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Families File Class Action to Block DOJ from Illegally Obtaining Protected Health Records from Hospitals Across the Country
The Department of Justice has been trying to force hospitals to share private medical records of transgender youth.
‘A year of resistance’: Cuba’s private sector faces Trump’s oil blockade
US oil blockade on Cuba is a significant blow to small family firms struggling with power outages and fuel shortages.
Virginia Supreme Court blocks Democratic-drawn congressional map voters approved in April
The court ruled that Democrats did not follow proper procedure when they put the constitutional amendment on the ballot in an effort to flip four House seats.
Virginia Supreme Court blocks referendum that would have helped Democrats win up to four more US House seats
The Virginia Supreme Court voided Democrats’ attempt to redraw the state’s US House map in an April referendum.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Earnings Q4 2025 and Fiscal 2025
Sony Pictures Entertainment turned in roughly flat revenue for fiscal year 2025, as higher sales at its Crunchyroll anime streamer and its global blockbuster film "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle" were offset by overall lower revenue from theatrical releases.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Revenue Flat for Fiscal Year 2025 at $9.9 Billion, Profit Takes Hit From Shutdown of Pixomondo VFX Division
Sony Pictures Entertainment revenue came in roughly flat for fiscal year 2025, as higher sales at its Crunchyroll anime streamer and the success of global blockbuster film “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” were offset by overall lower revenue from theatrical releases. For the year ended March 31, 2026, Sony Pictures Entertainment had sales …
Scientists discover a new way to prevent gum disease without killing good bacteria
Scientists have uncovered a surprising way to influence the bacteria living in our mouths — not by killing them, but by interrupting how they “talk” to each other. Researchers found that dental plaque bacteria use chemical signals to coordinate growth, and by blocking those signals, they were able to encourage healthier bacteria while reducing disease-linked microbes tied to gum disease. Even more intriguing, the bacterial conversations changed depending on oxygen levels above and below the gums, revealing an entirely new layer of complexity inside the mouth.
Datadog converted an AI first business, without leaving behind its old business, says Jim Cramer
'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer digs into software stock Datadog.
Can blockbuster GLP-1 weight-loss drugs also protect brain health?
UCSF experts share their research on medications’ potential to slow or reduce risk of dementia and to treat the triggers that drive addiction.
Eurovision 2026: Politics collide with a blockbuster show
Controversy over Israel's participation and boycotts unprecedented in scale are already weighing on the Eurovision Song Contest before it even kicks off in Vienna.
Science diplomacy lessons from a North Korean volcano
Mount Paektu, a mythic, active volcano on the border between North Korea and China, is almost the epitome of a scientific challenge that crosses political lines. In 946 CE, it erupted in one of the five biggest volcanic events of the past 10,000 years, kicking up huge quantities of ash and sending destructive mud flows down river channels for hundreds of kilometres. Should this happen again, the entire region, including easternmost Russia, South Korea and even Japan could be hit. “It’s definitely got the potential to be big,” said James Hammond, a professor of geophysics at Birkbeck, University of London. An eruption on the scale of 946 would have “huge regional impact.” For the past 15 years, Hammond has helped lead a groundbreaking collaboration with North Korean scientists to study the volcano, navigating scientific sanctions, tough export controls on scientific equipment and a long, pandemic-enforced exodus from the country. Although he seems more at home on far-flung research expeditions – before speaking to Science|Business, Hammond was camping out on a Greenland ice sheet – he has also advised the European Commission on its changing science diplomacy strategy. His long experience with North Korea has made Hammond sceptical of blanket bans on science collaboration, no matter the country.This is a live question in Europe, where in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, institutional ties with Russian universities were almost entirely severed, although some scientists fear this could undermine our understanding of climate change’s impact on the Arctic. Here, Hammond tells the story of the Mount Paektu mission and the policy lessons he takes from it. Ominous rumblingsThe genesis of Hammond’s collaboration came in 2002, when Mount Paektu began to rumble ominously. Earthquake activity picked up and the volcano began to emit unusual gases. North Korean scientists took notice. “People felt we need to know more about this volcano,” said Hammond. In 2011, North Korean vulcanologists put out a request for international expertise to help them learn more. At the time, Hammond and his collaborator, Clive Oppenheimer, were working on a vulcanology project in another sanctioned country, Eritrea, and so decided to answer the call. Within a month, they had flown into Pyongyang. “It was pretty incredible,” recalls Hammond (left). “We were made to feel like honoured guests, and invited to official celebrations.” The scientific opportunity was huge. Paektu is unusually positioned, a thousand kilometres from where tectonic plates rub against each other in the Pacific. “It was an incredibly interesting volcano, but not much research had been done, at least not in the international community,” he said. “There was so much we felt we could do. And we had these partners that were super keen to engage.”The mission received an unusual visitor in the form of volcano-obsessed filmmaker Werner Herzog, who accompanied Hammond and Oppenheimer while directing his 2016 film Into the Inferno about volcanos across the world. Four days into the trip, the German director delivered a long speech about reunification to his North Korean hosts, recalls Hammond. “He got to the heart of the Koreans and how they felt, and how they thought, in a way that I'm not sure I ever will,” he said. UN sanctionsHowever, Hammond realised he’d been “naïve” about how difficult it would be to collaborate with North Korea, which was sanctioned far more heavily than Eritrea. “We didn’t fully appreciate the all-encompassing nature of restrictions,” he said. In 2016, as tensions escalated over Pyongyang’s nuclear tests, a United Nations resolution banned all joint scientific work with North Korea. However, the UN sanctions did allow countries to request carve outs, and the UK successfully requested an exemption for Hammond’s work. Related articlesEU pushes for joint science diplomacy, but care needed to avoid gridlock, experts sayRussia severs its last ties with German scienceAnchor Greenlanders in Arctic climate research, experts tell EU ahead of policy updateExport controls have also delayed Hammond’s work. In one case, it took 18 months to get approval from the UK government to take seismometers, which measure earthquakes, to North Korea. “It was frustrating,” he said. “But they didn’t just say no.” However, one instrument, called an induction coil, used to measure how the earth conducts electricity, was blocked entirely because it can in theory be used to detect submarines. Karaoke bondingSince the collaboration started in 2011, Hammond has visited the country around 15 times, although the pandemic closed off North Korea for more than five years. A trip last November was Hammond’s first since the outbreak. Despite this lengthy interlude, Hammond has deep bonds in the country. The North Korean scientists Hammond works with are somewhat isolated, as they struggle to access the latest research papers and travel to international conferences. That said, they are “excellent geophysicists” and are “very well trained in the field,” he said. Over karaoke and chats about their families, “we’ve made friendships, for sure,” he said. The authorities have to sign-off things like the placement of seismometers, for example, but Hammond said these requests have been approved. “Everything that we've asked for within a scientific context has been delivered.”Scientific backchannels? These kind of personal links between scientists across political lines are one purported benefit of science diplomacy. During the Cold War, some historians argue, scientific contact between the US and Soviet Union laid a groundwork of trust for other cooperation, such as on arms control. Hammond agrees that backchannel contacts to North Korean geophysicists are hardly likely to defuse a military crisis on the Korean peninsula, but the simple fact of the scientific collaboration makes contacts between diplomats that little bit easier. “It creates opportunities to understand each other a little bit better,” he said. “When maybe you have those more difficult discussions as diplomats, it's coming from a slightly better place.” Cutting tiesDrawing lessons from the Mount Paektu mission for today’s links with Russian science isn’t simple. The analogy is far from exact, Hammond said, “because one is essentially a Cold War, versus a pretty hot war in the case of Russia.” But Hammond’s broader argument is that the challenges we face, such as climate change, pandemics, biodiversity loss, pollution and so on, have globalised in an unprecedented way, making blanket shutdowns in collaboration with any country unwise.He’s somewhat critical of the UN scientific sanctions imposed on North Korea in 2016, even though they did allow for exceptions. “I think a blanket halt to some of these things, when we face big global challenges [. . .] that’s quite a risky thing to do,” he said.Institutional endorsement?European academics are still by and large free to work individually with Russian counterparts. However, official, institutional partnerships have largely ended. Shortly following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian university rectors wrote a public letter endorsing the war, meaning European universities fear official collaboration could also be seen as a kind of endorsement. Hammond acknowledges there is a risk of legitimising regimes, and state-controlled universities, through scientific cooperation. “That’s the trade off you have to make,” he said. Strategic projectsWith Russia, instead of giving a green light to restart all Arctic science, a middle ground might be firing up a few carefully selected “strategic” projects, said Hammond. After all, European countries are still collaborating with Russia on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, an experimental nuclear fusion plant in the south of France. However, even if Europe did try to revive Arctic science with Russia, there’s no guarantee Russian scientists would play ball. A series of high-profile arrests of physicists in Russia accused of sharing their findings with the outside world has made collaboration fraught. Even before the invasion of 2022, “the Russian regime made it increasingly difficult, and this sort of discouraged people,” Dag Rune Olsen, rector of the Arctic University of Norway, told Science|Business last year.
Small Business Optimism Is at Record Highs, So Why Are Millions of Entrepreneurs Still Getting Denied Funding?
CredFin, Inc. Identifies the Hidden Credit Profile Problems Blocking American Business Owners from a potential $44.8 Billion in Available SBA CapitalMIAMI, May 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Small Business Administration guaranteed a record $44.8 billion in small business loans in fiscal year 2025, approving an average of 1,600 loans per week worth more than $860 million. That capital is available through a broad network of SBA-approved lenders operating independently across the country.
Is the FDA Really Suppressing Science? Plus. . .
It’s Thursday, May 7. This is The Front Page, your daily window into the world of The Free Press—and our take on the world at large. Today: Aaron MacLean says Trump is poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Iran war. Joe Klein on the life of CNN founder Ted Turner. Jillian Lederman on why cruise ships are here to stay. And much more. But first: Is the FDA suppressing science? On Tuesday, The New York Times published a story with an alarming takeaway. “FDA Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe,” read the headline. It is the latest in a string of stories that all have the same message: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies, are engaged in a cover-up—and silencing scientists trying to get the word out about the Covid vaccine. What all these stories suggest—some more subtly than others—is that the outsiders now running the public health establishment, officials such as Marty Makary at the FDA and Jay Bhattacharya at the National Institutes of Health, are on a revenge tour. That they are doing harm to the country to get back at the scientists and bureaucrats who ostracized them for deviating from the public-health consensus during the pandemic. It’s a seductive narrative. But is it true? That’s the question we address in our latest editorial. —The Editors Read [ Marty Makary's FDA Has All the Right Enemies ](https://www.thefp.com/p/marty-makary-vaccine-study-fda) [ Trump Blinks First ](https://www.thefp.com/p/iran-peace-deal-pakistan-trump-strait-of-hormuz) Aaron MacLean In return for no detectable concessions, President Trump this week gave up on forcing open the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the Trump administration looks desperate for a deal to end the war with Iran. It’s easy to understand the desire to end the war, but are they blowing the chance at victory? Aaron MacLean makes sense of the administration’s latest moves—and Iran’s response—in his column today. Read full story Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson: Live in New York City Join Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson on May 19 for a live recording of School of War at the iconic New York Historical. In a conversation as timely as it is wide-ranging, Aaron and Niall will explore the strategic stakes of the moment, including the Middle East, China, and the future of American leadership on the global stage. Get Tickets Now [ Ted Turner, the Optimist Who Built CNN ](https://www.thefp.com/p/ted-turner-cnn-tribute) Joe Klein The man who gave us CNN and the 24-hour news cycle, Ted Turner, died Wednesday at the age of 87. Today, political writer Joe Klein—who almost ghostwrote Turner’s autobiography—remembers his friend, the American media mogul who stood out for his idealism and lack of a filter—something that got Turner in trouble more than once. “His was not a traditional intelligence, but one of horizon: Ted saw things before other people did,” Joe writes. Read full story [ Nothing Can Sink the Cruise Ship ](https://www.thefp.com/p/cruise-ship-hantavirus) Jillian Lederman A viral outbreak on a cruise ship that left three passengers dead has left some people wondering: Are cruise ships on the way out? Not so fast, says Jillian Lederman, who has been on many a cruise herself. Read her piece on why 38 million people a year take a cruise—and aren’t about to stop. Read full story [ The Great Writers Who Were Terrible People ](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-great-writers-who-were-terrible) Shilo Brooks Throughout history, some of the greatest literary geniuses have also been immoral bigots. In the latest episode of Old School, Shilo Brooks is joined by Eli Lake for a conversation about those geniuses, from Voltaire to Norman Mailer and Roald Dahl—and why we should read their work despite their odious prejudices. Listen on MORE FROM THE FREE PRESS [ Inside the Digital Intifada ](https://www.thefp.com/p/digital-intifada-social-media-hamas-terror) Warren Kinsella Read full story [ This Week in American History: Trump’s Over-Arching Problem ](https://www.thefp.com/p/this-week-in-american-history-trumps-over-arching-problem) Jonathan Horn Read full story [ Humanity Is Still Evolving—and Fast ](https://www.thefp.com/p/humanity-is-still-evolvingand-fast) Razib Khan Read full story THE NEWS Thirteen D.C. Metropolitan Police officers have been placed on administrative leave and could face termination after an internal investigation found evidence that crime statistics were manipulated to make the city look safer. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee previously alleged that former D.C. police chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to skew data. Tennessee Republicans unveiled a redrawn U.S. House map yesterday that would split up Memphis’s black-majority Democratic district, the latest move in a nationwide push to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the midterms. The effort follows a Supreme Court ruling last week on Louisiana’s districts, which Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said gave states the green light to redraw maps along partisan lines. Israel struck Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect last month, saying it targeted a commander of the militant group’s elite Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs. The strikes risk destabilizing that truce at a delicate moment, as Iran and the U.S. report progress toward a deal to resolve their own standoff. The U.S. Air Force is aiming for a Fourth of July delivery of a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, hoping to add it to the Air Force One fleet in time for the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, Reuters reported. (For more on the controversy surrounding the aircraft, read Jed Rubenfeld’s piece “It’s a Terrible Idea, but Trump Probably Can Accept a Free Jet from Qatar.”) Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified privately before Congress that he has no memory of why he and his family dined on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012, according to Reuters. The admission contradicts Lutnick’s earlier claim that he had cut ties with the convicted sex offender well before that visit. Weeks before a former JPMorgan investment banker filed a lawsuit packed with explosive allegations, the bank reportedly offered him $1 million to settle his sexual assault and harassment claims, according to The Wall Street Journal. The suit, filed by Chirayu Rana, alleges he was sexually assaulted by a female colleague, subjected to racial discrimination, and forced into a degrading dynamic at work. JPMorgan says the claims lack merit, and the female colleague’s lawyers call the accusations fabricated. A new report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows that, for the first time in roughly 20 years, church attendance is trending upward, with more people volunteering and clergy expressing renewed optimism. The study’s authors described the findings, based on a survey of more than 7,400 congregations, as showing signs of widespread recovery from low attendance numbers.
CVS Health CEO David Joyner: Our Aetna business got off track, but we've had five quarters of improvement
CVS Health President and CEO David Joyner joins 'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer to talk quarterly results, the company's turnaround plan, and more.
Abortion reemerges as election issue amid challenges to mifepristone
On Friday, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked a federal appeals court ruling that would have prevented the abortion pill mifepristone from being mailed.
Trump administration under ‘increasing political pressure’ to secure Iran deal: Former Navy SEAL
Former Navy SEAL Jason Redman discusses President Donald Trump's optimism about an Iran deal and the ongoing U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on 'The Evening Edit.'
Seattle pauses Leschi marina redevelopment after outcry from disrupted local businesses
Local businesses in Seattle’s Leschi neighborhood say they were caught off guard this week when city crews abruptly blocked access to storefronts as part of a m
US Navy shot out rudder of Iran blockade runner with fighter jet gun
It's the second time the Navy has used force against an Iranian commercial vessel since the Trump administration's blockade began last month.
UK voters need to hear battle over bills and climate crisis are linked, green experts say
As Reform vows to block solar and windfarms, energy leaders say renewables offer most secure future, insulating UK from hostile forces
Philly nonprofit spurs popups to give small businesses the spotlight on Market Street
An effort to give local entrepreneurs retail space in vacant storefronts will revitalize a block of Market Street through the end of July.
Trump strikes back: GOP lawmakers who opposed president on redistricting pay price
President Trump scored major victories in Indiana's GOP primary as his endorsed challengers defeated state senators who blocked his redistricting push.
Canada Antitrust Watchdog Seeks to Block Keyera Deal for Plains’ Canada Gas Business
The Competition Bureau said the planned $3.7 billion transaction would reduce competition at a crucial natural-gas liquids-processing hub in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Update coming: Large police and DPS presence outside Carrollton Korean market
Police have blocked off part of a parking lot near a Korean market as they investigate. Officials say to avoid the area until it reopens.
4 businesses burglarized within 3-block radius in Fairfax District
Several businesses located within a three-block radius in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles were burglarized overnight, prompting a search for suspects.
Simons scoop up another property along downtown's South Meridian entertainment corridor
The building is on the same block as planned Simon-backed developments for a Ritz-Carlton hotel, Live Nation music venue and Ole Red bar, restaurant and country music hall.
Fulton County asks court to stop DOJ subpoena of 2020 election workers’ personal information
The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections in Georgia wants to block the Justice Department from gaining access to the personal information of thousands of 2020 election workers.
Why Reddit blocked my daily visit to its mobile website
Reddit REALLY wants you to use its app.
Live Results: Indiana state primaries
Seven GOP state senators who blocked President Donald Trump's push to redraw the state’s congressional districts now face primary challengers endorsed by him.
Applied Digital Completes Separation of Cloud Business, Establishing ChronoScale as Independent Public Company
ChronoScale to begin trading on Nasdaq under ticker CHRN Applied Digital to retain approximately 97% ownership and invest $15.75 million at…...
Victor Wembanyama sets NBA postseason record with 12 blocks, but can’t lead Spurs past Timberwolves in Game 1
Victor Wembanyama only needed three quarters to match the NBA's single-game playoff blocks record on Monday night.
Fulton seeks to block federal subpoena targeting 2020 election workers
The subpoena seeks personally identifying information for thousands of paid and volunteer election workers.
Man in mental health crisis dies in officer-involved shooting in southwest Wichita, police say
WPD says the incident happened in the 1400 block of W. Haskell, where a Wichita Police officer discharged their firearm.
Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni settle lawsuit, avoid trial
The blockbuster lawsuit between "It Ends With Us" stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively over behind-the-scenes drama was settled ahead of trial.
Report: Readily available Colts QB reports for voluntary offseason workouts
Despite being on the trade block, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. reported for the team’s voluntary offseason workouts.
Ty Pennington Confirms ‘Rock the Block’ Season 7 Air Time Change
Find out when new episodes of the HGTV competition series will hit the small screen.
Small business confidence surges as Trump tax cuts deliver ‘blockbuster’ job growth
Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to tout President Donald Trump’s small business agenda, highlight job growth from tax cuts and detail a crackdown on $22B in suspected fraud.
Should a California union dictate how clinics spend money? Employers sue to block ballot measure
California’s billionaires are not the only ones fighting back against the state’s largest health workers union this election season.
Global Health & WASH: May 2026 Funding Opportunities (14 new opportunities!)
The May update for Global Health & WASH brings new calls that cluster around three distinct shifts: LMIC research leadership moving from funder encouragement into a hard eligibility constraint, pharmaceutical and corporate-linked funders running structurally independent education and use-inspired research portfolios at substantial scale, and AI adoption shifting decisively from speculative tool to operational capability across health and WASH systems alike. In LMIC Research Leadership as Eligibility, Not Encouragement, Wellcome anchors the dominant signal of the month with three separate major calls that all require or strongly center LMIC leadership in their basic eligibility architecture. Wellcome’s ESIC Hubs (£1.5-£1.9M per hub over 3-5 years) explicitly requires an LMIC-based lead applicant, treating Global South leadership as a design constraint rather than a participation goal. Wellcome’s Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Development Award funds transdisciplinary teams whose lead must be a mid-career or established researcher based at an organization in Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia. Wellcome’s larger Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award (£1M-£8M for optimizing licensed interventions) requires the administering organization to be in eligible LMIC regions and at least 50% of applicants based there. Around Wellcome, the same pattern shows up at smaller scale and across funders: CHINNOVA channels $1M into West and Central African research institutions for climate-health work; IBRO’s Neuroscience Training Grants explicitly tier ceilings by region of residence with Africa receiving the highest amount ($5,000); IHME’s GBD Emerging Researcher Award reserves at least one of its two annual awards for an LMIC researcher; Sidaction’s HIV Cure call funds research teams across France, the Netherlands, and eligible African countries with a minimum two-country collaboration requirement. Taken together, these calls signal a meaningful shift in how research equity is being operationalized — not as encouragement language at the bottom of a call, but as a structural feature of who can lead, where the work must be administered, and what proportion of the team must be regionally rooted. In Pharma-Funded Independent Medical Education and Use-Inspired Research, the lineup this month is unusually deep. Pfizer alone runs four parallel calls under independent education and quality improvement frameworks: a Migraine and Women’s Health RFP (200K x 2-year, $500K pool), Migraine IME ($200K, $1M pool), JAK Inhibitor evidence-based education ($100K), and Maternal Vaccination HCP Education in Saudi Arabia ($75K), plus a separate Pediatric Pneumococcal Surveillance research call in Saudi Arabia ($400K per project). Novo Nordisk Foundation runs four parallel calls of its own at substantial scale: Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grants (DKK 60M pool, up to DKK 7M collaborative), Non-Diabetic Endocrinology Collaborative Grants (DKK 53M pool, DKK 5-10M per project), Pioneer Innovator Grant Health (DKK 1.1M), and Distinguished Innovator Grant Health (DKK 6.8M). LEO Foundation deploys DKK 2-4M per project for dermatology research excellence. Pfizer’s framing across calls deliberately separates the funding from product promotion, emphasizing measurable practice-relevant change and structural distance between scientific outputs and commercial activity. Novo Nordisk’s “use-inspired” hard filter pushes researchers toward a credible translation pathway from mechanism to deployable tool. The pattern: industry-aligned funders are running structurally independent portfolios at meaningful $ that fund implementation evidence, not promotion. In AI as Operational Capability, Not Speculation, several calls this month explicitly treat AI adoption as a near-term operational question with real evidence and governance requirements, rather than a speculative trend to be watched. Wellcome’s ESIC Hubs frames AI as “the accelerator” for evidence synthesis, asking hubs to translate technical innovation into adoption-ready workflows that can match real-world policy timelines. UNICEF Venture Fund’s new Climate Tech for Children’s Health call funds for-profit startups deploying AI, machine learning, and blockchain in low-resource environments, with a strict requirement that solutions must already have a working prototype with promising pilot results. The Water Research Foundation has launched two simultaneous AI calls treating reproducibility, cybersecurity guardrails, and human-in-the-loop deployments as core design constraints rather than nice-to-haves: one on GenAI and Agentic AI in water utilities ($200K), one on alternatives to water shutoffs that explicitly screens for implementation economics evidence. Nordic Innovation’s quantum technology call (NOK 4.5M) extends the same logic into life science and healthcare, demanding consortium-stage projects mature enough to test with real users. TEF-Health offers €300K in subsidized testing infrastructure for European healthcare AI and robotics SMEs. The pattern: funders are converting AI pilots into playbooks, requiring transfer evidence and risk controls before AI can move from experimentation to sector-wide operational practice. For LMIC-based researchers in infectious disease or evidence synthesis, the three Wellcome calls together represent the deepest concentration of LMIC-led research capital in recent memory — pair the Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Development Award (£200K, deadline May 19) as a strategic pipeline feeder into the larger Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award (£1-£8M, deadline June 2), since the development award functions explicitly as a track into the larger trial scheme. For Nordic researchers, the four Novo Nordisk Foundation calls plus LEO Foundation and Nordic Innovation Quantum represent ~$30M in regional research capital this cycle, all with deadlines clustered in May-August. For WASH practitioners, the three Water Research Foundation calls together (each up to $200K) are a cluster worth reading across — one on AI deployment, one on shutoff alternatives, one rewarding applied innovation — and the strongest applicants will articulate how their work bridges utility operations to policy-relevant evidence. For US-based clinical researchers and educators, the four Pfizer calls plus the APF Portfolio’s 80+ programs form an unusually accessible recurring pipeline; APF’s prohibition on indirect costs is a meaningful structural feature for early-career applicants whose institutions might otherwise absorb significant overhead. Snapshot of New Opportunities Total Estimated Funding Pool: $100 Million+ USD The grants are organized into three categories: Open Calls: Current grant and opportunities with a deadline. Grants are listed by closing date. 39 open opportunities- 14 new! Rolling Applications: current grant and opportunities with rolling applications (but it’s still best to submit as early as possible). 14 rolling opportunities- 1 new opportunity! Long term planning: Grants that have closed their current rounds, but are expected to open new windows. 4 long term opportunities! A quick tip for returning readers: if you want to jump straight to the newest additions, use CTRL F to search for “New!” and navigate quickly to the latest funding opportunities This post is for paid subscribers. This helps support the time and effort it takes to curate and organize these opportunities. Subscribe To keep this accessible to everyone who needs it, we’re happy to offer pay what you can rates. You can find more details here. Open Calls: Migraine Competitive Grant Program: Migraine and Women’s Health (Quality Improvement and/or Research RFP), Pfizer.*Closing soon!* Pfizer, in collaboration with the American Headache Society, is seeking independent quality improvement and research projects that close persistent gaps in migraine care for women across the United States. The funding logic centers on measurable, practice-relevant change: proposals should generate actionable evidence, tools, or system improvements that can be shared and used widely, not just within a single site. Priority areas span menstrual migraine and screening in women’s health settings, the role of hormonal fluctuations across the lifespan, sex-specific risk factors, comorbidities and quality-of-life burden, and disparities in outcomes by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The call is structured as a two-step competitive process with an initial Letter of Intent, with the strongest concepts expected to translate scientific insight into implementable improvements in diagnosis, management, and equity. Geographies: United States. Who can apply: U.S.-based organizations (not individuals), including professional schools, healthcare institutions, professional organizations, and other entities focused on healthcare improvement. Funding amount: Up to USD $200,000 total over 2 years; total pool USD $500,000. Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: migraine, women’s health, quality improvement, clinical research, menstrual migraine, health disparities. Deadline: LOI: May 5, 2026; Full proposal (by invitation): August 28, 2026. Learn more and apply here. This RFP rewards “shareable impact”: the most competitive submissions will pair rigorous methods with a clear plan for system uptake and dissemination beyond the originating institution. ReSSARC: Strengthening the Health Sector and Food Security in the Central African Republic (AID 013381/01/0) Call for Proposals, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). *Closing soon!* AICS is seeking a limited set of high-capacity humanitarian partners to deliver an integrated package that stabilizes essential health services while reducing acute malnutrition and strengthening food security resilience in priority areas of the Central African Republic. The funder’s logic is explicitly nexus-based: proposals should meet urgent, life-saving needs while reinforcing local systems, coordination mechanisms, and community-level capacity so results persist beyond the emergency window. AICS emphasizes inclusion and protection outcomes, expecting gender-sensitive design and explicit measures for groups facing compounded vulnerability, including women, children under five, internally displaced people, and people with disabilities. The call also signals a localization pathway, encouraging stronger collaboration with national NGOs and balanced partnerships, alongside clear coordination with existing cluster and humanitarian actors to minimize duplication and improve coverage. Geographies: Central African Republic (Bangui, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Lim-Pende, Lobaye). Who can apply: Non-profit organizations registered with AICS, plus eligible non-profits without an office in Italy that have a pre-existing collaboration agreement with an AICS-listed organization. Funding amount: Total pool EUR €1,800,000; max EUR €800,000 (single applicant) or EUR €1,000,000 (ATS). Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: malnutrition prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, community health services, food security and resilience, localization partnerships Deadline: May 5, 2026. Learn more and apply here. This call is structured to reward partners who can link frontline service delivery to system durability and localization, not just short-term coverage gains. Contracts for Innovation in drug and alcohol addiction healthcare, Innovate UK. *Closing soon!* Innovate UK, on behalf of the Office for Life Sciences Addiction Healthcare Goals program, is procuring R&D to accelerate innovations that can improve treatment outcomes, strengthen recovery, and reduce harm and deaths linked to drug and alcohol addiction. The competition is positioned as a market-facing readiness push: selected projects are expected to advance solutions toward later-stage validation, generate evidence of user acceptability and UK market fit, and map credible routes through regulatory and certification requirements. Innovate UK signals a preference for innovations that can be field-tested in relevant UK settings and progressed to TRL 6 or 7, with practical plans for commercialization after contract completion. This structure favors applicants that can execute most work in-house, co-develop with service providers and people with lived experience, and translate technical progress into deployable tools for addiction healthcare delivery. Geographies: United Kingdom. Who can apply: Single organizations of any size (including EU, EEA, or international) leading delivery, with most work and key deliverables carried out in the UK; subcontractors for specialist skills only. Funding amount: GBP £200,000–1.5 million per project (inclusive of VAT); Total pool: GBP £20 million (across two strands). Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: Mental Health, Health Systems Strengthening, Research & Development, Technology Access. Deadline: May 6, 2026 (11:00am). Learn more and apply here. This call uses procurement to pull near-market addiction innovations toward operational proof and adoption pathways in UK services.
Calvin Duncan cleared to assume New Orleans court clerk role in federal court ruling
A federal judge blocked a Louisiana law abolishing the Orleans Parish criminal clerk's office, allowing Calvin Duncan, who won the November election with 68% of the vote, to take office Monday.
Why Almost No One Needs An RFID Blocking Wallet Anymore
One of the more common wallet types you'll see are ones with RFID blocking technology, but it may not be as effective as deterring theft as you think.
Crimson Desert rolls out huge patch to address end-game combat
Crimson Desert has just rolled out one of its biggest patches yet, introducing the Rematch and Re-blockade features alo…
NFL Draft Expert Reassures Bears Fans About Polarizing Pick
An NFL expert defends a surprising third-round tight end selection, revealing strategic foresight for the Bears' future personnel and blocking needs.
In Mississippi, a Democrat Challenges the Senator Who Blocked His Judgeship
Scott Colom, a state prosecutor, is running against Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Republican who denied him a seat on the federal bench. In a tough year for the G.O.P., Democrats see hope for his long-shot bid.
China blocks US sanctions against five ‘teapot’ refineries
Ministry of Commerce says sanctions against refineries accused of importing Iranian oil violate international law.
Houston Rockets jersey history No. 13 - Kelvin Cato (1999-2004)
During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Cato wore only jersey No. 13 and put up 6.2 points, as many rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Political blame game begins and upset passengers stuck after Spirit ceases operations
Republicans blame Biden administration block on JetBlue deal; Democrats point to fuel price surge amid Iran war
Fight over online access to abortion pill reaches Supreme Court in emergency appeal
The makers of the abortion pill mifepristone filed an emergency appeal at the Supreme Court on Saturday urging the justices to pause a lower-court ruling that temporarily blocked Americans from accessing the drug through the mail.
Business Leaders Say Adapting to AI Is Essential to Survival
Executives from IBM, VaynerX and Deepblocks talk to TIME100 about the blistering pace of change all companies are facing in the age of artificial intelligence.
Crimson Desert Patch 1.5 Lets You Refight All 69 Bosses, as Pearl Abyss Doubles Down After 5M Sales
Crimson Desert's biggest patch yet adds a boss rematch system, re-blockades, legendary creature pets, and NVIDIA DLSS MFG support.
Roma keen on Summerville but West Ham block his exit
Roma is looking ahead and starting to plan for the future with clear ideas. The new coaching direction is under Gian Piero Gasperini, who has already identified the priorities for strengthening the sq...
Ben’s Chili Bowl is back in business
The grand reopening of Ben’s Chili Bowl transformed U Street NW into a block party on Friday.
Business owner and band members speak out following First Friday cancellation
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – For years, First Fridays has been a popular block party series in downtown Norfolk. However, following April’s event, the long-running party has been put on hold. The Do…
Appeals court limits abortion pill access nationwide
A federal appeals court issued a ruling that would temporarily block people from accessing abortion pills through telehealth providers and via mail.
The Iran War Is Terminated Because Trump Said So
Pro tip, Mr. President: If you are still blockading ports, that's an act of war.
Appeals court blocks FDA rule that allows women to obtain abortion drugs by mail
A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated a nationwide requirement that abortion pills be obtained in person, undermining access to the method of abortion that has only grown more widespread since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Trump says Iran conflict is ‘terminated’ as he hits congressional deadline
Trump’s statement came as the United States continues to enforce a naval blockade of Iran and as he declined to rule out additional strikes on the country.
‘I crumbled’: Former Md. lobbyist launches podcast aimed at young adults navigating job loss, mental health
Juwan Blocker, a Prince George’s County native and former Maryland political aide, reflects on career loss, identity and purpose as he launches a new podcast for young professionals navigating uncertainty.
With mass firing, Trump deals a fresh blow to American science
Ambitious research is on the chopping block following yet more cuts at the National Science Foundation.
Should a California union dictate how clinics spend money? Employers sue to block ballot measure
California health clinics are suing to stop a union ballot measure that would dictate how they spend money — and they say it could force hundreds of clinics to close.
4 things you missed from Musk v. Altman trial this week
Elon Musk faced another day of cross-examination. Jared Birchall, Musk's wealth manager, was the next witness called in the blockbuster OpenAI trial.
New treatment cuts bad cholesterol by nearly 50% without statins
A new breakthrough could change how high cholesterol is treated, offering a powerful alternative to traditional drugs. Researchers have developed tiny DNA-based molecules that shut down PCSK9—a key protein that keeps “bad” LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood. By blocking this protein, cells can absorb more cholesterol instead of letting it build up in arteries, dramatically lowering levels linked to heart disease.
How the Voting Rights Decision May Block the Rise of Young Black Leaders
Black Democrats in the South already face steep challenges when seeking political office. But the Supreme Court’s ruling could be felt for a generation.
Alexander Blockx reacts after shocking Casper Ruud upset
Alexander Blockx secured a 6-4, 6-4 win over Casper Ruud in the Madrid Open quarter-finals. The Belgian put together another impressive showing, eliminating the defending champion in straight sets.
Federal judge rejects Colorado GOP’s effort to block unaffiliated voters from participating in party’s 2026 primaries
U.S. District Judge Philip A. Brimmer said excluding unaffiliated voters days before the state’s ballot certification deadline, and just weeks before ballots start being mailed out, would create too much confusion.
Trump, Iran are locked in high-stakes standoff as oil prices hit wartime high
The U.S. blockade and Iranian mines and drones continue to halt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as each side bets the other will break first.
Timeline of new entertainment district in downtown Phoenix unknown
Phoenix leaders want downtown to stay busy even when there’s no game or concert in town but roadblocks are slowing the plan.
Phoenix wants a downtown entertainment district, but delays remain
Phoenix leaders want downtown to stay busy even when there’s no game or concert in town but that vision is stuck in limbo. A long-discussed entertainment district could reshape the area around Chase Field, Footprint Center, and the convention center. But as Zach Prelutsky reports, while the city pushes for a more walkable urban core, new roadblocks are slowing the plan.
Oil Prices Soar as Iran Standoff Shows No End in Sight
Oil prices push higher, approaching another wartime high, as President Trump asserted that the naval blockade of Iran’s ports would persist.
Trump is betting his blockade will defy history and break Iran
President Donald Trump’s maritime blockade is the latest attempt to test a thus far unproven theory of the Iran war — that superior US might will inevitably break the Islamic Republic.
Scientists restore memory by blocking a single Alzheimer’s protein
Researchers have identified a new potential weapon against Alzheimer’s: blocking a protein called PTP1B. In mice, this approach boosted memory and helped brain immune cells clear harmful plaque buildup. Since PTP1B is also linked to diabetes and obesity—both risk factors for Alzheimer’s—it could offer a broader treatment strategy.
Tech industry sues to stop Minnesota’s social media health warning law
A tech industry group is suing the state to block a law that requires social media platforms to show users health warnings.
Trump sees blockade extension as best option for forcing Iran back to the negotiating table
President Donald Trump has told his top advisers in recent days he wants the US naval blockade of Iranian ports to continue, sources familiar with the talks said, and his team has begun laying the groundwork for such an extension, including a longer-term closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
AbbVie raises outlook even as its blockbuster Skyrizi faces new rivals
Much of the company’s out performance stemmed from the immunology business.
“Political Disaster for Donald Trump”: Jeremy Scahill on Stalled U.S.-Iran Talks
Negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the war are at an impasse as the conflict enters its third month. The Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday that Trump has told aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iranian ports to ramp up the pressure on Tehran. Iran is saying it will enter into direct talks with the U.S. “when President Trump lifts what Iran considers to be the illegal military naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz,” says Drop Site News co-founder Jeremy Scahill. “Iran has maintained that it’s not shut down the strait, but that it’s just shut it down for any vessels that are linked to the U.S. war in any way.” Scahill says a disorganized Trump administration is pushing a “total propaganda narrative” that it has the upper hand in negotiations, while Iran believes it has the “three M’s” on its side: munitions, markets and the midterms.
Critical cPanel Authentication Vulnerability Identified — Update Your Server Immediately
cPanel patches authentication flaw across supported versions, prompting Namecheap port blocks and temporary access limits.
Finland’s Kone to buy German rival TK Elevator in blockbuster $34.4 billion deal
The combination would create the world’s largest elevator maker and marks one of Europe's biggest takeovers in recent years.
Scientists push back against stricter European Research Council grant application rules
In an open letter, scientists call the ERC’s suggestion to block grant reapplications for an additional year “at odds with scientific excellence.”…
Warriors linked to blockbuster Kevin Durant trade after playoffs
An NBA journalist floated the idea of the Golden State Warriors reuniting with a two-time NBA Finals MVP this summer.
Senate Republicans reject attempt to end Trump's blockade of Cuba
The vote on the war powers resolution showed how Republicans continue to stand behind Trump as he acts unilaterally to exert American force in a range of global conflicts, including Venezuela, Iran and Cuba.
Senate Republicans block measure to curb Trump's power to invade Cuba
Trump has been hinting at military action in Cuba, prompting anxiety among Democrats, who tried to block him with a war powers vote.
Health Canada approves first generic version of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic
Health Canada has approved the first generic version of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic made by Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories , its website showed on Tuesday.
WA seeks to force ICE facility owner to allow state health inspections
Washington state is requesting a preliminary injunction to bar the operators of Tacoma's ICE detention center from blocking state health inspections. It's the latest development in a yearslong battle.
NASA Curiosity rover finds mysterious life linked molecules on mars
Curiosity has detected a surprising variety of organic molecules on Mars, including compounds tied to the chemistry of life. Some of these molecules may be billions of years old, preserved in ancient clay-rich rocks that once held water. One standout find resembles building blocks of DNA, raising exciting questions about Mars’ past. Although not proof of life, the discovery suggests the Red Planet may have once been far more biologically promising than we thought.
Exclusive: Ghana rejects proposed US health aid deal, citing data concerns, source says
Ghana has rejected a bilateral health deal with the U.S., a source familiar with the negotiations told Reuters, the latest stumbling block to the Trump administration's effort to overhaul foreign aid.
Russian superyacht Nord sails through blockaded Strait of Hormuz
The Nord, a multideck 464-foot pleasure vessel, is one of the few private ships to have made it past the blockaded strait.
Aamir Khan CONFIRMS '3 Idiots' sequel in the works; teases 'same humour with an unusual story'
It's official, a sequel to the 2009 blockbuster '3 Idiots' is in the works and leading man, Aamir Khan is spilling all the details.Months after rumour.
Businesses impacted after Mifflin Street Block Party crowds move to State Street
Thousands of people moved from the Mifflin Street Block Party to State Street around 5 p.m. Saturday night, with police recovering multiple guns and responding to large physical fights.
6 men rob, commit assaults at massage business near Chinatown, police say
One of the six men who fled from the roof of the business on the 400 block of North Ninth Street was arrested, police said.
Google employees call on CEO to block classified military AI projects
About 600 Google employees urge CEO Sundar Pichai to block classified Pentagon AI deals, citing ethical concerns over military use of AI for weapons.
Sergey Brin Moves to the Right, With a ‘MAGA Girlfriend’ by His Side
After once backing liberal causes, the Google co-founder has praised President Trump, donated to Republicans and spent $57 million to try to block a California billionaire tax.
Tillis drops Fed nominee block after DOJ ends probe
The Justice Department had previously been looking into Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Virginia Supreme Court considers whether to block voter-approved US House map favoring Democrats
The Virginia Supreme Court is considering whether to block new U.S. House districts narrowly approved by voters | KMBZ
Virginia Supreme Court considers whether to block voter-approved US House map favoring Democrats
The Virginia Supreme Court is considering whether to block new U.S. House districts narrowly approved by voters.
Entertainment: 2026 SPAM JAM; Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
SPAM JAM takes over Kalakaua Ave today at 1 p.m. The block party starts at 4 with music, vendors and SPAM dishes.
Kalshi blocked Gannon Van Dyke, soldier charged in Polymarket trades
Gannon Van Dyke was blocked by Kalshi but got onto Polymarket and allegedly profited off trades informed by military secrets.
Curiosity rover detects building blocks of life in first-ever experiment on Mars
The Curiosity rover conducted a first-of-its kind experiment on Mars, detecting organic molecules that have never been observed before on the red planet.
The Apple juggernaut and the AI roadblock
John Ternus will face innovation challenges that Tim Cook never had to
US justice department blocking Met police investigation into Mandelson, reports say
The department of justice has refused to hand over key evidence from the Jeffrey Epstein files and could delay Scotland Yard’s criminal inquiry.