Business
US says it disabled another commercial ship trying to breach blockade and reach Iran
WASHINGTON () — The U.S. military has stopped another merchant vessel trying to break through the American blockade of Iranian ports, a U.S. official with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday.
The Gambia-flagged bulk carrier Lian Star ignored multiple warnings from U.S. forces overnight as it tried to enter an Iranian port, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations, said. The ship was disabled by U.S. aircraft in the Gulf of Oman and remains adrift there, the official said, adding that U.S. forces have not boarded it.
The U.S. blockade seeks to limit Iran’s own shipments and further weaken its access to cash, creating more pain for its long-weakened economy.
U.S. President Donald Trump met with advisers on Friday but has yet to decide on whether to move ahead with a deal to extend the ceasefire and reopen the strait. Iran has said the deal had not been finalized.
Commercial traffic has quietly continued to flow through the strait, despite Iran’s assertions that it must prove any transits, though at a much lower volume than before the conflict.
“Any violation of these regulations will place the security of their passage at serious risk,” Iran’s joint military command said Saturday in a statement carried by state TV, warning that any military vessels trying to interfere with that would be targeted.
Qatar’s deputy prime minister, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, on Saturday said the Gulf nation opposes charging fees to transit, “but for certain times when they say they are going to use it for mine clearing or some usage of the fees for a temporary time, this is something that is negotiable, and it could be something that will help the transit of the Strait of Hormuz to be back to normal stage.”
The U.S. official previously told the that the U.S. has not found or destroyed any mines in the strait.
Business
US adult cigarette smoking rate hits another all-time low
NEW YORK () — The cigarette smoking rate among U.S. adults dropped to another all-time low last year, with 1 in 11 adults saying they were current smokers, according to government survey data released this week.
In the mid-1960s, 42% of U.S. adults were smokers. The rate has been gradually dropping for decades, due to cigarette taxes, tobacco product price hikes, smoking bans, public education campaigns and changes in the social acceptability of lighting up in public.
AUDIO: US adult cigarette smoking rate hits another all-time low
’s Lisa Dwyer reports on a drop in smoking rates.
In 2024, the percentage of current adult smokers fell below 10% for the first time. Last year, it was 9%, according to the new survey.
The use of electronic cigarettes has been inching up among adults, but has held about steady in 2025, at about 7%.
“The continued decline in smoking is a monumental public health achievement that has saved millions of lives and billions in healthcare costs,” said Yolonda Richardson, president and chief executive of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and research organization.
Richardson said current smoking-prevention efforts have been set back by cuts President Donald Trump’s administration made that eliminated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health and its “Tips from Former Smokers” advertising campaign.
She cited estimates that the “Tips” campaign alone helped more than 1 million Americans quit smoking and saved over $7.3 billion in healthcare costs.
“This critical work must be restored and sustained to continue reducing smoking-related disease, death and healthcare costs nationwide,” Richardson said.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The is solely responsible for all content.
Business
Federal judge says New Hampshire must make it easier to prove citizenship when registering to vote
CONCORD, N.H. () — A federal judge has said that New Hampshire must make voter registration easier by allowing plicants to attest to their U.S. citizenship if they don’t have the documents to prove it.
Elliot found that changes in 2024 to the state voter registration law unconstitutionally removed one method of proof — namely, a voter’s sworn affidavit attesting to citizenship.
“The evidence shows that this is the only method of proof available to a significant number of New Hampshire voters,” she wrote.
“New Hampshire’s elections have always been safe, secure, and accurate — and this law could have unconstitutionally and needlessly prevented thousands of eligible voters from casting a ballot,” said Henry Klementowicz, deputy legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire.
In her ruling, Elliott said eliminating the affidavit option created a significant burden for voters and did little, if anything, to further the state’s interests. She noted that an expert on voter fraud found only 47 instances of wrongful voting out of roughly 8.3 million votes between 1998 and 2024. During that time, only eight noncitizens may have cast ballots, she said.
“If wrongful voting is rare in New Hampshire, wrongful voting by noncitizens is essentially non-existent,” she wrote.
New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan said he will reimplement the use of voter affidavits for registrants to prove citizenship, but noted the ruling doesn’t affect other 2024 changes to the law, including a requirement that those registering to vote provide documentary proof of identity, age and address. Voters also will continue to be required to show proof of identity on Election Day.
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Carr Smyth reported from Columbus, Ohio.
Business
SnapFresh Introduces 2026 40V 17-Inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower for Residential Lawn Care
LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — SnFresh from Ningbo Winbay Technology Co., Ltd. unveiled its 2026 40V 17-inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower as part of the brand’s latest outdoor power equipment lineup, offering homeowners a gas-free lawn maintenance solution with cutting performance comparable to a traditional 150cc gas mower. The mower is currently available on Amazon.
Image ction: SnFresh Introduces 2026 40V 17-Inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower for Residential Lawn Care.
Powered by a high-efficiency brushless motor and a 17-inch cutting deck, the SnFresh 40V mower is engineered to deliver strong cutting performance for residential lawn care. According to the company, a redesigned blade system improves cutting efficiency by up to 30% and grass collection performance by up to 50% compared to conventional designs, helping homeowners complete mowing tasks more efficiently.
The mower includes two 5.0Ah lithium-ion batteries and a fast charger, providing up to 45 minutes of runtime and coverage for up to one-third acre on a single charge, according to the company. The dual-battery system offers 25% greater battery cacity than the previous generation.
The SnFresh 40V mower features six cutting height settings ranging from 1 inch to 3 inches, adjustable through a one-hand control system. Users may choose between bagging and mulching modes depending on lawn conditions and maintenance preferences.
Additional Product Features
- 17-inch cutting deck
- 40V power system (2 x 20V batteries)
- Two 5.0Ah lithium-ion batteries with fast charger included
- Up to 45 minutes runtime and coverage up to one-third acre
- 45-liter grass collection bag
- Six cutting height settings (1 inch to 3 inches)
- Brushless motor
- 2-in-1 bagging and mulching functionality
- Push-button start with safety lock
- Foldable handle for compact storage
The mower features a lightweight, compact design intended to improve maneuverability and simplify storage in garages, sheds and smaller residential spaces.
The SnFresh 40V 17-inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower is available now on Amazon.
ABOUT SNFRESH
SnFresh develops cordless outdoor power equipment designed to simplify residential yard maintenance. The company offers a range of products including lawn mowers, leaf blowers, pruning tools and related outdoor equipment focused on lightweight design, ease of use and practical performance for homeowners. More information is available at
MEDIA CONTACT News To view the original post, visit:
This press release was issued by Send2Press® Newswire on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy.
Ricky Li
Brand Manager | SnFresh Tools
Ningbo Winbay Technology Co., Ltd.
Phone: +86-152-7591-3533
Business
Family United Home Health Care Launches New Website to Improve Access to Care Services Across Missouri
ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Family United Home Health Care has launched a fully redesigned website to give Missouri families a clearer way to learn about Medicaid-covered health care services. Founded in 2013 by Kayundra Foster, who holds a master’s degree in Gerontology from Lindenwood University, the agency serves families across St. Louis, St. Peters, and Kansas City.
Image ction: Family United Home Health Care Website.
The new website was built to help families and caregivers find the information they need without confusion. It uses plain language, direct navigation, and a clear structure to organize service details. Unlike standard healthcare portals, this site was designed to be a functional tool for those who may be feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of the healthcare system.
Throughout the platform, visitors can explore the full range of services Family United Home Health Care offers through Medicaid, including:
- In-Home Services: This section details personal care assistance, nurse visits, and help with daily activities for seniors and adults with disabilities, emphasizing the ability to remain independent in a home setting.
- Consumer Directed Services (CDS): The section provides a step-by-step roadm for this specific program, which allows participants to hire and manage their own caregivers, with the agency serving as the fiscal intermediary.
- Adult Day Care: Visitors can find information regarding the agency’s community-based social and health programs, which provide structured activities and professional supervision for individuals during daytime hours.
- Healthy Children and Youth (HCY) program: This specialized section focuses on medically necessary services for children and adolescents under age 21, detailing how families can access care for youth with disabilities or chronic health conditions.
To ensure families feel confident in their healthcare journey, each service page now features comprehensive insights into specific care plans. These sections explain entirely what is included in each service, who plies, and accepted payment methods. Each page is highly intuitive, clarifying every point of interest while specifying the exact process to follow and the steps the Family United Home Health Care team takes to initiate care.
Furthermore, the site clearly outlines which office locations facilitate each specific service, helping families determine exactly how these programs work and if they qualify for coverage before they begin the enrollment process.
Beyond care details, the site features a dedicated Events page, inviting the public to join in on agency activities and stay connected with the community. A specialized blog offers practical information and articles for everyone to learn more about care programs, tips, and more.
The platform differentiates itself by consolidating regulatory requirements, eligibility criteria, and procedural steps into a single user-centric interface. By integrating service-specific FAQs with a step-by-step roadm for enrollment, the site functions as a comprehensive guide rather than a standard directory.
“Families dealing with a health crisis are already under enough pressure. They should not have to dig through a confusing website to find out whether their mother qualifies for care,” said Kayundra Foster, founder of Family United Home Health Care. “This site is built the way our agency works… around the family, not around us.”
To learn more about Family United Home Health Care services, visit:
ABOUT FAMILY UNITED HOME HEALTH CARE Founded in 2013, Family United Home Health Care is a Missouri health care agency with offices in St. Louis, St. Peters, and Kansas City. The agency provides Medicaid-covered services — including in-home personal care, Consumer Directed Services, adult day programs, and the Healthy Children and Youth program — to seniors, adults with disabilities, and children across Missouri. Staff includes RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and trained personal care workers, each of whom undergoes background screening and ongoing training before working with clients. Family United Home Health Care, 7390 Saint Charles Rock Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63133 News To view the original post, visit:
This press release was issued by Send2Press® Newswire on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy.
Business
GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., and KARNATAKA, India, May 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — GeekyAnts, an AI-Powered Digital Product Engineering and Consulting Company, earned a nomination at the ET Now Business Conclave & Awards 2026 under the Excellence in AI & Digital Transformation category. The nomination recognizes the company’s work in AI-led product engineering, enterprise modernization, cloud-native systems, and digital customer experience.
Image ction: GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence.
The ET Now Business Conclave & Awards 2026 will bring together business leaders, policymakers, investors, and technology executives to discuss India’s growth priorities and the role of innovation in enterprise competitiveness. For technology leaders in North America, the nomination reflects a broader shift in the market: AI no longer sits at the edge of transformation. It now shes platform strategy, engineering productivity, customer experience, and operating models.
GeekyAnts Founder and CEO Kumar Pratik, Co-Founder Sanket Sahu, and Chief Revenue Officer Kunal Kumar will attend the event on 16th June 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Kumar Pratik will also participate in a panel discussion, where he will share perspectives on AI transformation, digital product engineering, and the need for scalable technology systems that deliver measurable business outcomes.
The recognition comes at a time when enterprise leaders face pressure to convert AI pilots into production systems. McKinsey’s 2025 global AI research found that 88% of organizations use AI in at least one business function, while many still struggle to scale AI across the enterprise. Gartner has reported that less than half of digital initiatives meet or exceed business outcome targets. IBM’s CEO research shows that many leaders now explore AI agents, yet only a smaller group has moved AI programs into scaled execution.
These signals matter for VPs of Engineering, digital platform heads, cloud infrastructure leaders, and customer experience executives. AI transformation requires more than model integration. It demands secure data architecture, cloud discipline, product design, governance, performance engineering, and delivery teams that understand enterprise systems.
Enterprise AI has moved from experimentation to execution, said Kumar Pratik, Founder and CEO of GeekyAnts. The next phase will depend on engineering discipline, responsible architecture, and the ability to connect AI systems with real business workflows. This nomination reflects the kind of work we believe will define digital transformation in the years ahead.
GeekyAnts’ case studies show how the company has plied that proach across AI and digital engineering programs. In an AI document intelligence engagement for Pillar Engine, GeekyAnts built an automated insight generation platform that reduced manual effort by 99%, processed 10,000 pages in two minutes, and achieved more than 85% response accuracy. The system used AWS Bedrock, Claude, Snowflake, DynamoDB, ECS Fargate, and a custom agent architecture to turn complex documents into role-based insights.
For Nexus, GeekyAnts worked on AI-driven process automation across business process management workflows. The team designed SQL agents, evaluated RAG models, and built benchmarking systems that improved testing quality and reduced manual validation cycles by 50%. The engagement also improved internal workflow efficiency by 30%, showing how AI can support operational teams when engineering teams design it around process outcomes.
The company also delivered cloud modernization work for an AI-powered hiring platform, moving infrastructure from AWS EKS to Azure in one week. The project reduced monthly infrastructure costs by 50% and cut mean time to resolution by 80% through improved monitoring and CI/CD practices. For enterprise engineering leaders, that case points to a core AI-era requirement: intelligent products need resilient, cost-efficient infrastructure.
GeekyAnts also built Smart Pantry, an AI meal recommendation platform that combined personalization, product design, and recommendation logic. The platform reduced meal decision time by 40%, doubled daily active use during its pilot phase, and helped the product team move faster on AI-led feature development.
The nomination adds visibility to GeekyAnts’ broader positioning in AI consulting, AI-powered product engineering, enterprise system modernization, digital customer experience, cloud infrastructure, full-stack development, and UI/UX design. The company operates across San Francisco, Bengaluru, and London, giving it access to enterprise clients that need both strategic technology guidance and distributed engineering execution.
For large organizations in the U.S. and Canada, the market message remains clear. AI transformation now depends on partners that can connect strategy, architecture, product delivery, and business impact. GeekyAnts’ ET Now nomination places the company within that conversation as enterprises look for engineering teams that can move AI and digital platforms from concept to production.
CONTACT INFORMATION
US Office
GeekyAnts Inc.
315 Montgomery Street, 9th & 10th Floors
San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
+1 845 534 6825
India Office
GeekyAnts India Pvt Ltd
No. 18, 2nd Cross Road, N S Palya, 2nd Stage,
BTM Layout, Bangalore – 560076, Karnataka, India
+91 80 4305 8884
UK Office
GeekyAnts UK Ltd
SPACES Finsbury Park
17 City North Place, London N4 3FU, England, UK
+44 1702 655221
MULTIMEDIA Image ction: GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence. News To view the original post, visit:
This press release was issued by Send2Press® Newswire on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy.
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Healthcare startup Preventify raised Rs 2 crore through a funding round led PedalStart. The capital raised by Preventify will be used to build its first cluster of clinics. The capital raised will be used to expand Preventify’s programmes for chronic and lifestyle disease management, and improve its technology, diagnosis, and pharmacy integration. Preventify, a Kerala-based company, operates three clinics currently in the city. It is at the intersection of technology, diagnostics and long-term engagement with patients. It provides affordable, evidence-based, standardised preventive and chronic health care in Tier-2 cities and Tier-3 cities of India. Preventify will expand its clinic network throughout Kerala in the next 12-18 month. A statement from the company said that it would invest in nurses, clinicians with experience, care coordinators, central medical teams and experienced nurses.
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