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Scott Adkins And Lewis Tan To Star In Siege Action Thriller ‘Deadlocked’; Film Mode Entertainment On Board For Sales
Scott Adkins and Lewis Tan are keeping up the action star bromance and together will lead Deadlocked, about a deadly siege in which a group of jurors come under attack. Pre-production on the pic is ha...
Your next sunscreen could be made from E. coli
A chemical compound inside the bacterium may offer an eco-friendly way to block harmful UV rays.
Champions League would make Villa's breakthrough 'sustainable'
The long, lumpy third act of Aston Villa's season, encapsulated in the past week by two entirely contrasting games, has been crawling towards this point. It is understandable that any nerves at Villa's failure to nail down Champions League qualification already have obscured just what an achievement it would be, especially after they were stuck in the starting blocks for a month. The past two games illustrate the junction Villa have now reached.
PS5 Exclusive Saros Reportedly Selling Worse Than You'd Expect
Will Marvel's Wolverine be the blockbuster to snap the current rough spell?
Exclusive: US halting Medicare enrollments for new home healthcare and hospice providers
The Trump administration will temporarily block new home health and hospice providers on Wednesday from enrolling in Medicare, a senior administration official said, citing concerns about widespread fraud.
Exclusive-US Halting Medicare Enrollments for New Home Healthcare and Hospice Providers
By Jody Godoy May 13 (Reuters) - The Trump administration will temporarily block new home health and hospice providers on Wednesday from enrolling in Medicare, a senior administration official said, citing concerns about widespread fraud. The nationwide moratorium is the latest move by Vice ...
The great strait stalemate: Who blinks first on Hormuz?
In the darkest days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, President John F. Kennedy privately reflected on the central question before him: Who blinks first? For days, Washington and Moscow sat locked in a test of wills — each side convinced time and pressure favored them, each side wary that backing down could invite greater danger later.
You should probably eat more fiber. Here's why — and how to do it
The average person eats 10-15 grams of fiber per day, according to the USDA. The problem? That’s WAY under the recommended daily amount. Fiber – a type of carb that our bodies are unable to digest – is prevalent in foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and beans. And it’s key for everything from feelings of fullness, to gut health, to good poop. That’s why a lot of people online are “fibermaxxing”: trying to meet or exceed the daily recommendation of fiber, in hopes it’ll improve their health. But how should YOU add fiber to your diet… and are the fibermaxxers overdoing it? Gastroenterologist Berkeley Limketkai is here to help parse the science on how little fiber is too little, how much fiber is too much – and, like Goldilocks, how we can figure out the amount that’s just right.Interested in more food and dietary science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Napoli block Roma’s talks for Giovanni Manna
Roma continues to work on the search for a new sporting director to succeed Frederic Massara. At the top of the Friedkins’ list is Giovanni Manna, currently director of Napoli, considered the ideal ...
Advancing an integrated sustainability agenda to unlock business value
"Our social, nature and climate teams meet regularly and collaborate, but there is no cross-cutting strategy yet and we do not easily have insight into potential trade-offs and co-benefits between the three agendas. We are keen to learn and co-design how we can better work on the intersections between the agendas to make them more
Florence passes ordinance to curb traffic from nearby businesses
Florence now fines businesses up to $5,000 for car lines that block roads, following complaints about congestion near the new 7Brew coffee shop.
Quantum breakthrough could revolutionize teleportation and computing
Scientists in Japan have developed a new way to instantly detect elusive quantum “W states,” a major milestone for quantum technology. The breakthrough could help unlock faster quantum communication, teleportation, and powerful new computing systems.
South Carolina Republicans block plan to eliminate Clyburn’s House seat
Rep. James E. Clyburn has long been a power broker in the Democratic Party. A state Senate leader had warned that a new map could backfire for the GOP.
Online safety campaigners reveal Starmer frustrations after Phillips exit
PM accused of dragging heels on forcing tech firms to block transmission of nude photos on children’s phones
Find Hub ‘Mark as lost’ will require biometric unlock & hide Quick Settings, more
At The Android Show, Google today announced the latest security and privacy features for the mobile operating system.
Google launches new Android security feature to help uncover spyware attacks
Intrusion Logging is a new part of Android’s Advanced Protection Mode, which aims to help protect human rights activists, journalists, and dissidents from government spyware attack and law enforcement forensic devices.
Healthy Returns: Novo Nordisk says high-dose Wegovy helped some patients lose nearly 28% of their weight
Novo Nordisk released new data that could help boost the case for the higher dose version of its blockbuster obesity injection Wegovy.
2026 NBA Mock Draft: Clippers take a huge swing at No. 5, Darius Acuff falls to Kings at pick No. 7
Testing and measurements are starting to roll in from the NBA Draft Combine. For this mock draft, the fun likely starts at pick No. 5 when the Clippers are on the clock
Yahoo Sports Mock Draft: The Wizards won the lottery! Here's how every pick could play out now
Yahoo Sports NBA senior analyst Kevin O'Connor checks in with his latest mock draft now that the Wizards are on the clock.
Louisiana Republican Julia Letlow Is Trump’s Big Midterms Gamble
She is locked in a bitter primary that is testing the president’s power to shape MAGA’s next generation.
Small business retirement wave could unlock a major planning opportunity
Contrarian Thinking report says rising deal flow, SBA lending and AI are reshaping Main Street ownership.
Google thwarts suspected hacker attempt to use AI for large-scale exploitation
Google says it blocked hackers using AI to find a zero-day and bypass 2FA, amid Anthropic’s delayed Mythos launch.
LHU student revolutionizing stream restoration with rock-powered science
Natalie Brown kneels beside a humming wet lab setup at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, calipers in hand, measuring the promise of Pennsylvania’s streams. The master’s candidate in biology regularly tests how everyday rocks could supercharge freshwater mussel recovery in the West Branch Susquehanna River, blending her geology roots with cutting-edge experiments. Her work is directly supporting […]
Montana voters will be able to register to vote on Election Day, judge rules
A Montana judge has blocked the state from limiting voter registration on Election Day
Craig Morton, longtime Cowboys and Broncos QB, dies at 83
Craig Morton spent 18 seasons in the NFL, and led the Broncos to their first ever playoff appearance and Super Bowl.
Democrats ask Supreme Court to halt a Virginia ruling blocking new congressional districts
Democrats on Monday filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt a Virginia ruling invalidating a ballot measure that would have given their party an additional four winnable U.S. House seats.
Alan Wilson says affordability a top issue for SC voters this year
Attorney General Alan Wilson made a campaign stop at the Clock of Greer as he runs to be the next governor of South Carolina.
Starlink blocks access to its GPS alternative ahead of SpaceX IPO
Shutdown of Starlink location feature won’t dampen interest in GPS alternatives.
Food Frontier and IIFH partner to commercialize nutrition science innovations
The Innovation Institute for Food & Health (IIFH) at the University of California (UC) Davis, US, and Food Frontier are collaborating to advance scientific discovery by integrating it with agricultural production, culinary influence, and market execution. The partners aim to “activate pathways” bringing these innovations into restaurants, supply chains, and consumer markets, where they say adoption is ultimately determined. Specifically, they will build an infrastructure model to accelerate timelines, reduce risk, and unlock new growth opportunities for these new innovations. This platform will help develop, validate, and scale ideas in real-world conditions.
Coroner IDs woman killed in deadly shooting at Lockland auto business
The person who died after a shooting at a business in Lockland on Friday, which prompted a shelter-in-place order in the area, has been identified.
Where scientists watch the forest breathe, findings uproot how people think about forest-atmosphere interactions
Photosynthesis is the oldest carbon-capture technology on Earth. For eons, plants have pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and locked carbon—the building block of life on our planet—into their bodies ...
China tightens its grip on global business
Just days before a high-stakes Trump–Xi summit, Beijing is rewriting the rules of global business — punishing companies that move away from China, blocking major Western tech deals, and turning the screws on Europe to pick a side.
Seven people barred from coming to UK for far-right rally
Keir Starmer says ‘agitators’ will be blocked from attending Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom event
Samsung will let you block apps that spam notifications with ads
Samsung has a new feature for Galaxy phones that gives users the ability to easily block apps that are spamming...
Chicago’s Only Pinball Museum Moving From Pilsen To The Loop This Summer
The Flip: Chicago’s Playable Pinball Museum will open in Block 37 in a space that's quadruple its current size. “Chicago is the home of pinball,” founder William Pietri said.
Reddit Starts Blocking Mobile Website, Pushing Users to App Instead
Social network Reddit recently began blocking mobile visitors to its website while pushing them to download the official Reddit app, and it's fair to say that the move is not going down well with users. If you visit reddit.com on your iPhone today, you may see a new popup that can't be dismissed, asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit".
The state of women's health in numbers
Addressing women's health outcomes could unlock $1 trillion annually by 2040, but investment is still vital to closing the gap.
Next Apple Watch Models Unlikely to Add Touch ID, Focus on Battery Life
Apple is prioritizing larger batteries and more advanced health sensors over fingerprint authentication for the Apple Watch, according to a new claim from a prominent Chinese leaker. In a new Weibo post, Instant Digital pushed back on recent speculation about biometric recognition coming to Apple's wearable lineup, claiming instead that the company remains content to let users unlock their devices via their paired iPhone.
Neutrino detector could help scientists unlock Big Bang mysteries
A snappy new device is looking for the most abundant, yet elusive particles in the universe.
GrapheneOS says Google is making life harder for rival operating systems and devices
Graphene argues that Google's device verification systems could lock users into approved hardware and software.
Early morning fire in Norfolk business under control, investigation underway
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Just before 6 a.m. Sunday, Norfolk Fire-Rescue responded to a commercial fire in the 1200 block of Military Highway after receiving multiple calls. Courtesy: Norfolk Fir…
Share futures ease, dollar gains as Gulf talks teeter
Share futures slipped and the dollar climbed in Asia on Monday on signs that talks between the United States and Iran were deadlocked, leaving the vital Strait of Hormuz all but shut and sending oil prices higher.
The NBA Draft Lottery will change the trade market, and these five teams could all make blockbusters
How does the Draft Lottery alter the trade markets for Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and other big names?
Locking up key contributor named Eagles' most underrated offseason move
It has been an extremely eventful offseason for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles made several major additions over the offseason, including edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and wide receivers Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks and rookie first-round pick Makai Lemon. Locking up defensive tackle Jordan Davis on a three-year, $78 million extension was named Philadelphia's most underrated offseason move by Jeff Kerr of Sports Illustrated.
FDA Policies: Rigorous Science or Roadblocks?
Readers debate how the Food and Drug Administration should handle treatments for rare diseases.
In Focus Maine: The state budget
Mayor Mark Dion highlights what makes Portland unique, emphasizing its vibrant waterfront, walkability, and strong sense of community
Rifle Finally Unlocked In Bully 20 Years Later Thanks To Wild Glitch
It's imperative that we not let this news reach Jack Thompson
Chicago Teachers Union wants $8.5 million dues hike to fund politics
“Has your brand become toxic?” This was a pointed question from WGN Political Editor Tahman Bradley, posed to Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates in a recent interview. Her immediate response: “I don’t understand the question.” When pressed, Gates added, “The Chicago Teachers Union is not a political party, it is a labor union.” But internal union documents show CTU leadership is trying to skim $8.5 million more from teacher paychecks explicitly for politics, while trying to silence union members critical of Gates’ leadership. Under the proposed dues hike, Chicago teachers would see up to $800 more per year flow from their paychecks to union coffers. The union already takes in more than $40 million a year, mostly from dues. And it spends less than 18 cents of every dollar on teacher representation. The No. 1 reason for the proposed dues hike? Politics. “We must win a majority of the first 21 person fully elected school board in November,” reads the first point in CTU’s member FAQ document.1 This directly contradicts CTU’s promise to members about how leadership uses dues money. The official CTU handbook tells members that the union does not use dues money for politics, so if they are interested in funding political activity, they should consider voluntary donations to CTU’s political action committee. “Our dues are not used for political purposes,” according to the handbook. “So our PAC relies on extra contributions from our members to support progressive candidates and to impact elected officials at the city, county and state levels.” This kind of double-speak is one reason members are concerned about another constitutional change slipped into the dues hike vote, which will take place on May 20-21: an attempt to stop members from holding the union accountable. A proposed amendment to the union constitution tries to place limits on when members may bring a lawsuit against the union for violating members’ rights.2 This provision is clearly a response to members’ lawsuit against union leadership regarding Gates’ years-long refusal to publish audited financial statements. The judge in that case has repeatedly denied the union’s attempts to dismiss it. Teachers opposed to these changes have been circulating this flier, urging members to vote no. What will CTU members get in return for millions of dollars in additional dues? If the 2024 school board elections are any indication—not much. CTU leadership’s record on school board races may not inspire confidence among members. A Chicago Policy Center analysis of a dozen affiliated PACs found CTU spent nearly $2.9 million on school board races in 2024. Of that spending, more than $2.1 million (75%) went to losing candidates. And while CTU-backed candidates lost six of the nine competitive seats overall, they fared worse in their biggest-spending races, losing five of six contests in which the union and its affiliates put up more than $250,000 for their candidate. The Chicago school board elections take place Nov. 3.3 Is another $8.5 million enough to clean up a toxic reputation? Not likely. Update on federal tax credit scholarship: Last week, Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she plans to opt into the federal tax credit scholarship program. If Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker follows suit, Illinois could unlock $1 billion in donor money statewide for both public- and private-school students. If Illinois does not opt in, that money will flow to other states. The Last Ward reported in February on how Illinois Democrats could unlock at least $100 million in new resources for Chicago public-school students by opting in. Update on the investigation into how Chicagoans learned about a meeting to hike their property taxes: The Last Ward reported in January on an absurd, taxpayer-funded investigation into how local media learned of a planned Chicago school board meeting to hike the district’s property tax levy. That investigation is now complete. Lawyers interviewed two dozen witnesses, and found nothing. Update on Illinois’ muni debt crisis: My colleague Joe Tabor last week published a must-read piece in Crain’s Chicago Business about how Illinois recently rejected south suburban Harvey’s request to be designated a “distressed city.” The saga shows why the state must implement a better structure to assist insolvent local governments, including allowing for the option to pursue debt relief via Chapter 9 bankruptcy. The Last Ward reported in October on how Harvey is tipping the first domino in Illinois’ municipal debt crisis. Mincing Rascals: I joined the Mincing Rascals podcast to discuss the SAFE-T Act, the millionaires tax, and more. My “green light” recommendation: Force Majeure (2014). 1 Notably, the No. 2 reason cited is “resources to fund a state-wide millionaires tax campaign in order to fully fund the state’s school funding formula.” The constitutional amendment necessary to implement a progressive income tax in Illinois recently died in the Illinois House, meaning this question would not appear on the ballot until 2028 at the earliest. 2 There is seemingly no single-subject rule for CTU constitutional amendments. So members only get one vote on the full package. One cannot vote “yes” on the dues hike and “no” on the restriction of members’ rights, for example. 3 Illinois law grants far too much power over local government to unelected officials like Gates. State lawmakers should fix that.
In Focus Maine: Mayor Dion discusses future development plans in Portland
The mayor notes that more than 1,000 new housing units have already been approved
In Focus Maine: Mayor Mark Dion describes affordable housing
Mayor Mark Dion describes affordable housing as a major challenge in Portland
Costco is a big winner as drivers flock to cheaper gas
With gas above $4.50 per gallon, more drivers are stopping off at warehouse clubs like Costco to top up — and they're going inside to shop, too.
Cherry Point airshow brings business to Havelock
“Traffic normally is kind of busy. It hasn’t picked up as bad as it was last year,” Montgomery said.
Star Fox Switch 2 amiibo Compatibility Confirmed, Here's What You Can Unlock
It's time to dust off your Fox amiibo
‘Climb for Air’ raises funds to support lung health
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hundreds of firefighters, families and other local corporate teams flocked to Sahlen Field Saturday to climb for a good cause. “Climb for Air” returned for …
Brewers' Brandon Lockridge discusses his gashed leg after hitting concrete
He was carted off the field May 8 after sliding into a concrete wall, but Brandon Lockridge was back and talking about the injury the next day.
Business Lookahead: Trump on Tour
STORY: From Trump's trip to China, to a slew of new U.S. data releases, these are the stories to watch in business and finance in the coming week. :: Trump goes to Beijing U.S. President Donald Trump visits Beijing on Thursday and Friday.It will be his first visit to China in eight years.He'll try to lock in the trade truce agreed to in October in South Korea, and avoid a rerun of the tit-for-tat tariff battle that he set off a year ago.Fresh trade data should offer a reality check on whether a protectionist White House has managed to dent Americans' appetite for Chinese-made goods.:: Saudi Aramco posts resultsThe world's biggest exporter of crude oil, Saudi Aramco, reports first-quarter results on Sunday.The numbers are expected to show the pain from the more than two-month-old Iran war.This comes as efforts to end the conflict appeared to stall after the U.S. and Iran traded fire in recent days, with some of the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the Strait of Hormuz since a ceasefire began a month ago.:: U.S. economic dataA bunch of new data should give a clearer view of inflation in the U.S.Tuesday's April consumer price index is expected to rise 0.6% according to a Reuters poll.Prices at the pump are likely to loom large in the numbers.Producer price data for April on Wednesday is another inflation checkpoint after the Fed’s last meeting exposed a more hawkish tilt among some policymakers who are increasingly uneasy about price pressures.And retail sales figures on Thursday should show whether higher gas prices and other costs are starting to bite into household spending.
Families File Class Action to Block DOJ from Illegally Obtaining Protected Health Records from Hospitals Across the Country
The Department of Justice has been trying to force hospitals to share private medical records of transgender youth.
Kings Plaza Adds New Stores And Entertainment Options in Brooklyn
The mall now includes Coach, PacSun, Foot Locker, Arcadia and Digiso.
‘A year of resistance’: Cuba’s private sector faces Trump’s oil blockade
US oil blockade on Cuba is a significant blow to small family firms struggling with power outages and fuel shortages.
The hidden atomic gap that could break next-generation computer chips
A major obstacle may be standing in the way of the next generation of ultra-tiny computer chips. Researchers discovered that many promising 2D materials lose their advantages because an invisible atomic-scale gap forms when they are combined with insulating layers. That tiny gap weakens electronic performance and could prevent further miniaturization. The team says new “zipper materials” that lock together more tightly may offer a path forward.
Turlock's Science Olympians
The Walnut Elementary Green Science Olympiad team took third place at the 28th annual event, sponsored by the Stanislaus County Office of Education and held at the Turlock school site. Hickman Charter took first place and Fremont Open Plan took home second.
‘The odds are not in our favour’: who sets the Doomsday Clock – and what can they tell us about the future of humanity?
With the war on Iran, Ukraine, AI and climate breakdown increasing the likelihood of a nuclear war, the clock stands closer to midnight than ever before. So who decides how many seconds we have left – and can we buy ourselves more time?
Dispatch Politics Roundup: Gerrymandering Fallout
Your weekly roundup from Washington, D.C.
Virginia Supreme Court blocks Democratic-drawn congressional map voters approved in April
The court ruled that Democrats did not follow proper procedure when they put the constitutional amendment on the ballot in an effort to flip four House seats.
Virginia Supreme Court blocks referendum that would have helped Democrats win up to four more US House seats
The Virginia Supreme Court voided Democrats’ attempt to redraw the state’s US House map in an April referendum.
Clocking in Colorado: Business Incubator Center
Award-winning nonprofit offers workspace, mentorship, and funding to small businesses at every stage.
‘People are not passive’: Newsom and top California Democrats move behind the scenes in governor’s race
California Democratic leaders have shifted their strategy to prevent their party from being locked out of the governor’s race: Instead of thinking about consolidating the field, they have turned to behind-the-scenes operations and political spending aimed at tamping down Republicans and building up Democratic turnout.
Microsoft warns of sophisticated phishing campaign heavily targeting health care organizations
Microsoft Threat Intelligence is warning of a large scale, multistage phishing campaign that disproportionately targeted the health care sector, sending “code of conduct” themed emails to lure users into credential theft and token compromise.
Taiwan Breaks Political Deadlock to Approve $25 Billion U.S. Arms Purchase
With time running out, Taiwanese lawmakers approved funds for buying U.S. weapons, fearing they could lose support if they didn’t act now.
Scientists unlock fungi's secret chemistry, offering a greener path to crop protection
Pesky pests can wreak havoc on plants by chewing leaves, boring into stems, and sucking sap from trees. Beyond the direct damage, they also spread harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can infect and ultimately kill the ...
Sony Pictures Entertainment Earnings Q4 2025 and Fiscal 2025
Sony Pictures Entertainment turned in roughly flat revenue for fiscal year 2025, as higher sales at its Crunchyroll anime streamer and its global blockbuster film "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle" were offset by overall lower revenue from theatrical releases.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Revenue Flat for Fiscal Year 2025 at $9.9 Billion, Profit Takes Hit From Shutdown of Pixomondo VFX Division
Sony Pictures Entertainment revenue came in roughly flat for fiscal year 2025, as higher sales at its Crunchyroll anime streamer and the success of global blockbuster film “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” were offset by overall lower revenue from theatrical releases. For the year ended March 31, 2026, Sony Pictures Entertainment had sales …
PS6 Release Date And Price Are Still Up In The Air, Sony Says
The ongoing global components shortage is making it difficult for Sony to lock down when it'll launch the PS6.
Resident Evil Requiem update live, adds Leon Must Die Forever mini-game
The much-discussed mini-game for Resident Evil Requiem has just been made available as part of a new update for the game, which is revealed to be Leon Must Die Forever. Nintendo Switch 2 players can access it now. The mode can be unlocked after finishing the main story. According to Capcom, it includes “the nonstop combat action that players know...
Scientists discover a new way to prevent gum disease without killing good bacteria
Scientists have uncovered a surprising way to influence the bacteria living in our mouths — not by killing them, but by interrupting how they “talk” to each other. Researchers found that dental plaque bacteria use chemical signals to coordinate growth, and by blocking those signals, they were able to encourage healthier bacteria while reducing disease-linked microbes tied to gum disease. Even more intriguing, the bacterial conversations changed depending on oxygen levels above and below the gums, revealing an entirely new layer of complexity inside the mouth.
Datadog converted an AI first business, without leaving behind its old business, says Jim Cramer
'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer digs into software stock Datadog.
Apple Faces £3 Billion UK Trial Over iCloud Lock-In Claims
Apple was not able to narrow the scope of a UK lawsuit accusing it of locking 40 million UK consumers into iCloud, to the detriment of third-party cloud storage providers. British consumer group Which? first filed the lawsuit in late 2024, and is asking for £3 billion for UK Apple customers. Apple wanted to exclude non-paying iCloud users from the lawsuit, but the tribunal denied Apple's request in a 2 to 1 majority.
UCLA team awarded $5 million DARPA contract to develop AI for math advancement
Fields medalist Terence Tao is part of Team ALPHA, which aims to unlock progress in physics, cryptography and other challenging fields.
Can blockbuster GLP-1 weight-loss drugs also protect brain health?
UCSF experts share their research on medications’ potential to slow or reduce risk of dementia and to treat the triggers that drive addiction.
March Madness expands to 76 teams as committees lock in long-term men's, women's NCAA Tournament change
A Thursday vote that was long awaited will now trigger the polarizing expansion of college basketball's most cherished event
Scientists unlock fungi's secret chemistry, offering a greener path to crop protection
Pesky pests can wreak havoc on plants by chewing leaves, boring into stems, and sucking sap from trees. Beyond the direct damage, they also spread harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can infect ...
Eurovision 2026: Politics collide with a blockbuster show
Controversy over Israel's participation and boycotts unprecedented in scale are already weighing on the Eurovision Song Contest before it even kicks off in Vienna.
Science diplomacy lessons from a North Korean volcano
Mount Paektu, a mythic, active volcano on the border between North Korea and China, is almost the epitome of a scientific challenge that crosses political lines. In 946 CE, it erupted in one of the five biggest volcanic events of the past 10,000 years, kicking up huge quantities of ash and sending destructive mud flows down river channels for hundreds of kilometres. Should this happen again, the entire region, including easternmost Russia, South Korea and even Japan could be hit. “It’s definitely got the potential to be big,” said James Hammond, a professor of geophysics at Birkbeck, University of London. An eruption on the scale of 946 would have “huge regional impact.” For the past 15 years, Hammond has helped lead a groundbreaking collaboration with North Korean scientists to study the volcano, navigating scientific sanctions, tough export controls on scientific equipment and a long, pandemic-enforced exodus from the country. Although he seems more at home on far-flung research expeditions – before speaking to Science|Business, Hammond was camping out on a Greenland ice sheet – he has also advised the European Commission on its changing science diplomacy strategy. His long experience with North Korea has made Hammond sceptical of blanket bans on science collaboration, no matter the country.This is a live question in Europe, where in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, institutional ties with Russian universities were almost entirely severed, although some scientists fear this could undermine our understanding of climate change’s impact on the Arctic. Here, Hammond tells the story of the Mount Paektu mission and the policy lessons he takes from it. Ominous rumblingsThe genesis of Hammond’s collaboration came in 2002, when Mount Paektu began to rumble ominously. Earthquake activity picked up and the volcano began to emit unusual gases. North Korean scientists took notice. “People felt we need to know more about this volcano,” said Hammond. In 2011, North Korean vulcanologists put out a request for international expertise to help them learn more. At the time, Hammond and his collaborator, Clive Oppenheimer, were working on a vulcanology project in another sanctioned country, Eritrea, and so decided to answer the call. Within a month, they had flown into Pyongyang. “It was pretty incredible,” recalls Hammond (left). “We were made to feel like honoured guests, and invited to official celebrations.” The scientific opportunity was huge. Paektu is unusually positioned, a thousand kilometres from where tectonic plates rub against each other in the Pacific. “It was an incredibly interesting volcano, but not much research had been done, at least not in the international community,” he said. “There was so much we felt we could do. And we had these partners that were super keen to engage.”The mission received an unusual visitor in the form of volcano-obsessed filmmaker Werner Herzog, who accompanied Hammond and Oppenheimer while directing his 2016 film Into the Inferno about volcanos across the world. Four days into the trip, the German director delivered a long speech about reunification to his North Korean hosts, recalls Hammond. “He got to the heart of the Koreans and how they felt, and how they thought, in a way that I'm not sure I ever will,” he said. UN sanctionsHowever, Hammond realised he’d been “naïve” about how difficult it would be to collaborate with North Korea, which was sanctioned far more heavily than Eritrea. “We didn’t fully appreciate the all-encompassing nature of restrictions,” he said. In 2016, as tensions escalated over Pyongyang’s nuclear tests, a United Nations resolution banned all joint scientific work with North Korea. However, the UN sanctions did allow countries to request carve outs, and the UK successfully requested an exemption for Hammond’s work. Related articlesEU pushes for joint science diplomacy, but care needed to avoid gridlock, experts sayRussia severs its last ties with German scienceAnchor Greenlanders in Arctic climate research, experts tell EU ahead of policy updateExport controls have also delayed Hammond’s work. In one case, it took 18 months to get approval from the UK government to take seismometers, which measure earthquakes, to North Korea. “It was frustrating,” he said. “But they didn’t just say no.” However, one instrument, called an induction coil, used to measure how the earth conducts electricity, was blocked entirely because it can in theory be used to detect submarines. Karaoke bondingSince the collaboration started in 2011, Hammond has visited the country around 15 times, although the pandemic closed off North Korea for more than five years. A trip last November was Hammond’s first since the outbreak. Despite this lengthy interlude, Hammond has deep bonds in the country. The North Korean scientists Hammond works with are somewhat isolated, as they struggle to access the latest research papers and travel to international conferences. That said, they are “excellent geophysicists” and are “very well trained in the field,” he said. Over karaoke and chats about their families, “we’ve made friendships, for sure,” he said. The authorities have to sign-off things like the placement of seismometers, for example, but Hammond said these requests have been approved. “Everything that we've asked for within a scientific context has been delivered.”Scientific backchannels? These kind of personal links between scientists across political lines are one purported benefit of science diplomacy. During the Cold War, some historians argue, scientific contact between the US and Soviet Union laid a groundwork of trust for other cooperation, such as on arms control. Hammond agrees that backchannel contacts to North Korean geophysicists are hardly likely to defuse a military crisis on the Korean peninsula, but the simple fact of the scientific collaboration makes contacts between diplomats that little bit easier. “It creates opportunities to understand each other a little bit better,” he said. “When maybe you have those more difficult discussions as diplomats, it's coming from a slightly better place.” Cutting tiesDrawing lessons from the Mount Paektu mission for today’s links with Russian science isn’t simple. The analogy is far from exact, Hammond said, “because one is essentially a Cold War, versus a pretty hot war in the case of Russia.” But Hammond’s broader argument is that the challenges we face, such as climate change, pandemics, biodiversity loss, pollution and so on, have globalised in an unprecedented way, making blanket shutdowns in collaboration with any country unwise.He’s somewhat critical of the UN scientific sanctions imposed on North Korea in 2016, even though they did allow for exceptions. “I think a blanket halt to some of these things, when we face big global challenges [. . .] that’s quite a risky thing to do,” he said.Institutional endorsement?European academics are still by and large free to work individually with Russian counterparts. However, official, institutional partnerships have largely ended. Shortly following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian university rectors wrote a public letter endorsing the war, meaning European universities fear official collaboration could also be seen as a kind of endorsement. Hammond acknowledges there is a risk of legitimising regimes, and state-controlled universities, through scientific cooperation. “That’s the trade off you have to make,” he said. Strategic projectsWith Russia, instead of giving a green light to restart all Arctic science, a middle ground might be firing up a few carefully selected “strategic” projects, said Hammond. After all, European countries are still collaborating with Russia on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, an experimental nuclear fusion plant in the south of France. However, even if Europe did try to revive Arctic science with Russia, there’s no guarantee Russian scientists would play ball. A series of high-profile arrests of physicists in Russia accused of sharing their findings with the outside world has made collaboration fraught. Even before the invasion of 2022, “the Russian regime made it increasingly difficult, and this sort of discouraged people,” Dag Rune Olsen, rector of the Arctic University of Norway, told Science|Business last year.
Small Business Optimism Is at Record Highs, So Why Are Millions of Entrepreneurs Still Getting Denied Funding?
CredFin, Inc. Identifies the Hidden Credit Profile Problems Blocking American Business Owners from a potential $44.8 Billion in Available SBA CapitalMIAMI, May 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Small Business Administration guaranteed a record $44.8 billion in small business loans in fiscal year 2025, approving an average of 1,600 loans per week worth more than $860 million. That capital is available through a broad network of SBA-approved lenders operating independently across the country.
Is the FDA Really Suppressing Science? Plus. . .
It’s Thursday, May 7. This is The Front Page, your daily window into the world of The Free Press—and our take on the world at large. Today: Aaron MacLean says Trump is poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Iran war. Joe Klein on the life of CNN founder Ted Turner. Jillian Lederman on why cruise ships are here to stay. And much more. But first: Is the FDA suppressing science? On Tuesday, The New York Times published a story with an alarming takeaway. “FDA Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe,” read the headline. It is the latest in a string of stories that all have the same message: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies, are engaged in a cover-up—and silencing scientists trying to get the word out about the Covid vaccine. What all these stories suggest—some more subtly than others—is that the outsiders now running the public health establishment, officials such as Marty Makary at the FDA and Jay Bhattacharya at the National Institutes of Health, are on a revenge tour. That they are doing harm to the country to get back at the scientists and bureaucrats who ostracized them for deviating from the public-health consensus during the pandemic. It’s a seductive narrative. But is it true? That’s the question we address in our latest editorial. —The Editors Read [ Marty Makary's FDA Has All the Right Enemies ](https://www.thefp.com/p/marty-makary-vaccine-study-fda) [ Trump Blinks First ](https://www.thefp.com/p/iran-peace-deal-pakistan-trump-strait-of-hormuz) Aaron MacLean In return for no detectable concessions, President Trump this week gave up on forcing open the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the Trump administration looks desperate for a deal to end the war with Iran. It’s easy to understand the desire to end the war, but are they blowing the chance at victory? Aaron MacLean makes sense of the administration’s latest moves—and Iran’s response—in his column today. Read full story Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson: Live in New York City Join Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson on May 19 for a live recording of School of War at the iconic New York Historical. In a conversation as timely as it is wide-ranging, Aaron and Niall will explore the strategic stakes of the moment, including the Middle East, China, and the future of American leadership on the global stage. Get Tickets Now [ Ted Turner, the Optimist Who Built CNN ](https://www.thefp.com/p/ted-turner-cnn-tribute) Joe Klein The man who gave us CNN and the 24-hour news cycle, Ted Turner, died Wednesday at the age of 87. Today, political writer Joe Klein—who almost ghostwrote Turner’s autobiography—remembers his friend, the American media mogul who stood out for his idealism and lack of a filter—something that got Turner in trouble more than once. “His was not a traditional intelligence, but one of horizon: Ted saw things before other people did,” Joe writes. Read full story [ Nothing Can Sink the Cruise Ship ](https://www.thefp.com/p/cruise-ship-hantavirus) Jillian Lederman A viral outbreak on a cruise ship that left three passengers dead has left some people wondering: Are cruise ships on the way out? Not so fast, says Jillian Lederman, who has been on many a cruise herself. Read her piece on why 38 million people a year take a cruise—and aren’t about to stop. Read full story [ The Great Writers Who Were Terrible People ](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-great-writers-who-were-terrible) Shilo Brooks Throughout history, some of the greatest literary geniuses have also been immoral bigots. In the latest episode of Old School, Shilo Brooks is joined by Eli Lake for a conversation about those geniuses, from Voltaire to Norman Mailer and Roald Dahl—and why we should read their work despite their odious prejudices. Listen on MORE FROM THE FREE PRESS [ Inside the Digital Intifada ](https://www.thefp.com/p/digital-intifada-social-media-hamas-terror) Warren Kinsella Read full story [ This Week in American History: Trump’s Over-Arching Problem ](https://www.thefp.com/p/this-week-in-american-history-trumps-over-arching-problem) Jonathan Horn Read full story [ Humanity Is Still Evolving—and Fast ](https://www.thefp.com/p/humanity-is-still-evolvingand-fast) Razib Khan Read full story THE NEWS Thirteen D.C. Metropolitan Police officers have been placed on administrative leave and could face termination after an internal investigation found evidence that crime statistics were manipulated to make the city look safer. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee previously alleged that former D.C. police chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to skew data. Tennessee Republicans unveiled a redrawn U.S. House map yesterday that would split up Memphis’s black-majority Democratic district, the latest move in a nationwide push to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the midterms. The effort follows a Supreme Court ruling last week on Louisiana’s districts, which Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said gave states the green light to redraw maps along partisan lines. Israel struck Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect last month, saying it targeted a commander of the militant group’s elite Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs. The strikes risk destabilizing that truce at a delicate moment, as Iran and the U.S. report progress toward a deal to resolve their own standoff. The U.S. Air Force is aiming for a Fourth of July delivery of a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, hoping to add it to the Air Force One fleet in time for the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, Reuters reported. (For more on the controversy surrounding the aircraft, read Jed Rubenfeld’s piece “It’s a Terrible Idea, but Trump Probably Can Accept a Free Jet from Qatar.”) Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified privately before Congress that he has no memory of why he and his family dined on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012, according to Reuters. The admission contradicts Lutnick’s earlier claim that he had cut ties with the convicted sex offender well before that visit. Weeks before a former JPMorgan investment banker filed a lawsuit packed with explosive allegations, the bank reportedly offered him $1 million to settle his sexual assault and harassment claims, according to The Wall Street Journal. The suit, filed by Chirayu Rana, alleges he was sexually assaulted by a female colleague, subjected to racial discrimination, and forced into a degrading dynamic at work. JPMorgan says the claims lack merit, and the female colleague’s lawyers call the accusations fabricated. A new report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows that, for the first time in roughly 20 years, church attendance is trending upward, with more people volunteering and clergy expressing renewed optimism. The study’s authors described the findings, based on a survey of more than 7,400 congregations, as showing signs of widespread recovery from low attendance numbers.
CVS Health CEO David Joyner: Our Aetna business got off track, but we've had five quarters of improvement
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Abortion reemerges as election issue amid challenges to mifepristone
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Trump administration under ‘increasing political pressure’ to secure Iran deal: Former Navy SEAL
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Seattle pauses Leschi marina redevelopment after outcry from disrupted local businesses
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Lockheed opposes Northrop bid to remove firewall on solid rocket motor business
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US Navy shot out rudder of Iran blockade runner with fighter jet gun
It's the second time the Navy has used force against an Iranian commercial vessel since the Trump administration's blockade began last month.
UK voters need to hear battle over bills and climate crisis are linked, green experts say
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Philly nonprofit spurs popups to give small businesses the spotlight on Market Street
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Pokemon scalpers steal Target displays to resell for thousands of dollars
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Trump strikes back: GOP lawmakers who opposed president on redistricting pay price
President Trump scored major victories in Indiana's GOP primary as his endorsed challengers defeated state senators who blocked his redistricting push.
OpenAI wants to ‘have their cake and eat it too’ with health AI policy recommendations
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The most coveted endorsement in SF politics — and why Pelosi hasn’t given it
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Canada Antitrust Watchdog Seeks to Block Keyera Deal for Plains’ Canada Gas Business
The Competition Bureau said the planned $3.7 billion transaction would reduce competition at a crucial natural-gas liquids-processing hub in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Phobio Has Returned $244M to Business Budgets. Meet The Company's New CEO.
Meet Missy Taylor, the new CEO of Atlanta-based Phobio — the tech company that has returned $244M to business budgets by unlocking value in used devices. Here's how an advertising veteran is leading a circular economy business.