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NAACP asks Black athletes to boycott SEC, ACC powers in latest sports-as-politics pressure campaign
The NAACP launched its "Out of Bounds" campaign calling on black athletes and fans to boycott public universities across eight Southern states.
Team-based care improves blood pressure control
A team-based approach including home blood pressure monitoring and health coaching reduced blood pressure in a high-risk group.
FDA approves first-in-class hypertension drug from AstraZeneca
The pivotal trial for baxdrostat showed nearly double-digit placebo-adjusted systolic blood pressure reduction.
Hochul resists pressure to intervene as 450K NYers prepare to lose public health insurance
New York GOP members of Congress "own" the healthcare cuts tied to the coverage losses, a Hochul spokesperson said.
Save COCA: Keep politics out of arts grants process
Grant decisions should not be subject to the shifting priorities, personal preferences, or political pressures of elected officials.
UK unemployment unexpectedly rises to 5% as firms squeezed by Iran war
Pay growth eases to 3.4% as businesses face pressure from soaring energy costs
Whoa! Netflix is Sending Narnia Heading to Theaters...What This Means for the Future of Film
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) Here’s a funny thing about the debate over whether streamers should release their movies in theaters first: Both sides think the other side represents the “conventional wisdom”. If you’ve been reading me for any amount of time, or even just scanned my front page, you know I think movies make more money by having a robust theatrical window compared to going straight-to-streaming. I’ve published thousands of words on this topic. And for years, I felt like I was standing up to a wave of opposition. See, while the “put your films in theaters to make money” take was obvious at any point before 2019, post-streaming revolution, most of the trendy thinkers took the opposite point of view. Big names argued that Netflix putting their film straight-to-streaming (“S-to-S” from here on out) actually made more money. Netflix was “disrupting” theaters, just as they disrupted Blockbuster Video, and since innovation is always good, this too was a great idea. This thinking then leaked into the mainstream business outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. I read many articles whose take boiled down to “Netflix makes tons of money from S-to-S releases” and “theaters were in structural decline” anyways. Covid-19 shutting down theaters and the 2023 strikes shutting down film production seemingly justified this point of view, as the box office struggled to return to 2017-2019 heights. Yet I’ve also read folks arguing the opposite point: the conventional wisdom says to put films in theaters! From some writers’ points of view, “everyone” actually agrees/agreed with my “send your films to theaters” take—especially the stodgy traditional studios—and folks still didn’t understand Netflix’s genius. I feel like, for the last two years, many people have argued this point as if it’s conventional wisdom. You know what? I may have been wrong. At this point, the “S-to-S strategy makes money” might be the minority viewpoint. Especially with the news this month that Netflix will put at least one film—Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film The Magician’s Nephew—in theaters in 2027 for a full 49-day run is big news. So that’s the story of the week, but I’ll also explain why they’re making this move now and why Netflix may not completely embrace theaters, along with other topics, like how I don’t buy Disney’s “super app” strategy, the latest good news out of the unions, my take on the latest attacks against free speech, and a whole lot more. Let’s get started. Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Netflix Goes to Theaters! Listen, I promise not to victory lap too hard today. As I just wrote, I’ve argued against sending films straight-to-streaming for—checks calendar—eight years now. Since 2018. Yikes. That’s a long time. And for years, others painted my thinking as “conventional” in that I was standing up for the status quo against trendy, cool disruption. And that’s not cool! But math is math, and I never could make the S-to-S numbers work. The only thing that ever enabled that model was Wall Street’s brief exuberance for it. It seems like the heads of Netflix now agree with me. (There were always rumors that former head of film for Netflix Scott Stuber argued internally for theatrical releases as well.) As they announced: “The Magician’s Nephew_—the first film in a Narnia series of films—will open on 12-Feb-2027, with a 49 day theatrical exclusive run.”_ I’m a little surprised at how little coverage this big change actually got. Credit to Bloomberg for leading with it and Matt Belloni’s The Town for highlighting it with the provocatively titled podcast “Hell Hath Frozen Over”. But after that? Instead of getting as much coverage as, say, the FCC’s latest egregious crackdown on free speech, this news story got crickets. But it’s massively more important for the future business of entertainment. So let’s start with the obvious question… Why Put Your Movies in Theaters? So…why should Netflix put (some!) of their movies in theaters? Well, I’ve already written that in a very, very, very long article from 2022: [ ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/the-data-is-in-theatrical-films-massively) [ The Data Is In: Theatrical Films Massively Outperform Straight-To-Streaming Films ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/the-data-is-in-theatrical-films-massively) Entertainment Strategy Guy · April 5, 2023 [ Read full story ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/the-data-is-in-theatrical-films-massively) To summarize, theatrical runs make much more money, especially blockbusters, because they earn more money per viewing,1 and that helps boost home entertainment sales. Theatrical films also perform as well or better than the streaming-only films. Now, partially this is driven by increased marketing for said films, but said marketing ultimately boosts the awareness of the movies and drives improved streaming and library performance as well. Again, I’ve made this case after reviewing the economic models and streaming data for years. Just last week, Emily Horgan also made the case for kids films! Yes, it is probably conventional wisdom, but that’s also because it’s true! I’d also argue we’ve seen a lot of data in the various studios’ behavior. As I’ve noted before, the more a studio needs to make money, the likelier they are to put films in theaters. As such, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount and Sony all send their major films to theaters. Even if they once made a big S-to-S push (*cough* Disney *cough*), they’ve since relented and returned to theaters. The tech companies don’t need to make money, per se, so it took them years to embrace theaters. Apple doesn’t need to make money because it doesn’t disclose their (likely) Quibi-sized losses each year. (They fear bad press more than losing money.) Amazon announced two years ago that they planned to make Amazon-MGM Studios/Prime Video profitable on its own, and guess what? Now they’re putting films in theaters. That leaves Netflix. They’re in between the “no need to make money at all” and the “desperately need to make money to offset linear TV declines”, so they had less pressure to put some films in theaters. Plus, for years, they were the sexy disruptor, and Wall Street rewarded them for that. (Honestly, they still do.) Yet, even Netflix likely saw the money they were leaving on the table (I’ve estimated it at an easy billion dollars before) so they changed their course. I heard one pundit argue that, because Netflix already makes so much money, they don’t need to make more money, which sort of goes against everything I’ve ever learned about business and economics. Again, to be super-nuanced, sending “films to theaters” does not mean EVERY film. TV movies have been a thing for decades. Lifetime films, Hallmark holiday films, Disney Channel Original Movies, and so on, don’t need theatrical runs. But films above a certain budget level (say $25 to 50 million) almost certainly need theaters to maximize their revenue. The Scenarios (with a Dose of Skepticism) Now time for some skepticism: it won’t surprise me at all if Netflix re-changes course. Specifically, Netflix announced that their Narnia film will go to theaters. And I’d bet anything we see KPop Demon Hunters 2: The Huntering2 also goes to theaters, cause it’s the surest hit outside of a Disney animated sequel right now. But how much does Netflix truly commit to theaters? They’ve already tried to emphasize that this is a one-off move. I see three broad scenarios:
Heart health screenings deliver lifesaving impact
Two weeks after her father suffered a stroke, Courtney Barclay, 46, jumped at the chance to get a free blood pressure check while grocery shopping in Carlisle. “With everything going on with my dad…
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Could Get Redesign and Blood Pressure Monitoring
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 could feature a complete redesign and blood pressure monitoring, according to DigiTimes. Apple will apparently add a new high blood pressure notification feature to the Apple Watch that uses the optical heart-rate sensor on the back of the device to analyze how blood vessels respond to each heartbeat, sending alerts when an abnormal pattern is detected. The feature is said to be under FDA review.
A Look At AMC Entertainment (AMC) Valuation After Analyst Upgrade And Arena One Concert Launch
AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC) is back in focus after an analyst upgrade linked to improving box office conditions, along with management comments on a lower revenue bar for free cash flow breakeven and the new Arena One at AMC concert format. See our latest analysis for AMC Entertainment Holdings. At a share price of $1.28, AMC has seen pressure recently, with the 7 day share price return down 9.22% and the 30 day share price return down 31.18%, while the 1 year total shareholder return is...
Gallery of Historic Entertainment Venues in Oxford, Valparaíso, and Osaka Reflect Growing Pressures on Cultural Infrastructure - 4
Image 4 of 6 from gallery of Historic Entertainment Venues in Oxford, Valparaíso, and Osaka Reflect Growing Pressures on Cultural Infrastructure. The Ultimate Picture Palace, Jeune Street, Oxford, England, 2020. Image © Motacilla via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Gallery of Historic Entertainment Venues in Oxford, Valparaíso, and Osaka Reflect Growing Pressures on Cultural Infrastructure - 1
Image 1 of 6 from gallery of Historic Entertainment Venues in Oxford, Valparaíso, and Osaka Reflect Growing Pressures on Cultural Infrastructure. Teatro Imperio, Valparaíso, 2023. Image © Carlos Figueroa Rojas via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Parents feel growing pressure as mental health concerns rise
A new national survey finds many parents are feeling overwhelmed, with concerns about their children's mental health leading the list of challenges.
Historic Entertainment Venues in Oxford, Valparaíso, and Osaka Reflect Growing Pressures on Cultural Infrastructure
Explore community-led efforts to restore historic theaters and preserve cultural heritage amid real estate pressure.
Executive education challengers raise pressure on business schools
New rivals are driving traditional institutions to double down on their USP — or adapt and partner with them
Shifting Landscape Creates Uncertainty in Entertainment Market
By Andrea Wells The overall landscape of the entertainment world is changing. Increasing cost pressures, labor challenges, the emergence of AI, and the
HS2 failings blamed on high-speed focus and political pressure
A new reviews confirms the high-speed rail line's "original sins" include a technical design, changing political priorities and ballooning costs.
How Penn’s Penn Interactive Layoffs and Restructuring Will Impact PENN Entertainment (PENN) Investors
Penn Entertainment recently cut more than 75 jobs in its Penn Interactive division, affecting theScore Bet, online casino, and social gaming operations as part of a broader restructuring following pressures in the sports betting market and the fallout from its ESPN Bet branding deal. The layoffs, including several senior roles, highlight management’s push to streamline a loss-making digital segment even as online sports betting and iGaming revenues have been improving. Next, we’ll examine...
Rodri puts pressure on Arsenal for final 2 games
Rodri still believes Manchester City can win the Premier League title, insisting Arsenal won’t have it easy in their final two matches.Photo by George Wood/Getty ImagesManchester City won their seco...
‘Pressures are real’: Colleges grapple with future of Olympic sports amid football spending boom
I quit Google after 18 years. I felt pressured to adopt AI too quickly
A man who worked at Google for nearly 20 years quit because he felt unhappy with its AI policy.
How Investors May Respond To PENN Entertainment (PENN) Cutting Jobs In Its Interactive Division
PENN Entertainment recently announced it will cut more than 75 roles in its Interactive division, as operators across the sports betting industry respond to competitive and technological pressures including AI-enabled platforms and prediction markets drawing customers away from traditional sportsbooks. This restructuring highlights how PENN is reassessing the cost structure and scale of its digital betting operations at a time when its long-term plans rely heavily on improving profitability...
Ancient Chinese movement shows promise for reducing blood pressure at home, study says
An ancient Chinese exercise called baduanjin could help lower blood pressure as effectively as some medications, according to a new clinical trial.
Colorado governor commutes election denier Tina Peters' sentence after Trump pressure
Colorado's Democratic Gov. Jared Polis is commuting the sentence of Tina Peters, an election conspiracy theorist and former county clerk, following pressure from President Trump.
UK ex-health minister says will run to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Pressure mounts on Starmer's government, as Labour rivals including recently resigned Wes Streeting circle.
Colorado Gov. Polis commutes ex-election clerk Tina Peters' sentence after Trump pressure
Trump has championed the case of Peters, a 70-year-old former county clerk who was sentenced to nine years behind bars after being convicted in a scheme to make a copy of her county’s election computer system. She gets released June 1.
Rubio: Iran won’t be able to leverage US politics into forcing ‘bad’ deal on Trump
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said Iran attempting to use U.S. politics, specifically rising energy prices and its impact on Americans, will not pressure President Trump and lead him i…
With Possible Raúl Castro Indictment, U.S. Eyes Venezuela Playbook
Amid stepped-up surveillance flights, a visit of the C.I.A. director and an energy embargo, the White House is trying to increase pressure on Cuba.
Gavin Newsom targets California businesses with new digital software tax
‘The Big Money Show’ discusses Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed new tax on digital software purchases as Silicon Valley faces mounting pressure from AI disruption and Wall Street volatility.
How one rural health system is designing targeted AI pilots to ease care delivery pressures
Berkshire Health Systems CIO William Young says artificial intelligence must do more than impress people with new features. It has to save time, cut waste, and help a rural health system survive mounting financial and operational strain.
Blood pressure stations make health simple at YMCA of Central Texas
AUSTIN, May 15, 2026 — A former Jump Rope for Heart child is now helping YMCA of Central Texas foster long-term community impact. New YMCA blood pressure stations, installed in collaboration with the American Heart Association, will affect over 50,000...
Chartbook 449: Voldemort on Threadneedle street. The Bank of England and the "haunted house" of English politics.
Imagine the scene: In some Harry Potter version of 21st-century London, a group of deathless UK Treasury officials gathered from across the last century huddle over warm pints and glasses of Chardonnay. Around the table there are officials from the 1920s, the 1930s, the 1970s, 2022 and today. Inevitably, in May 2026, the subject of conversation is the disintegration of the current Labour government. Despite its huge majority in parliament, it has been reduced to tatters by catastrophic local election result. These exposed the fact that rather than having a government with a clear popular majority, the UK is like most other modern societies divided into 5 segments each of which commands between 26 and 16 percent of the vote. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the leadership at Nos 10 and 11 Downing Street - where the Prime Minister and the Chancellor (Treasury Secretary) work - seem paralyzed. They are caught between mounting discontent over unfairness and the cost of living, and tough fiscal strictures that push them into making unpopular spending decisions. In the London pub, the Treasury officials from across the ages, can barely hide their satisfaction at the latest display of democratic politics caught in the vice-grip of financial logic. “Remember the mur d’argent and the banker’s ramp?” “Just like yesterday!” There are smirks around the table. Then the representative of 2026 pipes up: “One thing you have to say about the current lot (referring to the latest hapless Labour government), you don’t have to teach them about the bond market!” There is a murmur of ascent from the Treasury Mandarins. The trauma of the fiscal crisis of September-October 2022 sits deep. Back then, in the final stages of Tory decay, a ‘mini budget’ that challenged fiscal orthodoxy led to a brief but fierce panic in one of the oldest government bond markets in the world (aka gilt market). Now all you have to do is to mention the “bond market” to hush debate. [ Paul Mason@paulmasonnews In the name of public service, and as ex-economics editor of BBC Newsnight, I offer to do a zoom call, tonight, with any Labour MP who wants to understand why bond markets do not "fall into line" with governments. 1/ 3:57 PM · May 12, 2026 · 466K Views 224 Replies · 674 Reposts · 3.93K Likes ](https://x.com/paulmasonnews/status/2054229532404519082?s=20) “And the funny thing is”, the young man in the huddle continues, “they don’t even want to talk about … ”. There is a sudden hush. Significant looks are exchanged around the table. About? One of the senior figures puts down his glass with a decisive “clink”. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has entered their thoughts. Meanwhile, a few miles away in a grubby pub in Bloomsbury, two conspirators from the camp of Critical Macrofinance huddle over cans of low-alcohol IPA. They look at each other and blurt out loud: “The Bank!” “Everyone in the bloody Labour party is talking about the bond market. But why aren’t they even mentioning … the Bank of England!?” “Why is no one talking about Voldemort?” In Paul Mason’s blogpost, after much chest-thumping about basic fiscal logic, the basic point about the Bank of England is buried in the fine print at #3 in his list of suggestions as to what a radical Labour government might actually be able to do! [ Conflict & Democracy Down with the bond market! Down with gravity! It may seem unfair to focus on Labour MP Paula Barker for her off-the-cuff assertion that the bond market would have to “fall in line” with Andy Burnham, should he replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. But Burnham himself told the New Statesman that Labour had to “get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets… Read more 2 days ago · 100 likes · 3 comments · Paul Mason ](https://htsf.substack.com/p/down-with-the-bond-market-down-with?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web) Back in Bloomsbury they shake their heads and ask: “Didn’t we learn anything from the Eurozone crisis?” Meanwhile, as if summoned to the conversation by some higher force, the “pink pages” announce: “The days of ultra-cheap government borrowing have come to an end” and Martin “Whizzard” Wolf publishes the graph of the season Look at the UK in 2026, perilously positioned on the upper edge of the pack. No wonder no one in London needs any lessons about the “bond market”. But, look again. Imagine how they feel in Rome. What is London’s nightmare in 2026? The nightmare is that you end up like Italy in the early 2010s during the Eurozone crisis. Once comfortably situated in the middle of the pack, watching with horror as your ten-year yields explode to 7 percent and “spreads” become a national nightmare. One of the largest economies in Europe, a founding member of the euro, stigmatized. But the message of the Italian experience is ambiguous. After all, the stigma didn’t last. In 2026, Italy borrows at rates lower not only than the UK but the US. The US, which, as everyone knows, enjoys the “exorbitant privilege” of being the issuer of reserve, safe asets. What kind of magic is this? How did Italy, in the space of fifteen years, go from being good, to bad and back again? Which brings us back to our dissident friends in their Bloombury boozer and their memories of the Eurozone crisis. Italy never was Britain - with its ongoing fiscal deficits. Without interest payments, on primary balance, from 2000 to 2020 Italy ran a tight fiscal ship. Even in 2008 it barely went into deficit and when it was being put on the rack in the early 20210s its primary surplus matched that of austere Germany. So, what happened? How did it end up stigmatized? Of course Italian politics didn’t help. Berlusconi was at the helm and he had legal issues. But amongst friends in the Bloomsbury pub, Berlusconi is a sideshow, the name we whisper to each other is “Trichet”. From 2004 to 2011 the ECB was headed by Jean-Claude Trichet, ex of the French Treasury, more German than the Germans. After 2009 as the news of the Greek fiscal disaster broke, the European bond markets wento into panic mode and Trichet began a brutal game of cat and mouse. Between 2009 and 2011, Trichet intervened in the bond market to help, only when he thought he had compliance with austerity. When he thought they were uncooperative, he withdrew. In the summer of 2011, he even made direct suggestions to his Italian counterparts in Rome, as to how Italy should be governed. It was this cat and mouse game that drove the bond markets crazy and exposed Italy to a violent squeeze. When Mario Draghi took over the ECB at the end of 2011 and declared “whatever it takes”, the pressure on Italy, gradually eased. It is that starring role that has made Draghi into the towering figure in European politics that he remains today. So now you see why voices in London hush when it comes to the Bank of England. “The bond market” isn’t an irresistible objective force like the weather or an avalanche. It can appear like that. But that depends on the way it is being handled, or not handled by the central bank. Which is why the silence about the Bank of England in London right now is so significant. If you think this all sounds a bit fishy, coming from a left-liberal Keynesian like myself, well, let me introduce you to Robin Brooks, who, to put it mildly, plays on a different quidditch team to me. Here, from the position of a fiscal hawk is Robin’s celebratory account of the Bank of England’s role since 2022; In October 2022, at the height of the bond market blow-up in the UK, something incredible happened. Governor Andrew Bailey told British pension funds the Bank of England would end its support program for the country’s fragile gilt market, drawing a line under how much help the central bank was willing to give to exposed pension funds and - implicitly - the government. By the end of that week, Kwasi Kwarteng - the finance minister - had resigned. Prime Minister Liz Truss would soon follow. This episode is so incredible because it contrasts with what happened in the Euro zone earlier that year. Bond markets in Spain and Italy were under pressure amid high inflation and rising interest rates. In the middle of this, Mario Draghi - Italy’s Prime Minister - resigned, compounding pressure on bond markets of high-debt countries on the Euro periphery. Unlike the Bank of England, the ECB caved. It bought Italian and Spanish government bonds in an effort to cap yields and introduced a new tool that signaled to markets it might do such caps more frequently going forward. Faced with pressure on bond markets, the ECB capitulated to political pressure from high-debt countries like Italy and Spain. The Bank of England stood its ground and toppled the Truss government. This kind of thing has long-lasting consequences. It means markets price a higher probability of yield caps in the Euro zone, which keeps Italian and Spanish yields artificially low, while markets feel free to push up UK yields without fear of central bank intervention. As I flagged in yesterday’s post, this means you really can’t compare UK yields to those of other high-debt countries. The UK looks worse, but only because its central bank isn’t interfering with markets. There’s more to this than just that 2022 episode. The Bank of England has also been much more aggressive in its quantitative tightening (QT) than other central banks. If one motivation for quantitative easing (QE) is to lower bond yields - especially longer-dated ones - then it stands to reason QT pushes yields up. The left chart above shows a four-quarter moving average of UK government debt issuance (black line) in percent of GDP and which sectors absorb this issuance, including the Bank of England (blue bars). The right chart above compares the Bank of England’s accumulation or run-off of government bonds (blue line) with that of other central banks, where this blue line is the same as the blue bars in the left chart. The Bank of England was quicker and more aggressive than other central banks in downsizing its bond holdings, so UK yields will have risen more than elsewhere also for this reason, not just because of Governor Andrew Bailey’s remarks in October 2022. Back in October 2025, after a conversation in New York with friends in British politics, my sense of dysphoria was such that I raised the issue of the Bank of England openly in the FT Since 2008, the UK has slid into a deep economic and political predicament. Growth has stagnated to a degree far worse even than in the 1970s. The Tory leadership’s wager on the Brexit referendum spectacularly backfired, leaving the UK isolated from Europe and at the mercy of its special relationship with the US, many of whose political class regard the UK as a basket case. After years of austerity, the Labour party lurched to the left and then back to the centre. The Tory party has been eclipsed by the populist nationalism of Reform. Any British government should be worrying first and foremost about how to restart growth. Instead, Keir Starmer is beset by shades of the gilt market panic triggered by the Liz Truss government in 2022. The debt level is higher than in recent years, but there is no cause for panic. UK debt is at far from critical levels and of long duration. Whether you want to “take back control” or launch progressive economic policy, a democracy dogged by fear of bond market vigilantes is unhealthy. In a country that is a monetary sovereign, this climate points to one thing: a disconnect between the government and the central bank. Since 1997, the independence of the Bank of England has become a sacred cow. But independence is what you make of it. And in the wake of the gilt market crisis of September 2022, relations between the Bank of England and the UK government need a reset. In normal times, there is no doubt that an inflation-targeting independent central bank can serve a country well. But since 2008, the UK and other advanced economies have not had the luxury of such simple problems. To their credit, central bankers around the world have not stood on orthodoxy. After 2008, the US Federal Reserve rescued the global banking system and, through quantitative easing, it stabilised the Treasury market in the face of huge deficits. In Europe, things were trickier. Both the Bank of England under Mervyn King and Jean-Claude Trichet’s European Central Bank played cat and mouse with national governments. This was a high stakes wager that between 2010 and 2012 escalated bond market tension and triggered a disastrous turn to austerity. Shaken by the impact of those shocks, their successors, Mark Carney and Mario Draghi adopted a more protective stance (assuming you were not the government of Greece). Recall that Draghi’s legendary slogan, “Whatever it takes”, was uttered to face down the City of London’s bond vigilantes. In 2015, Draghi launched QE — financial repression by another name. In 2016, Carney used the authority of the Bank of England to stabilise markets following the vote for Brexit, an exemplary demonstration of how central banks can underpin democratic choice, even when those choices are wrong headed. All these were independent central bankers steeped in the best practice of the 1990s, who recognised that historic crises demanded radical action. It was the price surge of 2021-2023 that poisoned the atmosphere. Though the shock came mainly from the supply side, central banks ended up in the dock. Nowhere more so than in the UK. The Bank of England reacted with aggressive normalisation. Faced with a cost of living crisis, the governor called for workers to accept real wage cuts. In early 2022, as gas prices were at record levels and Russia’s army was poised to invade Ukraine, the Bank adopted a stringent programme of quantitative tightening, elevating interest rates. When the Truss government got itself in trouble, the Bank took almost a week to come to the rescue. Rather than enacting a charade of normality, it is time to recognise that in 2025 the UK faces a period of historic transition. To meet this challenge, what is needed is a new concordat with the Bank. This should not ignore inflationary pressures or the long-run trajectory of debt, but should affirm the priority of reviving investment-led growth. One could follow Donald Trump in demanding interest rate cuts. The Bank could shadow the ECB in its commitment to capping Eurozone yields. But the top priority should be to lay the ghost of September 2022. The Bank’s slowing of QT last month was a concession. An immediate and complete end would send the right signal. Such a concordat will not by itself restore sanity to politics, solve the housing problem or rebuild the NHS. But it would help to lift the fear of bond market crisis, which is paralysing the effort by democratic politicians to answer the fundamental questions facing the nation. Now, that call for a new concordat between government and Bank of Englands seems more urgent than ever. The problem is that in October 2025, Starmer still had some authority. Today the government is in tatters. And when you are the “under the harrow” - to echo a phrase of Montagu Norman’s from the 1920s - it is the worst possible time to consider institutional change. To make general arguments at a time of crisis can only seem like special pleading rather than a general argument for long-term change. The same, unfortunately, is also true for the other basic institutional reform that Britain urgently needs i.e. the abolition of the out-dated first past the post electoral system and its replacement by a moderated form of proportional representation. And thirdly - whilst we are saying the quiet parts out loud - Britain needs to reopen the question of EU membership. What the local election results of 2026 show is that this remains a key issue. And what they also show is that there is a clear majority that would favor a return. Until these basic features of Britain’s political economy are addressed the country will carry on its politics as though in a haunted house, governed by governments that lack actual majorities, conjuring up false constraints whilst ignoring the real ones. This one is for DG and MI. I love writing the newsletter. If you enjoy it too and fancy buying me a coffee once a month, you know what to do. Click below! Subscribe
Cuban political prisoner released amid high-stakes US negotiations
A political prisoner in Cuba was released May 14 amid pressure from the United States and humanitarian groups.
Jerome Powell: Steering the US Fed through COVID-19 and political pressures
Trump’s aggressive push for interest rate cuts shaped Powell’s Fed legacy during his tumultuous leadership.
Mamdani pressures regulators to block $500M Western Union acquisition as anti-business blitz continues
Growing pressure on businesses to modernize aging ERP systems
Learn how companies are modernizing their outdated ERP systems to improve productivity, streamline operations, and adapt to changing business needs.
I'm a doctor. Political stress is showing up in my exam room.
Patients come in wound up from political news. Their blood pressure is worse. They can't sleep. Chronic stress is a public health crisis, and leaders are making it worse.
‘Inside the NBA’ on Jason Collins’ death: ‘It was a terrible day for the NBA’
Barkley also believes there are still several gay players in many North American sports who have yet to come out due to societal pressure.
Canadian-based company ceases operations; dozens of people laid off in Pennsylvania
The company said its financial position has worsened significantly since 2021, and that it had faced additional pressure since 2024 due to the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. government, post-pandemic reductions in consumer demand, increased competition from offshore competitors, and ongoing cash constraints.
FDA head Marty Makary resigns under pressure
Makary had drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle
Amid elevated disaster risks Tahoe cannot afford tourism business-driven governance
Local and state governments in 2026 are under more pressure than ever to provide services. These new realities and an uncertain summer came into sharp relief recently in Nevada. During the state’s joint interim standing Government Affairs meeting, lawmakers received an alarming update from Nevada’s head of Emergency Management and Homeland Security about strained disaster […]
The great strait stalemate: Who blinks first on Hormuz?
In the darkest days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, President John F. Kennedy privately reflected on the central question before him: Who blinks first? For days, Washington and Moscow sat locked in a test of wills — each side convinced time and pressure favored them, each side wary that backing down could invite greater danger later.
ACC coaches, athletic directors in support of 24-team College Football Playoff expansion model
An ACC endorsement of the 24-team CFP would side with the Big Ten and Big 12 while putting major pressure on the SEC in future expansion talks
South Carolina state Senate rejects effort to tackle redistricting despite pressure from Trump
Five Republican lawmakers defected and voted against a plan to extend their legislative session in order to carve up the state’s lone Democratic U.S. House district.
FDA commissioner Makary is resigning, sources say
U.S. Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary plans to resign on Tuesday, according to two sources familiar with the situation, the latest leadership change at the federal health department which comes after weeks of public speculation and a mounting pressure campaign.
U.S. Small-Business Confidence Ticks Up
Confidence inched higher in April, though it continues to be hampered by rising cost pressures.
Live: First UK minister resigns amid calls for PM Starmer’s resignation
The British premier is under pressure to quit after his Labour Party suffered election losses.
UK bonds under pressure, and pound falls, amid ‘political uncertainty’ over Starmer’s future
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
UK bonds under pressure, and pound falls, amid ‘political uncertainty’ over Starmer’s future
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Jalen Duren’s playoff struggles becoming major concern for Pistons
The Detroit Pistons entered the postseason expecting young center Jalen Duren to play a major role in their playoff push. After an impressive regular season that showcased his growth as one of the league’s rising big men, Duren appeared poised for a breakout postseason. Instead, the playoffs have exposed some of the challenges young players often face under postseason pressure.
Australia business confidence shaken as costs climb, survey shows
Australian business confidence remained mired in gloom in April, a survey showed on Tuesday, as spiking energy costs from the Middle East war squeezed profit margins and pressured investment plans.
Driving Business Performance and Circular Water Practices at Moeve’s San Roque Energy Park
Optimizing water use through circular solutions is a key goal for Moeve as well as a strategic priority for Spain, due to growing pressure on the country’s water resources.
It’s Only a Matter of Time Until the Supreme Court Cracks on the 14th Amendment
The president has upped the pressure on conservative Justices. Something tells me they won’t be able to handle it.
Liverpool speak to Spanish giants over potential Slot successor
Liverpool Sound Out Real Madrid Over Alonso Amid Growing Pressure on SlotLiverpool’s interest in Alonso has moved beyond admiration and into serious due diligence, with reports from Spanish outlet A...
CNBC Daily Open: Political pressure cooker week
Markets eye three high-stakes political stories this week, with the U.S., Iran, China and the U.K. front and center.
California duo opened a burrito spot in a Home Depot parking lot — the business now brings in $2.3 million
These foodies didn’t roll over or fold up at the first sign of pressure.
Water outages possible after main line ruptures in Auburn Hills
A major water main broke in Auburn Hills early Sunday and water pressure is expected to decline, possibly resulting in outages.
Mass Layoffs in Iran as Businesses Buckle Under Wartime Pressures
Iran was already struggling economically before 2026 brought widespread instability. A government-imposed internet shutdown has crippled an entire sector.
Business Lookahead: Trump on Tour
STORY: From Trump's trip to China, to a slew of new U.S. data releases, these are the stories to watch in business and finance in the coming week. :: Trump goes to Beijing U.S. President Donald Trump visits Beijing on Thursday and Friday.It will be his first visit to China in eight years.He'll try to lock in the trade truce agreed to in October in South Korea, and avoid a rerun of the tit-for-tat tariff battle that he set off a year ago.Fresh trade data should offer a reality check on whether a protectionist White House has managed to dent Americans' appetite for Chinese-made goods.:: Saudi Aramco posts resultsThe world's biggest exporter of crude oil, Saudi Aramco, reports first-quarter results on Sunday.The numbers are expected to show the pain from the more than two-month-old Iran war.This comes as efforts to end the conflict appeared to stall after the U.S. and Iran traded fire in recent days, with some of the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the Strait of Hormuz since a ceasefire began a month ago.:: U.S. economic dataA bunch of new data should give a clearer view of inflation in the U.S.Tuesday's April consumer price index is expected to rise 0.6% according to a Reuters poll.Prices at the pump are likely to loom large in the numbers.Producer price data for April on Wednesday is another inflation checkpoint after the Fed’s last meeting exposed a more hawkish tilt among some policymakers who are increasingly uneasy about price pressures.And retail sales figures on Thursday should show whether higher gas prices and other costs are starting to bite into household spending.
Pressure grows on Starmer as more Labour MPs call for resignation
Several frontbenchers told the Guardian they agreed the prime minister’s time in office should not go beyond the end of the year
Could Fox Sports actually lose NFL rights?
As pressure builds from Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump to force the NFL into business with Fox, it could have the opposite effect.
Washington Watch: Speak up to protect the National Science Foundation’s ATE program
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is once again under pressure from the Trump administration as it proposes severe cuts for the agency and makes other moves to reduce its independence. So far,...
North Star Health Alliance secures $60M loan from state following bankruptcy
Leaders say this is due to financial pressure caused by increased costs, workforce constraints and other challenges.
Shift4 Payments CEO on how business is involving amid rising global risks
Shift4 Payments CEO Taylor Lauber discusses the state of the fintech and payments space, and whether customers are pulling back on spending overall amid inflation and other economic pressures.
Inside the Justice Department’s shakeup of the John Brennan investigation
Jason Reding Quiñones, the top federal prosecutor in Florida’s southern district, arrived in Washington, DC, last month for a meeting with top Justice Department officials as White House pressure continued to build over bringing criminal charges against one of President Donald Trump’s top political foes.
NC loses abortion clinic as pressures mount on providers
The closure of A Woman’s Choice in Greensboro highlights the financial and operational strain providers face under tighter abortion restrictions.
U.K. election results: Starmer’s Labour suffer huge losses as hard-right Reform gains
Early results Friday suggested sweeping losses that will heap pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He said the results were “very tough,” but signaled he had no plans to step aside.
Nintendo Plans Switch 2 Price Increase as Outlook Disappoints
Nintendo Co. said it will increase the price of its Switch 2 console to $500 from $450, acknowledging pressure on profitability of its flagship device heading into its second year on the market.
Iran’s Economy Buckles Under Pressure as Millions Face Unemployment
Iranian officials argue the economic hardship is the result of what they describe as an unjust war imposed by the United States and Israel.
Oil back over $100 as US-Iran ceasefire comes under pressure; UK house prices drop
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
A simple dietary change could lower your blood pressure risk by 30%, study suggests | BBC Science Focus Magazine
An estimated 1.4 billion adults worldwide have high blood pressure, putting them at risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Scoop: Atar Capital selling behavioral health provider Clarvida
It's one of several Medicaid-reliant care companies in market as federal funding and policy changes pressure state programs.
What California’s Next Governor Needs to Know about Health Care
Rising costs, an aging population, and the specter of major federal funding cuts are among the challenges the next governor will face.
Is the FDA Really Suppressing Science? Plus. . .
It’s Thursday, May 7. This is The Front Page, your daily window into the world of The Free Press—and our take on the world at large. Today: Aaron MacLean says Trump is poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Iran war. Joe Klein on the life of CNN founder Ted Turner. Jillian Lederman on why cruise ships are here to stay. And much more. But first: Is the FDA suppressing science? On Tuesday, The New York Times published a story with an alarming takeaway. “FDA Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe,” read the headline. It is the latest in a string of stories that all have the same message: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies, are engaged in a cover-up—and silencing scientists trying to get the word out about the Covid vaccine. What all these stories suggest—some more subtly than others—is that the outsiders now running the public health establishment, officials such as Marty Makary at the FDA and Jay Bhattacharya at the National Institutes of Health, are on a revenge tour. That they are doing harm to the country to get back at the scientists and bureaucrats who ostracized them for deviating from the public-health consensus during the pandemic. It’s a seductive narrative. But is it true? That’s the question we address in our latest editorial. —The Editors Read [ Marty Makary's FDA Has All the Right Enemies ](https://www.thefp.com/p/marty-makary-vaccine-study-fda) [ Trump Blinks First ](https://www.thefp.com/p/iran-peace-deal-pakistan-trump-strait-of-hormuz) Aaron MacLean In return for no detectable concessions, President Trump this week gave up on forcing open the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the Trump administration looks desperate for a deal to end the war with Iran. It’s easy to understand the desire to end the war, but are they blowing the chance at victory? Aaron MacLean makes sense of the administration’s latest moves—and Iran’s response—in his column today. Read full story Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson: Live in New York City Join Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson on May 19 for a live recording of School of War at the iconic New York Historical. In a conversation as timely as it is wide-ranging, Aaron and Niall will explore the strategic stakes of the moment, including the Middle East, China, and the future of American leadership on the global stage. Get Tickets Now [ Ted Turner, the Optimist Who Built CNN ](https://www.thefp.com/p/ted-turner-cnn-tribute) Joe Klein The man who gave us CNN and the 24-hour news cycle, Ted Turner, died Wednesday at the age of 87. Today, political writer Joe Klein—who almost ghostwrote Turner’s autobiography—remembers his friend, the American media mogul who stood out for his idealism and lack of a filter—something that got Turner in trouble more than once. “His was not a traditional intelligence, but one of horizon: Ted saw things before other people did,” Joe writes. Read full story [ Nothing Can Sink the Cruise Ship ](https://www.thefp.com/p/cruise-ship-hantavirus) Jillian Lederman A viral outbreak on a cruise ship that left three passengers dead has left some people wondering: Are cruise ships on the way out? Not so fast, says Jillian Lederman, who has been on many a cruise herself. Read her piece on why 38 million people a year take a cruise—and aren’t about to stop. Read full story [ The Great Writers Who Were Terrible People ](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-great-writers-who-were-terrible) Shilo Brooks Throughout history, some of the greatest literary geniuses have also been immoral bigots. In the latest episode of Old School, Shilo Brooks is joined by Eli Lake for a conversation about those geniuses, from Voltaire to Norman Mailer and Roald Dahl—and why we should read their work despite their odious prejudices. Listen on MORE FROM THE FREE PRESS [ Inside the Digital Intifada ](https://www.thefp.com/p/digital-intifada-social-media-hamas-terror) Warren Kinsella Read full story [ This Week in American History: Trump’s Over-Arching Problem ](https://www.thefp.com/p/this-week-in-american-history-trumps-over-arching-problem) Jonathan Horn Read full story [ Humanity Is Still Evolving—and Fast ](https://www.thefp.com/p/humanity-is-still-evolvingand-fast) Razib Khan Read full story THE NEWS Thirteen D.C. Metropolitan Police officers have been placed on administrative leave and could face termination after an internal investigation found evidence that crime statistics were manipulated to make the city look safer. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee previously alleged that former D.C. police chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to skew data. Tennessee Republicans unveiled a redrawn U.S. House map yesterday that would split up Memphis’s black-majority Democratic district, the latest move in a nationwide push to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the midterms. The effort follows a Supreme Court ruling last week on Louisiana’s districts, which Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said gave states the green light to redraw maps along partisan lines. Israel struck Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect last month, saying it targeted a commander of the militant group’s elite Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs. The strikes risk destabilizing that truce at a delicate moment, as Iran and the U.S. report progress toward a deal to resolve their own standoff. The U.S. Air Force is aiming for a Fourth of July delivery of a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, hoping to add it to the Air Force One fleet in time for the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, Reuters reported. (For more on the controversy surrounding the aircraft, read Jed Rubenfeld’s piece “It’s a Terrible Idea, but Trump Probably Can Accept a Free Jet from Qatar.”) Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified privately before Congress that he has no memory of why he and his family dined on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012, according to Reuters. The admission contradicts Lutnick’s earlier claim that he had cut ties with the convicted sex offender well before that visit. Weeks before a former JPMorgan investment banker filed a lawsuit packed with explosive allegations, the bank reportedly offered him $1 million to settle his sexual assault and harassment claims, according to The Wall Street Journal. The suit, filed by Chirayu Rana, alleges he was sexually assaulted by a female colleague, subjected to racial discrimination, and forced into a degrading dynamic at work. JPMorgan says the claims lack merit, and the female colleague’s lawyers call the accusations fabricated. A new report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows that, for the first time in roughly 20 years, church attendance is trending upward, with more people volunteering and clergy expressing renewed optimism. The study’s authors described the findings, based on a survey of more than 7,400 congregations, as showing signs of widespread recovery from low attendance numbers.
California under pressure — again — as redistricting wars escalate
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling limiting the Voting Rights Act has some Democrats asking whether California could go further in redrawing maps to target GOP districts.
AMC Entertainment (AMC) Q1 Losses Keep Pressure On Bullish Margin Expansion Narratives
AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC) opened Q1 2026 with revenue of US$1,045.4 million and a basic EPS loss of US$0.22, compared with Q1 2025 revenue of US$862.5 million and a basic EPS loss of US$0.47 as the stock trades around US$1.64. Over the past year, revenue has ranged between US$862.5 million and US$1,397.9 million per quarter, while quarterly basic EPS losses have moved between roughly US$0.01 and US$0.58, leaving investors focused on how much of that top line is dropping through to the...
Trump administration under ‘increasing political pressure’ to secure Iran deal: Former Navy SEAL
Former Navy SEAL Jason Redman discusses President Donald Trump's optimism about an Iran deal and the ongoing U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on 'The Evening Edit.'
DC Wrap: Trump applies new pressure on Iran; Lutnick testifies in Epstein probe
A look at the day's biggest stories in national politics
DC Wrap: Trump applies new pressure on Iran; Lutnick testifies in Epstein probe
A look at the day's biggest stories in national politics
Carrollton businesses under boil water notice after pressure drop, city officials say
SC House Republicans vote to consider congressional redistricting after Trump White House pressure
SC House Republicans voted to allow themselves the option to redraw Congressional lines in 2026 after a pressure campaign by Donald Trump’s White House. The plan still needs approval from
Nintendo Under Pressure to Raise Switch 2 Console Price, as Hardware Currently Sold at a Loss
Nintendo is reportedly facing pressure to raise the price of Switch 2 consoles, as costs rise and its share price continues to fall.
From Debt Burden to Health Investment: How Debt Swaps Can Finance Women's and Children's Health
As debt pressures rise and development assistance declines, countries are exploring new ways to protect investments in women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health. In the final session of the GLN Domestic Resource Mobilisation Webinar Series, experts, governments and civil society leaders examined how debt swaps can help convert sovereign debt into targeted health financing. Discussions highlighted the importance of accountability, country ownership and sustained political will.
Baltic health ministers convene in Vilnius for 20th Baltic Policy Dialogue
Milestone anniversary edition focuses on long-term care investment as ageing populations place growing pressure on health and social systems across the region Vilnius, 6 May 2026 — Health ministers from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are meeting in Vilnius today (5-6 May 2026) for the 20th edition of the Baltic Policy Dialogue (BPD), a milestone that marks two decades of structured, evidence-based health policy cooperation across the three Baltic States. Jointly organised by the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the BPD has since 2004 served as a unique sub-regional platform where senior health decision-makers can candidly exchange experiences, examine comparative evidence, and explore policy options. Founded in the wake of the Baltic EU accession, the BPD series was born from a shared ambition: to open a wider window into health systems across Europe and to build lasting cooperation among countries with common aspirations and shared challenges.
Men Who Didn’t Get the Message
Amid pressure to worship Darwinism, these are three stories of resilient refusal.
Happy .500 de Mayo! Dbacks 9, Pirates 0
On the same day that manager Torey Lovullo called the entire starting rotation into his office to tell them they needed to pick up the pace, Dbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez did just that and then some. ERod put this team on his back tonight shutting down the Pirates offense taking some of the pressure off […]
Stuart Soroka named 2026 Andrew Carnegie Fellow
The UCLA professor will analyze how technological and market pressures drive polarizing news content.
Trump Pressures FDA Commissioner to Approve Flavored Vapes
President Trump upbraided Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary for not moving quickly enough to approve flavored vapes and nicotine products.
Obama admits 'genuine tension' in marriage over pressure to stay in politics
Former President Barack Obama says his role as President Donald Trump's most high-profile critic has created tension in his marriage with former first lady Michelle Obama.
Tomato prices hit 8-year high, straining small businesses like Detroit Salsa Company
Tomato prices hit an 8-year high in March, and the Detroit Salsa Company in Lincoln Park is feeling the pressure.
Thoma Bravo is hunting software bargains amid selloff pressure
The Chicago firm is closely watching for any “motivated selling” among business-development companies that have been beset by a wave of investor redemptions.
Despite pressure, Gov. Henry McMaster won’t call special session to redraw SC’s congressional map
SC Gov. Henry McMaster won’t call a special session to redraw the state’s congressional districts, even as national Republicans push for mid-decade redistricting following a Supreme Court ruling.
Former Nintendo of America boss cut off Amazon's supply of Wii and DS consoles due to "obscene" demands: "I wasn't going to do something illegal"
Former Nintendo of America president, Reggie Fils-Aimé, claims stock pressure and "obscene" demands contributed to the …
Play-off pressure piles up for St Mirren v Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock's trip to visit St Mirren on Saturday could potentially decide which of the sides is consigned to a play-off to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership.
Advancing Athlete Recovery: The Role of Biodex Isokinetic Testing and Force Plates
Cleveland Clinic has been exploring ways to expand the usage of Biodex testing machines and force plates beyond lower-limb injuries.
‘City of Glass’ Is Under Threat From Iran War
In India, Firozabad has depended on its glassmaking industry for centuries. Fuel prices are starting to shatter businesses already under pressure.
Finley: Debates matter. Michigan can't let them go extinct.
Debates test a candidate’s ability to handle pressure and reveal a good deal about his or her temperament. But in Michigan, debates are becoming extinct.
O’Reilly: We are ready to kick on
Nico O’Reilly says City are ready for a final push as the season edges towards a thrilling climax.The Blues face Everton on Monday evening, looking to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal.With five ...
Osula project pays off to help ease pressure on Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe keeps faith with William Osula and the forward repays his faith in a crucial win against Brighton.