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Grieving Hansi Flick Leads Barcelona to La Liga Title With Win Over Real Madrid
Led by Hansi Flick, who was grieving the death of his father, Barcelona retains Spanish league title after beating Real Madrid 2-0.
NVIDIA’s V100, An 8-Year Old GPU, Now Sells for $100 and Crushes Modern Consumer Cards in AI LLM Workloads
The 8-year-old NVIDIA V100 outperformed the RTX 3060 and RX 7800 XT in AI LLMs, achieving 130 Tokens/s at only $200 total cost with mods.
‘Not just happy to be there’: State title football standouts lift St. Charles into baseball state finals
Second baseman Landree LeBlanc moved to the mound with the bases loaded as St. Charles held a three-run lead with a spot in the state championship on the line. Having
Mary Berry thanks her son 'in heaven' as original Bake Off stars Mel and Sue reunite for emotional BAFTA tribute
Mary called the pair 'dear friends' before giving a moving speech reflecting on her career and her family
Why hantavirus isn’t the next pandemic, according to health officials
The sights of PPE-clad passengers leaving the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship Sunday may prompt flashbacks to the COVID pandemic. Health officials say that isn’t exactly the case.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Combatting stigma with NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore
NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore serves people living with mental health conditions, providing them with peer-based support networks and care.
After Virginia Redistricting Map Is Tossed, Democrats Search Desperately for a Response
A conversation involving House members from Virginia and the top House Democrat reflected the fury and desperation that has gripped the party after Friday’s ruling in the state.
SALA Event Center Celebrates Business Recognition, Honors Key Team Member, And Announces Beer & Wine Service
Magaly Veleta, receiving special recognition from Allan Saenz on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Courtesy SALA Magaly Veleta, receiving special recognition from Allan Saenz on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Court…
College grad: I landed my first full-time job and mostly feel guilty
After college, I was unemployed for years. I landed my first full-time job, but I feel like I'm leaving my fellow Gen Zers who are struggling behind.
Great grandma, 90, sleeps on couch in multigenerational home; worth it
My multigenerational house has four generations all living under one roof. I sleep on the couch so everyone can live together and save money.
Chicago Bears Sign Super Bowl Champion WR Scotty Miller
The Barrington native returns home after impressing at rookie minicamp, bringing championship experience and a vertical threat to a revamped receiving corps under general manager Ryan Poles.
How to increase your savings: Focus on the big three expenses
"If you learn how to master those big expenses, it will free up a ton of money so you don't have to stress about the small stuff," said one early retiree.
Your mum said it first! 5 health tips now backed by science
Mums know things. Not the kind of things you find in textbooks or peer-reviewed journals, but the real-world wisdom that somehow always turns out to be right! She told you to eat your greens and get some fresh air, but you’d roll your eyes. Now? Researchers are catching up, validating every single thing she told you as a kid, proving that sometimes the best health advice doesn't come from a lab coat; it comes from someone who just knew. Your mum! So, this Mother’s Day, let’s give our mums the credit they deserve!
Alaska Republicans reelect Carmela Warfield as party chair
Warfield defeated a challenger who criticized Republicans serving in bipartisan coalitions in the Alaska Legislature.
Scientists discover the brain’s hidden “stop scratching” switch
Scientists have uncovered a hidden “stop-scratching” signal in the nervous system that tells your brain when enough scratching is enough. The discovery centers on a molecule called TRPV4, which acts like part of an internal braking system for itch relief. In experiments involving chronic itch similar to eczema, mice missing this signal scratched less often—but when they did scratch, they couldn’t stop.
Annual Boston walk supports maternal health equity, improving infant health
Supporters gathered at the Hatch Shell despite rainy weather for the annual March for Babies Boston, raising funds for maternal and infant health research.
Engineering, business, education grads look to bright futures - News
Final of six Campbell University commencement ceremonies ends with message of ‘achieving the unimaginable’ Susan Lawrence had achieved so much… More on this post
Cavaliers earn must-win Game 3 at home, defeating Pistons 116-109 with Donovan Mitchell scoring 35 points
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined for 54 points, giving Cleveland the star performances it needed.
Myrtle Beach police: Driver arrested after chase, crashes into cars and business
A reckless driving stop in Myrtle Beach ended with a crash involving multiple vehicles, damage to a local business and three people taken to the hospital.
Turning passion into business: Tennessee community rallies behind a 15-year-old baker
Teenager Grace Nirmaier turned a hobby into Baked by Grace, a thriving bakery in Maynardville, Tennessee, inspiring locals with her ambition and sweet treats.
Here he finally is! The perfect right-back for Liverpool
The perfect right-back for Liverpool is finally here. Replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold has probably been Richard Hughes’ biggest challenge since arriving at Anfield.At first, it looked like Conor Br...
The unfinished business of Sonia Hayes and Mildred Frisby
Maryland Sen. Antonio Hayes reflects on the enduring influence of his mother, Sonia Hayes, and grandmother, Mildred Frisby, in a heartfelt Mother’s Day commentary about resilience, sacrifice and public service. Drawing from his upbringing in West Baltimore’s Penn North community, Hayes connects his legislative work to the struggles and hopes of the women who shaped his life and inspired his commitment to improving Baltimore neighborhoods.
Steam Users Have Until May 12 to Get 2025 Open World Game Completely Free of Charge
Steam users can grab a 2025 open-world game completely free of charge, but only until May 12.
Here’s why I’m optimistic about iOS 27 and Apple’s renewed focus on stability
This year, Apple is rumored to be doing a code cleanup for iOS 27, as well as overall having a...
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences confers 206 degrees - News
The Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during its Spring… More on this post
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences confers 206 degrees - News
The Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during its Spring… More on this post
Americans say there’s too much money in politics — and it’s driving election outcomes
As campaign spending hits record highs, voters across parties question how deeply money shapes elections.
ESPN analyst misses mark in recent Jets roster dissection
The Jets may not have an elite receiving corps on paper, but calling wide receiver their biggest weakness feels inaccurate.
Dying with a health savings account can leave a tax bomb for heirs
Non-spouse beneficiaries like children and grandchildren can be on the hook for a big tax bill if they inherit a health savings account.
"62% won’t pay $70 anymore": Gen Z's shift toward Xbox Game Pass has me rethinking how we buy video games and subscriptions
A new gaming study suggests audiences are moving away from ownership, and Xbox Game Pass may finally benefit from that shift.
I cashed out my retirement to pay for my son's school
I used my retirement savings to pay for my son's specialized school. It wasn't easy, but it changed his life.
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United: Key stats and talking points
Having had their dreams of European glory ruthlessly dashed by Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest must now pick themselves up and secure the points they need to secure their Premier League status for next season. Six points clear of West Ham with three games to go, four points would definitely see them stay up, but a win should also prove to be enough given their vastly superior goal difference over the Hammers. The improvement by Vitor Pereira's side in front of goal in recent weeks has been astonishing.
It’s like living a John Hughes movie — and shows the limits of nostalgia
“Mixtape,” an interactive love letter to adolescence, is easy to recommend to almost anyone. It’s also a reminder of the industry’s current limits.
For a Moment, It Looked as if Trump’s Efforts to Rig the Midterms Had Failed. Then Three Things Happened.
Just two weeks ago, the redistricting wars appeared to be resolving in Democrats’ favor.
Why memory stocks are the tech sector's hottest trade
Memory stocks are soaring as AI drives demand. Sandisk, Micron, and Sansung are some of the stocks driving the rally.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s rivals unite to take him down
An unlikely alliance has formed in the hopes of crowding out Israel's longest-serving prime minister
Is Autodesk (ADSK) Using Small-Business Flex Pricing To Quietly Redefine Its Competitive Moat?
Earlier this month, Autodesk Inc. launched “Autodesk for Small Business,” introducing a Small Business Hub, product refinements across AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion, and Flow Studio, plus more flexible Autodesk Flex token and pricing options in the US and UK. The initiative materially lowers onboarding complexity and upfront commitment for small firms, potentially broadening Autodesk’s customer base while giving these users a clearer feedback channel into future product development. Next, we’ll...
U.S. Conducts Third Boat Strike in 5 Days, Killing 2 and Leaving a Survivor
Of the 57 attacks in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific against boats accused of drug trafficking, there have rarely been survivors.
Nintendo president apologizes for Switch 2 price increase, promises "robust software lineup" to make up for it
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has commented on the company’s plans moving forward in light of today’s price increase announcement for Switch 2. The company intends to raise the console’s price worldwide. For example, in the U.S., it’ll be going up by $50. Price changes will be going into effect mostly in September, though it’ll be happening as early as this...
Nintendo Announces $50 Switch 2 Price Increase as Pokémon Pokopia Crosses 4 Million Sales
Pokémon Pokopia is widely known to have been a successful launch for Nintendo, with the life sim having recently climbed its way to the top of Metacritic's 2026 game rankings with an impressive 89 Metacritic score. Now, recent financial filings indicate that Pokopia has been more than simply a criti...
Scientists found the “holy grail” gene that could one day help humans regrow limbs
Scientists studying axolotls, zebrafish, and mice have uncovered a shared set of genes that may one day help humans regrow lost limbs. By identifying powerful “SP genes” involved in regeneration, researchers discovered that disabling these genes stopped proper bone regrowth in salamanders and mice. They then used a gene therapy inspired by zebrafish biology to partially restore regeneration in mice, marking a major step toward future treatments that could replace damaged limbs with living tissue instead of prosthetics.
Are legal challenges to Memphis redistricting likely to win?
In the wake of Tennessee Republicans carving new U.S. House districts, Democrats ran to the courts for help. Are they likely to prevail?
Arisa Health to exit Arkansas CMHC contract, citing $4.4M funding cut
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After more than 55 years serving Arkansas as the designated Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in 41 counties, officials with Arisa Health announced Friday that the company h…
A common sports injury turned dangerous — how University of Missouri Health Care saved an athlete’s leg
A routine sports injury for a Missouri college athlete escalated into a medical crisis, leading to a complex, leg-saving effort at MU Health Care.
A common sports injury turned dangerous — how University of Missouri Health Care saved an athlete’s leg
A routine sports injury for a Missouri college athlete escalated into a medical crisis, leading to a complex, leg-saving effort at MU Health Care.
Discord is back after a major outage.
For more than an hour on Friday, many people were having trouble connecting to Discord, with the platform showing a message saying that there were “increased API errors.” Discord confirmed it was investigating issues at 3:08PM ET, and by 6:38PM ET, it reported that all “critical functionalities have recovered for all users.” Updates: Discord says the issues are resolved. [Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/slack-upload-1778269131728.png?quality=90&strip=all]
MLB trade rumors: Mets already considering moving their ace, and at least one NL contender is interested
The Mets, at 14-23, need to turn their season around over the next three weeks, or they may pivot to trading away key pieces
Op/Ed: Small Businesses Deserve Better Health Coverage Choices in N.C.
For years, one of the most consistent concerns heard from North Carolina small businesses is the rising cost of health coverage. Small businesses want to do right by their employees and offer competitive benefits. But unlike large employers, they often lack the size and purchasing power needed to negotiate better rates and manage risk, leaving them more exposed to premium increases.
Daily 5 report for May 8: Why this dealer sold his collision repair business
John Masano sold his collision repair business to Driving Force Collision in 2024 to focus on dealership sales and service operations instead.
How to Manage Your Health Anxiety About Hantavirus
A deadly hantavirus cluster on a cruise ship is reviving pandemic-era fears.
Our Universe Has an Evil Twin. Scientists Say It’s the Reason Matter Exists.
A mirror universe may have formed alongside ours, preserving laws of physics that appear violated.
Central MN SBDC receives $5,000 grant from Midwest Business Finance Corporation
The Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC), hosted by the Herberger Business School at St. Cloud State University, has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Midwest Business Finance Corporation (MBFC). In 2025 alone, the Central MN SBDC served 392 clients, including 228 who were brand new to the SBDC — all receiving free, high-quality business consulting and technical assistance. From [...]
Redwood Credit Union Celebrates Local Entrepreneurs During Small Business Month
NAPA, Calif., May 08, 2026--During Small Business Month, Redwood Credit Union celebrates the local businesses driving economic growth in Northern California and the Bay Area .
A deadly crisis of violent manhood spills into our politics, again
Two recent incidents of gender-based violence involving elected officials highlight the need for a shift in the way masculinity is defined, from one of control and domination to one of care and con…
2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Award
First year Materials and Nanoscience graduate student Stéphane Miaule (Tolbert group) has been awarded the 2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, one of the country’s most prestigious honors for graduate students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The program, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, supports doctoral students across a broad range of scientific and technological fields of strategic importance. This highly competitive fellowship provides full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for three years. In 2026, only 102 fellowships were awarded nationwide, and Stéphane is the sole recipient from UCLA. Before transferring from Santa Monica College to UCLA, Stéphane interned at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center, where he researched the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of lunar regolith, as well as radiation shielding materials for lunar habitation development. At UCLA, he joined the Soft Materials Research Laboratory under Professor Qibing Pei, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of hafnium oxide nanocomposite scintillators. After earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry, he remained in the Soft Materials Research Laboratory as a post-baccalaureate researcher for one year before joining Professor Sarah Tolbert’s group as a Ph.D. student. Stéphane’s Ph.D. research is focused on improving the properties of conjugated polymers, which are a family of plastic materials that can conduct electricity. Stéphane is specifically looking at self-assembling polymers that can be processed in water to create light-weight, flexible, high-conductivity polymer devices without the need for toxic or volatile organic solvents. After completing his Ph.D., Stéphane hopes to work in a national laboratory, researching semiconducting polymers for applications in new electronic devices. “The Graduate (1967) featured a memorable scene in which the protagonist was told that ‘there’s a great future in plastics.’ We know this still holds true today, as polymer research has expanded rapidly due to the wide variety of applications these materials enable. Through my work on semiconducting polymers, I hope to contribute to the continued development of plastic electronics,” Stéphane said. Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
Friday Bantering: Jays Notes
Happy Friday. The Jays are back home for a series against the Angels. It almost can’t be worse than the last series. I think the team has let Tropicana Field get into their heads. Maybe all the batters should move back in the batter’s box: Petriello talks about it here. There is talk about having […]
American living Spain shares biggest differences in social life, meals
As an American, the biggest life differences I've noticed after moving to and living in Spain for years focus on vacation, socializing, and meals.
2026 NFL schedule release: Predicting matchups for Thanksgiving and Christmas games, plus season opener
Who will be playing on Thanksgiving this year? We've got predictions for that and five other games.
Austin Public Health confirms first Travis County measles case of 2026
Austin Public Health confirmed a measles case in Travis County, the first since 2025, involving an unvaccinated adult male who contracted the virus while travel
From Taylor Swift to the Oscars, 400-year-old 'Hamlet' flourishes in the age of TikTok
William Shakespeare's “Hamlet” is having a resurgence with various adaptations and performances worldwide | KNSS Radio
She Tried to Help Schools Build Healthier Playgrounds. Then Her E.P.A. Grant Was Canceled.
Kirsten Beyer was assessing the benefits of improving school playgrounds in Milwaukee. Then her E.P.A. grant was canceled.
Boox’s new page-turning e-reader remote is a tiny two-button keyboard
The Tappy can be used to flip pages, skip tracks, or doomscroll without having to touch your device.
Lost my job while living abroad: Unique challenges, struggles
I lost my job while living in Germany as a Canadian. Navigating unemployment abroad was difficult, but I've created a rhythm and routine for myself.
Cheryl Lynch Exits Sony Pictures Television As Business Affairs Moves
Cheryl Lynch is leaving Sony Pictures Television athe s Business Affairs team of 'The Crown' producer moves from LA to London.
Legendary Zelda Director Takashi Tezuka Is Leaving Nintendo
The co-creator of Yoshi will no longer be an executive director at the Japanese firm
Money for maternal health
The Dallas Foundation will invest $2 million toward improving pediatric and maternal health in underserved parts of Dallas County, the foundation announced this week.
Scientists make AI play Battleship to help it do science better
AI models and people played “collaborative” Battleship to test strategies for efficiently solving problems
Shift4 Payments CEO on how business is involving amid rising global risks
Shift4 Payments CEO Taylor Lauber discusses the state of the fintech and payments space, and whether customers are pulling back on spending overall amid inflation and other economic pressures.
How X Is Driving the Politics of Mutually Assured Dysfunction
Americans seem none too impressed with their polarized politics. Big majorities disapprove of the way Congress is working — or to be more precise, not working. Yet the system shows remarkably little capacity to heal itself. Why is this?
CIOs are now orchestrators of AI business value
AI has prompted tech leaders to become strategic architects driving value from the technology across the enterprise, according to Marriott’s and Jabil’s CIOs.
Protecting the integrity of Colorado’s legal profession
By Jason Wesoky and Loren Furman Private-equity profits should not influence legal decisions between Coloradans and their attorneys. This principle is the driving force behind House Bill 1421, a piece of bipartisan legislation designed to protect Coloradans and maintain trust in our justice system. Colorado has long prohibited non-lawyer ownership of law firms and fee-sharing […]
Anthropic introduces "dreaming," a system that lets AI agents learn from their own mistakes
Anthropic has launched “dreaming” for AI agents, giving Claude new self-improving tools designed to boost enterprise automation, reliability, and scale.
Scientists discover a new way to prevent gum disease without killing good bacteria
Scientists have uncovered a surprising way to influence the bacteria living in our mouths — not by killing them, but by interrupting how they “talk” to each other. Researchers found that dental plaque bacteria use chemical signals to coordinate growth, and by blocking those signals, they were able to encourage healthier bacteria while reducing disease-linked microbes tied to gum disease. Even more intriguing, the bacterial conversations changed depending on oxygen levels above and below the gums, revealing an entirely new layer of complexity inside the mouth.
Always Inspired: CaroMont Health Senior Leaders on the Nurses Who Drive Us Forward
In honor of Nurses Week, three senior leaders at CaroMont Health — who are also experienced nurses themselves — reflect on what makes our nursing workforce exceptional. From the compassion felt by patients in our community to the resilience required in an evolving healthcare landscape, these nurse executives offer a unique perspective on the past, present, and future of nursing at CaroMont Health.
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS contains strange water never seen in our solar system
A mysterious comet from beyond our solar system is giving astronomers a rare glimpse into alien worlds — and it may have formed in a place far colder and stranger than anything around our Sun. The interstellar visitor, called 3I/ATLAS, contains an astonishingly high amount of “heavy water,” far exceeding anything seen in our own solar system.
Scientists make stunning discovery that could change our understanding of the Universe
Scientists may have uncovered a surprising secret behind why life exists at all. A new study suggests that the Universe’s fundamental constants — the deep physical rules that govern everything from atoms to stars — appear to sit within an incredibly narrow “sweet spot” that allows liquids to flow properly inside living cells. Even tiny shifts in these constants could make blood too thick, water too sticky, or cellular motion impossible, potentially wiping out life as we know it.
Datadog converted an AI first business, without leaving behind its old business, says Jim Cramer
'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer digs into software stock Datadog.
Oakland’s businesses are struggling. Voters will decide on giving them a tax break.
The ballot question will appear before voters just months after City Auditor Michael Houston found that Oakland’s own tax collectors failed to fetch millions of dollars.
Tennessee lawmakers pass U.S. House map carving up majority-Black district in Memphis
The new voting districts approved Thursday could give Republicans a chance to win all nine of the state’s congressional seats in the November midterm elections.
News Item : U.S. Representative Buddy Carter
Rep. Buddy Carter, Serving Georgia's 1st District
David Attenborough Has Inspired Countless Scientists. To Mark His 100th Birthday, Here Are Ten Living Things They've Named After Him
Researchers around the planet grew up watching documentaries hosted by the English broadcaster and naturalist, which sparked their love of the natural world. Now, their discoveries become tributes to his legacy
Simpler is better when it comes to saving lives
Teen, young adult suicides fall from long upward trend after national crisis hotline shifts to three digits.
Expanding the NCAA Tournament honors college sports' tradition of fixing what's not broken
Expansion has always been a power play for two things: money and access. In this instance, the goalposts are moving for Cinderella's value.
Tennessee Republicans approve map carving up majority-Black US House district
Republican lawmakers in Tennessee approved a new US House map Thursday that carves up a majority-Black district in Memphis, reshaping it to the GOP’s advantage as part of President Donald Trump’s strategy to hold on to a slim majority in the November midterm elections.
The farthest probe from Earth faces its most dangerous mission yet - Futura-Sciences
From Sci-Fi to Reality: The Launch of Voyager 1 Back in 1977, the world was grooving to new hits, and in cinemas, moviegoers were captivated by laser swords and beeping robots in a galaxy far, far away. Meanwhile, far from the silver screen, NASA was embarking on its own space...
Agilon Health Is Up 115% After Earnings. Why the Stock Is Having Its Best Day Ever.
Shares of Agilon Health cratered in 2025, driven by financial underperformance and a guidance suspension.
Why I'll never move back to Austin after moving to New York City
Austin was a great place to live, but New York City is a better fit for my car-free, busy lifestyle.
See life inside the inside Miami neighborhood attracting billionaires
Coconut Grove is the trendiest neighborhood in Miami for billionaires moving to the city. See its evolution from hippie enclave to a wealth magnet.
My kids hate summer camp; this summer, I'm saving money instead
Every summer, my kids pull out of summer camp at the last minute, and I lose money. This time, I'm planning smaller getaways throughout the summer.
Publication Q&A with Melissa Maffeo: Science of the Supernatural
Melissa Maffeo, associate teaching professor of Psychology, spoke with the Dean’s Office about her new book, Science of the Supernatural, published with Cambridge University Press. In it, Maffeo blends research and storytelling to explore eerie phenomena through the lens of neuroscience and psychology. Diving into [...]
Business Briefs: May 8, 2026
Amy Watts joins Greenfield Savings Bank’s wealth management team GREENFIELD — Greenfield Savings Bank has announced that Amy Watts has joined its wealth management team as a vice president and financial advisor, bringing a relationship‑centered, accessible approach to financial planning. Watts, who is now available to meet with clients, is a certified financial planner practitioner, financial […]
Sphere Entertainment generated $386.4M in Q1 revenues, up 38% YoY – driven by The Wizard of Oz and concert
‘Today’s results demonstrate our continued success proving out Sphere’s business model,’ said Executive Chairman and CEO James L.
Usher’s Upcoming Tour Will Integrate An Internship Program To Provide Young Adults With Hands-On Experience In The Industry
Usher is paving the way for the youth to access opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Science Notes: Food as Medicine | Rockefeller Institute of Government
Food-as-medicine programs integrate nutritious food into healthcare, reducing food insecurity and improving diets while showing promising health and cost benefits.
FDA's New Playbook: Lots of Media Announcements but Not Much Rulemaking
WASHINGTON (AP) — In one of his first major announcements as health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called a news conference to unveil a plan to “phase out” synthetic food dyes. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary opened the event by saying his agency was “removing all ...
Syracuse hires top Notre Dame assistant for key football oversight role
Syracuse is continuing a new era in Orange athletics, moving to add Notre Dame's Yulander Wells into COO, football oversight position.
Delaware woman celebrating 108th birthday says key to a health life is to keep moving
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announces surprise resignation 6 months after reelection
“Serving as Charlotte’s mayor has been the honor of my life,” Lyles said. She easily won a fifth term in November.
Science diplomacy lessons from a North Korean volcano
Mount Paektu, a mythic, active volcano on the border between North Korea and China, is almost the epitome of a scientific challenge that crosses political lines. In 946 CE, it erupted in one of the five biggest volcanic events of the past 10,000 years, kicking up huge quantities of ash and sending destructive mud flows down river channels for hundreds of kilometres. Should this happen again, the entire region, including easternmost Russia, South Korea and even Japan could be hit. “It’s definitely got the potential to be big,” said James Hammond, a professor of geophysics at Birkbeck, University of London. An eruption on the scale of 946 would have “huge regional impact.” For the past 15 years, Hammond has helped lead a groundbreaking collaboration with North Korean scientists to study the volcano, navigating scientific sanctions, tough export controls on scientific equipment and a long, pandemic-enforced exodus from the country. Although he seems more at home on far-flung research expeditions – before speaking to Science|Business, Hammond was camping out on a Greenland ice sheet – he has also advised the European Commission on its changing science diplomacy strategy. His long experience with North Korea has made Hammond sceptical of blanket bans on science collaboration, no matter the country.This is a live question in Europe, where in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, institutional ties with Russian universities were almost entirely severed, although some scientists fear this could undermine our understanding of climate change’s impact on the Arctic. Here, Hammond tells the story of the Mount Paektu mission and the policy lessons he takes from it. Ominous rumblingsThe genesis of Hammond’s collaboration came in 2002, when Mount Paektu began to rumble ominously. Earthquake activity picked up and the volcano began to emit unusual gases. North Korean scientists took notice. “People felt we need to know more about this volcano,” said Hammond. In 2011, North Korean vulcanologists put out a request for international expertise to help them learn more. At the time, Hammond and his collaborator, Clive Oppenheimer, were working on a vulcanology project in another sanctioned country, Eritrea, and so decided to answer the call. Within a month, they had flown into Pyongyang. “It was pretty incredible,” recalls Hammond (left). “We were made to feel like honoured guests, and invited to official celebrations.” The scientific opportunity was huge. Paektu is unusually positioned, a thousand kilometres from where tectonic plates rub against each other in the Pacific. “It was an incredibly interesting volcano, but not much research had been done, at least not in the international community,” he said. “There was so much we felt we could do. And we had these partners that were super keen to engage.”The mission received an unusual visitor in the form of volcano-obsessed filmmaker Werner Herzog, who accompanied Hammond and Oppenheimer while directing his 2016 film Into the Inferno about volcanos across the world. Four days into the trip, the German director delivered a long speech about reunification to his North Korean hosts, recalls Hammond. “He got to the heart of the Koreans and how they felt, and how they thought, in a way that I'm not sure I ever will,” he said. UN sanctionsHowever, Hammond realised he’d been “naïve” about how difficult it would be to collaborate with North Korea, which was sanctioned far more heavily than Eritrea. “We didn’t fully appreciate the all-encompassing nature of restrictions,” he said. In 2016, as tensions escalated over Pyongyang’s nuclear tests, a United Nations resolution banned all joint scientific work with North Korea. However, the UN sanctions did allow countries to request carve outs, and the UK successfully requested an exemption for Hammond’s work. Related articlesEU pushes for joint science diplomacy, but care needed to avoid gridlock, experts sayRussia severs its last ties with German scienceAnchor Greenlanders in Arctic climate research, experts tell EU ahead of policy updateExport controls have also delayed Hammond’s work. In one case, it took 18 months to get approval from the UK government to take seismometers, which measure earthquakes, to North Korea. “It was frustrating,” he said. “But they didn’t just say no.” However, one instrument, called an induction coil, used to measure how the earth conducts electricity, was blocked entirely because it can in theory be used to detect submarines. Karaoke bondingSince the collaboration started in 2011, Hammond has visited the country around 15 times, although the pandemic closed off North Korea for more than five years. A trip last November was Hammond’s first since the outbreak. Despite this lengthy interlude, Hammond has deep bonds in the country. The North Korean scientists Hammond works with are somewhat isolated, as they struggle to access the latest research papers and travel to international conferences. That said, they are “excellent geophysicists” and are “very well trained in the field,” he said. Over karaoke and chats about their families, “we’ve made friendships, for sure,” he said. The authorities have to sign-off things like the placement of seismometers, for example, but Hammond said these requests have been approved. “Everything that we've asked for within a scientific context has been delivered.”Scientific backchannels? These kind of personal links between scientists across political lines are one purported benefit of science diplomacy. During the Cold War, some historians argue, scientific contact between the US and Soviet Union laid a groundwork of trust for other cooperation, such as on arms control. Hammond agrees that backchannel contacts to North Korean geophysicists are hardly likely to defuse a military crisis on the Korean peninsula, but the simple fact of the scientific collaboration makes contacts between diplomats that little bit easier. “It creates opportunities to understand each other a little bit better,” he said. “When maybe you have those more difficult discussions as diplomats, it's coming from a slightly better place.” Cutting tiesDrawing lessons from the Mount Paektu mission for today’s links with Russian science isn’t simple. The analogy is far from exact, Hammond said, “because one is essentially a Cold War, versus a pretty hot war in the case of Russia.” But Hammond’s broader argument is that the challenges we face, such as climate change, pandemics, biodiversity loss, pollution and so on, have globalised in an unprecedented way, making blanket shutdowns in collaboration with any country unwise.He’s somewhat critical of the UN scientific sanctions imposed on North Korea in 2016, even though they did allow for exceptions. “I think a blanket halt to some of these things, when we face big global challenges [. . .] that’s quite a risky thing to do,” he said.Institutional endorsement?European academics are still by and large free to work individually with Russian counterparts. However, official, institutional partnerships have largely ended. Shortly following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian university rectors wrote a public letter endorsing the war, meaning European universities fear official collaboration could also be seen as a kind of endorsement. Hammond acknowledges there is a risk of legitimising regimes, and state-controlled universities, through scientific cooperation. “That’s the trade off you have to make,” he said. Strategic projectsWith Russia, instead of giving a green light to restart all Arctic science, a middle ground might be firing up a few carefully selected “strategic” projects, said Hammond. After all, European countries are still collaborating with Russia on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, an experimental nuclear fusion plant in the south of France. However, even if Europe did try to revive Arctic science with Russia, there’s no guarantee Russian scientists would play ball. A series of high-profile arrests of physicists in Russia accused of sharing their findings with the outside world has made collaboration fraught. Even before the invasion of 2022, “the Russian regime made it increasingly difficult, and this sort of discouraged people,” Dag Rune Olsen, rector of the Arctic University of Norway, told Science|Business last year.