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Entertainment at The Big E 2026
(MASS APPEAL) – From major headliners to free live music across the fairgrounds, entertainment is a huge part of what makes The Big E such a memorable experience each year. And in 2026, conce…
Learning Health System holds 7th annual symposium
Co-sponsors of the Learning Health System (LHS) Symposium held May 14 at the Vanderbilt Student Life Center join keynote speaker Kevin High, MD, MS, (second from right), a leader in academic LHS for Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health. From left are Christiane Roumie, MD, MPH, Director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VETWISE-LHS Center of Innovation, Cheryl Gatto, PhD, and Matthew Semler, MD, MSCI, from the Center for Learning Healthcare of the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, and, at far right, symposium Chair Sunil Kripalani, MD, MSc, Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Health Services Research. (photo by Susan Urmy) Recipients of the Operational Partner Award were honored at the May 14 Learning Health System (LHS) Symposium for their efforts, in partnership with the LHS academic initiative, to improve frontline patient care at Vanderbilt Health and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Turning Point Action endorses Sydney Gruters in CD 16
Gruters has paired national conservative support with local law enforcement backing.
Bari Weiss: Think For Yourself, Not By Yourself
When we launched The Free Press, the plan was simple: Tell the truth plainly, and let readers come to their own conclusions. I thought there would be a sizable enough group of people who would pay the cost of one coffee a month to read high-quality news and opinion journalism. But what happened next surprised even me. Yes, you came for the stories—for the investigations, essays, debates, interviews, podcasts, and arguments. But over the past few years, you also found one another. I’ve watched strangers become friends in the lobby before our debates. I’ve seen people trade numbers after live recordings of Honestly, launch businesses after Free Press dinners, fall in love after our meetups—even get married (!?), and say some version of the same sentence over and over again: I thought I was the only one. We live in the most connected age in history, and yet, millions of people feel isolated, alienated, politically homeless, and starved for real conversation. We have followers and no neighbors. Algorithms instead of interlocutors. Our social media feeds are like troughs, but what we really need is a table to gather around. The Free Press is a publication, yes, but it is also a gathering place for independent minds. So today, I’m thrilled to share our new investment in you. We are launching a new world of community experiences for our paid subscribers, designed to bring _Free Press_ers together online and in real life. Introducing Our Community Launch The Free Press Forum Our new digital home for paid subscribers, the Forum, is now live. This is where _Free Press_ers can meet, debate, recommend, organize, joke, argue, and converse like civilized people. Imagine that. This is not social media as you know it. No bots. No algorithmic rage bait. No performative nonsense. Just smart people talking to one another. Inside the Forum, you’ll find conversations on the things our readers already care about most: the issues of the day, recommendations (books, music, travel), work and networking, parenting, dating, and where to find your people—online and in real life. Jump in! Introduce yourself and join the first conversations in the Free Press Forum here. You’ll also find announcements from us (paid subscribers are first to hear!) and our writers, hosting regular Ask Me Anythings (AMAs)—live conversations where subscribers can ask questions, push back, and continue the discussion beyond the page. This Thursday, subscribers can chat with our brilliant reporter, culture vulture, and co-founder Suzy Weiss. Friday, I’ll be lending you Nellie Bowles, queen of TGIF, to answer subscriber questions live. Read more about The Forum directly from Nellie here. The Free Press Supper Club The best part of being a _Free Press_er is meeting other _Free Press_ers. So we’re inviting you all to dinner to do just that. It’s part salon, part blind date, part old-fashioned dinner party. Here’s how it works: You answer a short questionnaire. We match you with a small group of _Free Press_ers in your city. We send you to a great restaurant. You show up for supper. The rest is up to you. Your next best friend, co-founder, or future spouse may already be waiting at the table. Learn more and sign up here for our first Supper Club in 12 cities in three countries taking place on June 18. Don’t see your city? Raise your hand if you’d like a Free Press Supper Club near you. Yes, St. Louis—we hear you. The Free Press Retreats and Excursions We’re also building something new for 2027: immersive experiences for Free Press readers who want to continue the conversation trailside, poolside, or around a fire long after dessert. The Free Press Retreat will be an intimate long weekend built around big ideas, outdoor adventure, great meals, and the kinds of discussions that happen when curious people spend meaningful time together. Bring your spouse, your parents, your children—or come on your own. Free Press Excursions will take us farther afield: curated trips with Free Press writers and contributors exploring places that help explain the world we live in, from the battlefields of Gettysburg and Normandy to the Vatican in Rome. We’ll share more details this summer. If you’d like an early look when these experiences open for registration, show your interest here.**A Note to Our Subscribers** These new offerings exist because of our paying subscribers. If you’re already one: Thank you. You built this. And you keep us going. If you’ve been reading us for free and wondering whether to join, this is a very good time. For a short while only, we’re offering a rare 20 percent discount for you to join our community as a paid subscriber. You’ll unlock everything we publish, plus exclusive access to our members-only Forum, Supper Clubs, and more insider perks. Thinking for yourself shouldn’t mean thinking by yourself. See you there. —Bari
Alyssa Farah Griffin calls Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding his 'funeral' in shocking on-air slip
'The View' star Alyssa Farah Griffin shocks audience, mistakenly calls Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding his 'funeral' live on the air.
Apple’s new MacBook Air M5 just dropped below Memorial Day pricing at $199 off
Apple just launched its newest MacBook Air back in March, and now the best MacBook and overall laptop we’ve tried is $199 off for the first time at Amazon.
Holding the Veterans Affairs Secretary Accountable for the Severely Damaged Veterans’ Health Care System | American Postal Workers Union
In February 2025, representatives from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began working with the newly appointed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to identify alleged wasteful contracts and improve VA operations. DOGE cancelled hundreds of VA contracts and carried out thousands of staffing reductions, including the dismissal of probationary employees, under […]
Google Health for Android rollout was sped up as Fitbit Air buyers were struggling to pair
The Google Health app is replacing the Fitbit app, with the update having started rolling out over the past week....
STEP - Health Alert: Worldwide Caution - U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg
STEP – Health Alert: Worldwide Caution STEP Alert Health Alert: Worldwide Caution – Updated Public Health Arrival Restrictions and Enhanced Ebola Screening – May 22, 2026 Event: U.S.-bound American citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days of arrival in the United States must only enter through the following airports for enhanced screening: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) for flights after 11:59 PM on May 21, 2026 Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for flights after 11:59 PM on May 22, 2026 George Bush Intercontinental Airport, (IAH), Houston, for flights departing after 11:59 PM on May 26, 2026 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply enhanced public health screening at IAD in response to the Ebola outbreak. This requirement applies to all passengers, including U.S. citizens and LPRs, who were present in those countries. Please be prepared for flight changes or cancellations. Actions to take: Read the Modification of List of Designated Airports Regarding Arrival Restrictions Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information on what travelers need to know about returning to the United States from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Read the Department of Homeland Security Alert on Enhanced Ebola Screening. Review Consular Information for Americans Regarding the Ebola Outbreak. If you are planning to travel to the United States, contact your airline to confirm your flight and route. You may also contact the State Department – Consular Affairs: Phone: +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444 Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety and security updates.
Texas business leader torches California’s billionaire tax push: ‘We don’t punish hard work’
Texas business leader torches California’s billionaire tax push: ‘We don’t punish hard work’
Gabriela von zur Muehlen, chief policy officer for the Texas Association of Businesses, says high-tax states like California and New York are pushing wealth, jobs and investment toward Texas.
Why billionaires, CEOs and manufacturers keep choosing Texas as America’s business capital
Gabriela von zur Muehlen, chief policy officer at the Texas Association of Business, says Texas’ low costs and strong supply chains help attract billionaires, CEOs and manufacturers.
Court Rejects Alabama House Map, Calling It Unfair to Black Voters
Alabama is likely to appeal the ruling, which stops an effort to use a new congressional map that would redraw one majority-Black district.
Hyperreal Politics: When the Simulation Becomes Too Absurd to Satirize
My dialogue with Claude continues as we reflect on civilizational decline, democratic erosion, and the capture of shared
BP ousts chairman over ‘serious concerns’ about his conduct
BP has dismissed its chairman Albert Manifold less than a year since he was appointed to the role, after “serious concerns” were raised about “governance standards, oversight and conduct,” the oil giant said Tuesday.
Apple's M5 MacBook Air Hits New Low Price of $899.99
Amazon today has introduced a new record low price on the 512GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, available for $899.99, down from $1,099.00. This deal is available in all colors and as of writing only Amazon has the discount. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. This new price is about $50 cheaper when compared to past sales.
Google’s Fitbit Air Gives Whoop Some Serious Competition
The Fitbit Air, a new $100 screenless wearable from Alphabet Inc.’s Google, represents a major evolution in what consumers can expect from fitness trackers as tech companies race into an era of personalized health and artificial intelligence-powered wellness insights.
Google’s Fitbit Air Gives Whoop Some Serious Competition
The Fitbit Air, a new $100 screenless wearable from Alphabet Inc.’s Google, represents a major evolution in what consumers can expect from fitness trackers as tech companies race into an era of personalized health and artificial intelligence-powered wellness insights.
Fitbit Air review: Health tracking for the AI generation
The Fitbit Air is a serious rival to Whoop and other screenless wearable trackers thanks to its solid hardware, comprehensive software and competitive pricing.
Los Angeles Philharmonic names Daniel Harding its next music director
Daniel Harding, the versatile British conductor and Air France pilot who made his L.A. Phil debut in 1997 at 21, will become the orchestra's 12th music director.
Building Toward the Games: Army Team Sports Competitors Train in San Antonio Ahead of 2026 Warrior Games
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Chelsey Scott, left, participates in wheelchair basketball training during Army Team Sports Camp in San Antonio, May 2026. The camp helps Team Army competitors strengthen teamwork, resilience and adaptive sports skills ahead of the 2026 Warrior Games. (U.S. Army photo by Corey Wallace)
Alain Mathieu Joins Foley Hoag as Chair of Sports and Entertainment Group
Learn more about the latest updates in legal, with expert commentary and insights from trusted attorneys from Foley Hoag LLP. Foley Hoag is a professional community of highly qualified attorneys from all over the US.
Texas Health Arlington Memorial to Host Wellness Fair on June 5, 2026
The free community event will bring together experts and local resources to help you live well, stay well and thrive.
African American Cultural Fair returns Wednesday with a few big changes; a tribute event for Ty Gant
Reservoir Park will transform this week from a blank canvas to a cultural fair and carnival that celebrates Black and African American cultures in Lancaster.
This Fitbit Air rival skips a monthly subscription, and it finally has a launch date
A smart ring company is preparing to launch its Fitbit Air rival, and it will be ditching the subscription model.
MOSI Monday | The Science That Helps Planes Fly Flight
The Science That Helps Planes Fly Flight depends on an important idea called Bernoulli’s Principle. It says that when air moves faster, the pressure decreases.
18 sports venues under scrutiny as FISU Technical Committee Chairs visit North Carolina
18 summer sports experts from 15 countries just spent 15 days visiting the future North Carolina 2029 FISU World University Games venue sites. The visitors, headed by Jing Zhao, FISU Summer Games Director and including Brian Carrer, Senior Sports Manager; Josh Miethke, Sports Manager; and Lara Bernassi, Sports Manager from FISU side took part to […]
U.S. Rep. Steil advocates for crypto while industry backs his campaign
Wisconsin Congressman Bryan Steil has benefited from campaign contributions from the crypto industry as chairman of the subcommittee on digital assets.
High-Level Climate, Clean Air, and Health Roundtable
Reducing air pollution and climate pollutants represents one of the most immediate opportunities to protect human health while advancing climate goals and driving economic growth. Actions to reduce super pollutants such as methane and black carbon can rapidly slow warming while significantly reducing the global burden of disease linked to air pollution. These health benefits reduce pressures on health systems and improve labour productivity, supporting economic growth.
Climate, Clean Air, and Health: Action That Pays Off Now
Hosted by Baroness Sheehan, PSE Healthy Energy, Wellcome Trust, Climate and Clean Air Coalition
Andrea Hairston on Crossing Genres, Science Fiction, and Taking Romance Seriously
When I describe my recent novel, The Redemption Center is Closed on Sundays, as a SFF mystery romance, people frequently ask, “Wasn’t it difficult writing a murder mystery?” Yes, it was…
Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Brain Health
This paper updates the 2011 Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia scientific statement.
Here are more than 20 festivals you can attend in Louisville this year
Festival season in Kentucky is here. Find your fun with this guide to over 20 summer festivals in Louisville.
Camp Zama Soldiers Connect With Community at Mental Health Awareness Fair
Camp Zama’s Army Substance Abuse Program hosted a Mental Health Awareness Day event May 20 to provide various information and resources for community me...
Advancing Global Sports Medicine Through Two Strategic Collaborations
Cleveland Clinic’s Global Peak Performance Center and PGA TOUR partnership pair advanced assessment with longitudinal follow-up to enhance clinical decision-making.
Advancing Global Sports Medicine Through Two Strategic Collaborations
Cleveland Clinic’s Global Peak Performance Center and PGA TOUR partnership pair advanced assessment with longitudinal follow-up to enhance clinical decision-making.
Loyola’s Data Science in Everyday Life
Loyola University Maryland will hold “Data Science in Everyday Life: Applicability, AI, and Other Trends,” a networking and panel event exploring data science from a range of perspectives across industry and government.A keynote address delivered by data science industry expert David Norton, MBA ’95, will begin the event. Norton is the chairman and chief marketing officer of GALE Partners, a digital and analytics-based branding agency. He was named Chief Marketing Officer of the Year in 2010 and wrote “The High Roller Experience,” a book about data-driven marketing.Norton will moderate the panel discussion, which includes:• Elise Beisecker, senior data scientist in the U.S. Government Accountability Office• Amanda Muller, Ph.D., chief of responsible technology at Northrop Grumman• Franklin Hernandez, MBA ’13, M.S. ’20, senior lead machine learning engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton• Joseph Girsch, M.S. ’21, machine learning analyst at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory• Mark Wicks, retired vice president of data science, data scientist, machine learning engineer and software developerHernandez and Girsch each earned an M.S. in Data Science from Loyola.The event is free and open to the public. Networking and appetizers will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the keynote address and panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. and audience questions and closing remarks at 7:30 p.m. To learn more and register to attend or stream the event online, visit the event webpage.
Massive fire rips through South Florida junkyard, spreads to businesses
Thick, black smoke permeated the air Monday evening as crews battled a massive fire that began at a junkyard in Opa-locka.
Steelers' Omar Khan Somewhat Blasted, and It's Fair
If I'm being honest, I haven't necessarily loved all of the moves the Pittsburgh Steelers have made over the past few years. I'm unsure if I can blame that on one person in the Steelers organization, but it definitely feels like something has to change for this organization to finally get over that hump.
Matt Mahan facing campaign questions, political jabs ahead of CA primary
A pro-Mahan political committee refunded $1 million to Netflix Chairman Reed Hastings, a major backer. Additionally, Mahan faced a corruption complaint related to alleged coordination with a billionaire-funded political action committee.
Three juveniles arrested for armed robbery after threatening business with airsoft gun
INDIANAPOLIS — Several 911 calls led to the arrest of three juveniles for suspected armed robbery, vehicle break-ins, and burglary of a business. According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police D…
Ready for takeoff: A draft EIS for Sea-Tac has 31 projects, including a new terminal
Now is your chance to help guide future development at Seattle Tacoma International Airport, including a possible second terminal with 19 gates.
The New 2026 Apple iPad Air with M4 Chip Drops to a New All-Time Low Price During the Amazon Memorial Day Sale, $80 Less Than Buying It From the Apple Store
Save $80 off compared to buying it from the Apple Store.
Is Sony Group (TSE:6758) Pricing In Recent Entertainment And Gaming Momentum?
If you are wondering whether Sony Group stock at ¥3,598 is giving you a fair deal or not, a clear look at its valuation can help you decide how it might fit into your portfolio. The share price return is flat over the past week at 0.1%, while the stock shows a 12.2% gain over 30 days, a decline of 11.8% year to date, a 1.6% return over 1 year, 45.0% over 3 years, and 80.6% over 5 years. Taken together, these figures give mixed signals about how the market has been reassessing the stock over...
Wildfire near Miami Executive Airport contained, but smoke still threatens health
Wildfire near Miami Executive Airport triggers health alerts over lingering smoke
Israeli opposition leader Lapid says Trump’s emerging deal with Iran is 'bad for the region'
The deal being discussed between the U.S. and Iran fails to achieve any of Israel’s goals for the war, Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Monday, as he accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to influence a better agreement.
Myrtle Beach dedicates Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Warbird Park
Over a thousand people gathered to celebrate the opening of the veterans memorial at Warbird, which sits very close to where the front gate of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base was located.
Memorial Day Apple deals: M5 MacBook Air, AirPods Pro on sale
The final day of the MDW delivered an unexpected deal on a new MacBook, and we don't know how long it will last.
Ebola health screenings at Bush Airport for certain passengers begin Tuesday
Houston is one of three airports in the entire country that will accept travelers from the outbreak zone in Central Africa, and passengers from impacted areas are expected to arrive as early as Tuesday.
Leeds 'remain ambitious' but transfer plans 'strategic and disciplined'
It will take "three long-fought seasons" before Leeds can "truly operate like an established Premier League side", chairman Paraag Marathe has said. The club statement comes just 10 days after Whites boss Daniel Farke said he is "not the right choice" to remain in charge if the club failed to match his ambition in the summer, after achieving survival and an impressive 14th-place finish on the Leed's return to the top flight. "While this year brought memorable highs and difficult moments, Daniel and the squad delivered a special campaign," he said.
Hyperreal Politics: When the Simulation Becomes Too Absurd to Satirize
The foreign policy playing out today in the West is so preposterously self-destructive it would be rejected as implausible fiction
Inaugural Pride-centered health fair coming to South Laredo
South Laredo’s first Pride-centered health fair focused on awareness, prevention and community support is set for June.
Women's health fair set at Ebeid Center
A women’s health and resource fair Saturday at the ProMedica Ebeid Center will feature screenings and wellness resources. Community organizations will be ...
This prehistoric fish may explain how animals first walked on Earth
Scientists have peered inside the skull of a 380-million-year-old Antarctic fish that was closely related to the first animals to walk on land, revealing surprising clues about how life began its move out of the water. Using advanced neutron imaging, researchers discovered that Koharalepis jarviki had features suited for living near the water’s surface, including openings in its skull that may have helped it gulp air and a light-sensitive organ linked to day-night rhythms.
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre Nurses Demand Fair Wages to Protect Primary Care
More than 30 registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs), members of the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA), at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre (PQWCHC) are calling on their employer to close the wage gap and offer fair wages as they head to conciliation seeking a new collective agreement. After years of wage freezes or minimal wage increases, the group of highly-skilled nurses are struggling to make ends meet, forcing them to look for jobs in other health-care sectors.
Semiconductor decoupling. Powell's politics. Industrializing Ogaden. Free trade and the Magna Carta.
Thank you for opening your Chartbook email. Feliks Topolski, 1907-1989 8th Army’s Front, Italy 1944 Semiconductor decoupling Source: FT One thing that Jerome Powell deeply understood is that chairing the Fed under current conditions is a deeply political job. “Powell has successes and mistakes to his name. But he stands out as having thought more carefully about the Fed’s democratic legitimacy than any chair since Paul Volcker,” said Paul Tucker, a former deputy governor at the Bank of England, referring to the Fed chair who successfully fought the great inflation of the 1970s and early 1980s. … While Powell was at the Treasury in the early 1990s, he watched Alan Greenspan build relationships within the government. That convinced Powell he needed to follow the former Fed chair’s lead and spend more time in Congress than his predecessors Yellen and Bernanke. “The accountability for the Fed runs through Congress,” said Claudia Sahm, a former Fed official who is now chief economist at New Century Advisors. “That’s not just about having people on speed dial — it’s answering questions, explaining policy and getting feedback.” Source: FT Ethiopia’s PM Abiy and Nigerian business tycoon, with Chinese engineering, are driving industrialization in Ogaden/Somali region of Ethiopia. - Michael Masri’s reporting for Africa Report if fascinating. Ethiopia has launched a cluster of large industrial schemes in the Somali region, laying foundation stones for a urea plant and an oil refinery in Gode while opening the first two phases of the Ogaden LNG project. Abiy Ahmed framed the push as part of a broader strategy to link energy, agriculture and industry. “These projects embody more than industrial growth,” he said. “They represent our shared responsibility to harness opportunities, strengthen co-operation and promote peace.” The Gode urea plant, backed by Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), is designed for 3m tonnes a year. Dangote owns 60%, while EIH holds 40%. Officials say Dangote’s equity totals about $2.5bn, while the state provides land and implementation oversight. Gas from the Calub fields will be piped 108km to the site. Construction is slated for 40 months, with operations targeted for 2028. Ethiopia imports most of its fertiliser, spending more than $1.2bn a year for 1.5m–2m tonnes. Usage was roughly 1.7m tonnes in 2023, almost half of it urea, and demand for 2024–25 is put above 2.4m tonnes. If delivered on time, the Gode plant could cover domestic needs and allow exports to neighbours. Brook Taye, chief executive of EIH, called the venture “a significant milestone in the journey toward industrial self-sufficiency”. Dangote told the groundbreaking crowd that the complex would be integrated with gas supply and a polypropylene unit to support local inputs. He pointed to Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), with a capacity of more than 5,000MW, and noted his group’s cement operations and expansion plans. The Gode refinery is being developed by Golden Concord Group of China. It is designed to process 3.5m tonnes a year of crude and condensate from the Hilala field, with associated storage. Backers say it will ease foreign-exchange pressure from fuel imports and anchor further industrial activity, including a proposed steel smelting site in Dire Dawa. GCL’s chair, Zhu Gongshan, cast the project as “a key step in Ethiopia’s path to energy sovereignty”, underscoring the Beijing–Addis ties. Financing details are still being finalised, but the refinery is central to the government’s energy-security narrative. Source: The Africa Report Dangote’s Ethiopian vision: Dangote began with cement. His crown jewel, Dangote Cement, dominates Nigeria’s market and has 10 operations in other nations in Africa. The formula has been consistent: identify sectors with chronic shortages – cement, fertiliser, sugar – commit massive local investments, and scale up to serve regional demand. Ethiopia was a natural extension of that model. In 2015, Dangote launched the Mugher Cement Plant outside Addis Ababa at a cost of $600m, with an annual capacity of 2.5 million tonnes. The investment gave him a firm foothold in one of Africa’s fastest-growing construction markets. But success came with risks. In May 2018, violent unrest led to the killing of Dangote’s country manager and temporary shutdowns at Mugher. While other investors might have retreated, Dangote doubled down. Today, he is preparing to spend $400m to expand Mugher’s capacity to 5 million tonnes, alongside a new grinding unit near Addis Ababa. Cement is just one market Dangote is targeting. Ethiopia’s enormous state-controlled sugar industry, long plagued by inefficiency and debt, has struggled for years to reform. Its Omo Kuraz Sugar Development Project, touted as one of the continent’s largest initiatives, continues to face delays and mismanagement. … The most ambitious venture of all is the planned fertiliser production complex in Gode, Somali region. Publicised on 28 August 2025, the Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) deal plans one of the world’s largest single-site urea manufacturing plants. The project costs an estimated $2.5bn and has an estimated capacity of 3 million metric tonnes annually, a rate that would not only render Ethiopia independent, but even a net exporter of fertiliser. EIH, the state wealth fund of Ethiopia, will hold 40%, while 60% is held by Dangote Group. … For Dangote, Ethiopia is a trifecta: Cement demand is projected to grow by 10% annually, its sugar consumption is growing with rapid urbanisation, and fertiliser demand is all but insatiable, given that farming supports the livelihood of 70% of Ethiopians. Source: The Africa Report The stakes for Abiy are high: For Addis Ababa, the $4bn fertiliser project in Ethiopia’s Somali region is no longer simply a manufacturing investment. It is increasingly being framed as a strategic state project tied to food sovereignty, import substitution and the government’s broader attempt to build economic resilience under mounting fiscal pressure. “Becoming self-sufficient in food is our main agenda,” Abiy says during the visit. “Land is needed; we have it. Water is needed; we have it. Human resources are needed; we have it.” The scale is enormous even by African industrial standards. Once operational, the plant is expected to produce three million metric tonnes of urea annually, potentially making it one of the continent’s largest fertiliser complexes. Ethiopian officials say the project now includes a 110km gas pipeline, a 120MW power plant, a polypropylene packaging facility and a two-million-tonne NPK blending plant. For a government grappling with chronic foreign exchange shortages, ballooning import bills and pressure on agricultural productivity, the numbers matter politically as much as they do economically. The decision to anchor the project in Gode is deliberate. Long viewed as peripheral to Ethiopia’s industrial economy, the Somali region is now being repositioned by the federal government as a future irrigation and agro-industrial corridor. Officials argue that the area’s vast land reserves and access to water could eventually support large-scale commercial farming capable of reshaping Ethiopia’s food economy. The government is simultaneously building housing infrastructure for about 5,000 residents near the plant, while officials project broader industrial expansion along the corridor. Abiy goes further, comparing the long-term revenue potential of the Gode development zone with Ethiopia’s flagship state enterprise. “The investments we are making in this Gode area, combined, will generate high revenue for Ethiopia, at par with Ethiopian Airlines,” he says. Source: The Africa Report Feliks Topolski 1907-1982 Topolski’s Chronicle, ‘Nazi Revival’, Vol. 8, Is. 1-2, 1960 HEY READERS, THANK YOU for opening the Chartbook email. I hope it brightens your day. I enjoy putting out the newsletter, but tbh, what keeps this flow going is the generosity of those readers who clicked the subscription button. Photo by Jakub Dziubak on Unsplash If you are persuaded to click, please consider the annual subscription of $50. It is both better value for you and a much better deal for me, as it involves only one credit card charge. Why feed the payments companies if we don’t have to. Subscribe Grim vision of drone warfare by Sylvie Kaufmann For contributing subscribers only. Subscribe The state of the art in Colbert-studies. Jean-Baptiste Colbert was Louis XIV chief minister from 1661 to 1683 and traditionally seen as an architect of absolutism and mercantilism. Alexander Hamilton later cited him as an inspiration in 1782. Now his legacy is disputed. Daniel Dessert, the chief critic, sees Colbert as the orchestrator not so much of an absolutist state as of an elite cabal. Would be great to have a good English-language review of this important debate. Source: lhistoire Didn’t know that the Magna Carta included free trade provisions Fighting for the right to the beach in Oregon in 1967: Source: Research Gate RAF Station – British and Polish Flags, c. 1940-45, The Ingram Collection Feliks Topolski, 1907-1989 ink and wash If you’ve scrolled this far, you know you want to click: Subscribe
2026 Capital Region summer guide on music, entertainment, fairs, fests
Need something to do this summer? Here is the Times Union's 2026 summer arts guide for everything from county fairs to concerts and festivals
Why we need to think again about ecosystem failure
We are told the natural world is ‘breaking down’. But forests don’t work like airplanes or human hearts
The Bites and Boutiques of Bellevue's Historic Business District
Take a walk down Fairfield Avenue for vintage finds, sweet eats, and other gifts and goodies.
How The Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) Investment Story Is Shifting With New Targets And Projects
Analysts have lifted their fair value estimate for Sphere Entertainment from $136.36 to $161.00, pointing to a higher price target in updated models. That shift lines up with a wave of research that includes higher targets, rating upgrades and new coverage as more institutions focus on the company’s project pipeline and potential role in industry deal discussions. As you read on, you will see how to track these changing views and what to watch as the Sphere Entertainment story evolves. Stay...
What to Stream: Paul McCartney, John Travolta, Tina Fey, Latto and Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man
Paul McCartney reflecting on the “Days We Left Behind” with his 18th studio album and John Travolta writing, directing and narrating an ode to the glamorous days of 1960s air travel are some of the new television, films, music and...
CBA Captures 9th Shore Conference Baseball Tournament Title
LAKEWOOD — CBA defeated Rumson-Fair Haven 12-0 in six innings behind eight strikeouts and only two hits and one walk allowed from senior pitcher Dan Pardini to capture its ninth Shore Conference Tournament title. Check back later tonight for championship photos and the full game story.
Bernie Sanders warns of 'the most transformative economic revolution in the history of this country'
Sen. Bernie Sanders warned that AI and robotics controlled by billionaires could replace American workers and harm children's social development.
Worldwide Caution: Public Health Arrival Restrictions and Enhanced Ebola Screening - U.S. Embassy in Madagascar
Worldwide Caution: Public Health Arrival Restrictions and Enhanced Ebola Screening Event: U.S.-bound American citizens who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days of arrival in the United States must only enter through the following airports for enhanced screening: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) for flights after 11:59 PM on May 21, 2026 Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for flights after 11:59 PM on May 22, 2026 George Bush Intercontinental Airport, (IAH), Houston, for flights departing after 11:59 PM on May 26, 2026 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply enhanced public health screening at the above listed airports in response to the Ebola outbreak. This requirement applies to all passengers, including U.S. citizens, who were present in those countries. Please be prepared for flight changes or cancellations. Actions to take: Read the Modification of List of Designated Airports Regarding Arrival Restrictions (opens in a new tab) Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information on what travelers need to know about returning to the United States from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Review the Department of Homeland Security Alert on Enhanced Ebola Screening (opens in a new tab). Review Consular Information for Americans Regarding the Ebola Outbreak (opens in a new tab). If you are planning to travel to the United States, contact your airline to confirm your flight and route. You may also contact the State Department – Consular Affairs: +1-888-407-4747 (opens in a new tab) or +1-202-501-4444 (opens in a new tab) Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety and security updates.
New iOS 27 Rumors Include Revamped AirPods Settings Menu and More
Apple is set to unveil iOS 27 next month ahead of a September release. The update is expected to include a dedicated Siri app, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities in apps like Wallet, Safari, and Shortcuts, an upgraded keyboard with improved autocorrect, the ability to use Apple Maps via satellite connection, and more. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed four additional iOS 27 changes related to AirPods, Genmoji, AirPlay, and Siri.
Cory Booker says Democrats are 'desperate' for fresh leaders
In an appearance May 24 on CNN's "State of the Union," Sen. Cory Booker said the Democratic Party "desperately needs new leadership."
Sony Launches Reon Pocket Pro Plus Wearable Air Conditioner In Time For Summer Heatwaves
Sony’s latest “thermo device” is designed to keep you cool during intense summer heat. Here’s all you need to know.
Worldwide Caution: Public Health Arrival Restrictions and Enhanced Ebola Screening - U.S. Embassy in Chile
Worldwide Caution: Public Health Arrival Restrictions and Enhanced Ebola Screening Event: U.S.-bound American citizens who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days of arrival in the United States must only enter through the following airports for enhanced screening: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) for flights after 11:59 PM on May 21, 2026 Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for flights after 11:59 PM on May 22, 2026 George Bush Intercontinental Airport, (IAH), Houston, for flights departing after 11:59 PM on May 26, 2026 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply enhanced public health screening at the above listed airports in response to the Ebola outbreak. This requirement applies to all passengers, including U.S. citizens, who were present in those countries. Please be prepared for flight changes or cancellations. Actions to take: Read the Modification of List of Designated Airports Regarding Arrival Restrictions (opens in a new tab) Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information on what travelers need to know about returning to the United States from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Review the Department of Homeland Security Alert on Enhanced Ebola Screening (opens in a new tab). Review Consular Information for Americans Regarding the Ebola Outbreak (opens in a new tab). If you are planning to travel to the United States, contact your airline to confirm your flight and route. You may also contact the State Department – Consular Affairs: +1-888-407-4747 (opens in a new tab) or +1-202-501-4444 (opens in a new tab) Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety and security updates.
California Air Resources Board tries to balance gas prices, climate goals with upcoming vote
The California Air Resources Board is set to vote on updates to a key clean air program known as "cap and invest" as the state tries to balance its environmental goals and affordability.
California Politics 360 Full Episode | Key vote that could impact future gas prices, utility bills
The Air Resources Board is expected to vote on proposed updates to the state’s Cap-and-Invest program.
Apple’s latest MacBook Air is $200 off in both sizes for Memorial Day
It’s an investment that will last for years to come.
iOS 27 could offer native integration with Google Cast and other streaming protocols
In response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is reportedly working on the ability to replace AirPlay...
Report: iOS 27 to revamp the AirPods settings UI
While a dedicated ‘AirPods’ app does not seem to be on the cards, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is...
Apple’s Watch and Health Efforts Need Reboot to Rival New Wearables
Also: iOS 27 AirPods, Genmoji and AirPlay details.
Apple’s Watch and Health Efforts Need Reboot to Rival New Wearables
Also: iOS 27 AirPods, Genmoji and AirPlay details.
Apple AirPods, MacBooks, iPads and AirTags are now on sale for Memorial Day
Apple products like AirPods, iPads and MacBooks are already on sale ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
‘Bromantasy’ author pays homage to ‘cheese-loving weirdos’
LGBTQ author Maire Roche, who will be at Marion Public Library on May 28, says “Bromantasy” is intended to be “a celebration of all of the cheese-loving weirdos in our community who just want their happily ever after.”
Beth Fukumoto: Hawaiʻi’s New ‘Millionaires Tax’ Is Good Politics
People are angry about the economy, and they know the policies of the past haven’t delivered for them.
Illinois lawmakers consider grants or loans for Chicago businesses devastated by Operation Midway Blitz
SPRINGFIELD — When federal immigration officers flooded Chicago neighborhoods last fall, walk-ins at Erick Camargo’s hair salon in Chicago plunged from about 40 customers per day to as few as five. At...
Private jet travel boom: Where and how the wealthy are flying
Private jet usage is exploding and is reshaping luxury travel trends, from $80 million aircraft to billionaires' habits.
Woodward expands on Gulf Coast; LABI elects new board member; Republic hires Renasant pair
Take a look at some of the recent promotions and new hires announced at south Louisiana businesses.
Highlights! Usyk Survives Rico, Bad Stoppage Tarnishes Win
Pound-for-pound great, Oleksandr Usyk, was back in action earlier today (Sat., May 23, 2026), defending his WBC Heavyweight title against kickboxing legend, Rico Verhoeven, in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt, in what was truly a one-of-kind setting for a boxing match. It took a bit for Usyk to get warmed up, […]
Touchable POV Display Blooms In Mid Air
Typically, when we think of touch screens, we think of LCDs or OLEDs with a resistive or capacitive sensing layer laid over the top. However, a team from the University of Chicago has developed an …
Worldwide Caution: Public Health Arrival Restrictions and Enhanced Ebola Screening - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Germany
Worldwide Caution: Public Health Arrival Restrictions and Enhanced Ebola Screening Event: U.S.-bound American citizens who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days of arrival in the United States must only enter through the following airports for enhanced screening: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) for flights after 11:59 PM on May 21, 2026 Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for flights after 11:59 PM on May 22, 2026 George Bush Intercontinental Airport, (IAH), Houston, for flights departing after 11:59 PM on May 26, 2026 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply enhanced public health screening at the above listed airports in response to the Ebola outbreak. This requirement applies to all passengers, including U.S. citizens, who were present in those countries. Please be prepared for flight changes or cancellations. Actions to take: Read the Modification of List of Designated Airports Regarding Arrival Restrictions (opens in a new tab). Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information on what travelers need to know about returning to the United States from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Review the Department of Homeland Security Alert on Enhanced Ebola Screening (opens in a new tab). Review Consular Information for Americans Regarding the Ebola Outbreak (opens in a new tab). If you are planning to travel to the United States, contact your airline to confirm your flight and route. You may also contact the State Department – Consular Affairs: +1-888-407-4747 (opens in a new tab) or +1-202-501-4444 (opens in a new tab) Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety and security updates.
K&M Landscaping and Retail celebrates 30th anniversary
A local, family-owned business celebrated its 30th anniversary on Saturday in Eau Claire.
Garrett County Agriculture Fair announces 2026 entertainment lineup
McHENRY — The Garrett County Agriculture Fair has announced the week of live entertainment for the 2026 Fair, taking place Aug. 1–8 in McHenry. This year’s lineup features nationally recognized
Up for US top-10 awards: Lancaster doughnut shop, buffets, balloon rides, shopping center
Several Lancaster County businesses, from a doughnut shop to a hot-air balloon company to a shopping-and-dining "village" that's a tourist favorite, will be on the national radar as they compete
Atlanta, Houston airports can receive passengers from 3 countries amid Ebola outbreak
Airline passengers traveling to the U.S. who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days will be able to land at international airports in Atlanta and Houston, as well as Dulles airport outside Washington, for health screenings.
Atlanta, Houston airports can receive passengers from 3 countries amid Ebola outbreak
Airline passengers traveling to the U.S. who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days will be able to land at international airports in Atlanta and Houston, as well as Dulles airport outside Washington, for health screenings.
Health Alert: U.S. Embassy in Rwanda (May 23, 2026) - U.S. Embassy in Rwanda
Health Alert: U.S. Embassy in Rwanda (May 23, 2026) Health Alert: U.S. Embassy in Rwanda (May 23, 2026) Location: Rwanda, countrywide Event: Entry and Exit Requirements Due to the Ebola outbreak, Rwanda has implemented new entry and exit requirements. On May 22, 2026, the Ministry of Health of Rwanda announced that all foreign nationals who have traveled to, or transited through, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) within 30 days of their travel to Rwanda will be denied entry. Rwandan nationals and foreign residents with valid proof of residency in Rwanda can enter and are subject to mandatory quarantine procedures. Travel to the U.S. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information on what travelers need to know about returning to the United States from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Actions to Take: Do not travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Monitor the Ministry of Health of Rwanda webpage for local updates. If you are planning to travel to the United States, contact your airline to confirm your flight and route. Review the CDC webpage on the Ebola Current Situation. Review Consular Information for Americans Regarding the Ebola Outbreak. Review the CBP webpage for information on entry restrictions Notify friends and family of your safety. Have a plan to depart in case of emergency. Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible. Review the CDC Travelers’ Health Page for Rwanda. Continue to take malaria prophylaxis as recommended, as the symptoms of malaria can mimic symptoms of Ebola, leading to preventable health scares. Monitor your health for 21 days following travel in an area with an Ebola outbreak. If at risk for Ebola, alert your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola to receive guidance prior to presenting for care. Review the Department of State’s Rwanda Travel Advisory for general health information. Refer to the U.S. Embassy’s list of medical providers. Check with your travel insurance provider about medical evacuation options should you fall ill while overseas. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety and security updates. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Kigali, Rwanda 30 KG 7 Avenue (Kacyiru) +250-252-596-400 ACSKigali@state.gov https://rw.usembassy.gov State Department – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 Rwanda Country Information Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates. Follow us on Facebook and X
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urges TNT Sports to make Champions League final free-to-air
Sir Keir Starmer has urged broadcaster TNT Sports to allow football fans to watch Arsenal's Champions League final showdown with Paris Saint-Germain for free.
Champions League: Keir Starmer urges TNT Sports to make final free-to-air
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calls on TNT Sports to make next Saturday's Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain free-to-air.
Travel industry worries after Trump administration reiterates threat to sanctuary city airports
The travel industry is on edge after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated his threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called “sanctuary cities” in a move that could jeopardize international flights.
Sony Launches Reon Pocket Pro Plus Wearable Air Conditioner In Time For Summer Heatwaves
Sony’s latest “thermo device” is designed to keep you cool during intense summer heat. Here’s all you need to know.
The 4th BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize Award Ceremony Concludes with Great Success
The 4th BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize Award Ceremony, organised by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation (HKATI) and title-sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited (BOCHK), was concluded successfully. The Ceremony was officiated by distinguished guests including Mr Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (NCCPPCC); Mr Zhang Yong, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Peop
Bond breakout? Big effects of bad data. Immigration and thermostatic politics & dad-chat is coming for dad-books.
Thank you for opening your Chartbook email. Anna Airy, A Shell Forge at a National Projectile Factory, Hackney Marshes, London, 1918 Bond breakout - John Authers Across the developed markets, bond markets are staging a slow-motion car wreck. Looking at the drastic moves in the US, Japan, the UK and France, Barclays’ Ajay Rajadhyaksha commented: “Last week, long bonds broke. Not in one country. In all of them. Simultaneously. Four countries. Four different political systems. Four different central banks. But the same trade — “get me out of duration!”” Each country has its own contributing political problems, but the uniformity of the shift out of long-term bonds with high duration makes clear that something broader is afoot. For Rajadhyaksha, it is “simple and uncomfortable.” The developed world “has too much debt, too little fiscal discipline, and no political appetite for fixing either.” If there’s a trigger, it has been the Iran war and the resulting shock to oil supply. Source: Bloomberg G7 countries are now borrowing at rates that were enjoyed by EM in the early 2020s For contributing subscribers only. Subscribe Trade between China and Russia has grown in recent years For contributing subscribers only. Subscribe Big effects of bad data A decade ago nearly nine in ten Americans, when approached, agreed to fill out the Current Population Survey, which is administered to about 60,000 households each month and asks about, among other things, employment. Fewer than seven in ten do so now (see chart 1). For the Consumer Expenditure Survey, which tries to capture 3,700 households monthly, the response rate is down from 68% to 40%. … When the information becomes less reliable, investment decisions get more difficult to make. Some may be delayed, creating a potential drag on the economy. A new working paper by Nicholas Bloom of Stanford University, Erica Groshen, former head of the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) now at Cornell University, and Duncan Hobbs and Michael Strain of the American Enterprise Institute, a think-tank, hazards an estimate. Preserving trust in “the integrity and quality of official statistics”, the authors claim, generates economic benefits of about $25 for every $1 spent on the BLS, the agency with an annual budget of $700m that is responsible for many of these data. To arrive at their conclusion the quartet analysed an ignoble episode in the BLS’s recent history. On August 1st 2025 Donald Trump sacked Erika McEntarfer, appointed as the agency’s commissioner by his predecessor, Joe Biden. The president alleged, without evidence, that the BLS’s steep downward revision to recent jobs numbers had been “RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad”. In fact, it was the wanton dismissal that looked bad in the eyes of many observers. In the following seven days there was a 50% leap, relative to the week before, in the average value of the index of Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU), which tracks the number of articles mentioning such uncertainty that are published daily in American newspapers. This was a discernible jump even when compared to the chaos caused by Mr Trump’s trade war in April 2025 and his real one in Iran in the past two months (see chart 2). Based on Mr Bloom’s earlier study with other colleagues of the EPU’s impact on business investment, industrial production and employment, the authors estimate that the jump reduced American GDP by over $100bn (0.3%) and non-farm payrolls by 168,000 (0.1%). Source: The Economist Immigration and thermostatic politics (Sarah O’Connor in the FT) A strange thing happened a year and a half ago. No sooner had Americans elected Donald Trump as president on an explicitly anti-immigration platform than US public opinion began to swing much more favourably towards immigration. … to political scientists who study “thermostatic” politics, this development is no surprise at all. Public opinion often moves against the prevailing party, especially if they are perceived to have gone “too far” in one direction. The phenomenon was first explored in the 1990s with reference to fiscal policy, but in recent years it has been particularly evident in the realm of immigration policy. While these swings in opinion polls can make it seem as if people don’t know their own minds, they can be a useful democratic check on governments by sending bright flashing warning lights when policies stray too far from the public’s comfort zone. The problem comes when politicians misinterpret those signals. When people tell pollsters they want less immigration, or think it is bad for the country overall (or the converse), they are often expressing an opinion about how things appear to be going in that moment relative to their preferences, rather than a deep shift in their underlying views. According to Alexander Kustov, a political scientist, most Americans’ views are quite stable and moderate: they support immigration that is controlled and in the national interest, and oppose flows that are disorderly or under-enforced. In the US, he argues the Trump administration over-interpreted dissatisfaction with high immigration under Joe Biden, and implemented policies that went too far for many voters. “People don’t necessarily change their idea about their ideal immigration policy, but they can react to what the government is currently doing,” he told me. “A lot of people are not happy with what the Trump administration are doing — right now we’re not talking about border enforcement, we’re talking about people not just getting harassed, but killed.” But similarly, he added, pro-immigration advocates would be making a mistake to interpret the recent, more favourable swing towards immigration as a deep-seated ideological shift in attitudes. The recent history of UK immigration policy offers another cautionary tale. After the 2016 Brexit referendum, public concern about immigration fell. This was partly because net migration statistics declined, but also because people felt a sense of catharsis and control, says Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, a think-tank. By 2019, the public ranked immigration as only the ninth biggest issue of concern, according to Ipsos polling. But when the Conservative government liberalised visa routes for students and care workers between 2019 and 2022, that helped net migration to surge. And so, too, did public concern. Today’s Labour government has implemented another sharply restrictive turn in immigration policy. As Kustov and researcher Caitlyn Yates argue, thermostatic public opinion should be a useful check on politicians. Instead it seems to have helped to magnify the pendulum swing in the UK. The government over-interprets and overreacts to a change in public opinion, which reacts in turn, prompting a sudden swing the other way. Source: Financial Times HEY READERS, THANK YOU for opening the Chartbook email. I hope it brightens your day. I enjoy putting out the newsletter, but tbh, what keeps this flow going is the generosity of those readers who clicked the subscription button. If you are persuaded to click, please consider the annual subscription of $50. It is both better value for you and a much better deal for me, as it involves only one credit card charge. Why feed the payments companies if we don’t have to. Subscribe Anna Airy, Shop for Machining 15-Inch Shells: Singer Manufacturing Company, Clydebank, Glasgow, 1918 Racing for a vaccine … we have been here before! The deadly Ebola outbreak in two African countries driven by a virus species with no vaccine has triggered an urgent search for a potential jab, in a test of troubled global efforts to avert threats posed by emerging diseases. A World Health Organization advisory group is due to would meet on Tuesday to recommend candidate jabs to prioritise for clinical trials, the global health body said. It will assess data including an analysis by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi), which was set up after failures in the international response to a previous Ebola crisis. The latest Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has infected hundreds of people and killed more than 80, health authorities say. Cepi’s reaction will be a crucial indicator of its progress towards its wider goal of producing vaccines for pandemic threats in just 100 days, despite steep cuts to international health funding. “If there was ever a time that we could show the world why Cepi is needed and show the world why the 100-day mission is needed, it’s now,” Nicole Lurie, the organisation’s executive director for preparedness and response, told the FT. “We’re happy to accept that responsibility, but obviously we need help from partners — particularly financial help in the long run.” DR Congo and Uganda would make the final decision on whether to press ahead with any vaccine candidates endorsed for clinical trials by the WHO experts, the global health body said. “Other ethical and community acceptability issues will be considered,” said the WHO, which declared the latest outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday. “This will be important to make sure that the trial, if it happens, will be adequately communicated to the population.” Lurie said Cepi had provided information from a survey of research teams and companies working on drugs that might be effective against the Bundibugyo virus behind the outbreak. The organisation hoped soon to announce partners in the quest for a jab, she added, although she declined to give a timescale for when one might be developed. Cepi’s Nicole Laurie said global health bodies were ‘getting some live-fire drills’ with hantavirus and the latest Ebola outbreak. The hunt for a vaccine should be helped by scientific advances including the use of artificial intelligence to find drugs active against viruses, Lurie said. Existing jabs against the Zaire Ebola virus responsible for many previous outbreaks might provide a basis for tackling the Bundibugyo species, she added. “We’ll see how far and how fast we can get,” Lurie said, adding that Cepi had done preliminary work recently on a possible jab for the rat-borne hantavirus responsible for a recent fatal outbreak on a cruise ship. “Both with hantavirus and now with Ebola, [we] are getting some live-fire drills.” Source: Michael Peel in the Financial Times Dad-chat is coming for dad-books. (By Pamela Paul and Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg in the WSJ) They were the go-to gifts for Father’s Day: a book about some little-known chapter of World War II, the sweeping narrative of a shipwreck, perhaps the latest presidential biography. These days, dad books are a dying breed. Nonfiction book sales have been in decline for the past four years, and are now the most challenged segment of the print book market. Publishers say certain types of books still fare well—including celebrity memoirs and religious titles. But in recent years, print sales in such categories as biography, current affairs and business and economics—what publishers refer to as “serious nonfiction” and which tend to resonate especially with men—have fallen considerably. Sales of nonfiction print titles were down nearly 8% through May 9 this year, and sales of books about politics and current affairs were down 19%, according to book tracker Circana BookScan. Publishing has long been subject to cyclical changes, with trends in format and genre taking over bookshelves in grand sweeps. (Remember the adult coloring-book craze? Or the stratospheric rise of romantasy?) But many in publishing believe the decline in serious nonfiction is more existential. “The trend couldn’t be clearer,” said Jonathan Karp, the former chief executive of Simon & Schuster and publisher of the new Simon Six imprint. “This is a sea change and people should wake up and realize we’re living in a new world.” One culprit for the shift: a new media diet for fans of more serious nonfiction. … Sixty-two percent of men and 54% of women consumed a podcast in the prior month, according to a recent survey by Edison Research at SSRS, up from 46% and 39%, respectively, in 2023. “When we have internal meetings to talk about this problem, it always comes around to podcasts,” said Jonathan Burnham, president and publisher of the Harper Group at HarperCollins Publishers. “The man who wants to read American history is now tuning into one of the many good podcasts about history that lends the quiet attention to a serious subject he’s looking for. It makes the idea of sitting down with a 700-page Ron Chernow book less appealing. You’ve scratched that itch.” Source: Wall Street Journal Remarkable report by Novara from the nationalist rally in London in mid May. Anna Airy, Leopard Moth and Plums, 1915 If you’ve scrolled this far, you know you want to click: Subscribe
Lightspeed VC firm hires creator-investor with 350K followers
In a first for the firm, Claire Zau will help shape Lightspeed's media strategy alongside seed investing.