Obama and Mamdani read and sing with New York preschoolers in first meeting

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Former US president and New York mayor read to a group of children and led a sing-along at a Bronx childcare center

Barack Obama met with Zohran Mamdani for the first time on Saturday at a childcare center where the former Democratic US president and mayor of New York City read to preschoolers and led a sing-along.

The meeting comes as Mamdani, a democratic socialist who marked his 100th day in office just over a week earlier, is also trying to build a working relationship with Donald Trump – Obama’s Republican presidential successor.

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In Angola, love for an American pope but not for an American president – The Washington Post

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  1. In Angola, love for an American pope but not for an American president  The Washington Post
  2. Pope Leo XIV heads to Catholic shrine in Angola that was a center of African slave trade  AP News
  3. In Angola, Pope Leo XIV Faces the Legacy of Colonialism  The New York Times
  4. Pope Leo says not seeking ‘new debate’ with Trump on trip to Angola  Al Jazeera
  5. Pope urges Angola to overcome divisions at Mass attended by 100,000 people  Reuters
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Trump energy secretary says gas prices might not drop back under $3 a gallon until 2027

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Chris Wright says ‘I don’t know’ when asked about lower cost of gas as average price soars to $4 a gallon in US

Chris Wright, the Trump administration’s energy secretary, acknowledged Sunday that it might not be until 2027 before US gas prices come back under $3 a gallon.

Asked by Jake Tapper, the CNN State of the Union host, when he thought “it’s realistic for Americans to expect the gas will go back to under $3 a gallon”, Wright replied: “I don’t know. That could happen later this year. That might not happen until next year.”

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UK police investigating if arson attacks on Jewish sites in London are the work of Iranian proxies – AP News

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  1. UK police investigating if arson attacks on Jewish sites in London are the work of Iranian proxies  AP News
  2. Arson attacks 'gathering momentum', Chief Rabbi says  BBC
  3. British Counterterrorism Police Investigating Attacks Against Jewish Sites  The New York Times
  4. Attempted arson at London synagogue is 3rd attack on Jewish site in past week: "Sustained campaign of violence"  CBS News
  5. Britain’s chief rabbi says Jews are facing campaign of violence after spate of arson attacks  Politico
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Independent bookstores make quiet comeback as big chains dominate retail

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About 422 indie bookshops opened in 2025, up 31%, defying predictions of retail consolidation

For years now, we have heard that Amazon and the big chains are crushing small businesses, but independent bookstores are suddenly making a comeback.

About 422 new indie bookshops opened in 2025, according to the American Booksellers Association, a 31% rise from 2024. Countless independent restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, movie theaters, clothing stores and other small businesses also continue to thrive even in this era of ever-bigger retailers, fast-casual restaurants and massive e-commerce platforms.

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Book Review: ‘When We See You Again,’ by Rachel Goldberg-Polin – The New York Times

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  1. Book Review: ‘When We See You Again,’ by Rachel Goldberg-Polin  The New York Times
  2. 'I feel like we failed' to bring Gaza hostages home, Rachel Goldberg-Polin tells CBS's 60 Minutes  The Jerusalem Post
  3. Between Pain And Faith: Rachel Goldberg-Polin Says Goodbye To Hersh  i24NEWS
  4. Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s Son Was Taken On October 7, Grief Became Her “Badge Of Love”  Qoo10.co.id
  5. Rachel Goldberg-Polin Reflects on Son Captivity and Death  Readers.id
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Italian lawyers could win ‘wild west-style bounties’ if immigration clients go home

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Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government to ask MPs to back controversial voluntary repatriation scheme

Italian lawyers will be paid bonuses if they successfully convince their immigrant clients to return home under a government plan that has been compared to a “wild west-style bounty”.

The incentive is in the latest security bill from Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government and goes to the lower house of parliament for final approval this week. It was passed by the upper house after fiery debate.

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