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Wilton Simpson backs ‘principled conservative’ Liesa Priddy in HD 82
'Liesa understands what it takes to safeguard Florida’s family farms, defend private property rights, and preserve our rural communities.'
Revolutionary Work | From PSG to USA, Revs II sports performance coach Bilal Bejaoui has passion for producing pros
France native has found opportunity to grow in New England
Evoke Entertainment Secures $35 Million Production Financing Facility to Accelerate Expanding Film & Television Slate
Institutional capital partnership strengthens independent studio's ability to finance and produce content across film, television, and streaming platforms Stan Spry CEO Stan Spry, CEO Evoke Entertainment LOS ANGELES, June 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evoke Entertainment has secured a senior secured production financing facility of up to $35 million backed by a leading institutional private credit fund with extensive experience in media, entertainment, and asset-based lending.The revolving produc
Elections to top science bodies test Croatia’s gender equality in research
Croatia’s track-record on gender equality in science has been both questioned and lauded in recent months, following both bad and good news on the topic. On the one hand, a senior awards committee was announced without a single woman researcher included. On the other, the national science academy welcomed its first cohort of fellows with more women than men.Members of the committee, which gives national awards recognising scientific achievement, are proposed by the ministry of science and endorsed by the parliament. The current line-up does include a woman, but she is culture minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek rather than a researcher. Even then, she didn’t make it into the photograph released to announce the appointments on April 16. “The image speaks a thousand words,” says Tanja Rudež, a science journalist for Jutarnji List newspaper. “I am surprised that none of these men, all well-known scientists, saw a problem with the fact that there was not a single successful female scientist on the committee,” she told Science|Business.Ivan Đikić, a prominent Croatian biochemist based at Goethe University Medical School, commented on LinkedIn that the news illustrated a “sad truth” about the state of science in Croatia.“It [. . .] reveals a system where women, despite contributing a substantial share of high-quality, internationally competitive science, are systematically excluded from the very processes that determine recognition and influence,” he wrote. Some 60% of researchers in Croatia are women, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, and they perform well in international competitions. For example, of the 12 European Research Council (ERC) grants awarded to Croatian researchers, seven went to women.“So how is it possible that decision-making bodies are still dominated by men over 60, while not a single female ERC laureate is involved in the selection process?” asked Đikić. “This is not a marginal oversight; it is a structural failure.” The ministry of science did not reply to a request for comment. The awards committee is not unusual. For example, a scientific advisory body announced by the ministry of demographics in April comprises 35 men and five women. The board of the Croatian Science Foundation, newly appointed by the parliament, is a little better, with five men and two women, but still unequal. “This is especially significant because such bodies do not merely distribute prestige. They shape research priorities, funding allocation and long-term scientific development,” Marija Lugarić, chair of the parliament’s committee on gender equality, told Science|Business. “Representation here matters not only symbolically, but materially.”Referring to the awards committee and the board of the science foundation, Lugarić says that while both bodies were appointed by parliament, neither met the minimum 40% gender balance threshold that Croatian law and EU guidelines expressly recommend for public bodies.Đikić wants to see EU institutions put pressure on the government to ensure basic standards of fairness, transparency and democratic governance in science policy are met. “Meaningful change will not come without pressure,” he wrote. “It must intensify both within Croatia and at the level of European institutions. Anything less undermines the credibility of Europe’s commitment to excellence and inclusion in science.”Rudež also underlined the importance of talking and writing about this topic, “because public opinion in Croatia does influence changes in the status and visibility of women in science.”The European Commission has not yet responded to a request for comment.Good news from the academyA more positive story came from the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts on 21 May, with the announcement of seven new women fellows and five men. This is the first time in the academy’s 165-year history that women have outnumbered men in a new intake.One of the new fellows, two-time ERC grantee Iva Tolić, credits the academy leadership with trying to be more modern and inclusive, representing the whole community better. “The academy is really aware that so far, before this election, there were very few women,” she told Science|Business. “So, they are actively trying to make this more equal.”Related articlesExplained: How the MSCA is close to achieving gender balanceCall for EU to leverage academic freedom in global talent raceRudež is more cautious, noting that despite the academy’s “breakthrough this year [. . .] it is still a predominantly male institution, with only 18% women.”This reflects a wider imbalance in Croatia’s research landscape. “The key levers of power in science are still in the hands of men,” she went on. “For example, all 14 rectors of private and public universities are men.”Similarly, Lugarić says a structural glass ceiling still exists in Croatian science, which is “most visible precisely where power is exercised.”She cites data from the Commission’s She Figures 2024 report, which shows that Croatia ranks second in the EU for gender equality in research and innovation overall, with an equality index of 79.6 out of 100. It is in the top five for women’s career advancement, participation in research; representation across all research sectors and for scientific publications.In stark contrast, it ranks second to last when it comes to women in decision-making positions in science. “This is not a coincidence,” Lugarić says. “It is a structural pattern.”Informal barriersThe persistent under-representation of women in the highest structures of Croatia’s academies, boards, award committees and leadership positions is not down to formal barriers, Lugarić says, but arises from more subtle obstacles such as “informal networks, persistent expectations regarding traditional gender roles and the unequal distribution of care responsibilities.”Tolić would like to see more support for young women in terms of affordable housing and child support, and higher salaries. Currently, she says, salaries in science stay low for the first 10-15 years, while housing and spaces in kindergarten are limited and expensive. “You have to work a lot, you get very little money, so it’s not great to have a family in this situation,” she says.But despite the challenges, Tolić is optimistic, saying that gender equality in research in Croatia is “definitely improving and going in the right direction.” The situation is particularly promising in biology, she adds, where most full professors, heads of department and deans of faculties are women. Lugarić, too, see the glass ceiling “very slowly, cracking,” and cites the academy election as an example that structural change is possible. Yet the situation in the national awards committee is a “stark reminder that without a conscious, systemic commitment to gender balance, progress will remain slow and uneven.”
Euro zone business wilts in May as war-driven inflation surges, pointing to Q2 GDP contraction
Euro zone private sector activity shrank at the fastest rate in 18 months in May as waning demand for goods and services — a key gauge of economic health — dragged output lower for a second month while cost pressures hit their highest level in more than three years, a survey showed.
WhiteHawk Capital Partners Closes $390 Million Refinancing For The Star Entertainment Group
WhiteHawk Capital Partners, a private credit investment manager focused on asset-based financing solutions, announced the closing of a US$390 million senior secured financing for The Star Entertainment Group. The transaction provides additional liquidity to The Star while refinancing certain existing debt obligations.
China services activity grows at fastest pace in three months, private PMI shows
China's services activity expanded at the fastest pace in three months in May, helped by stronger growth in new business and a rebound in overseas demand, though rising cost pressures weighed on firms, a private-sector survey showed on Wednesday.
Scott Pelley’s future at CBS in doubt after private meeting with top executives
Veteran “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley had a contentious meeting with CBS News management on Tuesday afternoon, leading some of his colleagues to believe that he will be fired, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
Dallas Stars announce letter of intent for proposed Plano arena and entertainment district
The organization has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent for a potential new arena in Plano as part of a proposed sports and entertainment district at The Shops at Willow Bend
Mike Vrabel on Christian Gonzalez: Contracts are part of pro sports, negotiations should be private
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is seeking a new contract as he heads into his fourth pro season.
Mike Vrabel on Christian Gonzalez: Contracts are part of pro sports, negotiations should be private
Ranked: The 35 hardest colleges to get into in America
These are the hardest colleges to get into in America, including top Ivy League schools and elite private universities.
Star Entertainment Group closes US$390 million refinancing deal with WhiteHawk Capital
The Star Entertainment Group’s refinancing lifeline via WhiteHawk Capital Partners has officially closed, according to a Monday announcement by the US-based private
Businesses are turning into a private club: beaches, restaurants, gyms
In an age of heightened loneliness and uncertainty, private clubs are selling camaraderie and controlled environments — if you can afford it.
WhiteHawk Capital Partners Closes $390MM Cross-Border Refinancing for The Star Entertainment Group
WhiteHawk Capital Partners, a private credit investment manager focused on asset-based financing solutions, closed a $390 million senior secured financing for
One Roof Sports and Entertainment Announces Investor Update
New investment in Seattle Kraken’s parent company comes as team acquires a controlling interest in Climate Pledge Arena
One Roof Sports and Entertainment Announces Investor Update
New investment in Seattle Kraken’s parent company comes as team acquires a controlling interest in Climate Pledge Arena
Yum Brands in talks to sell Pizza Hut to private equity firm: report
Yum Brands is reportedly discussing a potential sale of Pizza Hut to LongRange Capital, a deal that could reshape the restaurant sector amid weaker demand.
Private credit lent $560 billion to US businesses since 2023, MFA report shows
Private credit funds provided nearly $560 billion in new loans to U.S. businesses over the last three years, helping create more than 6.5 million jobs, according to a Managed Funds Association report seen by Reuters.
Buying the Beautiful Game—and Beyond
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, advisor Laurie Pinto breaks down how US private equity and American investors are reshaping European football valuations.
After Gaza, Israel is now causing the West Bank health system to collapse
Most Medications Are Missing From Public Pharmacies, and Many Patients Cannot Afford to Buy Them on the Private Market. Israel's Seizure of Customs Revenues Has Significantly Deepened the Palestinian Health Ministry's Debt, and It Warns: Soon We Will No Longer Be Able to Provide Essential Health Services
Report Ibrahimovic pushed Milan coach out to speak alone
It is claimed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic undermined Milan coach Paulo Fonseca by sending him out of the locker room to speak privately with the players on his first day.The Swede is the only man standing...
Pay raises for incompetence at the Colorado Capitol
By Jon Caldara I am personally responsible for helping overpay socialists to make Colorado unaffordable, overregulated and one windstorm away from a power blackout. I failed you. Colorado legislators already get automatic inflation raises. You know, just like your job (I’m assuming the sarcasm bled through that one). No private-sector worker has that kind of […]
Trump Wants Minerals, Health Data for Aid. African Nations Are Pushing Back.
Governments bridle at U.S. demands for private medical data and, in some cases, access to minerals.
AANHPI Local Business Spotlight
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, celebrated each May, honors the rich history, culture, and contributions of AANHPI communities across the United States. For Real Salt Lake, it’s a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the diversity that strengthens both the club and the broader Utah community. That
Before Turning A Hobby Into A Business, Ask Yourself These 4 Questions
A hobby can become a side hustle, but monetizing it may turn private joy into another obligation. Here’s how to know what to protect.
Castleton moving sports to MASCAC
CASTLETON, Vt. (WCAX) - After nine years in the Little East, Castleton is moving the majority of its athletic programs to the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference. 20 of the 26 Spartans sports programs will move ahead of the 2027-28 school year. Castleton previously played one football season in the MASCAC before joining the New Jersey Athletic Conference ahead of the 2025 season. The MASCAC currently includes seven state universities from Massachusetts. Castleton replaces the one private member, Anna Maria College, as it shut down permanently at the end of this school year. There are a few hurdles Castleton will have to figure out: while four of the six sports not joining the MASCAC don’t participate in a traditional collegiate conference, the tennis programs will likely need to find affiliate memberships to build schedules. And Castleton will have to schedule rival Norwich as part of its nonconference hockey slate...but athletic director Tim Barrett says it’s the right move for the Spartans, especially when it comes to football. “We’ve had ongoing conversations for the last couple of years regarding the possibilities within the MASCAC,” Barrett said. “Obviously, we had the one year relationship for football in the MASCAC, we enjoyed our time there, we felt at that point we were a natural fit for that conference. So we’re looking forward to it, we’re also looking forward to the next seasons within the Little East Conference, but I do think this was the right move at the right time.”
Area business leader, philanthropist Stanley Star dies
One of the northern Chautauqua County's "brilliant" business and community leaders has passed. Stanley Albert Star, who co-founded Cliffstar Corp. and, through extraordinary determination and leadership, built it into the largest and most respected private label beverage company in the United States, died Friday at 89. His obituary notes he was "a devoted husband, loving…
Highlights: What Betamax Teaches Us About AI – The Business of Entertainment: 2nd Princeton CorpGov Forum
Watch Highlights Video Below: CorpGov hosted the second Princeton CorpGov Forum on May 21, 2026, at The Nassau Inn in Princeton, New Jersey. Speakers featured industry leaders and alumni spanning five decades at Princeton, and topics comprised university endowments, shareholder activism, private equity, venture capital, private and public capital markets, entertainment and the finance of […] The post Highlights: What Betamax Teaches Us About AI – The Business of Entertainment: 2nd Princeton Corp
New York can lead the way to universal healthcare coverage nationwide
New York lawmakers have been trying to pass the New York Health Act since 1992. Public support is overwhelming. And while most lawmakers have taken a public stance in favor of the bill, in private,…
Player availability report, presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute: Orlando Pride vs Bay FC
Here is this week's player availability report, presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, for Friday's home match vs Bay FC
Fertitta Entertainment Agrees to Acquire Caesars Entertainment in $17.6B Deal
HOUSTON, LAS VEGAS AND RENO, NEV. — Fertitta Entertainment Inc., a private holding company controlled by the NBA’s Houston Rockets governor (i.e. owner) Tilman Fertitta, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire casino and gaming giant Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR) for $17.6 billion. Fertitta Entertainment plans to finance the acquisition through a combination of equity, assumed Caesars’ outstanding debt (approximately $11.9 billion) and new committed debt financing arranged by a consortium of 10 banks. Under terms of the agreement, Caesars shareholders will receive $31 in cash for each outstanding share, which represents a 49 percent premium to the company’s unaffected stock price on Feb. 25 (the last trading day before rumors of a potential transaction were reported) — $20.77 per share. Upon completion of the transaction, shares of Caesars Entertainment common stock will no longer be listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Caesars operates several major Las Vegas Strip properties, such as Caesars Palace, Harrah’s, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Horseshoe, The LINQ Hotel, Flamingo and The Cromwell. Fertitta Entertainment owns Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos and operates more than 450 full-service restaurants around the world, including Landry’s, Rainforest Café and Morton’s. According to the press releases issued by both companies,…
International Flavors and Fragrances nears $4 billion deal to sell food ingredients business, WSJ reports
International Flavors & Fragrances was nearing a deal to sell its food ingredients business to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners for more than $4 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Blistering report exposes how national K-12 group's DEI agenda is trickling down to local chapters
The National PTA faces scrutiny over DEI initiatives and left-wing political priorities allegedly trickling down to state and local school chapters and ultimately reaching students.
IFF Enters Into Agreement to Sell Its Food Ingredients Business to CVC
IFF (NYSE: IFF), a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and health and biosciences, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its Food Ingredients business to funds advised by CVC Capital Partners, a leading global private markets manager, in a transaction that values the business at approximately $4.3 billion, representing an enterprise value-to-EBITDA multiple of approximately 10x.
'Business-Like' Approach Has Canes One Win Shy Of Stanley Cup Final
"I don’t think we’re an overconfident group. I think we’re a confident group in what we do, and we respect every minute of the playoffs."
Proton Mail just made ditching Gmail way less painful
Easy Switch integration makes the move simpler and more private
Feritta Entertainment to acquire Caesars
Caesars Entertainment announced Thursday that it entered into an agreement to be acquired privately by billionaire Tilman Fertitta and his Fertitta Entertainmen
CBS Sports to be the new home of Barclays WSL in the U.S from next season
WSL Football can confirm that CBS Sports will be the new home of the Barclays Women’s Super League in the U.S until the 2029-30 season.
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for 3% funding target
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for better conditions
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Caesars Entertainment to Go Private in $17.6 Billion Cash-and-Debt Deal. The Stock Is Rising.
Fertitta Entertainment has agreed to acquire Caesars Entertainment in an all-cash deal, months after rumors of a bid.
Fertitta-Owned Firm to Buy Caesars Entertainment in Nearly $18 Billion Leisure Push
May 28 (Reuters) - Caesars Entertainment said on Thursday it will be bought out by Tilman Fertitta-owned firm in a $17.6 billion deal, as the hospitality billionaire looks to expand his leisure empire. The deal, which will take one of the Las Vegas Strip's most prized casino operators private,
Caesars to be acquired by Fertitta Entertainment in a $17.6B transaction
The Houston-based company controlled by Tilman Fertitta will take Caesars private and will acquire more than 50 properties, including 15 hotel-casinos in Nevada.
A private equity giant sees 'unlimited' upside in one booming sector
Carlyle Group CEO Harvey Schwartz says rising global tensions are reshaping where investors put their money.
Beyond the Save: Why Mental Health Matters to URFC’s Mandy McGlynn
By: Isabella Rubis The month of May was chosen by Mental Health America in 1949 as a dedicated time to focus on mental wellness. The month-long spotlight is important to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, educate the public and amplify the voices of athletes like URFC goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn
Philadelphia Union part ways with Bradley Carnell, name new sporting director
The Philadelphia Union have parted ways with head coach Bradley Carnell and named John Scheer as sporting director, the club announced Wednesday.
Trump calls Biden 'grossly incompetent' after DOJ lawsuit
President Donald Trump said he'd "like to see" former President Joe Biden's private conversations after the latter attempted to block their release.
Philadelphia Union Announce Sporting Changes
Jon Scheer named Sporting Director Club; Announces Departure of Head Coach Bradley Carnell
Beyond the Game: How Utah is Leading the Charge for Mental Health and Performance in MLS and NWSL
By Isabella Rubis Mental health in sports is an increasingly important topic, highlighting the psychological challenges athletes face both on and off the field as they strive for peak performance while navigating intense pressure and public scrutiny. Through the partnership with Intermountain Health, Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC
Healthy Returns: Eli Lilly makes a new push into vaccines – here’s what to know
The drugmaker announced it will buy three privately held vaccine makers in deals worth almost $4 billion combined.
Walmart launches hardware overhaul, new kids brand in private-label push
Walmart is investing in private brands with a hardware refresh featuring Greenworks Pro and Hyper Tough, plus a new Mainstays Kids home brand launch.
Platner stands by ad slamming Red Sox over private equity
Platner has since been all too eager to capitalize on the ad's removal, using it to push his populist message as he campaigns to unseat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.
Football: Naomi Girma opens up about player mental health: “Being an athlete is built on pressure”
Olympic gold medallist and USWNT star Girma has been a vocal advocate for addressing mental health issues in football.
Artist Kyle McDonald uses private jets to predict emergencies
Kyle McDonald's jet tracker exposes wealth inequality by monitoring private jets, and questions who has access to critical information.
Champions of the Golden Valley earns Sports Emmys win for Olympics.com
Chronicling a nascent alpine skiing movement in Afghanistan, the documentary – currently streaming for free on Olympics.com – topped the outstanding sports documentary: long category at the 47th Sports Emmys on Tuesday, 26 May
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner stands by ad accusing Red Sox private equity owners of ruining the team
The ad was pulled by New England Sports Network, which is owned predominantly by Fenway Sports Group, a conglomerate that also owns the Red Sox and Liverpool of the Premier League.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Initiates Largest Change In 70 Years, Solicits Bids To Replace Caltech As Its Manager
A booming industry is proving that private enterprise can make serious strides in space, and JPL is looking to find cheaper ways to do what it's always done.
Opinion | Funding cuts are draining scientific research
At public and private universities across the country, high-impact science is being damaged and derailed.
From smart agriculture to mental health: These are the New U.S.-Israel projects set to receive $7.5 million from the BIRD Foundation
On May 5, 2026, the Board of Governors of the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation approved grants totaling $7.5 million for seven new projects between U.S. and Israeli companies. In addition to BIRD funding, the projects will leverage private-sector investment, resulting in a combined investment of $20 million across all projects.
Private equity firm selling radiology network for $2.4B
Permira is selling Australia's I-Med Radiology Network, which recently entered the U.S. by acquiring StatRad, to Hong Kong-based multinational conglomerate Jardine Matheson.
R&B singer Chris Brown touts honorary doctorate from private Christian university
R B star Chris Brown is celebrating his honorary doctorate from a royal Dallas-based private Christian institution that lacks national accreditation
The World Health Assembly adopts updated Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2026–2036)
Geneva, 23 May 2026 – Member States at the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79) adopted the updated Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance (GAP-AMR) 2026–2036, marking a major milestone in the global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and delivering on a key commitment contained in the 2024 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on AMR. The updated plan was developed through a consultative process led by the Quadripartite organizations – FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH – with extensive engagement of Member States and stakeholders across sectors. AMR remains one of the most significant global health and development challenges, affecting humans, animals, plants, food systems and the environment. The updated GAP-AMR provides a comprehensive One Health framework to guide coordinated global, regional and national action over the next decade. It builds on the foundation established by the original GAP-AMR adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2015 while reflecting evolving evidence, lessons learned, and the commitments made at the 2024 UN High-Level Meeting on AMR. During the Assembly, Member States expressed broad support for the updated plan and its strengthened multisectoral and One Health approach. Delegates highlighted the importance of prevention-first interventions, including infection prevention and control, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), vaccination, biosecurity, and environmental measures. They also highlighted the need for responsible, equitable and sustainable use of antimicrobials, strengthened surveillance, innovation, and sustainable agrifood systems. The updated GAP-AMR is intended to serve as the global framework for coordinated action against AMR through 2036. It aims to accelerate global progress towards the commitments and targets agreed by Member States and support countries in developing, implementing and financing ambitious multisectoral national action plans. The plan also reinforces the importance of accountability, monitoring and reporting, sustainable financing, and international cooperation to address AMR through a One Health approach. The adoption of the updated GAP-AMR reflects renewed global commitment to preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials and safeguarding advances in human, animal and plant health, food security, economic development and environmental sustainability. As implementation begins, continued collaboration among governments, international organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector will be critical to translating commitments into measurable impact. The Quadripartite organizations will continue supporting Member States and partners in operationalizing the updated GAP-AMR and advancing coordinated One Health action against AMR at country, regional and global levels.
Reform MP refuses to say whether Farage should produce evidence for Russian hack claim
Danny Kruger says matter is ‘private’, after party leader claimed hack was behind Guardian story about £5m gift
Pontiac’s comeback: A new chapter led by partnership and purpose
Oakland County leads downtown Pontiac revival with major public and private investment, creating jobs, housing and renewed opportunity for residents.
The Political Truths of Harold Bloom's Literary Friendship
The private letters of famed literary critic Harold Bloom offer an ethical guide for politics.
Jardine to Buy Australian Imaging Firm I-MED in $2.4 Bilion Deal
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A Democrat Took on Red Sox Ownership in an Ad. A Network Pulled it.
Graham Platner, a Senate candidate in Maine, blamed private equity for destroying “our favorite baseball team.” NESN, which is owned by the team, pulled his campaign ad, citing an intellectual property violation.
New VIP entertainment lounge unveiled at Sacramento-area casino
The Studio offers “an exclusive private space for mingling and celebrating during concerts and performances.”
Player availability report, presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute: Orlando Pride at San Diego Wave
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I teach wealth management. Avoid these spending traps to save money.
Eton Solutions CEO Rob Mallernee, who teaches private wealth management, has advice for saving money. It starts with reconsidering that $4 coffee.
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.
Recap: Sporting KC sees comeback fall short in 2-1 defeat to Red Bull New York
Sporting Kansas City (3-9-2, 11 pts.) saw the team’s attempted comeback fall just short in a 2-1 setback against Red Bull New York (6-5-4, 22 pts.) at Sporting Park on Saturday night. Calvin Harris scored his second goal of the season to reduce the deficit in the second half, but
Player status report, presented by Orlando Health: Orlando City SC at FC Cincinnati
Here is the Player Status Report, presented by Orlando Health, for Saturday's away match at FC Cincinnati
Ted Cruz says senators were ‘screaming’ at Todd Blanche during ‘anti-weaponization’ fund briefing
The private meeting came hours before the Senate postponed a critical vote to advance a partisan funding bill for ICE and Border Patrol.
Player Availability Report: #SKCvNY
Player Availability Report is SportingKC.com’s look at the latest status updates around the team ahead of upcoming matches and is presented by Saint Luke’s. All details listed are from the league’s official Player Status Report that is submitted the day prior to the match. Sporting Kansas City returns home this
AANHPI Local Business Spotlight
To celebrate AANHPI month, Utah Royals FC players surprised some of their favorite Asian owned businesses with free ticket vouchers to Utah Royals games that customers can claim when they visit. The Japanese quartet of Mina Tanaka, Aria Nagai, Narumi and Miyabi visited Koyote (551 W 400 N, SLC, UT),
Haslam Sports Group to name Tim Bezbatchenko President of Global Soccer
Bezbatchenko, who possesses 17 years in soccer leadership roles and three MLS Cups, returning to oversee all current and future HSG soccer endeavors, including Columbus NWSL 2028 and the Columbus Crew
There's been a 'step-change in demand for our business' since the pandemic: Wheels Up CEO
Wheels Up CEO George Mattson joins 'Mornings with Maria' to discuss the booming summer travel season, robust private aviation demand, their exclusive partnership with Delta Airlines and fleet modernization.
Sporting KC joins KC2026 as official World Cup Host City Supporter
With the world’s biggest sporting event on the horizon, Kansas City’s hometown teams are coming together to help welcome the world. KC2026 today announced the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting Kansas City as Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters, uniting three of the region’s
A 25-year-old left her $346K job to launch makeup brand Forta
Sarah Guller, 25, said she felt like she should have been happy with her private equity job — but she decided she needed to make a change.
Citi to boost Asia wealth business with 'significant' hires, global head says
Citigroup plans to allocate a significant portion of its global wealth management hiring to Asia, where its private bank is growing faster and generating higher productivity than in other regions, the bank's global wealth head Andy Sieg said.
With Deals Booming and Regulations Lightened, Bankers Are Back on Top
They played second fiddle to private equity and hedge funds for years, but 2026 is shaping up to be “the year of the bank,” one consultant said.
With Deals Booming and Regulations Lightened, Bankers Are Back on Top
They played second fiddle to private equity and hedge funds for years, but 2026 is shaping up to be “the year of the bank,” one consultant said.
NHL named Sports League of the Year
From the players returning to the Winter Olympics, the GR8 Chase, and two outdoor games in Florida, The NHL was named Sports League of the Year at the Sports Business Awards
Democrats release contentious autopsy of 2024 presidential campaign
The Democratic National Committee had planned to keep its report private to avoid infighting.
Could microscopic spheres of silica help cool the planet?
Private money is bringing new ideas—and new concerns—to solar-geoengineering research
Buying your way to better health comes at the expense of others
Private health insurance contributes to poorer health among people with the lowest levels of education.
How to cover a Legislature that does its business in private
Minnesota Legislature transparency questions: when do the lines between political performance and consequential legislation intersect?
NHL named League of the Year at Sports Business Journal Awards
Players in Olympics, outdoor games in Florida among reasons for victory
NHL named League of the Year at Sports Business Journal Awards
Players in Olympics, outdoor games in Florida among reasons for victory
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.
Inside NFL owners meetings: International Super Bowl talk, Rashee Rice fallout, Seahawks sale buzz and more
Plus, the Vikings narrowed their GM search, NFL owners approved another private equity investment and the league's Olympic flag football plans are taking shape
Exclusive: British theatre group ATG Entertainment readied for sale, sources say
British West End theatre operator ATG Entertainment is in the early stages of being prepared for a possible sale by its private equity owner, four people familiar with the matter said.
NC House overrides governor’s private school voucher veto
The North Carolina House voted May 20, 2026, to override a veto from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein that allows private school tuition donors to opt in to a federal tax break.
Marc Rowan accused of misusing Apollo resources for political work
Chief executive of private capital group used company email and staff for lobbying, unions say
Big Europe and Asian private equity health funds merge to defy AI disruption
Global Healthcare Opportunities and CBC Group say $21bn investment manager will be world’s largest in sector
The Cleveland Browns Will Sell 3 Percent Of Their Franchise
NFL owners are reportedly respecting to prove a sale of a small stake of the Cleveland Browns to a private investment firm.
Democrats push to ban private equity from youth sports
Private equity interest in sports, including youth sports, is surging.