Business

Israeli launches strikes near ancient heritage castle site in southern Lebanon

ADLOUN, Lebanon () — Israeli air force and artillery strikes were reported on Saturday near the strategic mountain site of a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon as fighting raged in villages close to the city of Nabatiyeh.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported airstrikes and artillery shelling near the Crusader-built Beaufort castle that is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Israeli border and overlooks wide parts of southern Lebanon. The strategic castle was held by Israeli troops for 18 years until they withdrew from Lebanon in May 2000.

Separately, an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip killed a nurse, the latest death since last year’s shaky ceasefire.

Later on Saturday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam used a televised speech to criticize Israeli airstrikes and its invasion of Lebanon. He accused Israel of “implementing a policy of total destruction of cities and towns” and of carrying out mass displacements.

He said Israel is trying to “uproot Lebanon’s memory and erase the people’s history,” adding that the government will do all it can to achieve a ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and the return of displaced people to their homes.

Salam said the direct negotiations are not guaranteed to produce results and at the same time they don’t mean a surrender for Lebanon. “They are currently the least costly option,” Salam said. Another round of talks are scheduled to take place in Washington on Tuesday.

Israel will not gain security and stability through the “scorched earth policy,” Salam said.

Israel and Hezbollah exchange strikes despite ceasefire

The incursion is the deepest by Israeli troops since the withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.

The National News Agency reported airstrikes on different parts of southern Lebanon, including in the village of Ansar that killed three people. A drone strike on a road linking the village of Ebba with Nabatiyeh wounded two Lebanese soldiers, the army said in a statement.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said its fighters fired rockets at northern Israel’s largest city, Kiryat Shmona, on the border with Lebanon. The group said its attack was in retaliation for airstrikes that killed civilians in Lebanon. Hezbollah later said it also fired rockets toward the northern city of Safed.

Among those killed in southern Lebanon on Friday was Qais al-Bakir, his pregnant wife and their six children. The Syrian family died in an Israeli airstrike on the coastal village of Adloun, north of the city of Tyre.

The family had been living in a sheep farm and they received no warning in advance of the strike on the village, said Ali al-Bakir the brother of the man killed. He said the family plans to send the bodies for burial in their hometown in Syria.

“He worked in farming and all he cared about was to feed his children,” his brother said.

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war started on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel two days after Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran.

Further strikes in Gaza

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The nurse was identified as Jamal Abu Aoun, who worked at Yafa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. His funeral was held at noon in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital’s courtyard.

He was the latest fatality among Palestinians in the coastal enclave since a fragile October ceasefire deal attempted to halt a more than two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the shaky ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire. Israeli forces have carried out repeated airstrikes and frequently fire on Palestinians near military-held zones, killing at least 929 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts. But it does not give a breakdown of civilians and militants.

Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire.

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Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.

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
Ricky Li
Brand Manager | SnFresh Tools
Ningbo Winbay Technology Co., Ltd.
Phone: +86-152-7591-3533

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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

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