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500,000-year-old elephant bone hammer shows ancient humans were master toolmakers
Early humans in England crafted a rare piece of elephant bone into a reusable hammer for sharpening stone tools nearly 500,000 years ago. The extraordinary find reveals that ancient toolmakers were resourceful, skilled, and capable of surprisingly advanced planning.
Did League Cup come too early for Saints?
Does the League Cup group stage come too early in the season for teams like St Johnstone? Simo Valakari's side were one of two Premiership sides, Falkirk were the other, that failed to progress to the last 16 of the League Cup. St Johnstone finished third in Group F with seven points after their 1-1 draw with East Fife, which Dick Campbell's side snagged a bonus point in after winning the shootout.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history, creates world record at just 15
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest Player of the Series winner. He achieved this milestone after India's T20I series victory over Zimbabwe. Sooryavanshi was the leading run-scorer with 151 runs across three innings. He scored a match-winning 81 runs in the final T20I match. This award followed a challenging series for the young cricketer in England.
Which Falcons Linebacker Room Addition Will Step Up in 2026?
The Atlanta Falcons had an eventful offseason, marked by staff changes, new additions, and the departure of several impact players from the last few seasons. As training camp continues, Atlanta has a multitude of questions to answer surrounding many positions, including quarterback, linebacker, and offensive tackle. Although the biggest question on Falcons fans' minds is who will start at QB, the linebacker position is anything but set in stone.
Downtown business group expands reach
The Downtown Inverness Business Partners has reached a milestone that organizers say will strengthen its voice with city government, create new fundraising opportunities and help support local businesses as the
Dodgers' Don't Expect Ohtani to Pitch Until August
Prioritizing postseason health over regular-season milestones, the Los Angeles Dodgers remain patient with Shohei Ohtani.
'No panic' despite shock cup exit, says Valakari
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari insists there is "no panic" from him despite his team suffering a shock exit from the Scottish League Cup. A draw with third-tier East Fife ensured Saints could not progress from the group stage.
'No panic' at St Johnstone after cup exit
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari says there is "no panic" after his team were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup after losing on penalty kicks to League One side East Fife. It was East Fife substitute Jaiden Fairley who scored the winning penalty in the bonus shootout, but they miss out on a runners-up place via goal difference.
This Week in Science: A Grim Measles Milestone, a Lifespan Limit, And More
Our weekly science news roundup.
Kuwait Oil Company Signs US$ 16.0 Billion Infrastructure Partnership Involving Its Crude Oil Pipeline Network With a Consortium Comprising Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation ("KPC"), the state-owned corporation overseeing Kuwait's oil and gas sector, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, K...
Bret Michaels hospitalized after 7-day medical ordeal left him playing through 'intense' pain
Bret Michaels shared a hospital bed photo after a kidney stone procedure, revealing he played three concerts before the pain became too much.
WATCH: Trump touts new nuclear reactors in his push to speed up domestic power
President Donald Trump hosted executives from nuclear power companies Friday in the Oval Office to celebrate a new milestone in the White House’s push to accelerate the growth of nuclear power in the United States.
Tom Holland Is The First Star To Hit This Unfortunate 'Hot Ones' Milestone
“You can use that!” Holland said to the crew after the mishap.
Tepper Sports & Entertainment And Bank Of America Extend Naming Rights In Charlotte
Tepper Sports & Entertainment – owner of the NFL Carolina Panthers, MLS Charlotte FC and Bank of American Stadium – announced two significant milestones
Protecting pets and people: Positive rabies case reported in Stone Mountain, DeKalb health officials say
DeKalb County Department of Health is issuing an urgent warning for pets and people.
6 Bold Moves Every Business Should Consider This Year
Cornerstone Advisors' 6 bold moves show why piecemeal fixes fail, and how banks and businesses build roadmaps that outpace hesitant, cautious rivals
Florida-Based Science and Technology Company Crescel Announces Landmark Peer-Reviewed Medical Publication
Crescel LLC, a Florida-based innovative science and technology company, today announced publication of its landmark PubMed-indexed, peer-reviewed clinical study showing that its biobotanical technology produced statistically significant improvements over the leading prescription standard of care for rosacea in a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, the study represents a major scientific milestone for the company's pioneering prop
Weekly Entertainment Report: Live music and lively arts, July 23-26
Fun Fact: "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is a great song from the Sound of Music soundtrack, a word that most of us can say, but not spell.
'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone' coming back to theaters with 12 minutes of bonus footage
Stone Mountain considers creating entertainment district
Stone Mountain officials advanced a broader downtown revitalization effort Tuesday, selecting a municipal financial adviser while reviewing plans for a district that would allow visitors to carry alcoholic drinks between participating businesses.
‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ returning to theaters with 12 minutes of bonus footage (exclusive)
For its 25th anniversary, ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ will return to theaters in late August with 12 minutes of never-before-seen bonus footage.
Apple's $634M payment to Masimo now set in stone after Judge tosses appeal
The Masimo trial ultimately failed to get a permanent ban on Apple Watch sales or use of the blood oxygen sensor, but the final verdict will have Apple pay $634M to Masimo's new owner Danaher after the appeal was rejected.
Pixar reportedly loses 150 jobs in new round of Disney layoffs
Pixar absorbed a large share of Disney’s latest studio layoffs, according to industry reports, even as “Toy Story 5” approaches another major box-office milestone.
Harry Styles Cancels Show in Brazil Over 'Health Issue'
The star was scheduled to perform four nights in the city, and Live Nation Brazil said Friday's show in São Paulo will proceed as normal.
36.0.3 Patch Notes
Check out the latest balance updates for Hearthstone, Arena, and Battlegrounds.
Zohran Mamdani on Six Months in Office and the Democrats' Future
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani on six months in office, the future of the Democratic Party, Israel-Palestine, Taylor Swift's wedding and more.
Experts from over 70 countries to contribute to eight edition of the
UNESCO has selected over 150 experts to contribute to the eighth edition of the UNESCO Science Report, marking an important milestone in the preparation of the Organization's flagship assessment of
Jen Landon recalls cow kicking ‘Yellowstone’ costar in the face
‘Yellowstone’ stars Jen Landon and Ian Bohen recall him being kicked in the face by a cow while filming the TV drama.
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Taylor’s Maid-Rite
Read the release on Sen. Ernst's website HERE. Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Taylor's Maid-Rite of Marshall County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties. "Taylor's Maid-Rite has truly maid their mark as a cornerstone of Marshalltown's business community," said Chair Ernst. "For nearly a century, this shop has served generations of Iowans with a signature burger made fresh every day. This 'Maid in Iowa' success story has proven that consistency, quality, and genuine customer care are the recipe for lasting success." Founded in the heart of Marshalltown, Taylor's Maid-Rite has remained a family-owned business for nearly a century and is now entering its fourth generation of Taylor family ownership. Best known for its signature Maid-Rite sandwich, the restaurant also serves classic American diner favorites, including malts, pies, fries, and sodas. Throughout its history, Taylor's Maid-Rite has remained committed to fresh ingredients, personalized service, and strong community involvement. Stay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award. ###
Kansas Health Science University Granted Accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, Meeting Rigorous Quality Assurance Standards
Wichita, Kan., July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) has been granted accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a significant milestone in the school’s mission to produce forward-thinking, empathetic healthcare leaders. WSCUC is an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The agency’s outcomes-focused accreditation supports institutions in building and sustaining innovative educational programs
The Race For Lieutenant Governor: A Coveted Political Stepping Stone
While the job itself doesn’t amount to much, it helped elevate four politicians who later became governors, and two others who eventually became U.S. senators.
Fortissimo nears $400 million Blackstone deal for RGIS international business
Exclusive: Israeli private equity firm is in talks to acquire control of the inventory services company's operations in Israel and several overseas markets, marking a second major transaction with Blackstone.
BUSINESS BRIEFS July 20, 2026: Business news in the Berkshires and beyond
Business news from The Clark, Great Barrington Public Theater, MountainOne Bank, Timberlyn Heights, and more
Arsenal planning short-term move for free agent John Stones following William Saliba's World Cup injury
Plus: Tottenhams Djed Spence is keen on a move to Inter Milan; Chelseas stance on Joao Pedro has been revealed amid interest from Barcelona; Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa plans a raid on former club Real Madrid
Shania Twain shows off bombshell looks in lacy bodysuit for milestone performance
Shania Twain looked like a true bombshell in a lacy bodysuit while performing at an Ontario bar ahead of the release of her Little Miss Twain album
Congress Must Stop Enabling Trump's Crypto Corruption
With the CLARITY Act, Washington is cashing in on the crypto industry. Americans will pay the price.
'It Isn't Something Carved in Stone': Xbox Still Unclear on Future PS5 Ports
Single player games could still come to Sony's console
Nets' Brown Ranked No. 6 Rookie in Summer League
Mikel Brown Jr. is electrifying Brooklyn fans with elite two-way play, showcasing the shifty shot-creation and defensive length that cement his status as a cornerstone of the Nets' future.
Florida politics Re-Cap: Voter data, campaign cash and two lawmakers in court
The week brought major courtroom developments for two state lawmakers, a new fundraising milestone in Florida’s U.S. Senate race & another looming legal fight over the Republican primary for governor.
The great Netflix turn-off
Music fans will be familiar with the curse of the difficult second album, when an act they like follows up a wonderful debut record with a disappointing one (think Second Coming by the Stones Roses or...
Bill Barnwell Makes Bold Claims on Minnesota Vikings Roster
From Justin Jefferson's staggering trade value to surprise inclusions like Donovan Jackson, discover why three cornerstone stars could command an unprecedented haul of future first-round draft picks.
AI Made Up a Science Term — Now It’s in Dozens of Papers
A scanning mistake and a translation error created scientific nonsense that AI models learned to repeat.
Bucs' Wirfs Ranked One of NFL's Top-10 Franchise Players
As an elite left tackle with Hall of Fame potential, Tristan Wirfs anchors Tampa Bay’s future while outshining nearly every non-quarterback on this exclusive ranking of cornerstone players.
UMD Smith Relaunches Blockchain Business Accelerator and Imperative Course
/PRNewswire/ -- The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business is relaunching two cornerstone initiatives designed to strengthen regional...
Saint Louis Science Center's James S. McDonnell Planetarium Grand Reopening to Unveil Milestone Upgrades
/PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, July 18 (9:30 a.m.), the Saint Louis Science Center will debut milestone technology upgrades to the James S. McDonnell...
Stereotaxis completes major cardiology tech acquisition
The deal, first announced in April, includes an upfront payment of $20 million and up to an additional $25 million based on certain milestones.
Oops! Ancient Bronze Age shaman long assumed to be a man was actually a woman, DNA reveals
A DNA analysis of a 4,000-year-old skeleton buried with an elaborate metalworking tool kit near Stonehenge has revealed that the individual, long assumed to be a male shaman, was actually a woman.
LSU students build AI solutions to help Baton Rouge businesses work smarter
LSU students showcased practical artificial intelligence solutions for four Baton Rouge organizations during the Spring 2026 LSU AI Showcase, the culminating event for a selective capstone course that partners technically advanced students with industry sponsors to solve real-world business challenges. Throughout the semester, student teams worked closely with representatives from MMR Group, Baton Rouge Community […]
First atmosphere detected on a habitable-zone rocky world
In a major milestone in the search for life on other planets, astronomers have detected, for the first time, an atmosphere surrounding an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting within the habitable zone of another star.
Cornerstone University Launches New Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Cornerstone University launches a new online M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, preparing students for LMFT licensure in Michigan and beyond.
Browns young cornerstone already in elite company after rookie season
He may only be entering his second season in the NFL, but Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger already finds himself in elite conversations
Public Health students present capstone research
The next generation of public health leaders took the spotlight July 13 as Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)… More on this post
College softball player dies at 19
Softball player Gabriella Muñoz, who played at Livingstone College, has died.
Trump Is Leading a 'Forever War' in Iran. You're Paying for It
Donald Trump has plunged the United States into exactly the kind of "forever war" he campaigned against, as he continues attacking Iran.
Doctor of Health Sciences students celebrate culmination of academic journey
Campbell University’s Doctor of Health Sciences program celebrated a major academic milestone as 27 students gathered to present their capstone… More on this post
Can Caleb Williams break Brian Griese’s Chicago Bears record?
Caleb Williams set some Bears milestones as a rookie, and he got the passing yards mark last year, but can he break Brian Griese’s record?
Corewell Health performs world's first documented single-port robotic mitral valve repair
Corewell Health™ has successfully performed the world’s first documented single-port robotic mitral valve repair, marking a major milestone in the evolution...
NASA's Perseverance just completed a marathon on Mars
NASA's Perseverance rover has reached an impressive new milestone on Mars, completing the equivalent of a full marathon by driving 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers) across the Red Planet. It accomplished the feat in just five years and four months, reaching the distance on its 1,890th Martian day, less than half the time it took the previous record holder, NASA's Opportunity rover.
Mick Jagger slams idea of artists talking politics at concerts
OPINION: Mick Jagger, lead singer for The Rolling Stones, explained in an interview why he doesn’t want to “lecture” his audience at concerts, in comparison to more political arti…
Business Notes: 140 new apartments in Norfolk; longtime Food Lion employees honored
See which businesses or leaders are celebrating milestones in Hampton Roads.
China Achieves Reusable Rocket Milestone with First Successful Booster Recovery
China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC) described the achievement as a "historic breakthrough" for reusable launch technology
EDCMC celebrates with Salute to Business Awards on July 29th-DEADLINE for tickets is this Thursday 7/16-see below for details
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – The EDCMC team will be celebrating milestones, investments, impactful leaders and community-changing projects at the Salute to Business Awards July 29 at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa. The Economic Development Corporation Michigan City will be honoring businesses that are marking significant anniversaries, those that have invested in Michigan City and transformations of existing buildings that have led to a new chapter. Economic Development Leadership and Lifetime Achievement awards will spotlight individuals who are elevating economic development by sparking momentum and cultivating a strong foundation. “Our awards are a platform to celebrate our
How Mick Jagger Strikes A Balance When It Comes To Politics In Music
The Rolling Stones rocker told the New York Times that he likes to sneak "small doses" of real-world issues into his songs but takes a different approach when it comes to concerts.
Mick Jagger warns against political lectures at concerts
Fox News correspondent Madison Scarpino reports on Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger sharing his stance on politics in music after Bruce Springsteen criticized President Donald Trump on 'Fox Report.'
The Rolling Stones
This album cover image released by Capitol Records shows "Foreign Tongues" by The Rolling Stones. (Capitol Records via AP)
Managing water with local wisdom and science
Across a narrow watershed in Asakura, a rural city in Fukuoka Prefecture, centuries-old stone channels still guide water through fields and into the river below. Today, those same systems are the focus of researchers at Kyushu ...
Mick Jagger doesn't want to 'lecture' fans, says his job is to make people 'have the best time'
Legendary Rolling Stones frontman says his job is making audiences forget their problems, but his 2024 jab at Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry at New Orleans Jazz Fest sparked a public feud.
What Could Possibly Be Holding Up Cason Wallace’s Extension
Rising luxury tax pressures and Wallace’s soaring potential have created a high-stakes standoff, forcing Sam Presti to balance future financial flexibility with securing a cornerstone perimeter defender.
Mick Jagger Gets No Satisfaction from Springsteen’s Trump-Bashing Concerts: ‘You Don’t Want to Lecture’
Mick Jagger said he doesn't want The Rolling Stones concerts to sound like Bruce Springsteen's anti-Trump shows during an interview with The New York Times
Managing water with local wisdom and science
Across a narrow watershed in Asakura, a rural city in Fukuoka Prefecture, centuries-old stone channels still guide water through fields and into the river below. Today, those same systems are the focus ...
Jon Gray tells Blackstone interns the 'winning formula' for success
Business Insider sat in on Jon Gray's talk to Blackstone interns, where he shared the number one quality that sets potential leaders apart.
Physicists finally build a quantum material predicted more than a decade ago
Researchers have achieved a major milestone by creating a long-sought two-dimensional quantum material and confirming its unusual conducting edge states. The ability to control these states through strain could make the material a promising platform for future room-temperature quantum electronics.
Joe Klein: At 80, Here’s What I’ve Learned About Politics—and Life
I am 80 years old, this year of our 250th anniversary, and I find myself a cliché. My life has been a common political journey, from left to center. I recently took the Pew Research Center’s “political typology” test and found that I was a “pragmatic and polite conservative,” which seemed a rather abstruse basket: A politically mixed (though Republican-tilting) group, they lean conservative on economics and the role of government, while tilting more liberal on issues related to race and foreign policy. They prize civility and cooperation in politics. Well, that sounds pretty mushy—and I find it hard to square with the strong opinions I have on many issues. I’ve voted for Democrats in federal elections, but I grow more Republican the closer I get to local politics. Democrats, I’ve found, simply aren’t very good at running things, especially school systems, where they are in the thrall of the teachers unions. My friends joke about my obsession with the unions. They know all my lines. If industrial unions are organized against the power of capital, who are the public employees organized against? But enough of that. I’ve ranted that rant too often, and my political journey has been more complicated than that one issue. It has been empirical, based on actual experience—on a lifetime of reporting and a lot of reading. An early example: I was a journalist with the underground press in Boston at the turn of the 1970s and considered myself a member of the antiwar and civil rights movements. The first big issue I covered was busing to achieve school integration. Yes, the white bigots were disgusting. But I couldn’t find any black parents who favored the plan to bus their children to schools outside their neighborhoods either. Black activists and politicians—and white liberals—were gung ho, but not actual parents of black kids in school. Busing was a form of social engineering imposed from on high, by a judge—W. Arthur Garrity—who lived in a wealthy liberal suburb. Wealthy liberal suburbs were not affected by his plan, of course. I began to see that there were limits to what government could do, especially when it came to changing a society’s culture.
NASA Calibration Instrument Records First Measurements in Space
NASA’s Calibration Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory Pathfinder, or CLARREO Pathfinder mission, reached a significant milestone this summer by
NASA Volunteers Help Zooniverse Reach 1 Billion Classifications
The Zooniverse, a NASA grantee that runs the world’s largest platform for online people-powered research, has reached an extraordinary milestone: 1 billion
HOMETOWN ENTERTAINMENT: Erin Lunsford celebrates ‘Rhinestones’ album release with Roanoke show
Fincastle native Erin Lunsford brings her new album Rhinestones to Roanoke’s The Spot on Kirk Saturday night.
Vanderbilt Health celebrates 100 years of membership in the American Hospital Association
Presented as part of the AHA Membership Milestone Awards, this recognition celebrates organizations whose longstanding partnership has helped strengthen hospitals and improve the health of communities across the nation.
The Temper Trap Is Back: 'I've Got Unfinished Business to Do'
The Temper Trap burned out, took a break, and are back with their first album, 'Sungazer,' in a decade.
Replacing Senate Candidates Is a Risky Business
There have been more losses than wins for substitute U.S. Senate candidates. But Graham Platner’s replacement in Maine isn’t necessarily doomed.
Trump Is Building Monuments to Himself in D.C. While Ruining Democracy
President Trump's efforts to build monuments to himself in Washington D.C. can't hide the destruction he's doing to the democracy around the world.
Eye on Entertainment: July 10, 2026
Snoopy and the Rolling Stones highlight a big day in entertainment news.
Designating the State Rock: A Dazzling Educational Experience
Here's the stone-cold truth: a team effort by UConn and Mansfield educators has built a rock-solid foundation for holistic learning across the state
Measles cases surpass 100, now spreading in seven Pa. counties
Pennsylvania has surpassed 100 measles cases this year — a grim milestone reached this week as a dozen new infections were confirmed by state health...
SpaceX stock in focus as launch, Starlink business hit new milestones
SpaceX (SPCX) stock was in focus on Thursday after the company hit two major launch milestones, offering investors something positive to latch onto following a rough patch for the stock.
Graduate of Doctor of Health Sciences Graduate Program has Research Published, Selected for National Presentation
University of New Haven DHSc graduate Nevila Bardhi ’26 DHSc, MPH achieved two major milestones as her doctoral research on mercury-exposure screening was published in Public Health Reports, and it was selected for presentation at the 2026 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.
CNN Original Series “Decades in Sports” Premieres Sunday, August 2
Decades in Sports from executive producer Tom Hanks explores the milestones that transformed sports and helped shape America.
China's mega dam wins major science & tech award
China's Baihetan Hydropower Station has won the First Prize of the 2025 State Science and Technology Progress Award for its key technologies. The project tackled some of the world's toughest hydropower challenges, achieved 12 world-first milestones,
Gallery of Studio Gang and Henning Larsen Complete One Milestone Life Science Campus in Boston - 1
Image 1 of 23 from gallery of Studio Gang and Henning Larsen Complete One Milestone Life Science Campus in Boston. Photograph by Jason O'Rear
Celtics send clear message over Jayson Tatum trade rumors
Boston Celtics trade Jaylen Brown to 76ers but reject Jayson Tatum trade inquiries, keeping the injured star on his $314M supermax deal as their cornerstone.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Meet Marblehead Custom Jewelry
The following is an interview with Steven Manchini, co-owner and jeweler of Marblehead Custom Jewelry. Marblehead Custom Jewelry is a local studio located at 66 Washington St. Specializing in custom jewelry design, in-house gemstone cutting and expert repairs, the team works closely with clients to bring meaningful, personal designs to life. With everything done under one
Illinois Surpasses 1,000 Certified Peer Professionals, Marking Major Milestone in Behavioral Health Workforce Growth
State’s peer workforce growth was supported by investments in peer recovery support services and the CRSS Success Program
Terri’s Treasures: Lapidary artist turns lifelong passion into business
Sarasota jeweler handles every step of the process, from raw stone to finished piece
Timeline: 20 years of Hamas rule in Gaza, from election to political exit
A chronological look at key milestones from Hamas's 2006 election victory to its 2026 exit from governing Gaza.
News | Blackstone reviews £6 billion UK logistics business sale
Indurent launched in 2024 after merger of Industrials REIT and St Modwen
Palworld Hits an Incredible 40 Million Players 2.5 Years After Early Access Launch, and With 1.0 Right Around the Corner
Palworld has achieved an impressive player milestone 2.5 years after its early access launch and with the 1.0 release right around the corner.
Highly-acclaimed Elvis tribute comes to Paramount Theatre
On July 17, Mason Stone brings the most highly acclaimed Elvis tribute concert in the country to the Paramount Theatre — a full-scale concert production dedicated to recreating the excitement
Hungary moves to overhaul university models banned from Horizon Europe
Hungary’s new government is aiming to overhaul the governance model of the institutions and universities that lost access to Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ funds “in a short timeframe,” according to Péter Horváth, the new state secretary for science policy and innovation. “As of today, the two non-university foundation-controlled institutions under my remit have been transformed,” he told Science|Business. “We hope the universities will follow and that this will be enough to satisfy the EU’s demands.”Under the previous government, led by Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, many academic and scientific institutions were restructured and made into special public trust foundations, with members strongly linked to the government given lifelong mandates and significant decision-making powers with little oversight. The European Commission deemed that this undermined academic freedom and transparency in the country, leading to a ban on 34 institutions in 2022, including 21 universities, which saw academics in Hungary lose access to Horizon Europe grants. The new Hungarian government, elected in May and led by Péter Magyar and his Tisza Party, has promised to dismantle this governance model and restore the institutions to EU programmes. As a result, the European Commission has promised to return access to the Erasmus+ education mobility programme, but so far no concrete agreement has been made on the Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation. Hungary has already made legislative changes in June to allow the institutions to be reformed and set a timeline for the implementation.The non-university foundations, which are mainly cultural centres such as the Foundation for Hungarian Culture or the Makovecz Campus Foundation, will all be dissolved by August 31 this year, a date tied to EU-set milestones that Hungary must meet to unlock frozen funds, with control transferred to relevant ministries. Meanwhile, the universities will have until 31 August 2027. For each university foundation, the government will set the dissolution date and the body to take over operations. There is no final decision on a permanent new model for the universities, according to Hungarian MEP Eszter Lakos, who is shadow rapporteur for the Horizon Europe specific programme, a separate piece of legislation detailing implementation rules for the EU’s next research programme, due to start in 2028. “The aim of the transition year is to settle this with [the universities], not to impose a model, and not to put them under state control,” she told Science|Business. “The goal is to give academic independence back to universities.”There are three models that are most likely to be implemented. One would be a return to a traditional, state-run model. Another could be a newer, more self-standing public institution. A third option would be a reformed version of the foundation models that meet EU standards. According to Lakos, the dismantling of the system put in place by the Orbán government is well underway and if all goes according to plan, Hungary could regain access to EU research money by the start of the next academic year in 2027. “I believe that the Hungarian government is doing the necessary changes so the universities could return as beneficiaries to Horizon from the next school year,” she said. In the meantime, “the universities, institutes and cultural assets carry on under proper public stewardship rather than a handful of unaccountable trustees,” said Lakos. The laws passed in June impose new safeguards: board terms are capped at four years and renewable only once, appointments are made through open competitions and sitting politicians cannot join joining these boards.It remains unclear whether a domestic science funding programme set up as a back-up scheme by the former government following the EU funding ban, called HU-rizon, could be continued. “This programme should never have had to have been established in the first place, but it has proven to be quite popular,” he said. “I am considering continuing this programme with a refined focus on helping international collaborations.”Re-organising the research network One of the first priorities for Horváth and his cabinet is to resolve questions over the future of the Hungarian Research Network, Hun-Ren. The network of academic institutes was taken away from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 2019 and turned into a quasi-private organisation, with similarities in its governance to the public trust foundations.Horváth and his team have consulted over 5,000 representatives from the network and the conclusion is broad unhappiness with the directors of all the institutes involved. “We have presented the results to the president and the chief executive of the network and this is currently being discussed,” Horváth said. The plan is to re-integrate the network back into the Academy of Sciences but in an improved way, “learning from mistakes of the past,” he added. The government also wants to reintegrate four humanities and social science research centres into the network that the previous government had transferred to Eötvös Loránd University. The transfer brought sharp criticism from the academic community, with a group of Hungarian research heads, including European Research Council grant recipients, sending an open letter to Orbán warning that the transfer would “cause historically significant harm to the entirety of Hungarian scientific life.” The transfer was “one of the biggest shames in Hungarian research in the past 20 years,” Horváth said. “We want to immediately re-integrate them back into the research network and to regain the trust of these institutions, because the way they were treated was really unfair.”Another pressing issue is the Élvonal Excellence Research and Talent Development Foundation, led by Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz. The foundation signed a financing agreement with the former government earlier this year for a budget of over €730 million over the next five years. The goal is to create a world-class centre to attract top talent from abroad and to develop local researchers. But there was little transparency about this foundation, and news of its huge budget, which is nearly as much as Hungary’s entire research budget, caused a stir in the media following the recent elections. Another issue is that, as with the foundation boards of the institutes banned from Horizon Europe, there was little-to-no oversight of decisions led by Krausz. “It was an excellent idea but an unacceptable execution,” Horváth said of the foundation. “The fact that this is out of the Hungarian funding scheme, mostly concentrating on one person who decides on the budget is unacceptable for us.”The government plans to merge the centre with the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, the country’s R&D funding agency, with a reduced budget. Horváth is hopeful that Krausz will still be involved. The new government’s R&D goalsA phrase that crops up regularly during the discussion with Horváth is “democratic process.” The new state secretary is determined to involve Hungary’s research community in shaping future policies. This marks a departure from the previous government’s approach, and several people in Hungary’s research community have commented on the openness of the new government. In terms of concrete goals, Horváth and his team already have plans. He wants to create a new science fund in Hungary, based on the best practices of other European countries. The fund would not be tied to annual government budgets and would provide long-term, stable financing. “If we were to succeed in creating this fund, then I think it would be one of the biggest achievements for me in this period of government,” Horváth said. On the innovation side, he is looking into how best to bring in the private sector. “We want to make sure that we are working with the private sector to support innovation,” Horváth said. One of his big aims is to introduce entrepreneurship teaching into high schools. Hungary already has a reputable national academy offering research and innovation training in the field of natural sciences, and Horváth wants to expand this to all disciplines and across the whole country. “One of the main ways to elevate our innovative businesses is to teach our children to be innovative,” he said. “This will probably need ten years to pay off, but this is what we should do. Our aim is to make Hungary strong in our region, and this is what is needed.” Related articlesHungary’s Horizon Europe performance in numbersCommission unlocks Erasmus+ cash for Hungary, Horizon could be next‘Academic Huxit.’ Hungarian researchers speak out on impact of EU ban A more difficult task will be funding. The new government is aiming to increase research spending to 2% of the GDP by 2030, and then increase it to 3% in line with EU objectives. Currently, spending sits around 1.3%. But according to Horváth, the current budget, inherited from the previous government, is “heavily in the negative,” so any plans to increase research spending will have to start next year. Achieving 2% by 2030 already needs a big push, almost doubling the research budget. “This is something we’d definitely like to reach, and something I can see us achieving,” he said. “From the 2030s, I’d like to see an innovative generation growing up that can help us reach the 3% target.” Positivity in the new governmentDespite the many challenges facing Horváth and his team, the mood is positive. “It feels a bit like a start-up right now. Everyone is working 24/7, day and night, trying to do as much as they can. There is a lot of energy,” he said. It is a big change for the state secretary who, like many in his cabinet, is coming from a background in research or business, and not in politics. “Six weeks ago, I was sitting with my microscope and my research PhDs, so it’s been a big change for me,” said the computer scientist, who was previously the director of the Institute of Biochemistry at the Hun-Ren Biological Research Centre in Hungary and worked at the Institute for AI for Health at Helmholtz Munich. But he is relishing the task to transform the country’s R&D landscape. “We feel enormous support from the Hungarian people, but also from Europe,” he said. “We’ve received a lot of letters of support from around Europe. There is big trust there, and huge responsibility on our side. We want to get everything back on track, and there’s a lot to do.”
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