Costco experienced an 8% increase in net sales in June, driven by summer holiday shopping and strong demand for key product categories, with both in-store and e-commerce sales rising, reflecting a robust month for the retailer amid holiday celebrations and international demand.
Consumer sentiment in June rebounded sharply by 16% as tariff concerns eased, indicating a more optimistic economic outlook despite ongoing risks and elevated inflation expectations, according to the University of Michigan survey.
The full strawberry moon will occur on June 11, 2025, marking the lowest lunar path since 2006 due to a lunar standstill, with optimal viewing on June 10 and 11, featuring a colorful moonrise and nearby red star Antares, offering a spectacular skywatching opportunity.
The best time to view the Milky Way's core, located near Sagittarius and Scorpius, is in June when it becomes visible after dark, especially from the Southern Hemisphere or lower northern latitudes, away from light pollution, with optimal viewing around the solstice. Using a tripod and long exposure can enhance the experience.
The June strawberry moon, a dimmer and smaller micromoon, will be at its fullest on June 11 at 3:44 a.m. ET, but the best viewing time is on June 10 at sunset, especially from North America, when it rises. Named after the wild strawberries of Native American tribes, it will appear yellow or orange due to its low position in the sky, marking the last full moon before the summer solstice.
The series finale of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale concludes the show after six seasons, but critics feel it lost its impact by the end, with unresolved plotlines, lack of consequences, and a focus on June that overshadowed the show's original themes. The finale hints at a possible adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s sequel, The Testaments, but leaves many questions open, reflecting on the show's decline in storytelling depth and tension.
The series finale of 'The Handmaid's Tale' shows a rebellion in Boston leading to the liberation of the city, but Gilead remains intact elsewhere. June reunites with her daughter Nichole and searches for Hannah, while other characters like Emily, Janine, Serena, and Luke have varied fates. The series ends with June returning to the Waterford house, reflecting on her journey and the ongoing fight against Gilead.
The series finale of 'The Handmaid's Tale' features a poignant ending for Serena Joy, played by Yvonne Strahovski, who survives and finds a moment of acceptance with her son Noah, contrasting earlier darker ideas of her death. The show's creators debated her fate, ultimately choosing a more hopeful conclusion, emphasizing her journey from cruelty to a complex, humanized character. The finale also explores themes of hope, loss, and the enduring bonds between mothers and children, with the ending reflecting a realistic, bittersweet tone.
The Handmaid's Tale concluded its six-season run with a finale that featured major battles, reunions, farewells, and a full-circle ending at the Waterford house, emphasizing themes of forgiveness, resistance, and hope for the future, while leaving June's fate open for potential continuation.
The series finale of 'The Handmaid's Tale' concludes with June reclaiming her identity and continuing her fight against Gilead, while setting up the sequel series 'The Testaments.' The creators and Elisabeth Moss discuss the ending's significance, character arcs, and the show's connection to Margaret Atwood's novels, emphasizing themes of survival, hope, and resilience.
Elisabeth Moss discusses the series finale of 'The Handmaid's Tale,' highlighting the ending's connection to the pilot, June's ongoing fight for freedom, and the emotional significance of her final monologue, which blends past recordings with new performance. The finale emphasizes hope, resilience, and the long-term struggle against Gilead, while Moss reflects on the show's political relevance and her own journey as an actress and director.
Home prices in the United States have increased for the fifth consecutive month in June, indicating a continued upward trend in the real estate market.
Retail sales in the US rose by only 0.2% in June, falling short of expectations and indicating a slowdown in consumer spending. Despite signs of slowing inflation, Americans are becoming more cautious with their spending, possibly due to concerns about rising unemployment. While certain categories like cars and online shopping saw increased sales, spending declined in areas such as grocery stores and home improvement outlets. The softer-than-expected data suggests that consumers are depleting their excess savings and relying more on credit to support their spending habits.
The US inflation rate is expected to reach its lowest level in over two years in June, according to forecasts. This comes as the Federal Reserve considers cutting interest rates to counter slowing economic growth and trade tensions.