2022 gubernatorial primary, the AP began reporting results at 9:11 p.m. ET, just 11 minutes after polls closed. The final update came at 2:50 a.m. ET with over 99% of votes tallied.
The AP avoids projections and only declares winners when no possible scenario exists for trailing candidates to overcome deficits. For uncalled races, the AP continues covering significant developments like candidate concessions or victory claims while clarifying that no winner has been declared and explaining the reasoning.
New Mexico mandates automatic recounts when margins fall below 0.25% of total votes for federal or statewide offices, below 0.5% for public education commissioner, district attorney and certain county positions, and below 1% for remaining offices including state legislators. The AP may call races subject to recounts if leads appear too substantial for recounts or legal challenges to alter outcomes.
Tuesday marks 154 days until the 2026 midterm elections.
WASHINGTON — A political deadlock continues between congressional Republicans and the administration after GOP senators departed the capital ten days ago without approving funding for the president’s immigration enforcement operations.
Republican lawmakers returning to the nation’s capital on Monday indicate they lack sufficient support to advance the Homeland Security funding measure until the administration collaborates on establishing restrictions for a controversial $1.776 billion compensation fund intended for the president’s supporters. However, the president has demonstrated minimal willingness to negotiate, despite a court order temporarily blocking distributions from the fund.
The path to resolving this disagreement remains uncertain.
The administration must “come up with some suggestions and ideas,” stated Senate Majority Leader John Thune before lawmakers left Washington on May 21. The South Dakota senator expressed concern that the compensation money — which might potentially reach supporters who assaulted law enforcement and stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021 — “just makes everything way harder than it should be.”
This deadlock surrounding the “anti-weaponization” fund represents a critical moment as Republicans work to maintain their congressional control in upcoming elections while pursuing their legislative priorities. The president’s campaign-season effort to challenge GOP members he considers disloyal, including some of Thune’s most dependable Republican supporters in the narrow 53-47 Senate, has intensified existing friction.
Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas both suffered primary defeats in May after the president backed their challengers, leaving questions about their future support for the administration’s priorities. An increasing number of GOP senators have grown frustrated with the president’s dismissal of what they view as their political concerns.
“I think it’s hard to divorce anything that happens here from what’s happening in the political atmosphere around us,” Thune observed.
Democratic leaders have announced plans to propose multiple amendments to the immigration legislation aimed at reducing or eliminating the settlement fund. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York informed colleagues Monday morning that Democrats would mount “a coordinated effort to kill the slush fund before one cent goes out the door.”
“No matter what Republicans do, we will force them to vote on it,” he stated.
While frustration mounted among Senate Republicans, the president indicated he remained largely unconcerned.
“I don’t care about the midterms,” the president remarked last week during discussions about the Iran conflict.
During a private session with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche before their departure, Republican senators delivered what amounted to an ultimatum — establish boundaries for the settlement or face congressional action.
GOP lawmakers had explored various approaches to restrict the fund, including limiting eligible recipients, modifying the commission overseeing settlement decisions, implementing judicial review for applicants, or eliminating the fund entirely. Republicans have considered attaching settlement restrictions to the separate immigration enforcement bill but would prefer administrative changes from the White House.
Little advancement occurred during the Memorial Day break.
Senator Todd Young of Indiana informed The Associated Press last week that he had not observed any signs “that would suggest they sent us a plan that our leadership thought was acceptable.”
“It’s in their court,” Young said regarding the administration.
Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee told Fox News Channel’s “Fox News Sunday” that ongoing discussions aim “to get to something that’s going to work.”
“I think there were just more details and more questions last week that needed to be resolved,” Hagerty explained, adding that “I’m looking forward to seeing the details this coming week.”
Blanche told the AP in a Thursday interview that “a lot of the questions will be answered in the short term.” However, he declined to provide specifics, stating that “talking in hypotheticals is something that I don’t think is fair to the process.”
The acting attorney general’s meeting with senators before their departure was “angry,” according to Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who discussed it on his podcast. Cruz reported that among approximately 45 attending Senate Republicans, “at least half of them were blasting the attorney general.”
The Senate had originally planned to remain in session late that evening to vote on the immigration spending measure, but leadership cancelled the votes and dismissed members. Cruz said Republican senators were “yelling” and informed Blanche that the fund, established through a settlement resolving the president’s IRS lawsuit over leaked tax returns, “feels like self-dealing” and “feels like Trump cut a deal with himself.”
Cruz, who expressed support for the fund, noted that Democrats had threatened to propose amendments eliminating it. Republicans “would have lost every vote” had they remained in session, he said.
He predicted that “we will see the administration announcing at a minimum a modification of this, because if they don’t, they’ve got a full-on revolt in the Senate.”
Cruz reported extensive questioning from senators about January 6th defendants, with Blanche assuring them that individuals who committed violent acts or assaulted law enforcement would not receive payments. However, Blanche has consistently refused to make such statements publicly, telling the AP that “there is no limit to who can apply.”
When asked about individuals who engaged in violence on January 6th, Blanche suggested that creating such distinctions might prove too complex.
“Who is it? I mean, you tell me, right?” Blanche said. “You have to define something and then stick to it. So that’s something I’ve been hesitant to try to do because it’s very fact intensive.”
The president has issued pardons to more than 1,500 individuals charged and prosecuted for the 2021 Capitol attack, including hundreds convicted for violently assaulting and injuring police during the building breach.
This disagreement over the fund follows Republicans’ earlier decision to abandon $1 billion in White House security funding, including money for the president’s new ballroom, as Democrats and some Republicans questioned spending taxpayer money on the large-scale project during economic difficulties. Beyond the settlement issue, Democrats had planned to force Republican senators to vote on the ballroom funding.
The remaining legislation includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, which Democrats have obstructed for months in opposition to the administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
Republicans are employing a complex budget procedure called reconciliation to fund these agencies through the president’s term without Democratic backing. Success still requires Republican unity and the president’s eventual approval.
Democrats express hope that their Republican counterparts will continue challenging the administration. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan said last week that he considers the settlement fund “probably one of the most corrupt things that we’ve ever seen an American president do.”
It represents “a bridge too far for some of my Republican Senate colleagues,” Peters stated. “I hope they realize that what was done is simply unacceptable and that they’ll stand firm.”
Drivers will need to find alternate routes as a major section of DE-9 has been shut down for construction activities.
The affected roadway spans from Bayview Road to Farm Road and will remain inaccessible to motorists during the construction period.
According to DelDOT traffic information, the closure is scheduled to continue until June 3, 2026, indicating this will be a long-term construction project affecting local traffic patterns.
Motorists who regularly use this route should plan for detours and allow extra travel time while the construction work is underway.
Motorists traveling westbound on Holly Mount Road are encountering traffic delays this afternoon due to ongoing construction activity.
The work zone is located between Beaver Dam and Harbeson Road (Route 5), where crews have closed the right lane and are using flagging operations to direct traffic through the area.
The lane restriction and flagging operation are scheduled to continue until 6 PM today. Drivers are advised to expect delays and consider alternate routes if possible.
A prominent evangelist has publicly challenged a Democratic State Representative who claimed the Bible contains no references to abortion. Franklin Graham directly disputed the lawmaker’s statement, arguing that scripture clearly addresses the matter.
“Representative Talarico couldn’t be more wrong! The Bible is not silent on abortion. God commands us, You shall not murder,” Graham stated. He also referenced biblical text from Jeremiah, saying “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”
The state representative at the center of Graham’s criticism, James Talarico, is currently seeking election to the U.S. Senate.
A recent study conducted by LifeWay Research has revealed surprising findings about the theological beliefs held by Canadian Evangelicals. The research shows that a substantial majority of those who identify as Evangelical Christians in Canada embrace viewpoints that diverge from traditional Biblical teachings.
The study found that nearly three-quarters of Canadian Evangelicals, specifically 73%, support the idea that “Everyone is born innocent in the eyes of God.” Additionally, 60% of respondents expressed agreement with the notion that “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature.”
Perhaps most notably, the research discovered that 66% of Canadian Evangelical participants hold the belief that “The Holy Spirit is a force but is not a personal being,” a perspective that differs significantly from orthodox evangelical theology.
Research from the Pew Research Center reveals significant differences in the social topics addressed during religious services across various denominations. The study shows that regular attendees of White Evangelical Protestant churches are most frequently exposed to sermons discussing abortion and homosexuality during worship services.
In contrast, Catholic churchgoers are more commonly hearing messages about abortion and immigration issues from their clergy. The research indicates that White Evangelical Protestant congregations tend to cover a broader spectrum of social and political topics during their services, including the previously mentioned issues as well as discussions about Israel, the Iran war, and environmental concerns.
The president of a leading dairy organization reflects on witnessing technological advancement from submitting graduate school assignments on floppy disks in the early 1990s to today’s rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape that’s transforming everything from internet searches to purchase predictions.
According to the dairy industry executive, AI technology has rapidly infiltrated every aspect of daily life and continues advancing faster than society can adjust to its changes.
The dairy sector cannot remain passive observers, warns the industry leader. The economic impact and far-reaching implications of AI are too significant to ignore. With challenging dairy economics, rising consumer demands, and ongoing labor shortages familiar to every producer, incorporating AI mastery becomes crucial rather than optional for ensuring a sustainable and profitable dairy industry for future generations.
The fundamental challenge remains unchanged: dairy profit margins stay narrow while market volatility persists. Feed expenses fluctuate dramatically, milk pricing swings wildly, and international markets react to social media posts or weather conditions. While dairy producers have traditionally been among agriculture’s most data-oriented business operators, today’s information volume spanning nutrition formulation, heat management, milk production, and animal health has exceeded human processing capabilities.
AI technology proves valuable by not merely collecting information but analyzing it, learning patterns, and forecasting results before issues appear in milk storage tanks. The goal isn’t replacing farmer decision-making but providing producers with extensive data to achieve precision levels that enable predicting and correcting problems before they develop.
Individual cow monitoring enhanced by AI could represent dairy’s most significant productivity advancement since rotary milking systems were introduced. Cattle thrive with consistent schedules, clean housing, and carefully balanced nutrition. Current sensor technology monitors chewing patterns, activity levels, body temperature, and food consumption, creating unique behavioral profiles for each animal. AI platforms can detect early indicators of metabolic disorders, udder infections, mobility issues, or nutritional problems days before conventional observation methods. The technology can integrate weather predictions with feed formulations, optimizing nutrition before sunrise. This results in improved animal health, reduced feed expenses and veterinary costs, and increased milk output. In an industry where every additional milk pound counts, such innovations represent essential tools and competitive advantages for farmers implementing AI successfully.
However, AI’s most substantial long-term dairy value may exist outside barn operations. The supply chain and logistics efficiencies created by AI will certainly bring revolutionary changes. More importantly, imagine seamlessly connecting producers with consumers in both domestic and international markets. Consumers, major dairy purchasers, and foreign trade partners increasingly demand transparency regarding animal treatment, feed sources, production methods, and environmental impact.
Such information helps close deals with both international buyers in export markets and parents shopping at grocery stores. Dairy farmers using AI-powered monitoring and record-keeping can document sustainability and animal care measurements with previously impossible detail levels, creating potential advantages when serving transparency-focused customers.
The industry already recognizes that strong performance in carbon efficiency, water conservation, and soil health provides competitive benefits. Soon, AI will help predict which investments will generate optimal farm-level returns with proper data collections.
This doesn’t mean AI serves as a universal solution. Significant questions and concerns persist about harnessing this technology for maximum benefit, determining energy sources for powering it, ensuring successful coexistence between thriving farms and AI data facilities, and establishing necessary data privacy and security protections. This final point represents a serious and complex challenge requiring practical, legally binding solutions. It’s crucial to remember that AI, like everything else, isn’t infallible – without human oversight, major mistakes can happen, and ultimately dairy farmers must maintain control.
For the dairy industry, the potential advantages are too substantial to avoid the challenges, and the sector’s brightest minds must focus on solutions to understand AI’s direction and how dairy can benefit from that trajectory.
Therefore, next week at the organization’s Board of Directors meeting in Arlington, VA, an AI workshop and presentations will be added to the agenda. As the premier U.S. dairy-farmer organization, they aim to use their convening power to bring the industry together on a collaborative basis to address shared questions and challenges, seek common solutions benefiting everyone, and work through the challenges that widespread AI adoption is rapidly presenting. They anticipate seeing member contributions and look forward to serving as a knowledge center for this critical, rapidly evolving subject.
The dairy operations that succeed in the coming decade will combine human insight with AI’s predictive capabilities. The industry can view AI as an outsider’s tool, or as a threat with risks outweighing benefits, or embrace it as the next step in the same innovation that has always characterized American agriculture. The organization firmly supports AI adoption, acknowledging there will be obstacles, problems to resolve, and difficult questions to address along the way, because alongside policy leadership, they help members pursue innovative solutions benefiting the entire industry. Dairy has never feared hard work or new equipment. AI simply represents the next tool for achieving success.
When the United States marks its 250th anniversary this July 4th, several historic houses of worship will be celebrating milestones that stretch back even further into American history. These remarkable churches witnessed the birth of the nation and continue serving congregations today.
Among the most famous is Old North Church in Boston, known for the legendary signal “one if by land, two if by sea,” which has been standing for 303 years. This iconic church represents just one of a small handful of religious institutions that operated during America’s founding era and remain active today.
Even more ancient is Trinity Church in Newport Rhode Island, which dates back to 1698, making it older than the country it has watched grow. Perhaps most impressive of all is First Baptist Church in America, located in Providence, Rhode Island, which has maintained continuous operations for an extraordinary 388 years.
This is a business report placeholder for Monday, June 1st, 2026. No additional market data, financial news, or business information was included in the source material.
Congo’s health ministry announced late Sunday that confirmed Ebola cases have climbed to at least 282 during the central African country’s current outbreak, while healthcare workers who beat the disease shared their experiences of survival with The Associated Press.
The eastern Ituri province remains the center of the outbreak, accounting for 264 of the documented cases, according to Congo’s Ministry of Health. Officials report more than 1,000 suspected cases involving the Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola, for which no approved treatment or vaccine exists.
Health ministry officials identified several key obstacles in controlling the outbreak, including swift case detection and isolation, thorough contact tracing, proper burial procedures, and improving infection control measures at medical facilities.
Current contact tracing efforts have reached 45% coverage, with 220 suspected cases being investigated, ministry officials stated.
Five individuals who have successfully recovered from the illness shared their experiences with The Associated Press, describing their tremendous relief.
Nurse Baraka Bulambulu expressed his overwhelming happiness after receiving two consecutive negative Ebola test results.
The World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented recovery certificates to Bulambulu and other survivors during Sunday’s opening of a new Ebola treatment facility in Bunia, Ituri province’s capital.
“The first one came back positive, but the second and third were negative for me,” Bulambulu said with a wide grin. “Coming out of this illness alive is an indescribable joy.”
Another recovering nurse, Ezo Étienne, described how his symptoms began while making hospital rounds to check on patients.
“That was how it started,” he recalled. “I called the team and told them, ‘Something’s wrong here.’ I checked my blood pressure and saw that I was immediately experiencing hypotension (low blood pressure). I decided to rest for a bit, and a few minutes later I started vomiting.”
The WHO confirmed all five survivors work in healthcare – four as nurses and one as a laboratory worker – representing the group most impacted by the outbreak.
Medical care has primarily focused on managing patients’ symptoms, the organization reported.
“Your courage gives hope and your living story, that this outbreak can be stopped,” Tedros told the health workers on Sunday.
Uganda has documented nine Ebola cases and shut down its border with Congo to prevent further transmission.
While Congo and Uganda have experienced more than 20 Ebola outbreaks, the Bundibugyo virus strain occurs infrequently. The absence of approved vaccines and treatments, combined with remote locations and armed conflict in affected areas, has complicated response efforts.
Dr. Dieudonne Mwamba Kazadi, director-general of Congo’s National Institute of Public Health, called the recoveries “a victory worth celebrating” despite ongoing challenges.
“It’s a strong message that it is possible to recover from Ebola when seeking care early in a dedicated health facility,” he added.
Authorities in New Castle County have activated a Gold Alert as they search for a missing Townsend resident who vanished over the weekend.
Police are looking for 56-year-old Marie Delouche, who disappeared from the unit block of Main Drive at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
The New Castle County Division of Police reports that despite comprehensive search efforts, investigators have not been able to find or make contact with Marie. Officials express growing concern for her wellbeing.
This was a scheduled Monday morning sports broadcast segment for June 1st, 2026. However, the specific sports news content and updates that were intended to be included in this broadcast segment are not available in the provided source material.
BEDZIN, Poland — Researchers have made extraordinary discoveries in a southern Polish house that once sheltered Jewish resistance fighters during World War II, uncovering hidden bunkers, underground passages, and artifacts that tell a powerful story of survival and defiance.
Among the most moving finds was an armband displaying the Star of David, discovered by the Cukerman’s Gate Foundation during their methodical search of the property.
“This armband is a witness, it’s like directly touching that evil which people created for other people,” Karolina Jakoweńko from the Cukerman’s Gate Foundation, which organized the search, told The Associated Press. Seeing it felt like a “jolt,” she said.
The two-story red brick structure sits in what was once the Jewish ghetto during the war. Young people from left-wing Zionist groups established a “kibbutz” there — essentially a support network designed to help members survive and fight back against Nazi forces.
During recent preparation work for renovations, Jakoweńko and her team methodically searched the attic, removing floorboards piece by piece and sifting through debris collected in buckets. Their careful examination revealed items from multiple time periods, including a Jewish prayer book from 1934 and the significant armband.
The foundation made even more dramatic discoveries last year when they found a bunker and underground passage on the property, guided by survivor accounts and oral histories they had gathered. Research indicates three separate bunkers existed around the building.
“The entry to the bunker was through the kitchen oven,” Piotr Jakoweńko said, pointing to a second bunker located under the kitchen, where bricks were arranged differently. “We are not aware any of the people here survived when the Nazis discovered this place. Perhaps as many as 60 were hiding here.”
Finding these hiding places required painstaking examination of every section of the property, with archaeological experts providing guidance throughout the process.
Wojciech Mazan, one of the volunteers who helped with the search, said their work was grueling but it mirrored what the Jewish youth was doing to dig out the tunnel and bunkers. “We feel some closeness to them in this energy. The house is speaking to us.”
Before the war began, approximately 27,000 Jewish residents called Bedzin home, making up half the town’s population. Additional Jewish families lived in surrounding communities in this coal-mining region near Germany, creating one of Poland’s most diverse and economically thriving Jewish populations. Nazi authorities officially established ghettos for Jewish residents in 1942.
The building now being preserved represents a crucial location in the history of Jewish resistance throughout Nazi-occupied Poland. While the Warsaw Ghetto uprising in 1943 remains the most widely known example of Jewish resistance, numerous other resistance efforts occurred throughout the country.
According to Joanna Król-Komła from the POLIN Museum of the History of the Polish Jews in Warsaw, this site could become an important destination for Holocaust education across Europe.
“There are only a few authentic places in Europe where Jews hid that have been preserved,” she said. “But in those cases, the story is usually told from the perspective of the righteous — those who saved Jews.” In Bedzin, by contrast, the preserved hiding place was organized by Jews themselves.
When Nazi forces began dismantling the Bedzin ghetto during summer 1943, Jewish residents had successfully obtained approximately 20 firearms from outside the ghetto walls. They understood that the Warsaw Ghetto, which had a larger and better-equipped resistance movement, had been destroyed in May.
The Jews in Bedzin knew well they stood no chance to survive and some chose to die weapons in hand, shooting at the Nazis who found them, Król-Komła said.
Frumka Płotnicka, a female fighter and courier from the Warsaw resistance movement who was sent to Bedzin to help organize local Jews, died in a third bunker that hasn’t been found yet, according to Karolina Jakoweńko.
She said the acts of resistance in the community went beyond shooting back at the Nazis. “Whether building bunkers or trying to hide a child or an aging parent, this is all resistance. It doesn’t always have to be a fight with weapons in hand. The fact that they wanted to survive was a form of resistance.”
Prior to World War II, Poland housed Europe’s largest Jewish community, with approximately 3.3 million residents. Although Nazi Germany, which controlled Poland during the conflict, bears responsibility for the Holocaust, Poland continues to grapple with historical instances where Polish neighbors participated in local attacks against Jewish communities.
In Bedzin, however, the local community is actively working to revive its Jewish history. Karolina Jakoweńko, who is originally from Bedzin, said “this Jewish history, for me, gave meaning to this town.”
She also recognized the Polish family who constructed the red brick house between the wars, Maria and Józef Polak, who lived alongside Jewish residents throughout the conflict, with children playing together, as allowed under Bedzin ghetto regulations. Family accounts shared with Jakoweńko describe how the woman saw the courtyard filled with bodies after Nazi forces killed the Jewish people who had been hiding.
Following the war’s end, the Polish family and their descendants decided against fencing the property, welcoming Jewish visitors and others. Recently, they agreed to transfer ownership to the Cukerman’s Gate Foundation, which intends to establish a museum called “the Bedzin Ghetto Fighters’ House.”
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confronts another political crisis Monday as hundreds of pages of government documents about former U.K. ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson are set to become public, highlighting the diplomat’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The government plans to meet parliamentary demands to disclose records concerning Mandelson’s selection for and performance in Britain’s top diplomatic position.
After serving just nine months, Mandelson was dismissed, and the controversy surrounding his problematic appointment has put Starmer’s leadership in jeopardy.
An initial batch of documents released in March showed that government officials had been cautioned that Mandelson’s association with Epstein could create “reputational risk” for the administration.
Subsequently, it emerged that Mandelson received approval for the ambassadorial position despite not passing security clearance requirements, leading to heated finger-pointing between Starmer and top civil service officials responsible for security screening.
Monday’s document release may contain over 1,000 pages, including correspondence such as emails and text messages exchanged between Mandelson and government officials and advisers.
Law enforcement has requested that certain documents remain confidential as they are part of an ongoing criminal probe into Mandelson for suspected misconduct in public office. The 72-year-old Mandelson was temporarily detained in February by investigators looking into claims he shared classified government intelligence with Epstein during his ministerial tenure fifteen years earlier.
He remains free with no bail restrictions while the police inquiry proceeds.
Health Secretary James Murray stated Monday that the document disclosure represents an “unprecedented” degree of government openness.
“It’s right we do that. We have been very clear that the appointment of Mandelson was wrong,” he told Sky News.
Conservative lawmaker Alex Burghart warned that any effort to suppress or heavily edit documents beyond those requested by police “will be viewed by the House as a contempt of Parliament, and as a cover-up by the British public.”
Starmer terminated Mandelson’s position in September 2025 following an earlier document release that demonstrated he had continued communication with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction for sexual crimes involving a minor.
Opposition figures argue that Starmer’s choice to name Mandelson demonstrates poor decision-making by a prime minister who has committed numerous errors since leading the center-left Labour Party to an overwhelming electoral win in July 2024.
Information about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, exposed in extensive files released by the U.S. Department of Justice in January, generated fresh concerns about Starmer’s leadership abilities, prompting adversaries and some Labour members of parliament to demand the prime minister step down.
These demands grew stronger after Labour experienced significant defeats in local elections in May. A senior Cabinet minister, Wes Streeting, stepped down with plans to contest Starmer for Labour leadership. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is seeking a parliamentary seat in a June 18 special election and is also anticipated to challenge Starmer if successful.
BUDAPEST, Hungary — The Hungarian government plans to modify the nation’s constitution in order to oust the current president, as part of new Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s campaign to eliminate officials installed during former populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s tenure.
Magyar’s Tizsa party secured a decisive electoral win in April, gaining a two-thirds parliamentary majority that enables them to implement major reforms to the authoritarian system Orbán established during his 16-year leadership.
Following his electoral success, Magyar has consistently demanded that President Tamás Sulyok, who was selected by Orbán’s party, step down or face constitutional removal. Magyar had set a May 31 deadline for Sulyok’s departure, frequently describing him as “Orbán’s puppet.”
Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, Hungary’s president holds responsibility for approving legislation and possesses authority to refer parliamentary bills to the constitutional court for examination, creating worries among the new administration’s allies that he might use this power to block their agenda.
Magyar met with Sulyok at the presidential Sándor Palace on Monday morning. During a subsequent press briefing, Magyar announced that the president had declined to step down. He stated he would direct his party’s legislators to immediately initiate the “necessary procedures” for presidential removal, estimating the process would require approximately one month.
“Hungary does not belong to Tamás Sulyok, nor to Viktor Orbán. It doesn’t belong to a single party or political system,” Magyar said. “The constitution states quite clearly that the president showcases the unity of the nation and guards the democratic functioning of the state.”
The prime minister did not provide details about which type of constitutional modification would be employed to remove Sulyok.
Magyar also criticized Sulyok for neglecting his responsibilities on various matters, including remaining silent when Orbán made dehumanizing remarks about political adversaries and critics, and when the former government enacted laws prohibiting the LGBTQ+ Pride event.
“It is in Hungary’s interest that this institution — the office of the president — regain the prestige that has been eroded by its silence and inaction,” Magyar said.
Last Friday, Sulyok’s office issued a statement declaring that Magyar’s resignation demands “adversely affect both the constitutional functioning and the authority of the institution of the President of the Republic.”
The statement also noted that Sulyok had sought a legal evaluation of the dispute from the Venice Commission, a panel of legal experts affiliated with Europe’s leading human rights organization, the Council of Europe.
SRN News has launched a daily audio program that focuses on religious developments worldwide. The two-minute segment, called ‘Global Landscape,’ offers listeners a brief overview of faith-related news stories happening across the globe.
The program covers significant religious developments, cultural changes, and major events that highlight how faith intersects with international affairs. The audio feature is designed to keep audiences informed about religious news in a quick, accessible format.
Federal education officials have initiated a probe into New York City’s school system following allegations of anti-Jewish bias among educators. According to the Department of Education, reports indicate that school personnel coordinated workshops titled “Palestine, Zionism, and Resistance” that allegedly pushed pro-Palestinian viewpoints on students as young as kindergarteners.
Federal officials stated: “No child should be taught by his or her teachers to hate their peers. Neither should Jewish children be taught that being Jewish somehow makes them inherently guilty.”
In international aid news, the United States plans to distribute $100 million in humanitarian assistance to Cuba through religious organizations rather than government channels. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that faith-based groups and humanitarian organizations would handle the aid distribution, bypassing both the Cuban government and military.
Religious experts believe the approach will succeed due to strong networks maintained by Protestant and evangelical churches, including Baptist and Assemblies of God congregations throughout Cuba. Rubio emphasized that while the U.S. wants to help Cuban citizens, it lacks confidence in the Cuban government’s ability to properly distribute aid.
Domestically, faith communities continue supporting refugee resettlement efforts. In Durham, North Carolina, a church and synagogue have partnered to offer a seven-week sewing program for Afghan women adjusting to American life.
The current administration has proposed increasing refugee admissions from 7,500 to 17,500 and is considering relocating more than 1,100 Afghan allies who assisted U.S. military operations. Afghan women face particular challenges adapting to life in America, often lacking formal education and English language skills needed for basic tasks like obtaining driver’s licenses.
In state legislation, Ohio lawmakers are reviewing physician-assisted suicide legislation introduced by Democrats. This marks the first such effort in the state since 2018, when similar measures failed to advance.
Religious leaders and pro-life advocates plan vigorous opposition campaigns, while early polling suggests Ohio residents remain largely doubtful about the proposal. Currently, 13 states plus the District of Columbia permit assisted suicide, starting with Oregon’s 1997 law. The practice has gained acceptance across Western Europe.
FedEx Freight will finalize its separation from FedEx Corp on Monday and launch trading as an independent company on the New York Stock Exchange using the ticker symbol “FDXF.”
The company holds the top position among less-than-truckload service providers across the United States. The timing of its independence coincides with potential recovery in freight rates following a four-year decline, influenced by multiple operators leaving the industry due to financial difficulties and federal regulatory efforts to severely limit commercial driver licenses to U.S. citizens exclusively.
BMO Capital Markets analyst Fadi Chamoun noted in a recent report that “As a newly separated, pure-play entity, the company offers a sizeable margin improvement opportunity, though this is highly dependent on execution.”
According to Chamoun, this potential improvement relies on management’s capacity to convert network strengths into enhanced service quality, increased revenue per shipment, and consistent operating ratio gains.
J.P. Morgan analyst Brian Ossenbeck indicated he assigns FedEx Freight a lower valuation multiple than competitors XPO, Saia and Old Dominion Freight Line, “given execution risk and transition costs related to the spin as well as persistent underperformance on service and volume metrics.”
Chief Financial Officer Marshall Witt stated in April that FedEx Freight anticipates medium-term average revenue growth between 4% and 6%.
Witt also projected that the company expects medium-term average core profit growth ranging from 10% to 12%.
According to Witt, investments in business modernization and separation from FedEx will reduce profits in the near term, but expense management, automation and increased high-profit cargo will enhance margins over the long run.
Manufacturing facilities worldwide are experiencing major economic impacts from the Middle East conflict, with European producers reporting decreased demand and the steepest increase in raw material expenses in four years, while their Asian counterparts have expanded operations through stockpiling efforts, according to recent industry surveys released Monday.
The conflict involving the U.S., Israel and Iran that started in late February has disrupted global commerce, created instability in financial markets and sparked worries about worldwide energy availability, especially regarding shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical pathway for oil and natural gas transport.
The survey results were released following warnings from leadership at the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization about the conflict’s impact on global energy availability.
The S&P Global Eurozone Manufacturing PMI dropped to 51.6 in May, down from April’s nearly four-year peak of 52.2, though it exceeded the preliminary projection of 51.4. Any measurement over 50.0 signals expansion.
“Although euro area manufacturers reported an expansion for a fourth successive month in May, the sector is showing signs of struggling under the weight of rising prices and supply disruptions emanating from the war in the Middle East,” said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Manufacturing in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, came to a standstill while French production facilities experienced their first decline since November.
A majority of economists surveyed by Reuters in May expect the European Central Bank to raise its deposit rate this month and at least one additional time this year to prevent higher energy costs from affecting core inflation.
Government data expected Tuesday is projected to reveal that inflation climbed further beyond the ECB’s 2% goal last month.
Manufacturing facilities in Britain increased their prices at the quickest pace since June 2022 last month in reaction to substantial cost increases.
Despite these challenges, production activity grew across most Asian markets.
China’s private sector measurement expanded for six consecutive months while South Korea reached its fastest growth in five years, demonstrating a regional effort to create reserves against possible conflict-related disruptions.
The RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI, produced by S&P Global, declined to 51.8 in May from April’s 52.2, but performed slightly better than analysts’ prediction of 51.6.
This result differed from an official survey indicating that factory activity in the world’s second-largest economy stagnated last month as new orders declined and input expenses continued rising.
Japan’s manufacturing activity also grew with the PMI reaching 54.5 in May, down from April’s more than four-year peak of 55.1, though companies there experienced the steepest increase in input costs since September 2022 due to higher raw material prices.
South Korea’s PMI climbed to its highest level since March 2021 at 54.8 in May, up from 53.6, again demonstrating companies’ efforts to secure supplies.
In Vietnam, the factory PMI measurement increased to 52.8 from 50.5, while Taiwan’s rose to 56.1 from 55.3, surveys indicated. The Philippines’ index jumped to 50.8 from 48.3.
Stock market futures opened Monday’s trading session with gains as June began, driven by artificial intelligence breakthroughs that helped investors look past continuing Middle East conflict worries.
Shares of Nvidia jumped 1.6% before regular trading hours after the world’s most valuable corporation announced a new processor designed to bring artificial intelligence features to personal computers and laptops, scheduled for launch this autumn.
The processor stems from a three-year collaboration with Microsoft to “reinvent the PC” for the AI era, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said. Microsoft stock climbed 2.8%.
Competing PC processor manufacturers saw declines. AMD and Intel dropped 3.4% and 2.9%, respectively.
Market sentiment turned more cautious and petroleum prices increased following recent military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran that heightened worries about diplomatic efforts to resolve the three-month-old conflict.
Major stock indexes finished May at all-time peaks, buoyed by optimism about a potential conclusion to Middle East hostilities and exceptional first-quarter corporate profits.
Market participants now await Friday’s employment data before Kevin Warsh’s first policy meeting as the chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve this month, amid growing inflation concerns tied to the Iran conflict.
Market participants estimate nearly a 70% probability of a quarter-point interest rate increase by year-end.
As of 05:18 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis advanced 143 points, or 0.28%, while S&P 500 E-minis gained 17.5 points, or 0.23%. Nasdaq 100 E-minis increased 86.75 points, or 0.29%.
Following AI server manufacturer Dell’s positive earnings forecast last week, attention will move to Broadcom’s financial results Wednesday. Broadcom ranks as the nation’s second-largest semiconductor company by market capitalization behind Nvidia.
Statements from multiple Fed officials and a beige book publication will draw attention this week before the central bank begins its pre-meeting silence period Saturday.
In additional corporate developments, Cadence Design Systems climbed 8.2% after introducing an autonomous engineer for semiconductor design, utilizing Nvidia technology.
Micron jumped 5.3% to $1,022, surpassing the $1,000 threshold for the first time. The stock has risen almost 90% during May.
Pharmaceutical company Moderna announced Monday that it has joined forces with a global health coalition to create a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain responsible for the current Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The announcement comes amid urgent efforts by health officials around the world to find medical solutions for containing the outbreak, which has resulted in more than 900 suspected cases and over 220 suspected deaths.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has pledged up to $50 million through this partnership to fund preclinical development and initial clinical trials of Moderna’s experimental BDBV vaccine candidate.
CEPI also announced it would provide up to $8.6 million initially for a vaccine created by the University of Oxford and produced by the Serum Institute of India, plus an initial $3.2 million for a vaccine developed by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.
Last week, the World Health Organization issued recommendations to prioritize multiple experimental treatments, including antibodies, antivirals and vaccines, for both treating and preventing BDBV.
CEPI operates as a global partnership focused on speeding up vaccine development against epidemic and pandemic threats.
In a separate announcement Monday, global vaccine alliance Gavi pledged up to $50 million, with up to $40 million designated to speed up vaccine access and $10 million allocated for outbreak response support.
The Pandemic Fund announced last week that it would provide up to $220.6 million in grants to address critical gaps in the Ebola outbreak response.
Emergency teams in northwestern Italy successfully rescued a cave explorer Monday after his leg became pinned beneath a rock approximately 120 meters (394 feet) below ground, according to emergency services officials who reported the operation required 53 rescue personnel.
The nighttime rescue unfolded at the Grotta dei Cinghiali Volanti (Cave of the Flying Wild Boars), located in Cuneo province roughly 120 kilometers south of Turin, an area known as one of Italy’s premier caving destinations.
Rescue teams initially provided medical care to the trapped explorer at a temporary treatment station established within the cave before moving him to the surface for ambulance transport to a medical facility, according to a statement from the Alpine and Speleological Rescue Service.
Officials determined the man’s condition was stable enough that he did not need to be carried out on a stretcher, the rescue service noted, while emphasizing that response teams traveled from multiple regions across Italy to assist.
Authorities identified the rescued individual as an Italian citizen. News outlets reported his age as 20.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re kicking off June with some beautiful weather across the peninsula today. Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a comfortable 76 degrees this afternoon, though you’ll notice it cooling down to around 69 degrees as we head into the evening hours. A gentle northeast breeze of 5 to 15 mph will keep things pleasant.
There’s a slight chance we could see a few light showers with rainfall amounts staying under a tenth of an inch, so nothing to worry about for your outdoor plans. Tonight, we might catch a few isolated rain showers early on, but skies will clear to partly cloudy conditions as temperatures drop to a refreshing 52 degrees.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, get ready for even better weather! Sunshine returns with highs near 73 degrees and mostly clear skies Tuesday night with lows around 55. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic start to meteorological summer here on the peninsula.
Enjoy this gorgeous June weather, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow with your latest Delmarva forecast!
A federal agency responsible for protecting civil rights in the workplace is systematically removing longstanding policies designed to combat employment discrimination.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is working to eliminate regulations that were put in place years ago to address workplace bias. Officials with the current administration contend that these existing policies have resulted in reverse discrimination targeting white Americans.
The EEOC was originally created through Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a response to widespread employment discrimination that was deeply embedded in hiring and workplace practices.
Following a Monday meeting with President Tamas Sulyok, Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced his government would pursue legal action to force the president from office if he refuses to step down voluntarily.
Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party scored a decisive electoral win in April, defeating Prime Minister Viktor Orban and vowing to oust numerous officials that Orban had placed in important government roles during his 16-year tenure.
The new prime minister has demanded Sulyok’s resignation, claiming the president has failed to promote national unity on critical matters and has instead worked to advance Orban’s interests and those of his former administration. Sulyok has declined to step down from his position.
“I have told the President that if he maintains his stance and does not resign, I will inform …the lawmakers of Tisza about our legislative proposals today and we will immediately start the necessary procedures,” Magyar stated.
According to Magyar, the legislative effort would span approximately one month and would focus on “removing all the puppets” who participated in “dismantling the rule of law and democracy.”
Orban’s Fidesz party responded by characterizing Magyar’s demands as an “unlawful ultimatum,” asserting that Sulyok is properly executing his legitimate mandate, which extends through 2029, and cannot be forced from his position.
Before becoming president, Sulyok led Hungary’s highest court, a role he obtained through Fidesz selection in 2016. Lawmakers from Orban’s party chose him for the presidency in early 2024.
While Hungary’s presidential role is primarily symbolic, Sulyok retains authority to send legislation back to parliament for additional review or refer measures to the Constitutional Court, actions that could delay or obstruct Magyar’s planned reforms.
Magyar has indicated he plans to leverage his party’s two-thirds legislative majority to modify constitutional provisions and other laws as necessary to compel Sulyok’s departure from office.
MANILA, June 1 – A Filipino lawmaker whose father once held the country’s highest office voluntarily turned himself in to authorities Monday after a judicial order for his detention on corruption allegations tied to an infrastructure controversy that triggered citizen demonstrations last year.
The corruption court issued an arrest warrant for Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada on plunder charges, which carry no bail option under the country’s legal system. Anti-corruption officials filed charges last week against Estrada for breaking graft laws by accepting “kickbacks” totaling 573 million pesos ($9.3 million).
“I will not seek Senate custody,” Estrada stated to media at the Senate building, addressing the possibility of seeking protection within the legislative chamber rather than surrendering to law enforcement.
“I am ready to defend myself before the court and I will not hide behind the institution to evade the process,” he continued.
Estrada has maintained his innocence and claimed the accusations are motivated by politics. He secured bail last week for a different charge.
The graft controversy, which has focused on dangerously defective flood-prevention infrastructure throughout the Philippines, has disturbed the corruption-weary country and hampered economic expansion in recent months.
Israeli forces launched military strikes against Beirut’s southern suburbs Monday, marking a significant escalation one day after ground troops penetrated deeper into Lebanon than they have in over two decades, while Hezbollah militants launched rockets targeting northern Israeli territory, including areas near the coastal city of Haifa.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz released a joint statement explaining their decision to authorize military action against targets in the southern Beirut area known as Dahiyeh. They cited what they described as ongoing ceasefire violations by Hezbollah and “attacks against our cities and citizens” as justification for the strikes.
The militant group had committed to ending attacks against Israel when both sides agreed to a ceasefire in mid-April, but fighting resumed after Israeli military operations in Lebanon that Israel described as defensive measures.
Following Monday’s strike warning, residents of Dahiyeh began evacuating in large numbers, creating traffic congestion on roads leading away from the area where Hezbollah maintains strong community backing.
Overnight Israeli air operations in southern Lebanon resulted in six fatalities, including one Syrian national in a community near Nabatiyeh, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Israeli military officials reported that their Air Force successfully intercepted two projectiles fired from Lebanese territory toward Israel, along with a suspicious aircraft in the region where Israeli troops are conducting operations in southern Lebanon. Military sources indicated no casualties occurred from these incidents.
Hezbollah confirmed conducting rocket and missile operations against northern Israeli targets on Sunday.
This recent violence occurred despite an existing ceasefire arrangement that has been active since April 17, and just before Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to participate in another round of direct negotiations in Washington beginning Tuesday. Hezbollah has declined to participate in direct discussions, relying instead on pressure from Iran, which has called for an end to the Lebanese conflict in its own discussions with Washington.
The Washington negotiations between high-ranking Israeli and Lebanese officials, which started in April, represent the first such direct discussions between the nations in more than thirty years, as they maintain no official diplomatic ties.
The Lebanese capital has largely avoided airstrikes since the ceasefire took effect, with the exception of two specific attacks on the city’s southern areas in May.
A U.S. official revealed late Sunday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had contacted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to suggest a new approach for continuing current negotiations, while President Donald Trump considers a potential ceasefire extension involving Iran.
The proposal calls for Hezbollah to cease all attacks on Israel while Israel would avoid escalating military actions in Beirut, according to the official who requested anonymity when discussing confidential diplomatic communications.
The official indicated that Aoun showed interest in the proposal, but Lebanese parliament chief Nabih Berri responded by insisting that Israel must first cease all military activities.
The official noted that the Trump administration does not anticipate Israel abandoning its right to respond to Hezbollah attacks on its territory.
Berri, who maintains close ties with Hezbollah, issued a statement Sunday saying he could ensure the militant organization’s “full, comprehensive and immediate commitment to a ceasefire.” Berri questioned “but who will force Israel to stop its aggression?”
Aoun stated Monday in remarks issued by his office that “Lebanon is facing a fierce and condemned Israeli aggression.” He added that his administration continues working to end “the suffering of the Lebanese in general and the southerners in particular.”
The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in 3,412 deaths in Lebanon and forced more than 1 million people from their homes.
Israeli military sources confirmed that one soldier died in southern Lebanon overnight during a drone attack conducted by Hezbollah. The militant group’s deployment of difficult-to-detect fiber optic drones has proven particularly lethal for Israeli forces, who are having difficulty countering these weapons.
Netanyahu’s office reports that at least 26 Israeli soldiers and one defense contractor have died in or around southern Lebanon. Additionally, two civilians have been killed in northern Israel.
A committee from Japan’s governing political party has urged the government to expand the use of yen-backed digital currencies across Asia and establish legal guidelines for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds, according to a proposal delivered on Monday.
The recommendation states that crypto-ETFs would offer investors accessible investment opportunities, encouraging officials to recognize these products as legitimate investment vehicles within the financial system.
The Liberal Democratic Party’s blockchain technology advancement committee presented their recommendations to Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, who supervises the Financial Services Agency.
Japan has an opportunity to showcase yen-backed digital currencies and its blockchain developments when hosting the Asian Development Bank’s annual conference next May, according to committee member Junichi Kanda, who spoke with media following the meeting with Katayama.
“We urged the government to take steps to promote yen stablecoins for settlement in Asia in the future,” he said.
Cryptocurrency ETFs are investment products that enable individuals to invest in digital currencies without directly purchasing or managing the actual digital assets.
The Financial Services Agency has been encouraging domestic banks to adopt blockchain technology for innovation and operational improvements.
The country’s three major banking institutions have launched a Financial Services Agency-supported initiative to jointly test stablecoin issuance. A domestic company called JPYC started releasing yen-pegged stablecoins in October, marking a notable development in a nation where consumers typically favor conventional payment systems.
Dollar-backed stablecoins have experienced significant growth with strong support from U.S. President Donald Trump. Financial officials have expressed concerns that stablecoins might enable money transfers outside traditional banking oversight and threaten commercial banks’ roles in international payments.
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino recently advocated for a comprehensive strategy in developing the global monetary system’s future that doesn’t limit choices to central bank digital currencies and stablecoins.
A Japanese pharmaceutical company announced Monday that federal health regulators have given the green light to its oral medication designed to prevent COVID-19 in people who have been exposed to the virus.
Shionogi & Co said the Food and Drug Administration has approved Ensitrelvir, which goes by the brand name Xocova, for preventive treatment following COVID exposure.
“XOCOVA is the first and only oral option clinically proven to help prevent symptomatic COVID-19 after exposure among study participants regardless of vaccination status,” Nathan McCutcheon, CEO of Shionogi’s U.S. unit, said in a statement.
The company indicated that potential revenue from the FDA’s approval of Xocova through March 2027 was already factored into financial projections released last month.
Stock prices for Shionogi dropped 4.5% on Monday, even as Japan’s main stock index, the Nikkei 225, climbed 0.9%.
Major South Korean technology companies experienced significant stock gains Monday as news broke of upcoming meetings between the CEO of Nvidia and Korean business leaders, sparking optimism about potential partnerships in artificial intelligence and robotics sectors.
Samsung Electronics saw additional support from data showing South Korea’s semiconductor exports reached an all-time high in May due to the artificial intelligence surge, contributing to the nation’s largest export increase in more than 40 years.
The Nvidia chief executive is anticipated to travel to South Korea later this week for discussions with the chairman of LG Group and other Korean business leaders, according to a source familiar with the plans.
The graphics chip company also has scheduled a “Korean Partner Night” gathering alongside the COMPUTEX technology conference in Taipei on Monday, featuring the CEO and representatives from memory chip manufacturers Samsung and SK Hynix along with other firms.
Samsung Electronics stock climbed 10.1% to achieve a record closing price, while LG Electronics jumped by its maximum daily increase of 29.9% for the second consecutive trading session, reaching an all-time peak. Internet company Naver gained 16% as its senior leadership is set to meet with the Nvidia CEO on Friday.
“Jensen’s visit to Korea has a major implication. Nvidia needs Korea,” analyst Jeff Kim from KB Securities stated.
The artificial intelligence chip maker announced last year it would deliver more than 260,000 of its most sophisticated AI processors to South Korea’s government and several of the nation’s largest corporations, including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group.
In a separate development, Samsung Electronics announced Friday it began distributing samples of its newest high-bandwidth memory chip to clients, gaining an advantage over competitors in rolling out an updated version of the component essential for AI data processing facilities. Samsung’s client base includes major artificial intelligence companies like Nvidia.
Samsung has traded at lower valuations compared to SK Hynix because of its reduced competitiveness in high-bandwidth memory, but this development seems to be driving stock price increases, according to BNK Investment & Securities analyst Lee Min-hee.
Malaysia has implemented new restrictions preventing children under 16 from creating accounts on social media platforms, according to an announcement Monday from the country’s communications regulator. The policy represents part of broader efforts to shield young people from dangerous online material.
This Southeast Asian country becomes part of a growing international movement to control access to digital platforms, as worries increase about social media’s effects on young people’s wellbeing and security.
Starting Monday, major social media companies like Meta Platforms’ Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and Alphabet’s YouTube must verify users’ ages using official government documentation, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
Platforms that don’t follow these new requirements could face penalties reaching 10 million ringgit ($2.5 million).
“The measure is not intended to prohibit child users from the internet or to deny them access to technology,” the commission stated, explaining that the goal is to increase accountability among social media companies, parents and guardians when it comes to safeguarding minors on the internet.
Social media companies have six months to implement age verification processes for users who already have accounts.
Malaysia has increased oversight of social media corporations following discoveries of significantly more harmful digital content in recent years, and is taking action against material designed to inflame racial or religious conflicts, or attack the monarchy.
The International Labour Organization kicked off its concluding discussions Monday in Geneva regarding the first binding employment standards for digital platforms that provide ride-sharing, food delivery, and online commerce services.
The primary disagreement revolves around whether benefits like minimum wage and protections including healthcare, sick leave, and social security should extend to every platform worker, or if coverage should depend on their classification as employees versus independent contractors.
The discussions will also tackle transparency in automated management systems, including how algorithmic technology determines compensation, distributes work assignments, and evaluates worker performance.
ILO members, who initiated preliminary discussions about platform worker employment last year, aim to finalize binding regulations and recommendations before next week concludes.
Any agreement from the U.N. agency, which advocates for international labor rights, requires consensus among governments, employers, and workers within the ILO framework.
The negotiations are anticipated to be challenging, with some members potentially seeking to dilute the language.
The U.S., China, Argentina and India prefer a more flexible approach, while the European Union, Brazil and Mexico advocate for enhanced protections, according to Lena Simet, senior advisor on economic justice at Human Rights Watch.
Labor advocacy groups and trade unions argue that the common practice of classifying workers as independent contractors enables companies to avoid minimum wage obligations and responsibilities like healthcare, sick leave and social security contributions.
“There is a serious problem with transparency and accountability around how algorithms are used to determine pay and performance,” said Simet.
The International Organisation of Employers, representing approximately 50 million companies globally, has stated that any framework should maintain flexibility, permitting countries to modify regulations according to their national situations.
Ride-hailing company Uber supported this position.
“It should enable countries to provide meaningful protections while preserving the flexibility, choice, and independence that many workers value,” an Uber spokesperson said.
The International Trade Union Confederation, the primary global organization representing workers, is advocating for a robust, binding convention. “Technological innovation cannot be used as an excuse to weaken democratic labour rights,” its General Secretary Luc Triangle told Reuters.
A vehicle collision has prompted authorities to shut down DE-24 completely between Rosedale Way and Gull Point Road.
The roadway closure affects traffic in both directions as emergency crews respond to the crash scene.
Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes while the situation is being addressed. No timeline has been provided for when the roadway will reopen to traffic.
Listen to the Morning Delmarva Farm Report Update — June 1, 2026
DELMARVA — New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has issued an emergency declaration after freeze damage in April resulted in $300 million in farm crop losses. The declaration, which took effect May 20, covers all 21 counties.
Damage assessments show crop destruction surpassing 30% across numerous regions, with some growers facing total crop failure for specific varieties. The frigid weather struck April 19 through 22, hitting plants during a crucial growth phase and causing devastating harm to blooms and developing fruit. Sherrill is calling for federal assistance and working to maintain farming operations across the Garden State.
Markets
Corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.92/bu for July delivery. December corn there is $4.90/bu. Soybeans at Laurel are $11.33 for July, $11.46 for November. Up in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Triple-M Farms is paying $5.27 for July corn and $11.83 for July beans.
Forecast
The region is looking at mostly sunny skies today with highs around 71°F and northeast winds 5 to 15 mph. Tonight brings isolated rain showers early, then partly cloudy with lows near 53°F. Tuesday looks sunny with highs near 70°F.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, June 1, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
