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New Orleans has lost a huge number of jobs as a result of Hurricane Katrina. But right now, the city is experiencing a labor shortage. Fast food outlets are offering signing bonuses and paying premium wages to new hires. Other businesses also are scrambling to find enough workers.

It is about to get more expensive for many graduates to pay off college loans. Effective July 1, interest rates on two main financial aid programs, Stafford and Plus loans, will be rising. Those still in school, or who haven't yet begun paying back their loans, still have a time to lock in a lower interest rate.

Belarus will hold presidential elections Sunday, and the current president, Alexander Lukashenko, is widely expected to win. The European Union and the United States accuse Lukashenko of crushing human rights, and warn of new punitive measures if the election is declared unfair.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp won the GOP primary for governor over former U.S. Sen. David Perdue. Kemp will face Democrat Stacey Abrams in November — a rematch of 2018.

President Biden's support for Ukraine has not garnered enthusiasm from the U.S. public. Another inflation record. And the Republicans drop out of presidential debates.

The White House defends its decision to wait 22 hours to inform the public that Vice President Cheney had accidentally sprayed his hunting partner with birdshot. President Bush found out about the incident Saturday evening, but the media wasn't informed until Sunday.

Anger at the government's treatment of a blind whistle-blower in East China boiled over Sunday when villagers clashed with police. Chen Guangcheng has been confined to his house by the local government after uncovering a program of forced sterilizations and abortions.

Officials enacted a curfew for young people and added extra patrols. The shootings took place near an area where thousands had been watching the Bucks play in the NBA's Eastern Conference semifinals.

The highly anticipated sixth installment of J.K. Rowling's novel about a child wizard was released Saturday. NPR's Neva Grant followed two youngsters who spent the weekend immersed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Steve Inskeep visits a convention of law-enforcement groups and reports on the growing business of high-tech gadgets.