Headlines

Strong start for the hosts in Astana

The Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam opened in style in Astana, with packed stands and top-level judo. Sukhbat Byambasuren, Amber Gersjes, Blandine Pont, Abdurakhim Nutfulloev and Faiza Mokdar all took gold, while Kazakhstan celebrated two medals on day one.

Ukraine War rains on Putin’s parade

Russia’s inability to conquer Ukraine is spurring unusually harsh public complaints over both the lack of military progress and the growing economic costs of the war, a pair of failures being blamed on President Vladimir Putin’s leadership. The damage caused by bombardments by

Asia

WGA West Reaches a Deal to End Staff Union Strike

The Writers Guild of America West has reached a tentative deal with its staff union to end a lengthy strike, which became an unwanted distraction during negotiations with the major studios. The Writers Guild Staff Union announced that the deal includes minimum 12% raises over

The 5 Best Songs Of The Week

Every week the Stereogum staff chooses the five best new songs of the week. The eligibility period begins and ends Thursdays right before midnight. You can hear this week’s picks below and on Stereogum’s Favorite New Music Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly. (An expanded

Trump announces 3-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine

President Trump said Friday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire over the weekend, which includes a prisoner swap. The ceasefire will last from May 9-11, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The pause in fighting is for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. “The

Judge schedules criminal trial for James Comey for July 15

A federal judge on Friday set a July 15 trial date for former FBI Director James Comey on his new criminal charges of threatening President Trump. U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan, who will oversee the trial, also agreed that Comey doesn’t have to make the trek to her North

Wowsabout!

PBS Kids and The Jim Henson Company have collaborated on a kids special called Wowsabout! that focuses on the experience of wonder. Wowsabout is rooted in a rich curriculum developed by Dr. Dacher Keltner, one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists and author of “AWE: The