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Doozy of a Patch Tuesday includes 30 critical Microsoft CVEs
The good news: no 0-days. The bad news: busy week ahead for Microsoft admins
Colorado legislators abandon proposal targeting natural gas initiative
Colorado lawmakers pulled back plans to counter a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of consumers to use natural gas. The bill’s backers said the legislation would not have significantly affected the initiative’s impact, even as debate intensifies among environmental groups, the oil and gas industry and policymakers. The bill — initially planned by House […]
South Carolina state Senate rejects effort to tackle redistricting despite pressure from Trump
Five Republican lawmakers defected and voted against a plan to extend their legislative session in order to carve up the state’s lone Democratic U.S. House district.
Google launches line of Android laptops festooned with Gemini AI
If you're not a fan of having AI baked into your OS, look elsewhere
Relmada Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
Positive 12-Month Phase 2 data for NDV-01 demonstrated a 95% complete response (CR) rate at any time and a durable 76% CR rate at 12 months in high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), and a 94% CR rate at any time and a durable 80% CR rate at 12 months in the BCG-unresponsive subpopulation, reinforcing best-in-class potential in NMIBCOn track to initiate Phase 3 RESCUE registrational program in second line (2L) BCG-unresponsive and adjuvant intermediate-risk NMIBC in mid-2026Filed p
Effort to roll back business tax breaks collapses at Colorado Capitol
Colorado Democrats in the final day of the legislative session largely abandoned their plan to reverse a suite of tax breaks for businesses and redirect that money to a new tax credit for lower-income families. ...
NC Republicans have a deal on the long-delayed state budget
Top NC legislative leaders Phil Berger and Destin Hall are set to announce details of a state budget deal this afternoon.
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of May 12
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
SC GOP announces plans to file a federal lawsuit to close primaries
The South Carolina Republican Party is planning on filing a federal lawsuit to require partisan voter registration and close state primary elections.
Trump is getting another medical checkup at the end of May, the White House says
It will be his fourth publicized visit to medical experts since returning to office.
The Best Over-the-Counter Products of 2026, According to U.S. News & World Report
Hundreds of pharmacists and dermatologists were surveyed to discover the top finds.
Rural Ohio hospitals feel brunt of noncompete clauses as legislators eye ban
Noncompete clauses are older than the U.S. itself, but there are little federal or state guidelines.
Why Swedish scientists gave salmon cocaine
A recent study caught our eye: salmon on cocaine. Or really, researchers giving salmon cocaine…for science. See, scientists know human drugs pollute aquatic environments – past studies have shown even anti-anxiety drugs can change how fish act. But illicit drugs are less studied. And Jack Brand, an aquatic ecologist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, wanted to know how illicit drugs like cocaine might change fish behavior, like foraging and mating. To answer that question, Jack and his team gave salmon cocaine. Interested in more science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
'All politics is theatre'
Brecht to the future: a review of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertold Brecht, directed by Seán Linnen for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
This strange giant dinosaur may change what we know about Jurassic titans
A bizarre new giant dinosaur discovered in Argentina is giving paleontologists a fresh look at how Jurassic titans evolved in the Southern Hemisphere. Bicharracosaurus dionidei stretched about 20 meters long and carried a strange mix of features seen in both Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus relatives. Scientists believe it could represent the first known Jurassic brachiosaurid from South America, helping fill a major gap in the dinosaur fossil record.
Racial gerrymandering may be here to stay
The Supreme Court has barred considering race when crafting legislative districts. But race could remain embedded in political gerrymandering, despite vehement claims to the contrary.
Bill would put executives on the hook for 'knowingly' causing a catastrophe
Democratic state Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and Democratic state Sen. Michelle Hinchey are sponsoring this legislation in their chambers.
Montana voters will be able to register to vote on Election Day, judge rules
A Montana judge has blocked the state from limiting voter registration on Election Day
Supreme Court hands Alabama major boost in redistricting fight
Alabama legislators are hoping to boost the GOP in November’s midterm elections in the wake of last month’s Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act.
Pope Warns Main Threat Common to Religion and Science Is Denial of Objective Truth
Pope Leo XIV pointed out that both science and the Church clearly teach that caring for the planet is threatened by the irresponsible exploitation of both people and the natural world.
City of Evanston seeks input via survey from business owners for new retail initiative
The City of Evanston and Retail Activation Strategist Claire Seizovic are inviting Evanston business owners to help shape a new Pop-Up and Incubator Pilot
Democratic strategist launches effort to repeal California’s two-top primary
Steven Maviglio submitted his “Undo the Top Two” proposal on Friday to state officials.
Unions, businesses urge legislators in opposite directions on independent contractor rules
Business groups and freelances urged lawmakers to undo recently adopted rules on worker classification. Unions said they should persist.
Roundup: Home resales sluggish / Restaurants squeezed / Beef imports
Barely budging: Sales of previously owned U.S. homes barely rose in April from a nine-month low, underscoring a sluggish housing market at the start of the spring selling season. Contract closings edged up 0.2% to a 4.02 million annualized rate, according to National Association of Realtors data out Monday. That was slightly slower than the […]
Finmile boosts Net Zero Logistics with AI for route efficiency
Net Zero Logistics uses AI tool Finmile to enhance delivery efficiency, cutting costs and optimizing routes with real-time data tracking.
Why political gerrymandering in the South will likely continue to consider voters’ race despite Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court has barred considering race when crafting legislative districts. But race could remain embedded in political gerrymandering, despite vehement claims to the contrary.
Evers, GOP leaders reach $1.8B deal to lower taxes, boost school funds
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders have struck a nearly $2 billion deal to deliver new funding to schools and provide tax relief.
Jackie Martínez Marushka Launches Hispanic Entertainment Alliance Charitable Fund
The Hispanic Entertainment Alliance, founded by entertainment PR strategist Jackie Martínez [...]
GOP rush to redraw U.S. House seats creates voter confusion, headaches for election officials
Republicans' rush to gerrymander congressional districts across several Southern states is confusing voters and creating logistical headaches for local election officials.
DEA Announces New Marijuana Registration Forms For Manufacturing, Distribution And Testing Businesses
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced it will soon be rolling out new forms for additional types of state-licensed medical marijuana businesses beyond dispensaries that want to take advantage of federal protections in line with the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling process. Last month, DEA launched a registration form for medical marijuana dispensaries only, […]
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Nebraska's primaries
Nebraska voters will choose nominees for a full slate of contests ranging from governor to state Legislature and local offices.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in West Virginia's primaries
Republican West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey isn’t on the primary ballot Tuesday but is staking his political capital to reshape his party’s massive supermajorities in the state Legislature more to his liking
Voter confusion and headaches for election officials follow hasty GOP push to redraw US House seats
Republican state officials are confusing voters and creating logistical headaches for local election officials across the South by redistricting U.S. House seats as primary season is underway.
Voter confusion and headaches for election officials follow hasty GOP push to redraw US House seats
Republican state officials are confusing voters and creating logistical headaches for local election officials across the South by redistricting U.S. House seats as primary season is underway.
The community-less, hyper-online citizen is a threat to democracy
Robert Putnam, a political scientist and sociologist, first came to widespread public attention with his turn-of-the-century tome, “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community.” There has been frequent debate regarding whether Putnam, who taught for several decades at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, is a conservative or liberal. Occasionally mistaken for unquestioned right-winger […]
Shane Van Gisbergen Makes Flawless Rally To Win Watkins Glen
A 29-second deficit with just 25 laps remaining wasn't enough to stop Shane van Gisbergen from marching to a win in the Go Bowling at The Glen.
Official race results: 2026 NASCAR Cup at Watkins Glen
Shane van Gisbergen earned his seventh career win, beating McDowell and Gibbs at the Glen
Why the Wellness Industry Is Betting Big on Longevity Science: Expert View by Spherical Insights
Wellness market is projected to grow from approximately USD 5.4 trillion in 2024 to nearly USD 10.73 trillion by 2035, registering a CAGR of around 6.44% during 2025–2035.
Geek Out Napa Valley returns to celebrate ‘creativity and fandom’
Whether it be Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, DC, music, crafts, “Dungeons & Dragons” or something else entirely, the Napa County Library can help people celebrate. Geek Out Napa Valley is simply an extension of what the library has to offer.
Shidler College of Business host night of mentorship, recognition for 500 students
The 65th annual Business Night honored student achievement with awards totaling $122,500 and provided mentorship opportunities with business professionals.
MN politics: HCMC funding still in question as legislative session winds down | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
With only a week left in the Minnesota legislative session, congressional candidates are securing endorsements ahead of the elections in November. But the issue of funding Hennepin County Medical Center still remains, with the House and Senate offering very different solutions. Political analyst Blois Olson spoke to FOX 9's Leah Beno on the details.
Science 4 Everyone: How much rain do we need to properly moisturize soil?
While the D.C. area did get some rain over the past few days, did it improve the amount of moisture in the soil? Storm Team4 meteorologist and science teacher Ryan Miller checks it out in Arlington, Virginia.
Amazon Offloads DJI Mini 3 Combo at Record Low, RC With Built-In Screen Included
Three batteries, 114 minutes of total flight time, a shoulder bag, and the DJI RC with a built-in 5.5-inch display are all included. No FAA registration required, 4K HDR straight out of the box.
California must stop treating fraud as the cost of doing business
Orange County learned what happens when oversight is weakened.
3 Things You Can Only Say Out Loud In A Strong Relationship, By A Psychologist
These three statements take guts to admit in a romantic relationship. Here’s why they can only land if you have a strong foundation.
Colorado’s rulers save democracy from the voters
Another week, another column about Colorado’s ruling class treating democracy like a state trooper treats the speed limit. It’s for other people. I swear, I want to write about literally anything else — aliens, sports, lab-grown meat, Bigfoot opening a vape shop in Pueblo. But Colorado’s legislature has never been more abusive to the citizenry […]
Editorial: Economy, health headline session
The story of the 2026 Legislature is one of making difficult spending and taxing decisions, which meant that proposals to add new spending to the balance sheet were a heavier lift.
Savannah leaders dish on the state of small business locally
Savannah's Mayor's Small Business Conference highlighted economic growth driven by logistics and manufacturing, offering opportunities.
Wales progress stalls in sluggish Ireland showing
Wales' progress in the Women's Six Nations is halted by a disappointing performance away to Ireland.
Alaska Republicans reelect Carmela Warfield as party chair
Warfield defeated a challenger who criticized Republicans serving in bipartisan coalitions in the Alaska Legislature.
Video: The G.O.P. Rush To Break Up Majority-Black Districts
Republican-controlled legislatures in the South are breaking up majority-Black congressional districts in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling. Our national politics reporter Nick Corasaniti describes what it means for the midterms.
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.
Trump's college sports committee tackles laundry list of issues and calls on Congress to act quickly
The presidential committee asked to find solutions for spiraling costs in college sports recommended creating a task force to look at pooling media rights, limiting coaches salaries, and rewriting eligibility and transfer-portal rules, along with at least a dozen other ideas. A draft document of the committee's proposals, obtained by Yahoo Sports, wants Congress to quickly pass legislation that would create the task force, which would receive the antitrust exemption and the right to override individual state laws that the NCAA and other collegiate sports leaders are seeking.
Orange County restaurants shut down by health inspectors (April 30-May 7)
There were seven restaurants and food establishments ordered closed by Orange County inspectors from April 30 to May 7.
The latest congressional redistricting changes and what to know
The remaking of the U.S. political map accelerated this week in courts and legislatures. Here's a look at where things stand.
Kings Plaza Adds New Stores And Entertainment Options in Brooklyn
The mall now includes Coach, PacSun, Foot Locker, Arcadia and Digiso.
WA filing week closes as Democrats chase supermajority in Olympia
Washington state's candidate filing week sets up key legislative races as Democrats look to expand control and potentially secure a supermajority.
What’s Working: Swipe fees, AI and other legislation Colorado businesses are cheering or fearing
A more collaborative year for businesses. Plus: A new moon rover, drought tech and new law could help CenturyLink end copper wire theft
Alaska Legislature asks federal government for more flexibility on rural health funding
Legislators say restrictions on how and when Rural Health Transformation Program funding can be used present problems for Alaska.
Fiery hearing over Louisiana redistricting shows historic stakes: ‘The country is watching’
Over the course of more than eight hours, dozens of speakers urged legislators not to redraw maps to eliminate two majority-Black districts.
Gov. DeSantis sign legislation banning Floridians' surrogacy contracts with Chinese, Russian citizens
'China ships people here for birth. It's really a seedy thing.'
Evictions, AI, public transportation bills: CT politics news
Plus: The fate of bills concerning data centers, health care affordability, fertility treatment, Aquarion Water Company and balloons.
Colorado governor signs $47 billion budget in which ‘nobody won’
Gov. Jared Polis on Friday officially signed a $46.87 billion spending plan for the Colorado state government in the next fiscal year. His signature is the culmination of months of work by legislators, who resorted to cuts, transfers and other mechanisms to balance the 2026-27 budget amid a deficit of more than $1 billion. That […]
Apple Seeds Second iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Release Candidates to Developers
Apple today seeded new release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming five days after the first RC. It's not clear what's changed in the second RC, but Apple typically sends out another candidate if there are bugs that need to be addressed. Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.
Huge crowd presses for Louisiana to keep two majority-Black districts in pointed hearing
As the Louisiana Legislature races to redraw its voting maps for Congress, voters and advocates blasted lawmakers for pushing to eliminate majority-Black seats.
House Passes 2026 Farm Bill with Rural Health Provisions - MHA | Michigan Health & Hospital Association
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, on April 30, which includes several provisions supporting rural healthcare infrastructure, broadband expansion and behavioral health services. The legislation includes six provisions championed by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), several of which…
Scientists split gentoo penguins into four species, one totally new to science. Three of them are already threatened.
Biologists argue that gentoo penguins should be divided into four separate species, including a newly recognized “cryptic” species. The habitats of three of them are imperiled by climate change.
CAIR Releases Analysis of Anti-Muslim Oklahoma Politics
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released a new analysis detailing a multi-front effort to push Oklahoma Muslims outside the circle of the state’s protected civic and religious life — through legislation, thro
Dr. Chloe Carmichael on political breakups destroying American friendships
Clinical psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael discusses a study revealing politics destroys American friendships, with Democrats leading in ending relationships.
Anger mounts after Tennessee Republicans redraw maps
Legislature has eliminated the state’s one Democratic, Black-majority congressional district
Science with Stevie: Droughts & Wildfire Risk
Meteorologist Stevie Daniels discusses the ongoing severe drought in Maryland and how it can lead to an increased risk of wildfire spread in this Science with Stevie segment.
A State Budget That Speaks to a New Political Reality
Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders announced a handshake deal on a budget that includes a second-home tax, expanded child care in the city and a ban on ICE agents’ wearing of masks.
A maritime industry veteran has launched a new company to bring more business to Louisiana ports
The joint venture will focus on leveraging the $90 million in industrial projects under construction in Louisiana by focusing on steering business to Louisiana ports, logistics firms and vendors.
Opposition forming against radiologist nominee for surgeon general
“Dr. Saphier would be a catastrophic mistake on messaging and communicating with MAHA at a time where the coalition is very fragile,” one opponent says.
Ohio rural healthcare access — an advanced solution?
A report from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio found that rural residents are 15% more likely to die before the age of 75. Allowing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to operate more independently could be a solution to allow better access to care.
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 […]
Deal or no deal? Gov. Hochul says pencils down, Albany Democrats say not so fast
Rep. Jeffries sent Rep. Morelle to meet with Hochul and legislative leaders.
N.Y. lawmaker calls budget process a 'dictatorship'
As the battle surrounding the state budget continues to unfold, lawmakers in both houses of the New York State Legislature are sounding off on how long the budget process is dragging out.
Mozilla says AI helped squash 423 Firefox security bugs
Yet it remains unclear if Anthropic's uber model was effective, or if better model middleware is what makes the difference
Strawberry Festival nears with fiesta theme and expanded entertainment lineup
The 2026 Strawberry Festival is just days away, and organizers say excitement and registrations are at record highs. New entertainment has been added on Main Street and at Jawbone Park, alongside a bigger parade and expanded family fun night.
Gov. DeSantis signs legislation more tightly regulating data centers
The Governor said the new law gives local governments control over land use rules to protect from data centers.
New study finds increase in ‘political breakups’
UC Irvine psychologists report a third of Americans have lost relationships over political differences.
Bill Would Stop Sports Blackouts
New legislation led by democratic Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin would stop professional sports leagues from blacking out games for fans and end the complicated, costly web of streaming services. The […]
Have you gotten a scary mailer warning against a Rays stadium deal? Beware, it's from a dead guy
Doug Guetzloe, the Chair, Treasurer and registered agent for the political committee behind attack mailers, died in 2018.
Amid NIL tumult, Florida mulls regulating college sports agents
The possibilities in Florida include capping the cut agents can take from athletes, adding new registration requirements and even charging them a fee to prove they’re legitimate business representation.
Purgatory: Florida congressional delegation in middle of pack in 'Biblical Business Index'
Could Florida legislators be more faith-based?
From Lab to Video Feed: A Biologist Distills Science in 60 Seconds
Julia Bauman creates engaging short-form TikTok videos that make science topics accessible to a broad audience.
The National Academy of Sciences Elects Two Berkeley Lab Researchers
Two Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) scientists have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. They are part of a cohort of 120 new members and 25 international members. The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit institution that was established under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It recognizes achievement in science by election to membership, and — alongside the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine — provides science, engineering, and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations. The 2026 electees bring the total number of active members to 2,705 with 557 international members. Gary Karpen is a biologist senior faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Biological Systems and Engineering Division and a Professor of Cell and Developmental Physiology in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley. Karpen studies how the structure, organization, and maintenance of genetic material impact inheritance and cell function. His lab focuses on chromatin — a packaged form of DNA strands wrapped around proteins that comprises our chromosomes — with a particular emphasis on centromeres, rarely expressed sequences called heterochromatin, DNA repair, and regulatory RNAs. His research reveals insights into fundamental aspects of nuclear organization and genome regulation that are shared across the tree of life, broadening our understanding of cancer and other diseases, birth defects, and aging. Kam-Biu Luk is a Professor Emeritus of physics at UC Berkeley and a retired senior faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Physics Division. He is an experimental particle physicist whose research has focused on neutrinos: nearly massless, electrically neutral elementary particles that can pass through matter virtually undetected. Neutrinos are created during radioactive decay processes, including the fusion process occurring in stars and the fission process that powers nuclear reactors. Luk initiated and co-led the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment, a project based in China with more than 200 international collaborators. In 2012, the Daya Bay experiment discovered a new form of a phenomenon called “neutrino oscillation” in which neutrinos change from one type to another. For this discovery, Luk and his collaborator Yifan Wang received the 2014 American Physical Society Division of Particles and Fields W.K.H. Panofsky Prize for outstanding work in experimental particle physics, and he was also the co-recipient of the 2016 Breakthrough Prize. Luk is currently participating in the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, which will investigate any potential difference in behavior between neutrinos and antineutrinos that may shed light on the evolution of the universe, especially why antimatter is absent in the present universe. ### Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
New study finds increase in ‘political breakups'
UC Irvine psychologists report a third of Americans have lost relationships over political differences
California high-speed rail project: The best business plan is no plan at all
Boon Rocks. That’s the way to go.
Money Happens: Tips for dealing with student loan debt when it affects your mental health
Debt can make you feel isolated, so sharing your experiences can be helpful.
How Fast Is the Universe Expanding? These Cosmologists Finally Figured It Out
The most precise measurement of the expansion rate ever made suggests an unknown force may be affecting the universe.
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.
Erie County Legislature committee eyeing gas tax cap amid high prices
The Finance and Management Committee will meet Thursday to discuss.
The 15 best moments in historic Iowa Hawkeyes sports year
Register sports columnist reflects on Iowa's 2025-26 sports year by ranking the top 15 Hawkeye moments in football, basketball and wrestling.
Thongs, Taco Bell and the neuroscience of baseball’s weirdest rituals
Sports psychologists once treated rituals as a confidence trick — a placebo. The science has gotten more interesting than that.
Radiologists speak out against whole-body MRI screening in prominent editorial
Matthew S. Davenport, MD, MBA, and Scott B. Reeder, MD, PhD, made their plea to patients and providers in an opinion piece published May 6 in JAMA.