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International Flavors and Fragrances nears $4 billion deal to sell food ingredients business, WSJ reports
International Flavors & Fragrances was nearing a deal to sell its food ingredients business to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners for more than $4 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Data centers roil local politics, spark Hermantown residents to reshape government
A plan for a massive data center is roiling local politics in Hermantown. Some residents of the town near Duluth have been fighting the proposed facility for months — and their outrage has some leading an effort to reshape how their local government operates.
Exclusive | Flavor Maker IFF Nears $4 Billion Deal to Sell Food Ingredients Business to CVC
A sale of IFF’s largest division would be the company’s latest move to boost profitability.
Downtime: Business coach Nhat Pham pulls off 55-minute plank on 55th birthday
Pham spent nearly an hour of his 55th birthday face-down on his elbows and toes, in a pushup-like position called a plank pose, for a physical challenge that doubled to promote Mental Health Awareness Month.
I’m an IVF Doctor. Business Is Booming Because Ob-Gyns Aren’t Doing Their Jobs.
Just last Monday, a woman sat across from me in my office and asked a question I have come to dread. Why had no one told her? She is 33, a therapist, married three years, and she has been to her gynecologist every year since high school. She was also on the brink of perimenopause. She had assumed that when she was ready, her body would be too. No one in two decades of annual visits had ever explained that the most consequential decisions about her capacity to bear children were being made by her ovaries on a calendar she could not see, while her doctor took her blood pressure and refilled her birth control. She is the patient I see several times a month. She is the most preventable tragedy in American medicine. I am board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology, and reproductive endocrinology. There’s a fertility crisis happening right now in America—and a furious debate about who is to blame. The alleged culprits include housing, smartphones, and capitalism. One group is getting off lightly: ob-gyns. Read [ How Perimenopause Became America’s New Health Scare ](https://www.thefp.com/p/how-perimenopause-became-americas) In July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the U.S. fertility rate had fallen to fewer than 1.6 children per woman—the lowest figure in our history—despite a 2025 survey of American Gen-Z women that found that nearly three-quarters intended to become mothers. American women are not opting out of building a family. They are running out of time.
Casino experts react to Fertitta buying Caesars Entertainment
Fertitta Entertainment’s nearly $18 billion acquisition of Caesars Entertainment has casino experts speculating what changes will come to the Las Vegas Strip.
A silent kidney crisis is spreading far faster than experts expected
A sweeping global study found that chronic kidney disease now affects nearly 800 million people and has become one of the world's leading causes of death. Often silent in its early stages, the condition is also a major contributor to heart disease and may be even more common than current estimates suggest.
T-Mobile users will want to delete T-Life after this scary allegation
T-Mobile makes T-Life irredeemable.
Traffic and safety upgrades coming to Philadelphia Sports Complex
PHILADELPHIA (WPHL) — On Thursday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, and regional stakeholders announced a nearly $30 million investment in and around th…
Best of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, May 28-31
With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout's BOLO events calendar.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 dummy unit appears online in all its wide-folding glory
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 looks great, and it also looks very different.
Curt Cignetti’s warning signals a sport nearing its limit: 'It's scary'
Curt Cignetti warns that soaring NIL costs are pushing college football toward a breaking point, with lawmakers now scrambling to rein it in.
The Science of Flavored ENDS: A Response to Bloomberg, Durbin, and the Senate Letter on FDA's Recent Actions
The stakes: half a million American lives every year Cigarette smoking kills roughly 480,000 Americans annually, and nearly 28 million American adults still smoke. Peer-reviewed population modeling estimates that displacing combustion with substantially less harmful nicotine delivery would avert between 1.6 and 6.6 million premature deaths and recover 20.8 to 86.7 million life-years by 2100....
Washington's business exodus accelerates due to high taxes, regulation
Nearly 1 in 4 employers are now actively considering relocating their businesses out of state, up sharply from the previous
Renault Group’s climate ambition based on science
Press ReleaseMay 28, 2026 Renault Group’s climate ambition based on science In 2019, Renault Group was the first carmaker to rely on science-based climate targets.Renault Group is announcing the renewal of its science-based targets, with a new approval of its near- and long-term targets by the Science Based Targets initiative. These targets are supported by the product momentum of futuREady strategic plan. Boulogne-Billancourt, May 28, 2026 In 2019, Renault Group was the first carmaker to rely o
Ex-counterterrorism chief warns of 'major problem' that could force US 'back into the war on Iran’s terms'
Ex-counterterror official Joe Kent warns keeping U.S. forces near Iran puts U.S. at risk of being 'forced back into the war on Iran’s terms'
Artists drop out of DC Freedom 250 festival over reported political ties
WBFF Fox45 provides local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of events and items of interest in the community, sports and entertainment programming for Baltimore and nearby towns and communities in Maryland, including Annapolis, Crofton, Glen Burnie, Linthicum, Pasadena, Severn, Cockeysville, Dundalk, Essex, Parkville, Owings Mills, Towson, White Marsh, Woodlawn, Hampstead, Sykesville, Taneytown, Westminster, Elkton, Perryville, Pt. Deposit, Rising Sun, Aberdeen, Abingdon, Bel Air, Edgewood, Fallston, Havre De Grace, Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Fulton, and Ocean City.
Review: Fitbit Air is a near-perfect fitness tracker with an imperfect AI Health Coach
Google's latest wearable is a great tracker for an excellent price, but the Fitbit Air's AI-powered Health Coach has plenty of room to grow.
Caesars Entertainment, a Las Vegas Strip icon, sold for nearly $6 billion
Caesars Entertainment is being acquired for almost $6 billion by Fertitta, the company that owns Las Vegas’ Golden Nugget and chains like Rainforest Cafe and Morton’s
Caesars—A Las Vegas Landmark—Will Be Sold For Nearly $6 Billion
Caesars agreed to the purchase in a Thursday announcement.
Fertitta acquires Caesars Entertainment in nearly $18B deal
Caesars Entertainment announced Thursday it would be acquired by Fertitta Entertainment in a deal worth almost $18 billion, including around $11.9 billion in assumed debt.
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for 3% funding target
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Forget LASIK: Safer, cheaper vision correction without lasers or surgery
Researchers are developing a futuristic alternative to LASIK that reshapes the eye without lasers or incisions. Using mild electrical pulses and platinum contact lenses, they temporarily soften the cornea so it can be molded into a new shape. Early tests on rabbit eyes successfully corrected nearsightedness in about a minute while preserving the eye’s structure.
Wind energy is not bad for your health, new research shows
In this study, Osea Giuntella and his colleagues found no adverse physical or mental health affects after the installation of nearby turbines.
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for better conditions
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Rumor: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 coming to Nintendo Switch 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will be appearing on Nintendo Switch 2, it’s claimed. The upcoming first-person shooter will be announced in the near future. Meanwhile, NateTheHate – who has a reliable track record – has indicated that this one is on the way to Nintendo Switch 2. One fan recently brought up how Modern Warfare 4 should be...
Fertitta-Owned Firm to Buy Caesars Entertainment in Nearly $18 Billion Leisure Push
May 28 (Reuters) - Caesars Entertainment said on Thursday it will be bought out by Tilman Fertitta-owned firm in a $17.6 billion deal, as the hospitality billionaire looks to expand his leisure empire. The deal, which will take one of the Las Vegas Strip's most prized casino operators private,
How a company turned visas to Europe into big business
VFS Global enjoys a near monopoly on outsourced visa processing, including for travel to most European countries.
The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts seek the public’s help to find dog
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts need the public’s help to find a dog that bit a person near Shore Drive in Newport News on May 22, according to a press release. The districts are looking for a small gray, tan and black American pit bull terrier that bit someone […]
Fort Hall Business Council announces opposition to data center development in response to proposed facility near former Hoku site
FORT HALL — The Fort Hall Business Council of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes has issued a formal resolution and public statement opposing data center development on the Fort Hall Reservation, as
Fort Hall Business Council issues resolution opposing data center development in response to proposed facility near former Hoku site
FORT HALL — The Fort Hall Business Council of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes has issued a formal resolution and public statement opposing data center development on the Fort Hall Reservation, as
Massachusetts ACA enrollment falls as federal subsidies end
The shift moves the state away from its promise of near-universal coverage.
Meta stock price jumps 3% on plan to sell AI subscriptions
Shares of Meta gained nearly 4% on Wednesday as investors cheered the company's move to start generating recurring revenue from its platforms.
Suspect uses hammer in West Loop, Near West Side business break-ins: police
Chicago Police are alerting the public to recent commercial burglaries in the West Loop and Near West Side, where one suspect used a hammer to break into businesses.
Can Farts Spread Bacteria? Scientists Actually Tested It
The conclusion: don't fart near food.
McCracken County considers change to business tax ordinance
A redraft of a 2007 ordinance requiring local businesses to report their full federal tax returns to the clerk's office is in the works, following a nearly two-hour discussion at
Scientists say they've finally solved the sea level rise mystery as oceans climb nearly twice as fast
The trend is also speeding up.
Coming to Miramar: Nearly 3,000 homes, new hotel and entertainment district with bars, restaurants and shops
Miramar Cove will feature 2,874 residences along with a 185-room hotel and dozens of restaurants, bars and shops centered around tree-lined streets and a signature waterfront area.
Mini world near Pluto is far more active than it should be – and experts are baffled | BBC Science Focus Magazine
A miniature world beyond Neptune appears to have an atmosphere, despite being too small to hold onto one
Trump appoints former AG Pam Bondi to White House science panel
President Trump has appointed former Attorney General Pam Bondi to his panel on science and technology, nearly two months after he fired her as the head of the Department of Justice. …
CEO compensation grows 6% as worker pay gap widens
The typical CEO compensation package rose nearly 6% in 2025 to $17.7 million.
Dragon Quest 12 Taking Longer After Reboot 'From Scratch'
Fans have been waiting nearly a decade for the sequel
Jamie Dimon said the American Dream was slipping away. JPMorgan just put $40 million on the table to fix it
JPMorganChase is deploying nearly $40 million to community lenders across the country — the first concrete move under Dimon's American Dream Initiative.
Halifax stadium, entertainment hub proposal fails to gain traction
An ambitious plan to build a stadium and entertainment hub near Halifax appears to be on shaky ground. A local business leader involved in initial discussions about the venture says talks last year with U.S.-based Ridgehaven Holdings fell apart when it became clear the bid lacked key elements.
UFC fighting cage rises on White House lawn for America 250 bout
The cage will be surrounded by 5,000 seats, with additional large screens nearby broadcasting the fight
Life science company planning relocation to Noblesville with nearly 40,000-square-foot facility
Ebola, chemical plants and health, hantavirus, common colds, heat and more
As they say, bugs have ears. Public health has had a relentless May. Chemical plant (near) explosions, Ebola, hantavirus, and that's before you even get to the usual suspects: common colds, heat, and ticks. Here’s an attempt to keep you up to speed and, more importantly, what it means for you and your community. But first, an announcement: World Cup The World Cup starts in 15 days (not like anyone is counting down), and we are hanging TVs in the Health Security Operations Center. It’s going to be a gorgeous, chaotic celebration of basically every culture on earth. And it’s going to take a team effort—from communities to individuals, from public health to health care—to keep people healthy. That’s where you come in. If you’re going to the games or live within 30 miles of a stadium, we would love to hear from you. Sign up for a weekly survey here. Thanks to the more than 1,280 people who have already signed up…you will be hearing from us soon!! Global disease “weather report” Hantavirus: Two more cases The global count of cruise ship passengers with hantavirus has now increased to 13 cases (11 confirmed), with three deaths. The two new cases are overseas and among people who were already quarantining: A crew member in the Netherlands. A Spanish national passenger who was quarantining at home tested positive through daily monitoring. They are now in a biocontainment unit. In the U.S., everyone remains negative. There may be more cases, given that the incubation period of hantavirus (the time from exposure to infection) is 45 days. But this week, we will reach a major milestone: the median incubation window is 18 days, and that will pass on May 29. What this means for you: Your risk from this cruise ship outbreak remains essentially nil at this point. Ebola rages on in Central Africa Big thanks to Dr. Craig Spencer, a humanitarian physician who has treated and survived Ebola, for jumping in to provide the YLE community with an update. Craig, take it from here… The combined confirmed and suspected Ebola cases in DRC are now more than 1,000. All signs are pointing to a very long and catastrophic outbreak in Central Africa: This is a vast undercount. We know this because the test positivity rate is hovering around 50%, only 20% of contacts are being traced (and in some areas, no contacts at all), and more cases keep popping up with no known connection. This all points to widespread and undetected community transmission. This is in only a week of detection. Compared to previous outbreaks, the growth is very fast, as the huge West Africa outbreak in 2016 was first detected at 49 cases and rose to 208 cases a month later. It took four months for that outbreak to reach the size of the current one in the DR Congo. The cases are spread out across 16 health zones. There are now multiple epicenters, making containment very difficult. Next door in Uganda, the case count is seven. While this number is low compared to DRC, a concerning development is that two health care workers recently tested positive with uncertain exposure histories. If they weren’t treating known Ebola cases, this means it’s spreading undetected in Uganda as well. On the ground, backlash, including the burning of health centers, has emerged, a pattern seen in nearly every outbreak and rooted in deep community distrust. It often stems from outside actors working in communities without fully understanding or addressing local priorities. Affected populations may recognize the severity of Ebola while still holding other concerns as more pressing, such as where their loved ones are buried. Community trust is essential to an effective response, but difficult to build during an active emergency. It is best established long before a crisis begins. U.S. priorities are made clear, and may backfire. The U.S. Administration has shown that its first priority is keeping Ebola out, with helping end the outbreak in the DRC a secondary concern. That's meant travel restrictions broader than anything we've imposed before — covering travelers from across the region, and reportedly some green card holders and permanent residents as well. For example, just these past two days, news broke that high-risk American travelers will be subject to a mandatory quarantine in Kenya before they are allowed to return. If an American is infected, the U.S. government plans to send them to a hospital it is standing up from scratch in Kenya. (Currently, Americans who were in the area are allowed to return but are diverted to three airports—Houston, Atlanta, and DC—for further screening.) Past administrations have used travel notices and stepped-up screening; this goes much further. At first blush, these strict precautions may sound prudent. But this approach could backfire in three ways: Restrictions this blunt give people every reason to hide where they’ve been and whom they’ve been near — making the people we most need to find harder to track, not easier. They also breed a false sense that this is someone else’s problem. But diseases are humbling. They find the small cracks in even the most impenetrable-seeming defenses. Lives lost. There is no treatment for this Ebola strain, which means survival depends heavily on the quality of the health system. We have that system in the States, but we are choosing not to use it for infected Americans. This is unbelievable and infuriating. (See a deeper dive from me here.) The only real way to lower the risk to Americans — and everyone else — is to end the outbreak in the DRC and across the region. What this means for you: If you have travel plans to this region, it’s time to cancel them. This is a high-risk situation in Central Africa, and CDC released a Level 4 Travel Advisory. There is also great uncertainty if and when the Administration will let you back in. To the general public in the U.S., your risk remains very, very low right now. U.S. disease “weather report” Ticks: past peak season? Good news, especially for people in the Northeast and Midwest: tick numbers continue to decline. Though we are at the peak of the season, this unusually early year is trending favorably. Heat-related illnesses in the North Heat risk is certainly not blanketing the entire country yet, but this week it will be moderate in the Midwest and the Southeast. What this means for you: Be sure to check the CDC HeatRisk tool. A red day isn’t the best day for that soccer game for a kid with asthma, and a stretch of orange days is a great time to check on your elderly neighbor. Common colds surging As far as respiratory viruses go, the only thing really going around right now is the common cold. It is higher this year than last year, but should peak very soon before returning this fall. Spotlight: Chemical plants Over the weekend, YLE California covered the serious situation that unfolded around a chemical plant in Orange County, California. Thankfully, the worst-case scenario (a chemical explosion) was mitigated, but only through luck. The health implications in a densely populated area could have been catastrophic. As the situation was winding down, another chemical explosion struck Washington State. This one was fatal. Health officials say the risk to surrounding residents from chemicals in the air and ground remains low, though the community deserves far greater clarity. Clean air and clean water consistently rank as Americans’ top public health concerns — yet when chemical disasters strike, communities are too often met with reassurances rather than transparency and accountability. Residents near the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, for example, are still waiting to understand the long-term impact on their health, with few clear answers. What this means for you: Many are wondering if facilities processing potentially dangerous materials are in their neighborhoods. This interactive map allows you to enter your ZIP code and see all facilities monitored by the EPA, including any violations. Good news Ebola vaccines and treatment for the Bundibugyo species are in development. Two vaccine platforms are being explored, at least one of which may be deployable in as little as 2 months. One vaccine is being developed by Oxford, and the other uses the same biotechnology as the FDA-approved Zaire species of Ebola. (It may provide cross-protection, but it’s unclear at this point.) On the treatment side, two promising monoclonal antibody cocktails are likely to be deployed, though doses are limited and logistical hurdles remain significant challenges. Anni over at The Biotech Tea had a great explainer about the Ebola vaccine gap, if you want to read more. [ The Biotech Tea The Ebola vaccine gap, reading vessel damage, & the Makary exit 🗝️ Paid subscribers get the Biotech Term of the Week at $30/year (~$2.50/month). I try to keep it intentionally accessible, but if cost is ever a barrier, send me a message. A few people asked about expensing your subscription, so I put together a short email template… Read more 6 days ago · 10 likes · Annicka Evans, PhD ](https://www.thebiotechtea.com/p/the-ebola-vaccine-gap-reading-vessel?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), following more than a decade of debate and input from roughly 22,000 clinicians, researchers, and patients worldwide. This is good because the old name was medically misleading, leading to patients without visible cysts being dismissed or overlooked entirely. The WHO estimates that 70% of people with the condition remain undiagnosed. A more accurate name should improve recognition, reduce stigma, and ultimately help the millions of people living with this condition get diagnosed and treated sooner. Poll Loading... Bottom line Public health situations are everywhere right now. Staying healthy takes public health professionals and systems working tirelessly behind the scenes and each of us showing up for our neighbors and communities. Love, YLE Big thanks to Ed Nirenberg for staying on top of the Ebola vaccines, Hannah Totte for all the figures, Dr. Craig Spencer for the Ebola insight, and Dr. Matt Willis for covering the chemical situation in CA. Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) comprises a team of experts, ranging from physicians to immunologists to epidemiologists to nutritionists, working together with one goal: to “Translate” ever-evolving public health science so that people are well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. YLE suite of newsletters reaches over 475,000 people across more than 132 countries. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below: Subscribe
Cheaper, Alternative Health Plans Are Having A Moment, But Critics Urge Caution
By Sarah Kwon and KFF Health News HealthDay ReportersWEDNESDAY, May 27, 2026 (HealthDay News) — When Melanie Miller saw that her health insurance premium payment was set to nearly triple to $914 a month this year, she stopped shopping on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. The 59-year-old ...
Adorable Tiny Octopus Found Near the Galápagos Is Finally Named After 11 Years
Scientists used CT scans to identify a rare deep-sea species without cutting it open.
Nate Diaz breaks silence on Mike Perry loss
Nate Diaz returned to mixed martial arts for the first time in nearly four years on May 16 in the MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano co-main event. The former UFC title challenger took on Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship's "King of Violence" Mike Perry and suffered a largely one-sided TKO loss. Diaz ...
South Gate business owner says fire near homeless encampment destroyed family shop
A South Gate tire shop owner says he lost everything after a massive fire destroyed his business Sunday afternoon.
'Business as usual': Fakes, piracy thrive in Vietnam as US tariff deadline nears
At a sprawling bazaar on the outskirts of Vietnam's capital, the trade in counterfeit goods is bustling despite government crackdowns and the threat of U.S. tariffs over the issue, two visits by Reuters journalists to the market found.
Red Sox’s Fenway Park woes reaching 1932 levels of pathetic
The Red Sox are struggling in the friendly confines of Fenway Park in a manner that's rather unprecedented over nearly 100 years.
Want to know if you live near a business regulated by CalEPA? Map shows all the locations
Sports reporter Gabrielle Lucivero joining ESPN as part of WNBA coverage
Longtime Connecticut sports anchor and reporter Gabrielle Lucivero doesn’t have to go very far for her next gig. After nearly nine years at NBC Connecticut, Lucivero announced that she was leaving the station, but would be heading to Bristol, where she’ll cover WNBA and other sports for ESPN. “11 years and 11 days since I…
Nearly 500 N.Y. small business owners call for state data center moratorium
It follows a rally at the state Capitol two weeks ago where lawmakers and advocates pushed for the passage of proposed legislation before the end of session.
Should Titans fans remember Hank Beatty's name this offseason?
Team gave Illinois WR nearly $250,000 in guaranteed money, a sum unsurpassed by any other undrafted free agent
Conduction system pacing after TAVR linked to improved outcomes in new meta-analysis
Researchers explored data from nearly 800 patients, focusing on a wide variety of outcomes.
Samsung under fire for leaving the best One UI 8.5 feature out of the Galaxy S23 series
Galaxy S23 owners are very unhappy about missing a crucial Android issue from the latest One UI update.
First CALL: Shaker Heights to ‘temporarily’ oversee mental health response program
A likely expansion of the First CALL mental health crisis response program could nearly double the number of participating cities from five to nine -- and perhaps more.
Health insurers again propose double-digit premium increases
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Leaked foldable iPhone Ultra cases leave nothing to the imagination
Accessory manufacturers might be getting specifications for the foldable iPhone Ultra from Apple already.
His Business Was Burning Cash and Nearly Closed in the First 6 Months — Here's the Counterintuitive Strategy That Turned Everything Around
His restaurant almost didn't make it. Now he's passing down the playbook that turned it around.
MSG Sports Shares Rally to Record as Knicks Reach NBA Finals
The New York Knicks are headed to their first NBA Finals in nearly three decades, sending shares of parent company Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. to a fresh record on Tuesday.
‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ revives yearslong fight over Democrat-backed settlements
President Donald Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is triggering bipartisan concern on Capitol Hill while simultaneously reigniting a years-old conservative argument against administrations from both parties using the Treasury Department’s Judgment Fund to finance politically sensitive settlements with little congressional oversight. The fund stems from Trump’s settlement with the Internal Revenue Service over the […]
Bari Weiss: Think For Yourself, Not By Yourself
When we launched The Free Press, the plan was simple: Tell the truth plainly, and let readers come to their own conclusions. I thought there would be a sizable enough group of people who would pay the cost of one coffee a month to read high-quality news and opinion journalism. But what happened next surprised even me. Yes, you came for the stories—for the investigations, essays, debates, interviews, podcasts, and arguments. But over the past few years, you also found one another. I’ve watched strangers become friends in the lobby before our debates. I’ve seen people trade numbers after live recordings of Honestly, launch businesses after Free Press dinners, fall in love after our meetups—even get married (!?), and say some version of the same sentence over and over again: I thought I was the only one. We live in the most connected age in history, and yet, millions of people feel isolated, alienated, politically homeless, and starved for real conversation. We have followers and no neighbors. Algorithms instead of interlocutors. Our social media feeds are like troughs, but what we really need is a table to gather around. The Free Press is a publication, yes, but it is also a gathering place for independent minds. So today, I’m thrilled to share our new investment in you. We are launching a new world of community experiences for our paid subscribers, designed to bring _Free Press_ers together online and in real life. Introducing Our Community Launch The Free Press Forum Our new digital home for paid subscribers, the Forum, is now live. This is where _Free Press_ers can meet, debate, recommend, organize, joke, argue, and converse like civilized people. Imagine that. This is not social media as you know it. No bots. No algorithmic rage bait. No performative nonsense. Just smart people talking to one another. Inside the Forum, you’ll find conversations on the things our readers already care about most: the issues of the day, recommendations (books, music, travel), work and networking, parenting, dating, and where to find your people—online and in real life. Jump in! Introduce yourself and join the first conversations in the Free Press Forum here. You’ll also find announcements from us (paid subscribers are first to hear!) and our writers, hosting regular Ask Me Anythings (AMAs)—live conversations where subscribers can ask questions, push back, and continue the discussion beyond the page. This Thursday, subscribers can chat with our brilliant reporter, culture vulture, and co-founder Suzy Weiss. Friday, I’ll be lending you Nellie Bowles, queen of TGIF, to answer subscriber questions live. Read more about The Forum directly from Nellie here. The Free Press Supper Club The best part of being a _Free Press_er is meeting other _Free Press_ers. So we’re inviting you all to dinner to do just that. It’s part salon, part blind date, part old-fashioned dinner party. Here’s how it works: You answer a short questionnaire. We match you with a small group of _Free Press_ers in your city. We send you to a great restaurant. You show up for supper. The rest is up to you. Your next best friend, co-founder, or future spouse may already be waiting at the table. Learn more and sign up here for our first Supper Club in 12 cities in three countries taking place on June 18. Don’t see your city? Raise your hand if you’d like a Free Press Supper Club near you. Yes, St. Louis—we hear you. The Free Press Retreats and Excursions We’re also building something new for 2027: immersive experiences for Free Press readers who want to continue the conversation trailside, poolside, or around a fire long after dessert. The Free Press Retreat will be an intimate long weekend built around big ideas, outdoor adventure, great meals, and the kinds of discussions that happen when curious people spend meaningful time together. Bring your spouse, your parents, your children—or come on your own. Free Press Excursions will take us farther afield: curated trips with Free Press writers and contributors exploring places that help explain the world we live in, from the battlefields of Gettysburg and Normandy to the Vatican in Rome. We’ll share more details this summer. If you’d like an early look when these experiences open for registration, show your interest here.**A Note to Our Subscribers** These new offerings exist because of our paying subscribers. If you’re already one: Thank you. You built this. And you keep us going. If you’ve been reading us for free and wondering whether to join, this is a very good time. For a short while only, we’re offering a rare 20 percent discount for you to join our community as a paid subscriber. You’ll unlock everything we publish, plus exclusive access to our members-only Forum, Supper Clubs, and more insider perks. Thinking for yourself shouldn’t mean thinking by yourself. See you there. —Bari
Man's Girlfriend Put His Backpack in What She Thought Was the Trunk of a C8 Corvette. The Hot Engine Nearly Caught Fire
A brand-new Chevrolet Corvette C8 and a melted backpack have become the latest viral combo on X after one owner claimed his girlfriend accidentally placed his bag directly on the car’s hot mid-mounted engine. The ... Read more
Leaker Pushes Back on Rumors of Pro iPhone's Return to Titanium
The Pro iPhone models are unlikely to return to titanium in the near future due to the heat dissipation demands of local AI, according to a known Weibo leaker. The claim comes from the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," and pushes back on an earlier report from "Instant Digital," who suggested Apple was weighing up the use of liquid metal or an improved titanium alloy as a longer-term replacement for aluminum iPhone frames.
PayPal’s online checkout empire is under siege as rivals squeeze its core business
NEW YORK (AP) — PayPal helped invent online checkout. Nearly three decades later, it’s struggling to defend its turf.
PayPal’s online checkout empire is under siege as rivals squeeze its core business
PayPal helped invent online checkout. The iconic online payments company is facing its biggest challenge in nearly three decades of existence. Its core business of customers using the app to check out when shopping online is barely growing and new management has bluntly warned investors that “significant changes” will be needed to fix the company’s problems.
PayPal’s Online Checkout Empire Is Under Siege as Rivals Squeeze Its Core Business
NEW YORK (AP) — PayPal helped invent online checkout. Nearly three decades later, it’s struggling to defend its turf. The iconic online payments company is facing its biggest challenge in nearly three decades of existence. Its core business of customers using the app to check out when shopping ...
New Ebola Vaccine Reportedly Nearing Clinical Trials (Live Updates)
The vaccine, which hasn’t been tested on humans, would be the first capable of treating the deadly Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
Italy business lobby urges investment, energy reform to revive growth
The head of Italy's largest business lobby on Tuesday urged sweeping reforms to revive the country's near-stagnant economy, warning that high energy costs and weak investment were undermining growth.
Trump, near 80, to have annual physical amid scrutiny of recent ailments
U.S. President Donald Trump, who turns 80 next month, will undergo his routine annual physical on Tuesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, following a year of public attention on apparently minor health issues.
Galaxy S27 Pro Could Become Samsung’s Best Seller Next Year, As New Camera Details Show One Minute Difference With Galaxy S27 Ultra
A new rumor claims that the Galaxy S27 Pro will share nearly the same rear camera hardware as the Galaxy S27 Ultra
Public Health Command Europe Hosts 71st International Military Veterinary Exchange
Public Health Command Europe recently hosted the 71st International Military Veterinary Exchange, bringing together nearly 100 veterinary leaders from 18 Allied and Partner nations to strengthen alliances, enhance global force protection, and address shared medical and agricultural challenges.
Reel Thoughts: Stephen Colbert’s final ‘Late Show’ eschews politics in favor of his signature grace, humility
In what may be the last hurrah for New York’s nearly century-old Ed Sullivan Theater, the final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” didn’t feature the most uproarious jokes. Or the most biting political takedowns. Or a tearful, thank-you-filled farewell speech from its host, per the norm when late-night talk shows conclude. But...
Louisiana's new SNAP restrictions set in Tuesday, health officials say
Beginning Tuesday, EBT cards will only be accepted for purchases made within Louisiana and in select ZIP codes near the state line in neighboring states.
Texas junior Farah O'Keefe wins NCAA golf individual title
On Monday in Carlsbad, California, Texas junior Farah O'Keefe ended a wild back nine with birdies on her last two holes for a 2-under 70 to win the NCAA women's golf title, the first for a Longhorns player in nearly 30 years.
Evo 2026 near-final registration leaderboard revealed with one surprising title shooting up the ranks
Evo 2026 is right around the corner with more mainstage titles than usual this year, and everything is almost locked into place now.The organizers for Evo just released the near-final registration leaderboard for the big event right before signups ...
Sports Illustrated resort project to break ground in Tuscaloosa
Developers will begin construction Wednesday on the Sports Illustrated resort near Rice Mine Road in Tuscaloosa, featuring a hotel, vacation club, and residential condos.
Processed foods may be fueling the rise in binge eating
Analysis shows highly processed foods aren't only common in binge-eating—they're nearly universal, says a University of Michigan study.
Public Health Command Europe Hosts 71st International Military Veterinary Exchange
Garmisch- Partenkirchen, Germany --- Public Health Command Europe recently hosted the 71st International Military Veterinary Exchange, bringing together nearly 100 veterinary leaders from 18 Allied and Partner nations to strengthen alliances, enhance global force protection, and address shared medical and agricultural challenges.
Wildfire near Miami Executive Airport contained, but smoke still threatens health
Tick sightings near Orem park raise health concerns over holiday weekend
Reports of ticks near Orem City Center Park and surrounding neighborhoods are raising concerns among Utah County residents as families spend more time outdoors
Wildfire near Miami Executive Airport triggers health alerts over lingering smoke
Ask Pinstripe Alley: Yankees mailbag questions request
We’re nearing the end of May, and the Yankees’ strengths and flaws are plain to see.
Nearly 500 Marvel Rivals Cheaters Get Permabanned by NetEase, and Most of Them Couldn’t Even Climb Out of Bronze
NetEase has shut down rumours that Marvel Rivals players could bypass the anti-cheat and perma-banned hundreds of players caught cheating.
The rare Ebola outbreak is one danger. Attacks on healthcare workers are another
BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Every time Vanny Birungi, a volunteer with the Red Cross in eastern Congo, goes out to raise awareness about the latest Ebola outbreak as suspected cases near 1,000, she faces a double threat.
The rare Ebola outbreak is one danger. Attacks on healthcare workers are another
By JUSTIN KABUMBA and OPE ADETAYO BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Every time Vanny Birungi, a volunteer with the Red Cross in eastern Congo, goes out to raise awareness about the latest Ebola outbreak as suspected cases near 1,000, she faces a…
Earth’s outer core reversed direction in 2010 and scientists may finally know why
Deep beneath the Pacific near the equator, Earth’s outer core now flows east instead of west. Dynamics deeper within our planet’s core may help explain the change and what to expect in the near future.
From garage startup to community staple: Greener Good opens new ‘creative reuse hub’ in Arlington Heights
Amanda Moller can hardly believe the business she co-founded with her mom in her garage nearly seven years ago has grown tenfold. Now, Moller and her mother, Beth Parsons, have shifted their operation...
Three Positives From the Week of May 17th
A near-perfect week for the Guardians helped them extend their lead atop the AL Central.
Latino-owned businesses grow, but venture capital remains an issue
“Latino-owned businesses rose by nearly 48% between 2017 and 2023,” said Marketplace senior economics contributor Chris Farrell.
This prehistoric fish may explain how animals first walked on Earth
Scientists have peered inside the skull of a 380-million-year-old Antarctic fish that was closely related to the first animals to walk on land, revealing surprising clues about how life began its move out of the water. Using advanced neutron imaging, researchers discovered that Koharalepis jarviki had features suited for living near the water’s surface, including openings in its skull that may have helped it gulp air and a light-sensitive organ linked to day-night rhythms.
Semiconductor decoupling. Powell's politics. Industrializing Ogaden. Free trade and the Magna Carta.
Thank you for opening your Chartbook email. Feliks Topolski, 1907-1989 8th Army’s Front, Italy 1944 Semiconductor decoupling Source: FT One thing that Jerome Powell deeply understood is that chairing the Fed under current conditions is a deeply political job. “Powell has successes and mistakes to his name. But he stands out as having thought more carefully about the Fed’s democratic legitimacy than any chair since Paul Volcker,” said Paul Tucker, a former deputy governor at the Bank of England, referring to the Fed chair who successfully fought the great inflation of the 1970s and early 1980s. … While Powell was at the Treasury in the early 1990s, he watched Alan Greenspan build relationships within the government. That convinced Powell he needed to follow the former Fed chair’s lead and spend more time in Congress than his predecessors Yellen and Bernanke. “The accountability for the Fed runs through Congress,” said Claudia Sahm, a former Fed official who is now chief economist at New Century Advisors. “That’s not just about having people on speed dial — it’s answering questions, explaining policy and getting feedback.” Source: FT Ethiopia’s PM Abiy and Nigerian business tycoon, with Chinese engineering, are driving industrialization in Ogaden/Somali region of Ethiopia. - Michael Masri’s reporting for Africa Report if fascinating. Ethiopia has launched a cluster of large industrial schemes in the Somali region, laying foundation stones for a urea plant and an oil refinery in Gode while opening the first two phases of the Ogaden LNG project. Abiy Ahmed framed the push as part of a broader strategy to link energy, agriculture and industry. “These projects embody more than industrial growth,” he said. “They represent our shared responsibility to harness opportunities, strengthen co-operation and promote peace.” The Gode urea plant, backed by Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), is designed for 3m tonnes a year. Dangote owns 60%, while EIH holds 40%. Officials say Dangote’s equity totals about $2.5bn, while the state provides land and implementation oversight. Gas from the Calub fields will be piped 108km to the site. Construction is slated for 40 months, with operations targeted for 2028. Ethiopia imports most of its fertiliser, spending more than $1.2bn a year for 1.5m–2m tonnes. Usage was roughly 1.7m tonnes in 2023, almost half of it urea, and demand for 2024–25 is put above 2.4m tonnes. If delivered on time, the Gode plant could cover domestic needs and allow exports to neighbours. Brook Taye, chief executive of EIH, called the venture “a significant milestone in the journey toward industrial self-sufficiency”. Dangote told the groundbreaking crowd that the complex would be integrated with gas supply and a polypropylene unit to support local inputs. He pointed to Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), with a capacity of more than 5,000MW, and noted his group’s cement operations and expansion plans. The Gode refinery is being developed by Golden Concord Group of China. It is designed to process 3.5m tonnes a year of crude and condensate from the Hilala field, with associated storage. Backers say it will ease foreign-exchange pressure from fuel imports and anchor further industrial activity, including a proposed steel smelting site in Dire Dawa. GCL’s chair, Zhu Gongshan, cast the project as “a key step in Ethiopia’s path to energy sovereignty”, underscoring the Beijing–Addis ties. Financing details are still being finalised, but the refinery is central to the government’s energy-security narrative. Source: The Africa Report Dangote’s Ethiopian vision: Dangote began with cement. His crown jewel, Dangote Cement, dominates Nigeria’s market and has 10 operations in other nations in Africa. The formula has been consistent: identify sectors with chronic shortages – cement, fertiliser, sugar – commit massive local investments, and scale up to serve regional demand. Ethiopia was a natural extension of that model. In 2015, Dangote launched the Mugher Cement Plant outside Addis Ababa at a cost of $600m, with an annual capacity of 2.5 million tonnes. The investment gave him a firm foothold in one of Africa’s fastest-growing construction markets. But success came with risks. In May 2018, violent unrest led to the killing of Dangote’s country manager and temporary shutdowns at Mugher. While other investors might have retreated, Dangote doubled down. Today, he is preparing to spend $400m to expand Mugher’s capacity to 5 million tonnes, alongside a new grinding unit near Addis Ababa. Cement is just one market Dangote is targeting. Ethiopia’s enormous state-controlled sugar industry, long plagued by inefficiency and debt, has struggled for years to reform. Its Omo Kuraz Sugar Development Project, touted as one of the continent’s largest initiatives, continues to face delays and mismanagement. … The most ambitious venture of all is the planned fertiliser production complex in Gode, Somali region. Publicised on 28 August 2025, the Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) deal plans one of the world’s largest single-site urea manufacturing plants. The project costs an estimated $2.5bn and has an estimated capacity of 3 million metric tonnes annually, a rate that would not only render Ethiopia independent, but even a net exporter of fertiliser. EIH, the state wealth fund of Ethiopia, will hold 40%, while 60% is held by Dangote Group. … For Dangote, Ethiopia is a trifecta: Cement demand is projected to grow by 10% annually, its sugar consumption is growing with rapid urbanisation, and fertiliser demand is all but insatiable, given that farming supports the livelihood of 70% of Ethiopians. Source: The Africa Report The stakes for Abiy are high: For Addis Ababa, the $4bn fertiliser project in Ethiopia’s Somali region is no longer simply a manufacturing investment. It is increasingly being framed as a strategic state project tied to food sovereignty, import substitution and the government’s broader attempt to build economic resilience under mounting fiscal pressure. “Becoming self-sufficient in food is our main agenda,” Abiy says during the visit. “Land is needed; we have it. Water is needed; we have it. Human resources are needed; we have it.” The scale is enormous even by African industrial standards. Once operational, the plant is expected to produce three million metric tonnes of urea annually, potentially making it one of the continent’s largest fertiliser complexes. Ethiopian officials say the project now includes a 110km gas pipeline, a 120MW power plant, a polypropylene packaging facility and a two-million-tonne NPK blending plant. For a government grappling with chronic foreign exchange shortages, ballooning import bills and pressure on agricultural productivity, the numbers matter politically as much as they do economically. The decision to anchor the project in Gode is deliberate. Long viewed as peripheral to Ethiopia’s industrial economy, the Somali region is now being repositioned by the federal government as a future irrigation and agro-industrial corridor. Officials argue that the area’s vast land reserves and access to water could eventually support large-scale commercial farming capable of reshaping Ethiopia’s food economy. The government is simultaneously building housing infrastructure for about 5,000 residents near the plant, while officials project broader industrial expansion along the corridor. Abiy goes further, comparing the long-term revenue potential of the Gode development zone with Ethiopia’s flagship state enterprise. “The investments we are making in this Gode area, combined, will generate high revenue for Ethiopia, at par with Ethiopian Airlines,” he says. Source: The Africa Report Feliks Topolski 1907-1982 Topolski’s Chronicle, ‘Nazi Revival’, Vol. 8, Is. 1-2, 1960 HEY READERS, THANK YOU for opening the Chartbook email. I hope it brightens your day. I enjoy putting out the newsletter, but tbh, what keeps this flow going is the generosity of those readers who clicked the subscription button. Photo by Jakub Dziubak on Unsplash If you are persuaded to click, please consider the annual subscription of $50. It is both better value for you and a much better deal for me, as it involves only one credit card charge. Why feed the payments companies if we don’t have to. Subscribe Grim vision of drone warfare by Sylvie Kaufmann For contributing subscribers only. Subscribe The state of the art in Colbert-studies. Jean-Baptiste Colbert was Louis XIV chief minister from 1661 to 1683 and traditionally seen as an architect of absolutism and mercantilism. Alexander Hamilton later cited him as an inspiration in 1782. Now his legacy is disputed. Daniel Dessert, the chief critic, sees Colbert as the orchestrator not so much of an absolutist state as of an elite cabal. Would be great to have a good English-language review of this important debate. Source: lhistoire Didn’t know that the Magna Carta included free trade provisions Fighting for the right to the beach in Oregon in 1967: Source: Research Gate RAF Station – British and Polish Flags, c. 1940-45, The Ingram Collection Feliks Topolski, 1907-1989 ink and wash If you’ve scrolled this far, you know you want to click: Subscribe