Weekend News in Review
US NEWS
NASA Scrubs Boeing Starliner Launch: NASA, Boeing, and ULA had to scrub the Crew Flight Test launch of the Boeing Starliner due to technical issues with the ground launch sequencer and support equipment at Cape Canaveral. The mission’s rescheduling is awaited.
National Cancer Survivor’s Day Celebrated with 5K: The Hope in Motion 5K Run/Walk took place in Richfield, Minnesota, celebrating National Cancer Survivor's Day. The event included a 5K run, a 1-mile family walk, and a kids' dash, emphasizing community support for cancer survivors and patients.
Greensboro Hosts World Promenade Event: Greensboro, North Carolina, hosted the World Promenade, a free garden event celebrating the city's diverse community. The event featured international artists, food vendors, and performances, attracting families and community members for a day of cultural exchange and entertainment.
USA Gymnastics Xfinity Championships Conclude: The USA Gymnastics Xfinity Championships wrapped up at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The event determined national champions in men's and women's artistic gymnastics and helped set the National Team lineups for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Devil Comet's Closest Approach to Earth: The "Devil Comet" 12P/Pons-Brooks made its closest approach to Earth, coming within 144 million miles. The comet's unique cryovolcanic activity and horn-like appearance have intrigued astronomers and skywatchers.
GLOBAL NEWS AND WORLD EVENTS
ISRO and Wipro 3D Collaborate on 3D-Printed Rocket Engine: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Wipro 3D have teamed up to develop a 3D-printed rocket engine. This collaboration aims to leverage advanced manufacturing technologies to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of space missions
Netanyahu Rejects Permanent Gaza Ceasefire: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that a permanent ceasefire in Gaza is a "non-starter" as long as Hamas remains in power. The statement follows ongoing conflicts and mounting international pressure for a resolution.
Mexico Holds Historic Election: Mexico is conducting an election today that could see the country elect its first female president. This election is set to shape Mexico's political landscape for years to come, with major implications for gender equality and political reform.
EU Prepares for Major Election: The European Union is gearing up for a significant parliamentary election, with 450 million EU citizens heading to the polls. The outcome will influence the composition of the European Commission and set the political direction for the next five years.
China's Space Station Progress: China has successfully launched a new module for its space station, marking a significant milestone in its space exploration program. This achievement highlights China's growing capabilities in space technology and its ambitions to become a leading spacefaring nation.
German Warships in South China Sea: Germany has deployed two warships to the South China Sea as part of an Indo-Pacific mission to demonstrate international military cooperation and interoperability. The deployment underscores Germany's strategic interests in the region amid rising tensions.
New Coral Threats from Climate Change: Experts have raised alarms about the detrimental effects of climate change on coral reefs, which are vital for marine biodiversity. Unhealthy coral conditions are threatening fish populations and, consequently, the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Buy Now, Pay Later Services Face New Regulations: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has classified Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services as credit card providers, requiring them to offer similar consumer protections. This includes the investigation of customer disputes and the provision of billing statements, marking a significant regulatory shift for the rapidly growing BNPL sector.
VantageScore 4plus Introduced: VantageScore has released a new credit scoring model, VantageScore 4plus, which incorporates bank account data to provide a more comprehensive view of a consumer’s financial health. This new model is 10% more predictive than its predecessor, aiming to improve accuracy in credit assessments.
Disney to Sell Stake in Tata Play: Disney is set to sell its 30% stake in Tata Play to the Tata Group, valuing the company at $1 billion. This move is part of Disney’s strategy to streamline its operations and focus on core businesses.
Google Invests $350 Million in Flipkart: Google has invested $350 million in Walmart-owned Flipkart, aiming to bolster the e-commerce giant’s technological infrastructure and enhance its market competitiveness. This investment highlights the ongoing collaboration between major tech companies and e-commerce platforms.
Core Inflation Hits Three-Year Low: Core inflation in the U.S. has eased to a three-year low, indicating a potential slowdown in price increases for goods and services. This development is seen as a positive sign for the economy, suggesting that inflationary pressures may be subsiding.
Supreme Court Supports Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), upholding its authority and ensuring its ability to continue regulating financial markets effectively. This decision reinforces the agency’s role in protecting consumers.
Adani Ports Expands Global Reach: Adani Ports has secured a 30-year deal to develop and operate a port terminal in Tanzania, marking a significant expansion of its global footprint. This agreement is part of Adani’s strategy to enhance its international presence in the maritime sector.
POLITICS
Trump Found Guilty in New York Hush Money Case: Former President Donald Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to an adult film star. The conviction, which includes 34 felony counts, has sparked significant political reactions and discussions about its impact on the upcoming presidential election.
Republican Response to Trump's Conviction: Republicans have rallied around Trump despite his conviction, with many seeing it as a politically motivated attack by the Democratic Party. Governor Ron DeSantis stated that Trump could still vote in Florida despite the conviction, disputing some experts' views.
Biden's Strategic Silence on Trump's Verdict: President Biden and his allies have maintained a low-key approach regarding Trump’s conviction. Some Democrats are divided over whether to capitalize on the verdict for political gain or to avoid discussing it extensively.
RFK Jr. Criticizes Trump's Trial: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has described Trump's trial as "profoundly undemocratic," drawing criticism from the Democratic National Committee, which called him a "useful idiot" for making such remarks.
New Dark Money Group Supporting Trump: A new dark money group has emerged to support Trump's 2024 campaign, aiming to counterbalance President Biden's financial advantage. This group is one of several funding efforts bolstering Trump's bid for re-election.
SPORTS
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers: Game 6 Tonight: The Dallas Stars face the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL Western Conference Finals tonight. The Oilers lead the series 3-2, having won the previous game 3-1. A win for Edmonton will see them advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Denver Nuggets Win Game 1 of NBA Finals: The Denver Nuggets have taken a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets with a triple-double, scoring 29 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists in their 104-93 victory.
US Women's Open Golf Championship Begins: The US Women's Open Golf Championship has commenced at the Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania. The tournament, featuring top female golfers from around the world, runs through June 5. Early leaders include Nelly Korda and Jin Young Ko.
French Open: American Players Advance: In tennis, American players have shown strong performances at the French Open. Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula advanced to the quarterfinals in the women's singles, while Taylor Fritz moved forward in the men's singles. The tournament is set to conclude on June 5.
Tampa Bay Rays' Winning Streak Continues: In MLB, the Tampa Bay Rays extended their winning streak to seven games with a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees. Randy Arozarena hit a decisive home run, helping the Rays maintain their lead in the AL East standings.
ENTERTAINMENT
Shania Twain's Concert Mishap: Shania Twain shared a humorous moment from her recent concert where she accidentally sang into a prop instead of the microphone. The incident was captured on video and posted on social media, delighting fans with her playful reaction to the mix-up.
Angel Reese Fined by WNBA: WNBA player Angel Reese has been fined $1,000 for skipping postgame media obligations after a game against the Indiana Fever. The fine came despite speculation that it was due to her reaction to a teammate's controversial foul during the game.
Rupert Murdoch Marries for the Fifth Time: At 93, media mogul Rupert Murdoch has tied the knot for the fifth time, marrying retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova. The wedding took place at Murdoch's winery in California, marking another chapter in his eventful personal life.
Aaron Rodgers Meets Donald Trump at UFC Event: NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former President Donald Trump were both present at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey. Despite initial reports suggesting tension, Rodgers was later seen shaking hands and chatting with Trump, dispelling rumors of any animosity.
Rebel Wilson on Sexuality-Based Casting: Actress Rebel Wilson has spoken out against the idea that casting decisions should be based on an actor's sexual orientation. In an interview, Wilson emphasized that actors should be able to play roles regardless of their sexuality, advocating for more flexibility in casting practices.
