Electric freight
Tesla Semi draws interest from California truckers
A New York Times source summary says truckers are attracted by the Semi’s lower cost and longer range compared with rival electric trucks, though key details remain limited
Latest News
Read the latest verified world, politics, business, tech, culture, and local news on BetaVoices.
- Secession debate Alberta separatism faces a legal test after referendum petition ruling A judge struck down a petition aimed at triggering a separation vote, citing a failure to consult First Nations whose treaty rights could be affected
- Manitoba storm damage High winds and dust leave damage, outages across southern Manitoba Environment Canada reported gusts up to 119 km/h Thursday, while Manitoba Hydro said thousands of customers were still affected by outages Friday morning
- Inflation outlook Forecasters see inflation surge worsening in coming months The Philadelphia Fed’s Survey of Professional Forecasters sharply raised inflation estimates after April price data showed consumer and wholesale prices at multiyear highs
Cancer care
Exercise, low-dose ibuprofen may ease ‘chemo brain,’ study suggests
A small University of Rochester phase 2 trial found the clearest cognitive gains with home exercise, while ibuprofen showed more limited signs of benefit
Michigan Senate race
McMorrow paid overdue water bills after questions from Fox News
The Michigan Democrat running for Senate had more than $3,000 in unpaid water and sewer charges on her Royal Oak home while backing water-affordability legislation
Coal plant costs
Filing Puts Coal-Plant Costs Under Trump Orders in Focus
Available source material says costs have been mounting since the administration began directing aging coal plants to stay open, but key details remain limited
Iran-U.S. tensions
Iran says it cannot trust U.S. as Trump claims control of Strait of Hormuz
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is trying to preserve a shaky ceasefire for diplomacy, while Trump said the U.S. controls the key waterway
AI infrastructure
DOJ May Weigh In for Musk’s xAI in Mississippi Generator Lawsuit
A court filing signaled administration support for xAI as a lawsuit challenges generators at the company’s large Mississippi data center
Opera
Washington National Opera Plans Five-Opera Season Across the Region
The company’s next season will feature full-length productions at houses around the Washington area, according to a brief report summarizing the announcement
Music
Drake turns Iceman into a triple-album surprise
The Toronto rapper released Iceman at midnight alongside Habibti and Maid of Honour, a 43-song drop that followed fireworks, a CN Tower spectacle and a livestream watched by hundreds of thousands
Peatland restoration
Wool logs tested in Antrim Hills as peatland repair tool
The pilot project is examining whether locally sourced wool can replace imported coconut-husk coir in parts of Northern Ireland’s peatland restoration work
Health policy
Some Medicare Patients Can Now Get Free CBD Under Test Program
The Trump administration authorized a trial to examine whether the cannabis compound can ease symptoms and reduce health care costs for older patients
Health explainer
Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius: how worried should the public be?
WHO officials say the wider public risk remains low, but passengers and contacts are being traced because the Andes strain can spread through prolonged close contact
Military safety
Army safety specialist warns Pentagon drone push may raise accident risks
A March memo obtained by CBS News described a mini-drone blast that injured a Special Forces soldier and questioned whether explosive safeguards are keeping pace with rapid drone development
Documentary
Been Here Stay Here’ Looks at Tangier Island’s Rising Seas
The film examines a Chesapeake Bay community where environmental change, faith and skepticism about man-made climate change intersect
Comedy
Lisa Ann Walter Turns Her Career Surge Toward Stand-Up
The “Abbott Elementary” and “Parent Trap” actor is returning to live comedy during what a source summary describes as a midcareer renaissance
Corporate restructuring
Starbucks to cut 300 U.S. corporate jobs and close some regional offices
The coffee chain says the latest cuts are part of its Back to Starbucks turnaround plan and will not affect coffeehouse employees
Washington curfew enforcement
Pirro warns parents could face charges over teens’ curfew violations
The D.C. U.S. attorney said her office may use a delinquency statute against parents as officials respond to large teen gatherings in parts of the city
Forestry support
B.C. wood manufacturer says $12M forestry fund falls short
Ottawa says the new money will back projects to diversify Canadian wood production, but a Prince George employer says promised help has not reached his plants
Parliamentary scrutiny
Mandelson appointment papers are being withheld, intelligence watchdog says
The Intelligence and Security Committee says ministers should seek MPs’ approval before holding back some material tied to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US
Consumer scam alert
Traffic ticket text scams are pushing fake DMV fines
A reported fake California DMV message sent to a Texas man used urgency, threats and a suspicious link to pressure payment for a violation he did not recognize
West End crash
Senior critical after driver allegedly rams vehicles in Vancouver’s West End
Vancouver police say two officers were also hospitalized after responding to reports of an erratic driver near Comox and Broughton streets Friday morning
Northern Saskatchewan
Black Bear Fatally Mauls Uranium Contractor in Northern Canada
Officials said the attack happened at a remote uranium mining site and was only Saskatchewan’s fourth recorded fatal encounter with a black bear
Maldives diving accident
Five Italian tourists killed in Maldives cave-diving accident
Italy said one body had been recovered in Vaavu Atoll, while rough weather could slow efforts to reach an underwater cave where four others are believed to be
Maine Senate race
Susan Collins’ Maine race puts Senate clout — and federal dollars — at stake
The Republican incumbent chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, a rare perch her campaign says has helped steer nearly $1.5 billion to Maine since 2021
Market selloff
Silver slides as inflation fears hit bonds, stocks and metals
Global yields rose Friday, with the U.S. 10-year Treasury near a one-year high, as investors weighed energy risks, geopolitics and fading hopes for rate cuts
Markets
Cerebras shares drop 10% after biggest tech IPO since Uber
The AI chip company raised $5.55 billion in a blockbuster Nasdaq debut, but early trading Friday showed investors testing its valuation and growth story
Global protests
Fox report: 736 ‘Nakba 78’ protests planned across 39 countries
The demonstrations mark the Palestinian term for the founding of Israel and displacement of Palestinians; critics and organizers sharply dispute their meaning and intent
Film casting
Amazon MGM says search for next James Bond is underway
The studio says it will not comment on specific casting details yet, while reported contenders include Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson
Water quality
Don’t swim’ warnings posted at 12 of England’s 14 river bathing sites
The warnings come as the government adds six more inland river locations to the summer monitoring regime, including the first on the Thames in London
Film & TV
Harry and Meghan to produce Afghan war film for Netflix
Archewell is developing a feature adaptation of Maj Adam Jowett’s No Way Out, about British troops defending a compound in Musa Qala in 2006
Mexico
Cartel Insiders Say Bribes Let Sinaloa Cartel Operate Freely in State
A New York Times report says insiders described a system in which money and political support bought broad freedom of movement in Sinaloa
Household costs
Food pantries see more Americans return as prices outpace wages
A CBS News report says families are turning again to food assistance as household costs rise faster than paychecks for the first time in three years
Coffee chains
Dunkin’ plans Canadian comeback, but Tim Hortons remains a tall order
Foodtastic says the U.S. chain will return with locations in Toronto and Montreal, while industry observers say habit, nostalgia and convenience favor Tim Hortons
Music
Drake turns CN Tower icy blue for Iceman album rollout
The Toronto rapper used a YouTube livestream, waterfront fireworks and city landmarks to mark the release of his ninth album, along with two surprise projects
Investor Moves
Bill Ackman says Pershing Square built Microsoft stake in first quarter
The billionaire investor described Microsoft’s valuation as compelling, according to a link summary of CNBC and other financial-news reports
Weather
Dirty rain falls across southern Manitoba as dust storm mixes with wet weather
Environment Canada warned that strong west winds could cut visibility and worsen air quality before easing later Thursday evening
U.S. deportations
Report: 15 migrants deported by Trump to Congo face uncertain choice
A New York Times summary says the group was shackled and sent to Kinshasa, where they must decide whether to return to Latin America or remain in Africa
Fed policy
Bond market pushes for tighter Fed stance as Warsh takes over
Ed Yardeni says the 2-year Treasury yield is flashing concern that rates are too low to contain inflation, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argues the latest price surge should fade