As another busy week comes to a close, we've compiled a round-up of the most significant news stories from across Essex County. Residents and visitors alike will find these events relevant as they showcase developments within the communities of Caldwells, Livingston, Millburn, Bloomfield, and Montclair.

Debt ceiling talks between the White House and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's office have hit a snag, with negotiators having put a pause on the talks. Negotiators met briefly in the Capitol on Friday before breaking up, and as of right now, there are no more meetings scheduled for the day.

Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos' space company, has won a key contract from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop a crewed lunar lander under the agency's Artemis program. The spacecraft will deliver astronauts to the moon's surface later this decade.

Washington, D.C., police lieutenant Shane Lamond was arrested Friday after being indicted on one count of obstruction of justice and three counts of making false statements. The charges are related to Lamond's alleged communications with former Proud Boys chairman Henry “Enrique” Tarrio regarding a December 2020 pro-Trump rally in Washington, an investigation into the burning of a Black Lives Matter flag stolen from a historic African American church, and the subsequent events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack.

In a bid to recognize outstanding local enterprises, the Denver Business Journal has announced its Small Business Awards finalists for this year. Mountain View Bank of Commerce, ARCO/Murray, American GPR & Coring, and Barefoot PR have all been acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to the community.

Tesco chairman John Allan will step down from his position at Britain's biggest retailer following allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The announcement came during the group's annual shareholders' meeting on June 16.

Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman has announced plans to step down as the bank's chief executive officer within the next 12 months, sparking a succession race at one of Wall Street's top firms. Gorman told shareholders Friday that he expects a new CEO to be chosen in the coming months and will assume the role of executive chairman for a period following his resignation.

Shares of Foot Locker Inc (FL.N) plunged 25% premarket on Friday, after the footwear retailer cut its annual sales and profit forecasts due to a sharp drop in demand and a hit from heavy discounts aimed at clearing excess inventories. The company also missed Wall Street estimates for its first-quarter results and named former Kohl's Corp (KSS.N), Mike Baughn its new finance chief, effective June 12.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday to attend the Arab League summit, seeking support for his country's peace proposal amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The visit comes as the Biden administration urges its Middle Eastern partners to back Ukraine and mitigate the economic repercussions of a conflict that has severely disrupted global supply chains.

Kansas City, known for its thriving business scene, has once again proven itself as a hub for successful enterprises. The Kansas City Business Journal has announced the winners of the 2023 Champions of Business awards, honoring five outstanding local businesses who have made remarkable contributions to their respective industries.

The city of Charlotte is home to countless accomplished professionals, but a select few have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in their respective fields. This year, four individuals stand out amongst the rest for their commitment to community service and professional excellence.

Charlotte, North Carolina - A group of young professionals is making waves in the city as they contribute to the growth and development of various sectors. The prestigious "Charlotte's 40 Under 40" list recognizes Kaitlin Powers from Moore & Van Allen, Christopher R. Marsicano from Davidson College, Robert Johnson Jr. from RXO Inc., Page Castrodale from Cabarrus EDC, and Sergio Pérez from Bojangles Inc.

Charlotte, North Carolina is a city filled with talent and ambition. This year's "40 Under 40" list highlights the achievements of some of the city's most influential young professionals across various industries.

Buffalo Business First recently announced its list of 2023 Diversity and Inclusion All-Stars as well as Wellness All-Stars. These students have demonstrated exceptional commitment to creating inclusive environments in their schools while promoting mental and emotional well-being.

Buffalo is home to many bright young students who go above and beyond in their communities. Today we recognize three exceptional individuals from the area: Elizabeth Agle of Eden High School, Emma Dorobiala of Mount St. Mary Academy, and Emma Dolan of East Aurora High School.

The prestigious Charlotte Business Journal (CBJ) recently announced this year's recipients of their annual "40 Under 40" awards program, honoring the emerging leaders in business and civic life within the region. The honorees come from a diverse range of industries and organizations, with each making significant contributions to their respective fields.

The personal fortune of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty has fallen by more than £200 million over the last year, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List. The couple's wealth is estimated at around £529 million, down from £730 million in 2022.

Real Estate Newswire has reported a series of high-priced residential real estate sales across multiple counties between May 8th and May 15th. The list includes properties from Union County to Mercer County.

A house located in Sparta, Sussex County has sold for a staggering $1.1 million, making it one of the most expensive residential real estate sales in the area between May 8 and May 15. The sale of the 2,428 square-foot single-family house at 2 Fowler Street, Franklin was recorded with an average price of $388,701.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has reported an alarming increase in the number of charged off Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, raising concerns over potential fraud and misuse. According to recent data from both the Triad and Dayton Business Journals, billions of dollars in unpaid PPP loans have been charged off as businesses struggle to repay their debts.

Georgia prosecutor Fani T. Willis has announced remote work days for most of her staff during the first three weeks of August, asking judges in a downtown Atlanta courthouse not to schedule trials for part of that time as she prepares to bring charges in the Trump inquiry. Willis outlined the remote work plan and made the request to 21 Fulton County officials in a letter sent on Thursday.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to make a surprise appearance at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, as leaders prepare to announce new sanctions against Russia. The measures aim to disrupt Russia's ability to obtain materials needed on the battlefield, close loopholes used for evading sanctions, reduce international reliance on Russian energy further and limit Moscow's access to the global financial system.

The third derailment this month of a Russian train behind the front lines in the war in Ukraine suggests that a new sphere of operations may have opened ahead of a planned counteroffensive by the Ukrainians. Russia has made extensive use of the rail network during its full-scale invasion, ferrying troops, weaponry and supplies into battle as well as evacuating wounded soldiers.

Former President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama have both expressed their displeasure with the Republican House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan's FBI "whistleblower" hearing on Thursday. Trump referred to the proceedings as "the complete weaponization of Justice," while claiming himself as "the real victim" of the hearing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will travel to Hiroshima, Japan, to join the Group of Seven (G7) leaders in person. Previously, Japanese officials had mentioned that Zelenskyy would participate virtually while adding an extra session on Ukraine on Sunday to accommodate his schedule.

Honolulu-based company, Pacific Shipyards International (PSI), is making waves in the maritime industry with its cutting-edge shipbuilding projects. PSI has established a reputation for excellence through their state-of-the-art facilities and innovative designs.

The highly-anticipated report on the origins of the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign in 2016 has revealed that top leaders at the Bureau shut down four criminal investigations into Hillary and Bill Clinton. The report also disclosed that three separate FBI field offices in Washington, DC; Little Rock, Arkansas; and New York City, New York, opened investigations into "possibly criminal activity involving the Clinton Foundation" less than one year before the November 2016 presidential election.

Axios Finish Line recently launched a new column titled "The Way to Work," which delves into the essential skills and strategies needed for professionals to succeed in the rapidly changing workplace landscape. The column examines how advances in artificial intelligence, specifically machines with humanlike capabilities, will revolutionize work environments, benefiting creative thinkers and entrepreneurs while posing challenges for others.

Milwaukee's newest hotel, The Trade Milwaukee, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday at 420 W. Juneau Ave.

Taiwan's Defense Minister, Feng Shih-kuan, recently issued an ambiguous warning without providing any further details. When questioned about the possibility of war being implied in his statement, he responded by saying, "I believe we would not be that stupid."

Illinois lawmakers are set to miss a self-imposed Friday deadline for approving a state budget, as budget talks between Democrats and Republicans continue. The negotiations revolve around balancing the ballooning cost of a health care program for immigrants with other party priorities in an approximately $50 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

In an exclusive interview, Cohen Clinic Director Janet Covington shared insights with Pacific Business News about their most recent grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The substantial grant will enable the clinic to expand its vital mental health services for military families residing in Neighbor Islands and other areas.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is hosting the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, sending a powerful message about the need for a world without nuclear weapons. The city's historic connection to atomic bombings makes it an appropriate venue for discussions on global peace and disarmament.

The Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS) has announced the grand opening of its new West Oahu campus, a move that is expected to significantly expand animal welfare services in the region. The facility will provide adoption, education, and community outreach programs for both pets and their owners.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, the oldest member of the US Senate, has contracted encephalitis, a brain inflammation, following a case of shingles that left her unable to sit on key committees. After being diagnosed with shingles in late February and recovering at home in San Francisco, she was admitted to the hospital.

Biden administration officials are reportedly walking back claims that they killed a major figure in the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda. The move comes after the slain man's family and others who knew him claimed that he had no ties to terrorism and was tending to his sheep when he was hit by a Hellfire missile in Syria.

The US Department of Defense has discovered an accounting error that could potentially lead to an additional $3 billion in military aid being provided to Ukraine. The mistake occurred when the value of some weapons systems sent to the country was overestimated, causing officials to believe that they had less funding available than they actually did.

Twitter has formally requested that Microsoft disclose information regarding its usage of Twitter's API over the past two years. The letter, sent to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and dated Thursday, asks for details on Twitter content currently held by Microsoft and records describing how the tech giant used Twitter's API.

In the competitive world of bridal wear, it can be challenging for new businesses to find their footing and make a name for themselves. However, Abby Lynn Bridal, owned by the passionate and dedicated Abby Janiszewski, has managed to do just that.

Komatsu Mining Corp.'s South Harbor Campus, an expansive 180,000-square-foot headquarters located adjacent to the company's new manufacturing site, has been recognized at the prestigious Real Estate Awards. The state-of-the-art facility is a testament to Komatsu's commitment to innovation and growth in the mining industry.