Sarah Eberle won the top prize at the Chelsea Flower Show for her garden featuring a large sculpture of a sleeping woman made from a fallen tree. She is one of only three women to win this award as a solo designer in the show’s 100-year history. Her garden highlights the importance of rural green spaces near towns and cities.
Key Facts
Sarah Eberle’s garden won Best in Show at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The garden includes a giant statue called Mother Nature and natural features like pools and wildflowers.
It was created for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, emphasizing countryside areas near urban zones.
Eberle is now the Royal Horticultural Society’s most decorated gardener with 14 gold medals.
Only three women have won the top prize as solo designers in the history of the event.
There is ongoing concern about the low number of female garden designers featured at Chelsea.
Some female designers say challenges like family responsibilities and life balance affect women’s participation.
A garden focused on female cancers was designed by a man, which sparked discussions about gender representation.
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The U.S. clothing brand Everlane is reportedly being sold to Shein, a Chinese company known for fast fashion. Shein has faced criticism for its business methods, and the sale may affect consumers.
Key Facts
Everlane is a U.S.-based clothing brand focused on sustainability.
Shein is a Chinese fashion company known for fast and affordable clothing.
Shein has been criticized for its business practices.
The deal to sell Everlane to Shein was first reported by Lauren Sherman from Puck Fashion.
The sale could have effects on customers who buy Everlane products.
This deal brings together a sustainable clothing brand and a fast fashion company.
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Mortgage interest rates have risen significantly in recent months due to factors like higher inflation, oil prices, and global uncertainties. As of May 19, 2026, the average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage is 6.50%, and for a 15-year mortgage, it is 6.00%. Homebuyers and those refinancing should compare offers carefully because rates vary and may change soon.
Key Facts
The average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.50% as of May 19, 2026.
The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.00%.
These rates are higher than earlier this year; for example, on April 21, the 30-year rate was 5.99%.
The average refinance rate for a 30-year mortgage is 6.96%.
The average refinance rate for a 15-year mortgage is 6.17%.
Inflation, rising oil prices, and geopolitical issues have pushed interest rates up.
The Federal Reserve has not changed its main interest rate in 2026 so far.
Borrowers with good credit can still find better rates by comparing multiple lenders.
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A Jackson Pollock painting sold for a record $181.2 million at Christie’s auction house in New York, making it the fourth most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. Several other artworks also set new price records during the same auction event.
Key Facts
The Pollock painting, Number 7A from 1948, sold for $181.2 million.
This sale is the highest auction price for a Pollock painting, surpassing the previous record of $61.2 million set in 2021.
Other works by Pollock have sold privately for up to $200 million.
Constantin Brâncuşi’s bronze sculpture Danaïde sold for $107.6 million, exceeding its previous record of $71.2 million.
Mark Rothko’s painting No 15 (Two Greens and Red Stripe) sold for $98.4 million, beating its prior record of $86.9 million.
Joan Miró’s Portrait of Madame K sold for $53.5 million, surpassing the earlier record of $37 million.
Recent auctions have included record sales such as Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer for $236.4 million and Frida Kahlo’s The Dream for $54.7 million.
The highest price ever paid for a painting at auction is $450 million for Salvator Mundi, linked to Leonardo da Vinci.
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The musical Rent will return to London’s West End this autumn to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Stranger Things actor Gaten Matarazzo will star in his first West End role, and the production is directed by Luke Sheppard, who previously staged a successful version in Manchester.
Key Facts
Rent is a musical that first opened in 1996 and won four Tony awards.
It is based on Puccini’s opera La Bohème and set in New York during the AIDS crisis.
The West End revival will start performances on 26 September at the Duke of York’s theatre.
Gaten Matarazzo, known for Stranger Things, will play the role of Mark, a filmmaker.
Luke Sheppard directs the new production, inspired by his 2020 staging in Manchester’s Hope Mill theatre.
Hope Mill theatre was founded in 2015 with a small loan and is run by Joseph Houston and William Whelton.
The show’s production includes major West End companies, Chris Harper Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions.
The revival aims to bring fresh energy while respecting the original’s themes of inclusion, gentrification, and struggles in the arts.
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FIFA has not yet sold the broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup in India, despite the country's large football fan base. The main reason is the time difference, which causes matches to air late at night or early morning in India, making them less attractive to broadcasters and advertisers.
Key Facts
India had over 745 million football fans following the 2022 World Cup, second only to China.
Nearly 84 million people in India watched World Cup matches on TV in 2022.
Digital streaming was also popular, with 32 million viewers for the final on JioCinema.
Reliance’s Jio paid $60 million for the 2022 World Cup rights; Sony Sports paid $90 million for earlier tournaments.
FIFA expected to sell 2026 World Cup rights in India for about $100 million but has not found buyers yet.
Most matches in 2026 will air late at night or early morning in India due to the tournament being hosted in North America.
Only 14 out of 104 matches in 2026 start before midnight Indian time, compared to nearly all matches starting earlier in 2018 and 2022.
Cricket dominates the sports market in India, attracting more viewers and advertisers than football.
A recent Indian government ban on real-money fantasy betting apps may also have affected broadcaster interest.
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U.S. stock markets fell after reaching record highs, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all dropping. Investors are cautious due to ongoing issues like oil price swings, the Iran conflict affecting oil shipping routes, and upcoming earnings reports from major tech companies like Nvidia.
Key Facts
The S&P 500 dropped 0.5%, the Dow fell 397 points (0.8%), and Nasdaq declined 0.6% on Tuesday.
Technology stocks, especially in Asia, fell, with South Korea’s Kospi down 3.3%, while Germany’s DAX rose 1%.
Investors are concerned about how long the Iran war will close the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route.
Nvidia is expected to report quarterly results soon, which could affect tech stocks and the overall market rally.
Akamai Technologies shares fell 3.9% after announcing plans to raise $2.6 billion through convertible notes (a form of company debt investors can convert into stock).
Home Depot’s sales growth missed some analysts’ expectations, causing its shares to drop 2.2%.
Treasury bond yields rose, with the 10-year yield increasing to 4.66%, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.
Oil prices eased slightly but remained above $100 per barrel; gasoline prices in the U.S. grew 43% compared to last year, reaching about $4.53 per gallon.
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CBS Mornings Deals offers special discounts on various products that could be useful in daily life. Customers can visit cbsdeals.com to find these deals and buy items at lower prices.
Key Facts
CBS Mornings Deals features products with exclusive discounts.
The deals are available on the website cbsdeals.com.
The items promoted may become useful in everyday life.
CBS earns commissions when customers buy products through cbsdeals.com.
The offer is part of the CBS Mornings program content.
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Finance ministers from the G7 countries met in Paris and agreed that global trade imbalances need to be addressed to prevent economic instability. However, they did not specify clear plans, and disagreements remain, especially over U.S. sanctions on Russia amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Key Facts
G7 finance ministers agreed on the need to tackle global trade imbalances.
The meeting took place in Paris and lasted two days.
Ministers discussed the economic effects of the US-Israeli war on Iran and problems in global bond markets.
The group stressed cooperation to maintain global economic stability despite some disagreements.
U.S. extended a waiver on sanctions against Russia, which caused division among G7 members.
The ministers highlighted problems with energy, food, and fertilizer supply chains affecting vulnerable countries.
They called for a swift return to safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, blocked by Iran due to the war.
Non-G7 countries Brazil, India, Kenya, and South Korea were invited to the meeting to widen the group's influence.
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NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy have announced a $67 billion plan to merge, creating one of the largest utility companies in the United States. The new company aims to lead in electricity generation and to support growing demand from data centers, especially in northern Virginia. The merger still needs approval from state and federal regulators.
Key Facts
NextEra Energy is the largest utility in the U.S. by market value; Dominion is the sixth-largest.
The merger would combine NextEra’s broad reach with Dominion’s strong presence near many data centers.
The new company would lead in overall electricity production, natural gas, and renewable energy in the U.S.
NextEra shareholders would own 74.5% of the new company; Dominion shareholders would own 25.5%.
NextEra CEO John W. Ketchum would lead the merged company; Dominion CEO Robert M. Blue would oversee regulated utilities.
Approval from regulators is expected to take 12 to 18 months.
Consumer advocates warn the merger could reduce competition and make regulation harder.
The deal is seen by analysts as a way for NextEra to speed up its growth in providing power for data centers.
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Kroger is recalling certain packets of its "Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons" sold in 17 U.S. states due to a possible salmonella contamination linked to a milk powder ingredient. The recall is a precaution after the ingredient supplier found contamination risks, but no reported illnesses so far.
Key Facts
The recall affects Kroger-branded croutons in 5-ounce pouches with UPC code 0 11110 81353 4.
Products with "Best If Used By" dates from February 17 to April 7, 2027, are included.
Affected croutons were sold in Kroger stores across 17 states including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The potential salmonella contamination comes from milk powder supplied by California Dairies, Inc.
No Salmonella was found in tests of the seasoning batches used, but the milk powder supplier issued a recall.
Salmonella is a bacteria causing illness with symptoms like diarrhea, fever, nausea, and cramps.
People at higher risk include young children, older adults, and those with weak immune systems.
Consumers who have the croutons should not eat them and can contact Sugar Foods’ consumer hotline for questions.
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Costco is recalling more than 18,000 patio swings after reports of the swing seat falling off and causing injuries. The company behind the product is offering free repair kits and asking customers to stop using the swings immediately.
Key Facts
The recall involves Agio Menlo Woven Patio Swings, model number 1934256.
These swings were sold only at Costco stores and on Costco.com between February 1 and March 20, 2026.
The seat can detach from the frame, which may cause a person to fall backward and get hurt.
There have been eight injury reports, including head and arm impacts.
The swings have a black metal frame, fabric canopy, and cushioned wicker-style seat.
Customers are asked to stop using the swings right away and contact the company for a free repair kit.
The repair kit contains four replacement hooks and installation instructions.
The swings originally sold for about $549 to $649.
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The UK government has announced that the HS2 high-speed railway project will cost up to £102.7 billion and be delayed until 2039 for the first trains between London and Birmingham, much later and more expensive than originally planned. The project started in 2012 with a budget of £32.7 billion and was expected to open in 2026.
Key Facts
HS2 will cost between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion, significantly higher than the original £32.7 billion budget.
The first trains on the London to Birmingham route are now expected to run between 2036 and 2039.
The full railway, extending to Staffordshire, is expected to be completed between 2040 and 2043.
About one-third of the cost increase is due to inflation; the rest comes from other factors.
The project speed will be reduced slightly to save approximately £2.5 billion, from nearly 200 mph to about 225 mph (320 to 360 km/h).
Plans to use automatic train operation, common on busy city train lines, will be reconsidered.
The government considered canceling HS2 but decided completion would be less costly than cancellation.
HS2 Ltd leadership is tasked with better contract management and improving the project’s progress.
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Mortgage rates have been changing quickly due to factors like the conflict in Iran and inflation. Experts say mortgage rates near 5% are unlikely soon unless several key economic conditions improve and geopolitical tensions ease.
Key Facts
Mortgage rates recently fell below 6% but have bounced back to about 6.5% because of rising Treasury yields.
Rates affect homebuyers significantly; a 1% change can mean hundreds of dollars difference in monthly payments.
The Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates steady due to rising inflation.
Experts do not expect mortgage rates to drop close to 5% in the near future.
The ongoing war in Iran is a major factor keeping rates high.
Mortgage rates follow the 10-year Treasury yield, which has risen amid inflation and geopolitical risks.
For rates to drop to around 5%, inflation needs to go below 2.5%, oil prices must fall significantly, the war in Iran must end, and bond yields need to decrease.
A global recession and more government support for borrowing could also lower rates, but these scenarios are not expected soon.
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Non-alcoholic wine is becoming more popular with consumers. Amanda Thomson, CEO of the company Noughty, explains that several factors are helping this market grow and making alcohol-free wine more appealing.
Key Facts
Non-alcoholic wine sales are increasing quickly.
Amanda Thomson is the founder and CEO of Noughty, a company that makes alcohol-free wine.
Consumers are showing more interest in drinks without alcohol.
The market growth is driven by changing tastes and lifestyle choices.
Alcohol-free wine is attracting new customers who want healthier or different drink options.
The article is based on an interview on FRANCE 24's show Entre Nous.
The focus is on wine made without alcohol, not on alcoholic wines.
The trend is part of a broader shift toward non-alcoholic beverages in the beverage industry.
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The UK government announced that the HS2 high-speed rail project could cost up to £102.7 billion and will be delayed by up to six years, with trains starting service between 2036 and 2039. To reduce costs, the trains will run at a top speed of 320 km/h instead of the original 360 km/h.
Key Facts
The HS2 project cost estimate has risen to between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion as of 2025 prices.
Train services are now expected to start between 2036 and 2039, delayed from the previous 2033 target.
The planned top speed for HS2 trains has been lowered from 360 km/h (224 mph) to 320 km/h to save up to £2.5 billion.
The project was originally forecast to cost around £75 billion in today's money when planned to reach Manchester and Leeds.
The current route focuses on connecting London to Birmingham.
Two-thirds of the cost increase is attributed to underestimated expenses by the previous government, poor project management, and missing work scopes.
One-third of the increase is due to inflation.
The full service including London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street and a West Coast Main Line connection is expected between 2040 and 2043.
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Matt Brittin has started as the new director general of the BBC, aiming to move the organization forward quickly but carefully. He faces major challenges including budget cuts, staff morale issues, and the need to maintain the BBC’s reputation for strong public service journalism.
Key Facts
Matt Brittin became the BBC’s director general and emphasized urgency and speed balanced with caution.
The BBC faces a planned £600 million cost-cutting program, including up to 2,000 job cuts.
The BBC’s income has fallen by up to 30% due to government cuts to the licence fee and non-payment.
Brittin plans to focus on saving money, simplifying decision-making, and maintaining editorial quality.
There is talk of reducing BBC broadcast channels and making deals with online platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
News departments may face the hardest cuts, which could harm investigative journalism and editorial standards.
Brittin lacks editorial experience but plans to appoint a deputy to help with this area.
Staff morale is low, and previous cuts have made the newsroom more risk-averse, affecting program quality.
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The article discusses which American housing markets are considered the most overpriced as the busy home-buying season begins. It highlights that some homes for sale may have prices higher than their actual value in certain areas.
Key Facts
The home-buying season is starting, and many houses are listed for sale.
Some housing markets in the U.S. have prices that are higher than what the homes are really worth.
The article identifies which cities or neighborhoods have the biggest price gaps.
Overpriced markets can make buying a home more expensive and challenging.
Price differences vary by location and depend on local demand and supply.
Knowing which markets are overpriced can help buyers make smarter decisions.
The term "overpriced" means that home prices do not match the typical market value based on factors like size, condition, and location.
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The article explains that economists, like weather forecasters and other experts who predict the future, often do not accurately know what will happen. This is because the methods they use to predict the economy have built-in problems.
Key Facts
Economists try to forecast the economy but often make mistakes.
Economic predictions are compared to weather forecasts and futurists’ guesses.
The article says economic forecasting has structural flaws, meaning the problem is in the way predictions are made.
These flaws make it very hard to know the future of the economy with certainty.
The article discusses why these experts struggle to provide accurate results.
It suggests that bias, laziness, and fear might be reasons behind poor economic predictions.
Economic conditions are complex and change quickly, which adds difficulty to forecasting.
Understanding the limits of forecasting can help people better interpret economic advice.
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Chef Axel Morand, the executive chef at the Carlton Cannes hotel, prepared a special dish for Park Chan-wook, the president of the Cannes Film Festival jury. The hotel serves thousands of meals daily to many guests during the festival.
Key Facts
Axel Morand is the executive chef at the Carlton Cannes hotel.
The Carlton Cannes serves thousands of dishes every day.
Morand created a unique dish for Park Chan-wook, Cannes Jury President.
This event took place during the Cannes Film Festival.
The article briefly mentions other news but focuses on the chef’s work for the jury president.
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