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Voice of Business: Property tax changes impact businesses
Proponents for eliminating property taxes in Ohio are gathering signatures from over 400,000 registered voters to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. However, they stated
What will people remember about you after you die? Thinking about your legacy now could be good for you
Research shows that considering how we will be remembered when we die can help us improve our mental health and find more meaning during our lives – including if we are still young.
AI hallucinations are infiltrating expert work—and entering the permanent body of knowledge
Academic papers, popular books, and legal decisions are peppered with AI mistakes that are getting harder to clean up.
A Buckeye in Ann Arbor: Remembering Jesse Owens and ‘The Greatest 45 Minutes in Sports’
There have been plenty of iconic moments in sports, including Jesse Owens’ showing at the 1936 Olympics. Incredibly, winning four gold medals may not be his greatest athletic performance. Tha…
Scientists Warn The Sun Could Be About To Produce A ‘Superflare’
Scientists studying 50 years of solar data warn Earth may be entering a heightened risk period for rare “superflares” capable of disrupting technology worldwide.
Health and safety concerns of chemical tank emergency in Garden Grove
Elaine Bernal, a chemistry and biochemistry lecturer at California State University, Long Beach, discusses the ideas firefighters could be considering to find a solution.
Tencent Music Expands China Audio Ecosystem With Himalaya Deals, Valuation Questioned
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE:TME) has completed acquisitions of Himalaya and Ximalaya. The deals bring leading podcast and long form audio platforms into Tencent Music's existing music and audio ecosystem in China. The transactions expand Tencent Music's reach beyond music streaming into a broader online audio and spoken word offering. Tencent Music runs a large online music and audio platform in China, with services that span music streaming, social entertainment, and other...
Scientists discover hidden driver of aging — Simple supplement reversed brain decline
A newly identified brain protein may play a major role in how the body ages. Researchers discovered that declining levels of Menin in the hypothalamus triggered inflammation, memory problems, bone loss, and other aging-related changes in mice. Restoring Menin reversed several of these effects, while a simple amino acid supplement called D-serine boosted cognition. The discovery opens a surprising new path for fighting age-related decline.
Fox Sports sees Texans as an ideal fit for former Steelers TE Jonnu Smith
No, the Houston Texans don't need another tight end entering OTAs, but there is a fit.
Canadiens look at home on the road entering Game 2 against Hurricanes
Montreal is 7-2 on the road in the postseason entering Saturday night's Game 2.
An egg-cellent activity
Local fifth-graders learn about science, engineering through project
InRESPONSE, Santa Rosa’s crisis team, faces operational changes amid proposed funding cuts
County funding for Santa Rosa’s InRESPONSE program is slated to be cut by about half as officials wind down spending from the expiring Measure O sales tax. That means big changes ahead for a pioneering, civilian-led team.
Uncovering the science of aurorae
The physics behind the northern lights is just as colorful as their mythology, and we have sought to understand these lights for a long time.
New AI body map reveals obesity’s hidden attack on facial nerves
Scientists have created an AI-powered system that can scan and map an entire mouse body in extraordinary detail — and it just uncovered a surprising new effect of obesity. Beyond disrupting metabolism, obesity appears to damage facial sensory nerves linked to touch and sensation, while also triggering widespread inflammation across the body.
Scientists just found a faster, cleaner way to extract lithium for EV batteries
A breakthrough lithium-extraction method could help solve one of clean energy’s dirtiest problems. Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a fast new technique that pulls lithium directly from salty underground brines using a temperature-sensitive solvent, avoiding the giant evaporation ponds that can take years and drain precious water supplies. Even better, the method works on low-quality lithium sources that current technologies struggle to use.
This is what the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide will look like
Wondering what the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide will look like in everyday use? These images will give you a pretty solid idea.
Some Lawmakers Want a Gerrymandering Truce
Could the current partisan redistricting frenzy lead to reform?
Laravel-Lang PHP Packages Compromised to Deliver Cross-Platform Credential Stealer
Laravel-Lang compromise tagged 700+ versions on May 22–23, 2026, triggering PHP stealers that exfiltrate credentials.
People with eating disorders are taking GLP-1s and doctors are alarmed
Providers said they are encountering patients seeking treatment for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder who are taking GLP-1 drugs.
As Communities Warn of Health Risks, New York Will Weaken Its Landmark Climate Law
Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced revisions to the state’s greenhouse gas emissions targets that will push off its 2030 deadline. Organizers believe residents are already suffering.
‘Every health facility said they were full’: fear that spread of Ebola in DRC is gathering pace
New strain of virus, aid cuts and cultural norms around burials and touch add to difficulties in stemming outbreak
Budget conference: House triples Miami soccer stadium road project offer as Senate sticks at nil
The House is now offering $5M to the project. The Senate, nothing.
A Colorado startup just raised $30 million on a quiet bet that astronauts won't actually be the ones building the moon's first permanent base — robots will get there first
The first permanent structures on the moon will almost certainly be built by robots, not astronauts. That is the bet Lunar Outpost, a Colorado-based robotics company, just convinced investors to back with a $30 million Series B — funding aimed at delivering a new lunar rover called Pegasus by the end of 2027, with a […]
Budget conference: Florida State nets $174M in PECO funding
The sum includes nearly a $92M investment in the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
Michigan Football beats ND, Alabama for 2027 four-star recruit
BOOOOOOOM! 2027 four-star CB/S Tavares Harrington has committed to Michigan Football! The Wolverines beat Notre Dame and Alabama in this recruitment:
Local professionals invited to attend Business After Hours
ESCANABA – This Wednesday, the Daily Press, Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA) and the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency (MDSCAA) will be partnering to host Business After Hours, a networking event for local professionals. The event will be held at DATA, 2901 27th Ave. N, Escanaba, on Wednesday, May 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. and […]
Governor Evers urges Wisconsin small business owners to apply for disaster assistance
Governor Tony Evers is encouraging small businesses and nonprofit organizations still recovering from severe storms last summer to apply for federal disaster assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
WHO: ‘Violence and insecurity’ hampering response to ‘worrisome’ Ebola outbreak
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday warned that “violence and insecurity” have hampered the response to the Ebola outbreak in Congo, wh…
Rediscovering science: New knowledge hidden in old data
What if the knowledge that could fuel the next scientific breakthrough has simply been forgotten in an old graph or table? Valuable scientific insights may already exist across decades of published experiments, ...
Bellevue teens targeting salmon die-offs and mental health win big at international science fair
Lakshmi Agrawal, a senior at Interlake High School, and Anusha Arora, a sophomore who also attends Interlake, were among more than 1,700 students from roughly 60 countries who competed at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix.
Seven Florida State University faculty members elected to the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida
Seven distinguished faculty members from Florida State University have been elected as new members of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of
‘Go for toilet’: Artemis II’s out-of-this-world plumbing problem
Investigate the engineering behind space toilets and discover how Artemis II’s crew solved a surprising plumbing problem in microgravity.
The Democrats’ Autopsy Isn’t Helpful. New Ideas Are
At long last, and after much scrutiny, the Democratic National Committee’s audit of the 2024 election cycle is out. And so are the knives. The nearly 200-page report landed with a thud, angering the party faithful just five months before an election that demands Democrats play error-free ball. While the DNC has oddly distanced itself from its own report, which hardly seems that revelatory or controversial, actual Democrats already seemed to be implementing some of the lessons.
“Designer” superconducting diamond: researchers uncover path to multi-modality quantum chips
Discovering the physical principles of superconductivity in diamond opens the door for scientists to use it in new quantum technologies.
MICRO Summit Returns to Northwestern
Led by Professor Cécile Chazot, the program brought undergraduate researchers from across the country together for three days of scientific exchange, career development, and mentorship in materials science and engineering.
Rediscovering science: new knowledge hidden in old data
What if some of the most important scientific discoveries are already hidden in data collected years ago? Researchers at Tohoku University are exploring how AI and data-driven science can reveal new insights from past experiments and scientific literature. Their review highlights how old data could help accelerate discoveries in chemistry and materials science.
World Health Assembly endorses resolution on precision medicine
At the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, Member States endorsed a new resolution on Precision medicine: a path towards targeted, personalized and equitable care, taking an important step towards advancing precision medicine as part of efforts to strengthen equitable, effective and sustainable health systems. Precision medicine refers to the use of clinical, molecular, genomic and other health data to inform prevention, diagnosis and treatment, taking into account variability while applying appropriate ethical and legal safeguards. When integrated responsibly into health systems, precision approaches can improve outcomes across different disease areas and across the life course – from cancer and rare diseases to infectious diseases, maternal, newborn and child health, mental health and noncommunicable diseases. The resolution reflects rapid advances in genomics, diagnostics, data science and digital health, alongside widening global inequities in access to these innovations. Many populations – particularly in low- and middle-income countries – remain underrepresented in data and research, limiting the public health impact of precision medicine and risking the widening of health disparities if action is not taken now. "Precision medicine is not an aspirational idea for health delivery in the future – it is already transforming lives across the world. But its benefits remain out of reach for too many and the research driving progress is concentrated in high income countries. This WHA resolution gives global health leaders, ministries of health, and WHO a clear mandate: to act. From infant screening to setting up genomic databases WHO will work with countries to bring about the power of these innovations." Dr Meg Doherty, Director Science for HealthThrough the resolution, Member States commit to developing and strengthening national policies, infrastructure, workforce capacity and governance frameworks to support the safe, ethical and equitable integration of precision medicine into health systems, aligned with universal health coverage. This includes promoting affordability, ensuring inclusive research and data systems, strengthening regulation and data governance, and fostering collaboration across sectors and regions.WHO is requested to provide technical and normative support, review and coordinate existing guidance, facilitate global and regional collaboration, and develop a Global Strategy on Precision Medicine to guide equitable and context‑appropriate implementation. WHO stands ready to support Member States through tools such as a country maturity model for countries to self-assess capacity in implementing precision medicine depending on their context. In the immediate term WHO will map all existing guidance and frameworks and host extensive consultations with interest holders globally.By placing equity, inclusion and public value at the centre of precision medicine, the resolution reinforces WHO’s commitment to ensuring that scientific advances benefit all people, everywhere, and that no one is left behind in the next era of health innovation."By uniting people-centered healthcare with innovation, precision medicine has the potential to transform lives. This resolution helps ensure those advances serve the shared goal of health for all." Dr Sylvie Briand, Chief Scientist For further information please visit the Health Topic: Genomics
Our Field Trip to Google I/O + A Sit-Down With Sundar Pichai + System Update
“This is the only recent gathering of a large number of people where mentions of A.I. did not produce a large chorus of boos.”
Arsenal's Mikel Merino opens up on injury: 'I had two options, to cry myself to extinction or keep my head up'
The Spanish midfielder is set to return to training ahead of Arsenal's Premier League finale and next week's massive Champions League clash with PSG
South Milwaukee's Cheata Bikes to introduce new electric models
Cheata Bikes, known for gas-powered bicycles, will offer electric bikes to attract new customers and expand its unique offerings.
Charter School Makes Waves in Science, Tech, and Engineering
Three 8th grade teams were selected from BFCCPS following an in school STEAM student showcase.
Offering up a toast to New England sports fans
We have the smartest, funniest, and most passionate sports fans/readers in the world.
A free health clinic on wheels starts making the rounds in Rutland County
Rutland County’s free healthcare clinic is hitting the road this summer with a new van that will provide medical care to the county’s uninsured and underinsured, town by town.
German Ifo business sentiment unexpectedly rises
German business morale unexpectedly rose in May, a survey showed on Friday, offering a glimmer of hope for Europe's largest economy.
The affordability crisis doesn’t stop at the kitchen table. It’s hitting small business, too.
We need elected leaders to prioritize regular working families and small businesses like ours instead of catering to large corporations and special interests.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Learning to teach, learning to discover
Nik Sandu, an MIT materials science and engineering major and student teacher, combines research in earth sciences and magnetic materials with classroom teaching and community involvement as she prepares for a PhD.
Wake County Public Health urges safe food practices ahead of summer cookouts and gatherings
As Memorial Day Weekend approaches and families across Wake County fire up the grill for the unofficial start of summer, Wake County Public Health is reminding residents to take steps to prevent foodborne illnesses, especially cyclosporiasis which tends to rise during the warmest months of the year.
A local student is doing award-winning research on trees
Leif Speer, a freshman at Terre Haute South Vigo High School, placed in the top 25 percent of the International Science and Engineering Fair for his project on using tree rings to determine climate ch...
Healthcare CEO apologizes for coverage problems
Two weeks after NBC News reported on coverage issues being had by beneficiaries of TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the company’s CEO has released a letter apologizing to the healthcare administrator’s 4.2 million beneficiaries. NBC News’ Erin McLaughlin reports in our series “The Cost of Denial.”
UC Davis Undergraduates Take Top Prize at Big Bang! Business Competition
UC Davis Mike and Renée Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship awarded nearly $100,000 at the 26th annual Big Bang! Business Competition, with the top prize going to First Bite, a biomedical engineering student team developing a safer device to secure breathing tubes for infants.
Michigan football lands in-state commitment from Lundon Hampton
Michigan football secures a commitment from 2027 three-star athlete Lundon Hampton, flipping him from a rival.
Advocacy group wants TAVR changes, urging Trump admin to ‘stop getting in between patients and their doctors’
The Alliance for Aging Research wants CMS to go through with policy changes that could make many more patients eligible for TAVR. The agency is currently considering the changes, and a final decision is expected in June.
MIT affiliates elected to National Academy of Sciences for 2026
Sixteen MIT affiliates, including professors and alumni, have been inducted into the National Academy of Sciences for 2026. MIT faculty honorees include Bengt Holmström, Michale Fee, Gareth McKinley, Keith Nelson, Fan Wang, and Catherine Wolfram.
Suzuki Wins Awards at Science and Engineering Fair
Bedford High School sophomore Hanna Suzuki earned national recognition for her “Audio Augmented Reality for Celestial Objects” research project.
Normal LIVE has live entertainment acts for all interests
Normal LIVE is back with another season of programming suited to tickle anyone’s fancy. Music and live entertainment offerings vary widely, from kid-specific programming to brass, country, storytelling, and everything in between. Shows take place ...
Pedro Alvarez
Clune Construction has promoted Pedro Alvarez to Senior Superintendent, Vice President.
Navy Researcher Kathryn Wahl ’87 Receives Award for Breakthroughs in Interfacial Science
Kathryn Anderson Wahl ’87, a senior researcher at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), has been awarded the 2025 E.O. Hulburt Annual Science Award for pioneering research that has advanced the…
Health Care Roundup: Market Talk
Find insight on AstraZeneca, Sino Biopharmaceutical, ConvaTec and more in the latest Market Talks covering the Health Care sector.
Alan Gormley
Clune Construction has promoted Alan Gormley to Senior Superintendent, Vice President.
UNK invites high school students to explore space science this summer
Participants will gain hands-on experience in physics, astronomy and engineering.
CHA board chair weighs run for mayor amid clash with Johnson: report
CHA board chair Matthew Brewer is considering a run for Chicago mayor as his public feud with Mayor Brandon Johnson intensifies, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Travon Miles - Sports Anchor/Reporter at ABC11 WTVD
Raleigh's source for breaking news and live streaming video online. Covering Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville and the greater North Carolina region.
Lancaster Country Day School senior wins Chemistry competition at prestigious international science fair
A Lancaster County Day senior won top honors at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, AZ, the school announced Thursday. Kienle, who has spent his junior and senior years at the ...
Clemson Livestock Poultry Health Names Catherine Harris Deputy State Veterinarian
Harris said the unit’s unique organizational structure, which includes its adjacency to Cooperative Extension, the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, and the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine, was a major draw and provides opportunity for collaborations that will benefit the state’s animal agriculture industry.
SEC post-spring intel: Inside the key QB battles, breakout players, more buzz from across the league
From unsettled QB rooms to breakout players, here's what we're hearing around the SEC entering summer
Big science and uncanny prescience: Laurie Anderson’s greatest songs
Forty years since her pioneering concert film Home of the Brave, and ahead of a European tour, we count down the best of a surprisingly poppy avant garde catalogue
Columnist Judy Wagner: Unfinished business
It’s an ambivalent time of year. Some flowering trees are weeping their last petals to the ground even as they exuberantly sprout tender new leaves. Other trees are shifting from their first tremulous green to darker hues; many trees are expressing pastel versions of their future fall colors before their full green shades settle in. The first flushes of […]
The Great Pyramid of Giza is surprisingly earthquake-proof
Seismologists found yet another benefit to ancient Egyptian engineering.
2026 International Science and Engineering Fair Winners
Posts Details/Default Board Post Page - Plano Independent School District
Jurrien Timber injury update pre-Champions League final
Mikel Arteta has revealed that whilst Mikel Merino is returning to full training, Jurrien Timber is still a little further behind in his recovery.Photo by George Wood/Getty ImagesThere was good news o...
Nursing board suspends Camp Mystic chief health officer’s license
Mary Liz Eastland is accused of endangering campers during the July 4 flash flood that killed 27 guests at the Texas Hill Country retreat
Could microscopic spheres of silica help cool the planet?
Private money is bringing new ideas—and new concerns—to solar-geoengineering research
The NAACP Is Proposing a Radical Shift to College Sports. Will It Work?
A bold plan to stem the gerrymandering push will require collective sacrifice.
Pokémon Company In Japan Demands ID Checks To Fight Scalpers
For some reason the same restrictions will also be in place for entering Japanese Pokémon tournaments
A Humbling Visit Home - Kansas State University Athletics
As the Kansas State football van crawled down North Stratford Lane on Monday morning, the towering, red-brick St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School affixed with...
The Banks That Won a Piece of SpaceX’s Colossal I.P.O.
Across Wall Street, bankers have been clamoring to lead what is expected to be the biggest-ever initial public offering.
How Josh Johnson composed 'Symphony,' the music-driven special aiming to be timeless
The 'Daily Show' co-host swaps topical punchlines for something meant to last decades in his new special 'Symphony,' premiering Friday on HBO.
Ebola case sparks stricter health checks in Goma
Residents entering the eastern Congolese city of Goma from government-controlled areas were subjected to tighter health checks on Wednesday (May 20) as authorities sought to contain the spread of Ebola after one confirmed case was detected in the city, which remains under M23 occupation. Blanch Ancla has more.
Why F1 Is Taking Latest Christian Horner Rumors Seriously
Former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is seemingly lining up a move to return to the F1 grid with a new team entering the series.
Azamara Cruises Unveils 2028 Voyages, Debuts New Entertainment Offerings Aboard Azamara Journey
Azamara Cruises announced its 2028 voyages featuring expanded offerings in Asia and 12 new ports across Europe and Asia, plus new entertainment aboard Azamara Journey.
Musk’s SpaceX discloses massive losses ahead of expected record-breaking IPO
The company, whose initial public offering is expected to attract record investment, had nearly $18.7 billion in revenue in 2025 but overall lost $4.9 billion.
Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado calls for exploration of Entertainment Zone for DTLA
“Downtown Los Angeles is one of the strongest economic and cultural engines of our city, but our local businesses, hospitality workers, restaurants, bars and cultural corridors are still recovering from years of disruption,”…
MIT scientists discover amino acid that helps the gut heal itself
MIT scientists have identified cysteine — an amino acid found in foods like meat, dairy, beans, and nuts — as a potent trigger for intestinal repair. In mice, a cysteine-rich diet activated immune cells that released healing signals, helping stem cells rebuild damaged intestinal tissue after radiation exposure. Researchers say the discovery could eventually lead to new dietary therapies for cancer patients suffering from treatment-related gut damage.
Providence to end most health insurance plans, forcing hundreds of thousands in Oregon to switch
Providence Health Plan is Oregon’s third largest insurer, covering more than 421,000 Oregonians.
Portland-Based Providence Health Plan To Stop Offering Most Insurance Plans At End of Year
The Providence Health Plan said Wednesday that it would stop offering most of its insurance products by the year’s end, heralding the near-complete dissolution of a longtime stalwart of Oregon’s private health insurance marketplace.
Tybee Island, Marine Science Center to host free Community Day
The City of Tybee Island and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center are teaming up for a special Community Day offering free admission for Tybee Island residents. The event will include interactive exhibits, family activities, raffle prizes and opportunities to learn more about coastal conservation.
Q&A: The path to a PhD in computational science and engineering at MIT
MIT student Emily Williams describes her experience as the first to earn a doctorate via the PhD program in MIT's Center for Computational Science and Engineering.
FOX26 Kim Stephens sits down with Monty Torres for health update
We've been missing Monty Torres delivering your 10 PM news since September.I've given you a few updates since then on social media, but on Tuesday, we got to si
From Germany: Josko Gvardiol targets summer Manchester City exit
Croatian international defender Josko Gvardiol is reportedly considering a departure from the Etihad Stadium after just three seasons in England.Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich are monitoring th...
Xbox expands leadership team with major hires
Xbox has added two big names to its leadership team: Matthew Ball and Scott Van Vliet. The new recruits are part of an on-going drive from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to move faster, build better products, and make more focused business decisions. The Game Business can reveal that Ball is joining as Chief Strategy Officer. He is a popular industry analyst who is responsible for the annual The State of Video Gaming report, which is widely read across the business. His first job will be to strengthen the console side of Xbox, which is facing significant pressures, not least from the rising costs of memory and storage. In an interview with The Game Business earlier in the year, he admitted he was “pretty frightened” by the situation for the console sector. Ball had previously worked as head of strategy and planning for Amazon Studios, and wrote the 2022 international best-seller The Metaverse. He is currently CEO of Epyllion, a venture partner at investment group Makers Fund and senior advisor at KKR & Co. Meanwhile, Scott Van Vliet joins as Chief Technology Officer. He was previously in charge of Azure OpenAI and AI Core infrastructure at Microsoft, and he also led engineering for Microsoft Teams during the COVID 19 pandemic. But he has a games background. He previously worked across games for Amazon, including Alexa, Amazon Game Studios and the Amazon App Store. He directly worked on the Minecraft: Fire TV Edition. Prior to that, he was VP of Digital Play at Mattel, and worked across brands such as Batman, Barbie, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and Cut The Rope. His job will be to improve how Xbox builds products so teams can move faster and deliver stronger results. For more breaking stories, sign-up to The Game Business today Subscribe In addition to these new hires, Xbox has promoted Chris Schnakenberg to Corporate Vice President, Partnerships & Business Development. He was previously VP of partnerships and business development, and joined from Activision Blizzard, where he spent 12 years in various strategy, business development and partner relations role. His focus is on third-party games, publishers and developers working with Xbox. The news follows a number of new hires and promotions earlier in the month, including Jason Ronald taking leadership over Xbox’s upcoming Project Helix console. “These changes are about strengthening our foundation by creating more clarity and improving execution,” Sharma said in an email to staff. “As we head toward Showcase and beyond, we’ll continue making the changes needed to position XBOX for the future.” Matthew Ball is speaking with Christopher Dring at The Game Business Live on Monday, June 8. More details on the event can be found here.
Xbox expands leadership team with major hires
Xbox has added two big names to its leadership team: Matthew Ball and Scott Van Vliet. The new recruits are part of an on-going drive from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to move faster, build better products, and make more focused business decisions. The Game Business can reveal that Ball is joining as Chief Strategy Officer. He is a popular industry analyst who is responsible for the annual The State of Video Gaming report, which is widely read across the business. His first job will be to strengthen the console side of Xbox, which is facing significant pressures, not least from the rising costs of memory and storage. In an interview with The Game Business earlier in the year, he admitted he was “pretty frightened” by the situation for the console sector. Ball had previously worked as head of strategy and planning for Amazon Studios, and wrote the 2022 international best-seller The Metaverse. He is currently CEO of Epyllion, a venture partner at investment group Makers Fund and senior advisor at KKR & Co. Meanwhile, Scott Van Vliet joins as Chief Technology Officer. He was previously in charge of Azure OpenAI and AI Core infrastructure at Microsoft, and he also led engineering for Microsoft Teams during the COVID 19 pandemic. But he has a games background. He previously worked across games for Amazon, including Alexa, Amazon Game Studios and the Amazon App Store. He directly worked on the Minecraft: Fire TV Edition. Prior to that, he was VP of Digital Play at Mattel, and worked across brands such as Batman, Barbie, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and Cut The Rope. His job will be to improve how Xbox builds products so teams can move faster and deliver stronger results. For more breaking stories, sign-up to The Game Business today Subscribe In addition to these new hires, Xbox has promoted Chris Schnakenberg to Corporate Vice President, Partnerships & Business Development. He was previously VP of partnerships and business development, and joined from Activision Blizzard, where he spent 12 years in various strategy, business development and partner relations role. His focus is on third-party games, publishers and developers working with Xbox. The news follows a number of new hires and promotions earlier in the month, including Jason Ronald taking leadership over Xbox’s upcoming Project Helix console. “These changes are about strengthening our foundation by creating more clarity and improving execution,” Sharma said in an email to staff. “As we head toward Showcase and beyond, we’ll continue making the changes needed to position XBOX for the future.” Matthew Ball is speaking with Christopher Dring at The Game Business Live on Monday, June 8. More details on the event can be found here.
RECongress Selects Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center for 2028-2032
The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress (RECongress), one of the largest annual Catholic gatherings in the United States, has selected the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center as its new home beginning in 2028. The five-year agreement will bring Catholics from across the U.S. and the world to Long Beach for the four-day RECongress event through 2032.
Google launches Gemini for Science AI research toolkit
The Gemini for Science suite includes three experimental tools covering hypothesis generation, computational testing, and literature review
Apple’s Eddy Cue to Receive Entertainment Person of the Year Honor at Cannes Lions Festival
Apple’s Eddy Cue will be honored next month at Cannes Lions with the festival’s Entertainment Person of the Year Award. The nod comes as recognition for Cue’s role in steering the tech giant’s enterta...
Hollywood’s new political agenda: Save Hollywood
Long a force in presidential politics, the industry is entering the midterms with a more urgent and self-interested agenda.
MLB outfield power rankings entering week 9
The 2026 MLB season is entering its ninth week. There has been tremendous baseball played in the early part of the season. Many players are making early cases for All-Star selections and yearly awards. There is a lot of baseball…
Scientists discover massive natural hydrogen source beneath Canada
Scientists in Canada have discovered that ancient underground rocks are naturally producing hydrogen gas — and lots of it. Measurements from mine boreholes in Ontario show the gas can flow continuously for years, offering a potential new source of clean energy called “white hydrogen.” Researchers say this hidden resource could help power industries and remote communities while cutting carbon emissions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Israel Politics
Israeli lawmakers in the Israeli parliament, during a session considering a bill to dissolve the government in Jerusalem, Wednesday, May 20,2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)