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The 10 Senate races that will decide the balance of power in 2026
Democrats still face an uphill battle to net four seats and take control of the Senate, but they see a path amid Trump’s poor ratings on the economy and concerns about health care.
Charleston's top business stories of 2025
A $9 billion AI investment from Google, a snapback at Boeing South Carolina and the final year-round Carnival cruise from downtown Charleston were among the biggest headlines of the past year.
5 instant takeaways from the Ravens’ win over the Packers
The Ravens steamrolled the Packers on Saturday night. Here are the top takeaways from the 41-24 win.
Pot Inc. was celebrating Trump's rescue
Pot Inc. has been popping the champagne corks (or, in this case, rolling some fat joints), and it’s not just to celebrate the New Year.
N.J. health officials warn of potential measles exposures at Newark Liberty Airport. Here's what we know.
Zombie worms are missing and scientists are alarmed
When researchers lowered whale bones into the deep ocean, they expected zombie worms to quickly move in. Instead, after 10 years, none appeared — an unsettling result tied to low-oxygen waters in the region. These worms play a key role in breaking down whale remains and supporting deep-sea life. Their absence hints that climate-driven oxygen loss could unravel entire whale-fall ecosystems.
Full-length Replay: Juve Stabia vs Südtirol
From Romeo Menti Stadium in Castellammare di Stabia, Napoli, Italy.
Readers Write: UCare, U President Rebecca Cunningham, science, moose, pedestrians
State must do right in wake of UCare’s collapse.
Key matchups for Panthers vs. Seahawks in Week 17
Will the Panthers offense be able to crack through the Seahawks' stout run defense in Week 17?
Legion Go systems joins MSI and ASUS with Xbox Full Screen Experience
Legion Go update enables Xbox Full Screen Experience Legion Space version 1.3.4.9 is rolling out with Windows Full Screen Experience (FSE) compatibility,
CT Culture Corner: Late CT composer's musical adaptation 'Merrily We Roll Along' is in theaters
Stephen Sondheim's musical has been adapted into a film starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez with "Merrily We Roll Along" playing in theaters.
UNC's Big Three: Top performers so far in non-conference
As ACC play begins, three Tar Heels have emerged as North Carolina’s top performers and will be critical to the team’s success the rest of the season.
Prisma moves to restrict child visitors in light of rising flu rates in SC
Greenville-based Prisma Health, which serves much of the Midlands and Upstate SC, is cutting child visitors as flu infections rise in South Carolina.
Seahawks-Panthers Preview
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers both need a win and some help when it comes to the playoff picture.
Slumping Buccaneers still control playoff fate when they visit Dolphins
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can still save their season and clinch another division title
New mobile unit to help communities with mental health after Helene
More than a year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, mental health and addiction providers say demand for services continues to grow. Crossroads Treatment Center is launching a mobile unit to expand access to holistic care.
December 26, 2025
Physicist Sean Carroll takes on black holes, Schrödinger’s cat, and other big physics concepts. Plus, we revisit some of our top stories of 2025, covering research into how death metal singers safely produce extreme vocalizations, how algorithms and social media are changing language, and what we can learn from people thriving in the coldest parts of the world.
New York to require social media platforms to display mental health warnings
Social media platforms with infinite scrolling, auto-play and algorithmic feeds will be required to display warning labels about their potential harm to young users’ mental health under a new law, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday.
NFL Week 17 bold predictions: Panthers upset Seahawks, Justin Herbert dominates
Bold calls for Week 17, including a stunner in Carolina.
You may soon be able to change your Gmail address
A Google support page in Hindi says the feature is "gradually rolling out to all users."
Google May Finally Let Users Change Embarrassing Old Gmail Addresses
Updated support pages in multiple languages suggest a long-requested feature is quietly rolling out worldwide.
Ole Miss Expands In-Game Entertainment at The Pavilion
Story by Daniel Collins Journalism student With a new basketball season underway, Ole Miss is rolling out an expanded slate of in-game entertainment, giveaways, and fan-engagement events. This is […]
Chemtrails Aren’t Real. So Why Are Politicians Passing Laws About Them?
The history and politics of so-called weather weapons.
‘Cocaine, gold and meat’: how Colombia’s Amazon became big business for crime networks
Armed groups have moved in to the space left by the Farc after the civil war, cutting down rainforest to control land and build thousands of kilometres of smuggling routes
Stardew Valley Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Out Now With Mouse Controls, Local Split-Screen, And More
With Game Share, you only need one copy to play with friends.
Tangling With Entanglement And Other Big Ideas In Physics
Physicist Sean Carroll takes on back holes, Schrödinger’s cat, and other big physics concepts that had our audience wondering.
SW FL photojournalist Ricardo Rolón shares best sports images for 2025
Check out some of the best sports photos of 2025 by The News-Press and Naples Daily News photojournalist Ricardo Rolón.
Honeybee business stung by multiple crises for South Carolina beekeepers
A York County beekeeper saw his business take off in less than a decade. But the honeybee population is struggling in South Carolina and across the nation.
Google is rolling out a new feature allowing users to change their Gmail address
Google says it is rolling out a feature that lets users change their Gmail addresses in a long-requested update to their email policy.
England rolled for 110 on chaotic day in Melbourne
England's Ashes tour teeters on another crisis as they are bowled out for 110 on an almost farcical first day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
PlayStation Plus Free Games Lineup For January 2026 Is Bleak
PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers may face a disappointing January 2026 lineup as new changes roll in.
How 2 men behind the Critical Role machine plan to turn the nerdworld royalty into a legacy brand
Ed Lopez and Ben Van Der Fluit were early executives on the Critical Role team. They helped the eight cofounders build a nerdworld empire in 10 years.
Asus could produce DDR5 RAM to ease memory shortage and keep laptop prices reasonable
With DDR5 RAM prices out of control, Asus may have a strategy that will benefit laptop buyers and gamers. A new report suggests that it will begin manufacturing DRAM as soon as 2026. Even with this development, Asus would struggle to open factories without the help of Samsung, Micron, or SK Hynix.
Owner of boutique gift wrapping business in Oakland Park turns grief into purpose
Christmas is quiet now, but just 24 hours earlier, the sound of scissors and ribbon filled On The Roll Wrapping in Oakland Park.
MLB rumors: A's sign breakout outfielder to $86 million contract extension
Tyler Soderstrom, 24, will be under team control through at least the 2033 season
Let nurses fix NC’s health care shortage
NC is one of only 12 states that still requires advanced practice registered nurses to maintain a costly, physician‑supervised collaborative practice agreement before they can see patients on their own.
The best distraction blockers to jumpstart your focus in the new year
Whether you need to limit social media scrolling or block off time to be productive, there are different tools that can help you stay on task
Stardew Valley - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has just released
Just before the end of the new year, Stardew Valley – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has released. You can grab it digitally right now. Stardew Valley – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is largely the same game as the original, but with some extras. It features mouse controls, four-player split-screen, and GameShare support. On the original Nintendo Switch, splitscreen was limited...
Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025 in Pictures
Conservative influencers and politicians jockeyed for attention at the first Turning Point USA AmericaFest since Charlie Kirk's murder.
Google's Qi2 implementation is a disaster for anyone who owns an old charger
Google's Qi2 rollout breaks wireless charging for millions
This Two-Faced Watch Band Lets You Hide an Apple Watch Under Your Rolex
The $418 Smartlet literally bridges the gap between your elegant analogy and your nerdy smartwatch.
Artist for top games gives 3 tips for landing illustration gigs
Ana Fedina made the art for Critical Role's "The Armory of Heroes," a guide to artifacts and weapons from the crew's "Dungeons & Dragons" stream.
Panthers vs. Seahawks Injury Report
See who's in and who's out for the Week 17 matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
ECU football arrives in DMV for Military Bowl
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The East Carolina University football team arrived in Washington Tuesday ahead of the Go Bowling Military Bowl. The Pirates are the defending champions of the Military Bowl after beating NC State in the game last season. This year, they’ll look for the same success against Pittsburgh. “We’ve earned the right […]
Native American entrepreneurs expanding business opportunities in North Dakota
The Department of Commerce says entrepreneurship is growing in the state of North Dakota. Native American business owners are playing a growing role in that economic momentum.
Obamacare sign-ups are steady, but warning signs emerge
While sign-ups are above 2024, some states are concerned about higher terminations, fewer new enrollees and more consumer calls for help. If Congress fails again to extend enhanced subsidies in January, they say enrollment could drop.
VA in 2026 looks to get EHR rollout back on track, embark on health care reorganization
VA is planning for its new EHR from Oracle-Cerner to go live at 13 sites in 2026 — starting with four sites in Michigan in April 2026.
League of Women Voters of Maine joins voter privacy suit
The larger concern for the league and others is that the DOJ could use the data to remove people they believe to be non-citizens from the voter rolls.
Google says it is 'gradually rolling out' option to change your @gmail.com address
Google says on a support page that it is "gradually rolling out" a new change allowing users to change their Gmail address.
Panthers vs Seahawks: Offensive Preview
The Carolina Panthers need to replicate the recipe they used to beat the Rams a few weeks ago.
Health System Barriers, Treatment Disparities Prolong gMG Diagnosis
Patients with generalized myasthenia gravis face significant barriers to diagnosis, creating the need for improved patient–health care interactions.
Waymo is testing Gemini as an in-car AI assistant in its robotaxis
Waymo is testing a Gemini-powered in-car AI assistant, per findings from a 1,200-line system prompt. The assistant can answer general knowledge questions, control certain in-cabin features, and more.
Federal Health Programs Will Cover Up To $500 Worth Of CBD For Certain Patients By April, Trump Official Dr. Oz Says
A top Trump administration health official said last week that his agency will soon launch a novel program to have Medicare cover the costs of CBD for certain patients. But while the administration has not yet released specific details about the initiative’s rollout, one cannabis company that says it’s partnering with the government on the […]
Five Questions After the Finale of ‘Pluribus’
The most pressing mysteries on Carol’s mind, and our minds, at the end of Season 1
The Year in Entertainment 2025: The TV that was top
The small screen took us everywhere from the shores of Cousins Beach to the emergency room at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center this year. Here's a look at the shows and limited series that defined 2025:It was the medical procedural drama The Pitt that scored the top prize at the Emmys this year. Led by Noah Wyle, who won the best actor in a drama Emmy for his portrayal of Dr. Robby in the new series, The Pitt's first season followed the challenges faced by health care workers on the front lines over the course of a single, 15-hour shift at the hospital. Other big winners at the ceremony included Seth Rogen's new comedy series The Studio, as well as the Netflix limited series Adolescence.Many prestige shows captured the cultural zeitgeist in 2025. Fans traveled to Thailand to check in for season 3 of The White Lotus, while the mystery at Lumon Industries continued to unfold as Severance season 2 rolled out. The Last of Us viewers mourned a fan-favorite character during its sophomore season, while Star Wars fans returned to a galaxy far, far away to bid farewell to Andor as it debuted its second and final season.Nobody could stop talking about The Summer I Turned Pretty. Whether you were team Conrad or team Jeremiah, fans couldn't keep their eyes off the dramatic third season of the teen romance series, which spanned from the U.S.'s East Coast all the way to Paris. While the series ended with Belly finally picking which brother she wanted to be with, the story isn't quite over. A feature film that will end the romantic saga has been greenlit by Prime Video.Finally, the year ended with the release of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. It turned Netflix's streaming records upside down, accumulating 59.6 million views in its first five days and becoming the best-ever premiere week viewing numbers for an English-language series on the streaming platform.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
6 Northeast Ohio health systems construction projects to watch in 2026
Health systems have a massive real estate footprint across Northeast Ohio, which isn't a surprise given their outsized role in the region's economy. It's also no surprise that, despite a year of headwinds, the area's major systems continue to grow, with several projects expected to either begin or be completed in the near future. Here are a few of the notable health care construction projects that should come online in 2026.
Get Ready to Start Hearing About Aileen Cannon Again
The Florida-based judge is likely to once again play a central role in politics in the new year.
Asheville business owner faces uncertainty as land acquisition begins I-26 connector
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has begun a new phase of land acquisition for its Asheville I-26 Connector Project.
2025 Unfiltered: Moments that marked Colorado’s decidedly off-kilter political year
From the flurry of executive orders that ushered in President Donald Trump’s second term to a blizzard of lawsuits filed by the state’s Democratic officials, the state’s political year was marked by near-constant conflict between the GOP-controlled federal government and the Democrats who run Colorado. The year saw the Trump administration step up immigration enforcement […]
Texas comptroller GOP primary attracts big money from donors with business before the agency
One candidate received about $1 million within an eight-day span from the head of a Dallas tax firm — and 72 of his employees — that helps corporations secure tax breaks under comptroller-run programs.
BP agrees deal to sell £7.4bn stake in Castrol to US investment firm
Stonepeak will acquire 65% of lubricants business as part of wider plans for the oil company to pay down its debt
BP to Sell Majority Stake in Castrol Business for $6 Billion
The UK oil giant will divest a 65% stake, retaining the remaining interest via a joint venture, it said Wednesday. BP is shedding assets to reduce debt and turn around years of lagging performance that put the company in the crosshairs of activist shareholder Elliott Investment Management. It kicked off the sale process for Castrol back in February, when then-Chief Executive Officer Murray Auchincloss unveiled a strategic reset, promising to refocus on oil and gas, slash costs and reduce debt.
Gold, silver and platinum hit record highs as investors look for Santa rally; BP to sell stake in Castrol for $6bn
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Medicare opens door to covering blockbuster drugs for weight loss
Some Medicare enrollees may soon be able to access super-popular drugs for obesity under a voluntary model program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Tuesday. Eligible beneficiaries will only have to pay $50 a month.
Public Health Informatics Specialist
📊 DATA MEETS PUBLIC HEALTH! 📊Northern Nevada Public Health is seeking a PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATICS SPECIALIST to turn data into life-saving insights! 💡 $78,936/yr + excellent benefits & NV PERS retirement! 📍 Reno, NV | Perfect for you if you have: Bachelor’s in computer science/data sciences and 2+ years health informatics experience; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience ✅ Skills in SQL, R, Python, Power BI desired | Ready to start the new year using your tech skills to improve public health outcomes? This role combines cutting-edge data analysis with meaningful community impact! 🚀 You’ll analyze health data, support disease surveillance, and help shape public health decisions that protect our community! 🌟👉 Apply now: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washoecounty ⏰ Application Deadline: January 30! #HealthInformatics #HealthStatistics #DataScience #PublicHealth #WashoeCounty #TechJobs #RenoJobs
Rolling back health AI transparency rule will shift the burden of vetting to health systems
A proposal to deregulate AI products used in health care would shift the burden of vetting those tools onto health systems.
Southern Californians, your health insurance costs could rise in 2026
Covered California warns that some people may be at risk of dropping their health insurance. It all comes as the deadline to enroll nears.
Top-5 recruit Robinson picks Staley's Gamecocks
Jerzy Robinson, the No. 5-ranked player in the girls' SportsCenter NEXT 100 class of 2026, has committed to Dawn Stlaley's South Carolina Gamecocks, she announced Tuesday.
TPUSA’s America Fest Conference Showcased the Right’s Civil War
Prominent conservative influencers and lawmakers sparred at TPUSA's America Fest, it's first major conference since the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Business power broker departs Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
Gale Castillo will remain board chair through the end of December and attend board meetings in an advisory role for another three months, she said.
The battle for control of Warner Bros.: A timeline of key developments
Netflix wants to buy Warner Bros. and HBO, but Paramount refuses to go away, launching a hostile bid. Here's a timeline of key developments.
AI is transforming everything about how we work — and it's doing it a rapid pace unlike anything before it
AI transformation, workforce strategy, and new job roles are reshaping how companies like ServiceNow and Weber Shandwick operate today.
Shake Shack rolls out health-oriented menu
The ‘Good Fit’ lineup of curated items focuses on protein while also offering low-carb, vegetarian, and gluten-free options
Trump reveals more about Gov. Jeff Landry’s envoy role: ‘Greenland’s a big deal’
The president said Greenland is important for national security reasons, and called Landry a “dealmaker-type guy.”
These space stories made us look up in 2025
Space is always inspiring and 2025 was no exception, with finding Betelgeuse’s buddy, debuting a prolific survey telescope and more.
NFL playoff picture: Broncos still control division and seeding fate
The Broncos can still win the AFC West and clinch the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Amazon's chief security officer says the tech giant blocked over 1,800 suspected North Korean agents from applying for jobs
Stephen Schmidt said AI and machine-learning roles have been increasingly targeted by fraudsters due to high demand.
Expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies to raise health insurance costs for thousands
WCIV ABC News 4, Charleston, South Carolina provides coverage of local and national news, sports, weather and community events in the region, including North Charleston, Mt Pleasant, Summerville, Hanahan, Goose Creek, Rantowles, Cottageville, St George, Moncks Corner, Jacksonboro, Ravenel, Cottageville, Walterboro, Sullivans Island, Dewees Island and Folly Beach.
Nine mental-health tips for a happier 2026
Regardless of any resolutions you may have for 2026, one thing is for sure: Everyone wants to have a happy new year.While losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. A robust body of research shows that simple cognitive and behavioral strategies can reliably boost happiness and reduce stress – and they’re generally free and accessible to all.These strategies don’t have to be super time-consuming, but they do require intention: They only work if you do them.Here, psychologist Valentina Ogaryan, PhD, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, shares her top tips for cultivating more calm, centeredness and happiness in the new year (or anytime):Make time for playPlay isn’t just for kids, and it’s far from frivolous. The National Institute for Play says engaging in silliness, fun and just-for-pleasure activities reduces stress and increases optimism and resilience. A recent review also found that play improves mental health.“Adults can benefit from play as much as children,” Dr. Ogaryan says, “not just as a reward, but something that helps regulate.”So go ahead and dance with your dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke or do anything else that feels like fun. Don’t worry about being productive, just enjoy yourself. And, if you can, opt for more analog play, Dr. Ogaryan suggests, as a respite from our ever-more-digital world. Move your bodyWhether you dance, ski, do yoga, play pickleball, ride a bike, roller-skate, hike or lift weights, physical movement benefits overall happiness and well-being. A 2018 review study of more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. found that doing any kind of exercise was “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health.The sweet spot was 45 minutes of movement three to five times a week, but even short bursts of physical activity can boost brain health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Movement helps support mood and regulate the nervous system,” Dr. Ogaryan says.Plus: exercise can improve sleep quality, and sleep is essential for mental health.Prioritize sleep“Sleep plays a major role in managing stress,” Dr. Ogaryan says. Research shows that lack of sufficient sleep increases the risk of various diseases, including depression.While stress can interfere with sleep, practicing good sleep hygiene can make logging ZZ’s easier. That means maintaining a consistent bedtime; keeping the bedroom cool, dark and quiet; and avoiding social media, news and stimulating shows before bed.Consume lessWe live in a consumer culture, inundated by endless streams of content and advertising everywhere we go, which makes it easy to get overstimulated.“Something really helpful for stress reduction is to simply consume less,” Dr. Ogaryan says – less news, less social media, less information, less noise, less screen time. “It’s about reducing the input,” she says.Consider setting a maximum number of news articles per day, for example, or a time limit on scrolling. Maybe even go device free for an afternoon or a whole day.Practice present-moment awarenessWith so much coming at us all the time, focusing on the here and now can make life feel more manageable, Dr. Ogaryan says: “When everything feels super overwhelming, when everything feels larger than life, let’s make our world a little bit smaller for that moment in time.”She suggests taking things one day, or even one hour, at a time. Ask yourself: What’s my next right action? Release the need to know how everything turns out and liberate yourself from having to handle everything right now. Let the future take care of itself and just focus on the current moment. Then the next one. Have a daily anchorFrom work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, our days can feel jam-packed. Dr. Ogaryan recommends creating a centering daily anchor that can fit into even the busiest day.Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoying your coffee in the morning. Let your anchor adapt to your needs each day, she says, but be intentional about using that time to ground yourself and calm your nervous system. You might even say to yourself, “I choose this walk to help me become centered,” or “My day already feels stressful, so I’m going to take the next 10 minutes to enjoy this cup of coffee, feel the warm mug in my hand and just be present.” Having an anchor won’t erase the busy-ness from your day, but it will allow you to approach it more calmly.Be kind to yourselfMost of us have a harsh inner critic in our heads who works overtime. But that critical voice only increases our stress, triggering the same fight-or-flight response as caustic words from another person.To feel happier, we need to replace that inner critic with a kinder, more compassionate voice, Dr. Ogaryan says. Studies show that self-compassion is a source of eudaimonic happiness – the kind of happiness associated with purpose and meaning in life.While our knee-jerk reaction may be to self-criticize – “How could you let it get to this point? You didn’t manage your time well and now the project is going to be late. You’re so inept.” – we fare better mentally by treating ourselves with kindness, like we would a friend. That might sound like, “You’ve got a lot on your plate, but you are capable and you’ll get it done. I believe in you.”We may think that speaking kindly to ourselves means letting ourselves off the hook, so we end up becoming lazy do-nothings. But research shows the opposite: People who are self-compassionate are more likely to try harder in the face of failure and ultimately reach their goals.You can thank your inner critic for its good intentions, but resolve to talk to yourself in a kind, compassionate voice.Connect with othersHumans are social animals built for connection. Stress can be isolating and cause us to withdraw, but connecting with others is a salve for the psyche, Dr. Ogaryan says.“We know that not all relationships are always easy, but if we can think about intentional, nourishing connection – even in really small doses – it could really help center us,” she says.Take a moment to laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, have a conversation with a friend or smile at the barista making your coffee. A study found that even tiny interactions with casual acquaintances and strangers decreases loneliness and improves happiness and well-being.Seek supportIf you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist. Mental health conditions are among the most common health issues in the U.S. and around the world – more prevalent than diabetes or heart disease. One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, with depression and anxiety the most common, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.“We can all think about these tips,” Dr. Ogaryan says. “But it’s important to recognize if you’ve done everything you can and you’re still really struggling, it’s really important to seek help.”
The disunity of science is a feature, not a bug
Mathematical models wield miraculous power, but mistaking them for reality has trapped science in a destructive quest for a “Theory of Everything.” Physicist and philosopher Ragner Fjelland argues that this leads to bloated, Frankenstein theories kept alive by clumsy, ad-hoc amendments, which reduce rather than boost science’s power. Fjelland calls for a radical shift in our attitude: we must reorientate towards creating entirely new theories, celebrating rather than lamenting disunity and diversity in science. Science, from the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day, has more or less developed in a “reductionist” way. The fundamental assumption is that all sciences may be ordered in a hierarchy that can be represented as an upside-down pyramid. At the top we find the human sciences, and at the bottom physics. Strong (or “ontological”) reductionism maintains that all theories at one level can be completely reduced to the lower level, all the way down to theories of atoms and elementary particles, or whatever is “at the bottom.” In the end, all diversity in the world can be unified in one fundamental theory. Hence it is called a final theory, or a Theory of Everything.One of the central figures in developing the idea of a Theory of Everything is the Dutch theoretical physicist Gerard 't Hooft, who received a Nobel Prize in physics in 1999 for his work. He emphasizes the non-empirical status of the theory:There exists no closely resembling alternative theory. This means that any slight change brought about in the rules would make the theory unlikely or inelegant. The theory will be a "package deal": take it, or leave it. This should hold both for the local laws and for the boundary conditions.This endeavor is not new. On the contrary, it goes all the way back to the birth of Western philosophy 2,500 years ago. The Babylonians made regular astronomical observations during a period of 600 years, from 747 BCE until 150 ACE. They developed mathematical techniques to predict astronomical phenomena, but they made no attempts at explaining them. However, the Greeks developed models, both material and theoretical, to explain the observed phenomena.The best example is Plato’s late dialogue Timaeus. Here he introduces a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, who has constructed the universe according to an original plan. Plato seems to have thought that the original plan is what is actually real, while the material world is merely an imperfect realization of it. He therefore does not, in the Timaeus, reconstruct the material universe, but the original plan, which can then be used to explain the material universe.Plato’s aim in producing a theoretical model is to reconstruct the original plan. That is what he carries out in Timaeus—and some modern physicists have embarked on the same project. For example, Einstein’s basic attitude is reflected in the title of Abraham Pais’ biography: “Subtle is the Lord...,” echoing Einstein’s comment, “Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not.” In an interview Einstein compared our situation to a child who enters a huge library. The child knows that someone has written the books, but he does not know the languages in which they are written. He suspects that there is a mysterious order, but he does not know what it is.___“We have all been working in what Husserl called the Galilean style; that is, we have all been making abstract mathematical models of the universe to which at least the physicists give a higher degree of reality than they accord the ordinary world of sensation.”Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)___This Platonist view is contrary to a widespread impression of science, symbolized by the picture of the “father” of modern science, Galileo Galilei, with his telescope. According to this impression, Galileo liberated himself from the dominating metaphysics of his day—basically Aristotelian philosophy—and constructed a telescope that he directed towards the sky, showing that Jupiter has four moons. He also performed experiments with bronze balls rolling down inclined planes and found the law of freely falling bodies.However, in other cases Galileo emphasized the unreliability of our senses. It is easy to see why. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, we are not at rest at the center of the universe, but moving at a tremendous speed through space. Why don’t we observe this motion? Galileo praises Copernicus because “with reason as his guide he resolutely continued to affirm what sensible experience seemed to contradict.” In other places he directly refers to Plato. SUGGESTED VIEWING The quest for a final theory With Michio Kaku Galileo’s Platonism goes back to his early writings. In The Assayer, published as early as 1623, Galileo compared the universe to a grand book that is written in the language of mathematics, and “its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it.” Therefore, things that cannot be described by mathematics—for example, colors, smells and odors—are not real. They are merely subjective.This division into subjective and objective, advocated by Galileo and his younger contemporary René Descartes, is normally associated with a mechanistic world view, which is regarded as the opposite of Platonism. When we reduce something to, for example, molecules and atoms, we move “downwards.” In contrast, the Platonist moves “upwards,” to abstract entities. However, it only shows that when we address fundamental questions, we should be careful in applying everyday spatial metaphors like “up” and “down.”___Nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world.___The endeavor of finding a Theory of Everything has been heavily criticized. In 2006, the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin published “The Crisis in Fundamental Physics.” He argued that one of the most fundamental principles of science is that we should only regard theories as scientific if we have the possibility to show that they are false by experiments. Although he did not refer to Karl Popper, other critics have referred to Popper and argued that a theory is not scientific if it cannot be falsified (see for example Ellis & Silk 2014).These were not the first physicists to be anti-reductionists. In 1972, the journal Science published an article by the physicist Philip Anderson with the title “More Is Different.” This is the kind of article a scientist would normally write only after he has won a Nobel Prize. However, Anderson won the Nobel Prize for physics five years later, in 1977. The article is amazing, not primarily because it argues in favor of anti-reductionism in general, but because it argues for anti-reductionism within physics itself. Anderson’s conclusion was:At each stage entirely new laws, concepts, and generalizations are necessary, requiring inspiration and creativity to just as great a degree as in the previous one. Psychology is not applied biology, nor is biology applied chemistry.We may say that Plato started the “unity of science movement,” based on Euclidean geometry as the model of all knowledge. A distinguishing mark of geometry is that all possible constructions can be reduced to a few fundamental principles. We have to acknowledge that this approach has limitations. In general, we can easily model technological systems. In addition, we may construct simplified and idealized models that capture important aspects of systems, from various perspectives and for various purposes. But nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world. In a complex system, each level has its distinct, emergent, properties that are characteristic of this level. Therefore, a complex system should be investigated at different levels and from different perspectives. Instead of exclusively pursuing a scientific ideal based on the unity of science, we should acknowledge the diversity—or even the disunity—of science.
5 ways to get your business finances ready for the new year
Comerica reports 5 ways to prepare your business finances for the new year: review finances, update payroll, assess credit, strengthen security, and set goals.
10 Transformational Health Discoveries of 2025
From advancements in male birth control to the science of supplements, Scientific American highlights some of the most fascinating health and medicine stories of 2025
10 Transformational Health Discoveries of 2025
From advancements in male birth control to the science of supplements, Scientific American highlights some of the most fascinating health and medicine stories of 2025
NYT Strands Hints for Dec. 24, 2025
Scroll down for hints and conversation about the puzzle for Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025.
How the Trump administration is recasting government’s role in regulating health technology
Federal agencies that used to set up guardrails for health technology have transformed into cheerleaders for new risky technologies like AI.
Tesla sales fall across Europe again as BYD surges
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
N.Y. comptroller candidate's report decries DiNapoli's managing of pension fund
It claims the fees paid out to hundreds of Wall Street managers have underperformed, forcing taxpayers to make up the difference.
A rift in MAGA has top Heritage Foundation officials leaving to join with Mike Pence
The exit of more than a dozen staffers follows turmoil at Heritage and the larger conservative movement over the role of right-wing influencers who've promoted antisemitic and other extremist ideas.
Find Hub app rolling out map layers support on Android
Following last week’s quiet release of Find Hub for Wear OS, Google is rolling out support for map layers on Android.
Health officials warn of potential measles exposure at international airport in North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reminding the public of a potential measles exposure at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Phoenix Handle Business Against Greensboro
Elon Rolls To 97-63 Win In Nonconference Finale
Google Home App Gets 5 Sweet Improvements
The Google Home app continues to see improvements everyone week so with a new update from Google rolling out today. Google pushed out a new changelog, saying that there are big... #Gemini #GoogleHome
Nominate the best in NC high school sports for 2025-26 HSOT Honors
HighSchoolOT Honors recognizes the best in NC high school sports in 2025-26, presented by Talk It Out NC and First Carolina Bank
Paying More, Getting Less: Rising health care costs, poor outcomes, and harmful federal policy decisions are putting New Yorkers at risk
Paying More, Getting Less: Rising health care costs, poor outcomes, and harmful federal policy decisions are putting New Yorkers at risk Key Takeaways Health care costs are rising sharply across all forms of coverage, while federal policy decisions are worsening affordability and access. Enhanced ACA premium tax credits are set...
Trump expedites marijuana reclassification: Ohio cannabis businesses to benefit
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing the attorney general to expedite the reclassifying of marijuana from a Schedule I down to a Schedule III substance in the Controlled Substances Act.
Samsung releases One UI 8.5 Beta 2, but it's mostly bug fixes
Samsung just released One UI 8.5 Beta 2, but it's primarily full of bug fixes and some additional regional rollouts.
The role of business insurance for small businesses
For small businesses, the right insurance coverage is critical to your business operations. In this episode of Small Business Smarts, Victoria Jordan dives into business insurance essentials and explains what every small business owner needs to know to protect their people and their passion. For more information, visit ADP.com/SPARK
Jack Roper inducted to SC Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame
(WSPA) – The 2025 class of the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame got a little dose of magic. The organization announced on Monday that Jack Roper, former co-host of Your Car…
UConn Health Cancer Center Named State Partner in Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
UConn Health’s Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center partnering with Connecticut Department of Public Health in the Connecticut Cancer Partnership.