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Do turmeric and curcumin have any actual health benefits?
Turmeric is heralded for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, but columnist Alice Klein finds that the evidence for this is shaky. Taking high doses of its curcumin extract in supplement form can be risky
Ken Welch says Charlie Crist’s property tax pitch would leave St. Pete with ‘impossible choices’
'Deeper property tax cuts would leave local governments with impossible choices that ultimately hurt families and communities.'
Democrats raise doubts about proposed hikes to homestead exemptions
Ahead of the opening gavels, the opposition party memorializes its complaints.
National Healthcare Properties Provides Business Updates
Growing SHOP Acquisition PipelineAddition to the Russell 2000 and 3000 IndexesPresentation at Nareit’s REITweek 2026 Investor Conference NEW YORK, June 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Healthcare Properties, Inc. (Nasdaq: NHP) (the “Company”), a self-managed real estate investment trust focused on acquiring, owning and investing in a diversified portfolio of healthcare real estate, with an emphasis on providing senior housing to serve a growing elderly population in the United States, today
Contributor: The Forest Service is too important to be a political pawn
Some proposed changes, including to firefighting functions, have been criticized as seemingly intended to dismantle this storied institution.
EU Proposes Tax Simplification Measures in Bid to Boost Business
The European Union will propose a streamlining of rules and exemptions in the area of taxation, its latest effort to reduce bureaucracy.
Gold slips on stronger dollar, oil; Trump's decision on Iran ceasefire in focus
Gold inched lower on Monday, pressured by a stronger dollar and rising oil prices, as investors awaited U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on a proposed deal to extend the ceasefire with Iran.
This strange crystal acts like metal and glass at the same time
A remarkable crystal called molybdenum oxychloride could help make futuristic technologies like smart contact lenses and ultrathin AR glasses a reality. Scientists have created the first detailed experimental map of its optical properties, revealing the strongest light-bending effect ever measured in a natural material. The crystal can act either like a reflective metal or transparent glass, allowing it to manipulate light with extraordinary efficiency while being thousands of times thinner than a human hair.
IL Senate sends school cell phone ban proposal to Pritzker
The Illinois Senate passed the bipartisan plan to institute a statewide school cell phone ban Sunday.
Don Gaetz backs up Gov. DeSantis proposal to eliminate homestead exemption tax
Gaetz said the elmination of the property tax is necessary for Florida residents to keep up with inflation.
Venezia talent Hainaut attracting €10m Rennes proposal
Rennes are reportedly lining up a €10m offer for versatile Venezia right-back Antoine Hainaut, who just helped the club to promotion into Serie A.The 24-year-old came to Italian football from US Bou...
FIFA World Cup 2026 odds: Futures picks, predictions, soccer best bets from proven expert
SportsLine's Martin Green reveals his FIFA World Cup 2026 picks, overall champion, group winners and top props
Trump sent back Iran deal text with changes
President Donald Trump sent back changes to the proposed deal with Iran after a meeting with advisers Friday, officials said, extending the back and forth negotiations into another week.
Florida Policy Institute warns proposed homestead exemption changes will cost billions
Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling on lawmakers in a Special Session to revise homestead exemption taxes, restructuring property taxes in Florida.
Proposed Indigenous medical school aims to boost Native physician numbers
As of 2024, 0.3% of practicing physicians in the nation were Native American. A proposed Indigenous School of Medicine in Rapid City could help change that.
Pulling Customs From ‘Sanctuary’ City Airports Would Cause Chaos, Business Groups Say
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s proposal could block hubs like Boston, New York and Los Angeles from accepting international flights.
Sheriff, mental health experts sound alarm over loss of funding for mobile crisis teams in state budget
Mental health care experts gather to express concerns for behavioral health funding in Newsom's proposed budget.
State Airfields Receive Funding
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Chair of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, has reported that 24 municipal airfields in Mississippi have been awarded just over $20 million for facility improvements. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the third round of FY2026 Airport Improvement Program grants, which meet Airport Safety and Resilient […]
Rick Scott opposes proposed reconstruction fund for Iran
The President's ally broke it down during a cable news hit this weekend.
State website calculates savings for homesteaders if proposed tax cut gets through
Could you use a few thousand extra dollars a year?
Senator calls out ESPN over Victor Wembanyama gambling post
Gambling has has taken over the sports world to an extent that it’s hard to imagine what life was like before the proliferation of advertisements and props. But an ESPN post about Victor Wembanyama drew the ire of United States senator Chris Murphy. The Democratic senator from Connecticut has been outspoken about a number of…
Byron Donalds proposes personalized roadmaps for Florida students
The candidate's education mission continues.
Proposed Lexington housing development raises concerns for business owners and community
Proposed Lexington housing development raises concerns for business owners and community.
Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization fund’ is stalled, and some allies are urging him to scrap it entirely
President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” is currently stalled, with some allies urging the White House to scrap it altogether amid an unusually intense backlash from multiple Senate Republicans, sources familiar with the matter said.
This strange new phase of matter could transform quantum technology
By stacking custom-designed silver nanoparticles like nanoscale LEGO bricks, scientists stabilized a mysterious crystal phase that had never been observed before. The material not only solves a longstanding puzzle in materials science but also exhibits promising quantum properties at room temperature.
Trump administration seeks to overhaul federal grant-making process, alarming researchers
The Trump administration has released a sweeping proposal to overhaul the bedrock regulation for all federal grants.
Trump targets science in OMB’s grants revamp
A new administration proposal is part of a larger campaign by the president to exert political control over the federal scientific enterprise.
Questions surround shellfish workforce appropriation tucked into budget
The small appropriation would direct as much as $75K to the FSAA's Executive Director.
Auburn city budget vote delayed
It comes as the proposal includes an 8% property tax increase, which would go above the state cap.
Exclusive | Trump Administration Wants Autos Under USMCA to Be at Least 50% Made in America
The president’s negotiators are to propose half of components and materials come from American sources. The pact currently doesn’t have a U.S.-specific requirement.
Global Health Watch: CDC Directors Warn About PEPFAR, Ebola & Aid Cuts, Policy Developments Threaten Open Science
A commentary by eight former US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directors urges the US Department of State to reform PEPFAR, not dismantle it; the growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa and ongoing hantavirus concerns underscore the risks abrupt changes pose to global health security; and a proposed new US federal grant regulation […]
Maine’s transgender sports initiative halted by invalid signatures
The proposal from parents’ group Protect Girls Sports in Maine was slated to go before voters in November.
Jameela Jamil called out the rise of 'scarily thin' celebs. Let’s talk about it
As we see more celebrities shrinking on red carpets, conversations are surging online. But can we talk about it appropriately? Experts share advice.
WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel amended
WHO Member States adopted a resolution to amend the ‘WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel’ (the Code) and strengthen its implementation, following Member State-led consultations in the lead up to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. The resolution marks an important step towards the vision that everyone, everywhere can access competent and motivated health and care workers, as a foundation for both universal health coverage and global health security. Key additions to the Code focus on: inclusion of provisions on health personnel recruited internationally for employment as care workers; applicability of the Code recommendations during emergencies; and encouraging co-investment in health systems and health workforce to ensure international recruitment results in proportional benefits for source and destination countries.Since its adoption by the Sixty-third World Health Assembly in 2010, the Code has undergone three rounds of review of its relevance and effectiveness. “We welcome the resolution’s focus on sustainable and ethical mobility of health personnel,” explained Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General, Health Systems, Access and Data. “The Code’s adoption in 2010 was a landmark achievement. Following this update, we encourage all countries to enhance implementation, including by viewing co-investment as a win-win.” The additions were recommended by an Expert Advisory Group appointed by the WHO Director-General. The Expert Advisory Group’s final report noted the progress in health workforce data availability, provision of migrant health worker rights and the embedding of ethical recruitment principles in national policies. It also highlighted areas of possible improvement in the Code implementation, including support for the strengthening of health systems in source countries.The adoption of the resolution follows extensive consultations led by Member States, underscoring the continued relevance of the Code in a context of increasing international mobility of health workers and growing pressure on health systems resulting from global health emergencies and funding constraints.WHO is already taking forward actions called for in the resolution. An updated version of the ‘WHO health workforce support and safeguards list’, that guides ethical recruitment practices by identifying countries facing the most pressing health workforce challenges, will be published later in 2026. As recommended by the Expert Advisory Group, this will include additional flexibility enabling countries to indicate their willingness to allow active international recruitment, or for Member States not on the list to request tailored support and safeguards. This approach reflects a more nuanced, country-led framework that balances workforce mobility with the need to protect and strengthen health systems in vulnerable settings.“I thank the members of the Expert Advisory Group, the group of Member States who led the resolution, and all Member States for their constructive engagement,” added Dr Nakatani. “Let’s bring this spirit of collaboration to our collective efforts to implement the resolution, strengthen the health workforce and build resilient and equitable health systems.”
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,…
Why power conferences aren't all-in on Congress' latest college sports fix
Touting the bipartisan work the proposal, power conference leaders nonetheless are reserving endorsements on the Protect College Sports Act
Data centers roil local politics, spark Hermantown residents to reshape government
A plan for a massive data center is roiling local politics in Hermantown. Some residents of the town near Duluth have been fighting the proposed facility for months — and their outrage has some leading an effort to reshape how their local government operates.
Business leaders join calls for change in how university trustees are picked
A proposed constitutional amendment would task the governor with appointing members of the governing boards for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University.
'Top-notch care': WakeMed leaders say Atrium Health merger is best move for hospital's future
The proposed partnership between WakeMed and Atrium Health faced tough questions during its final listening session. Some worry the merger could drive up health care costs for patients and taxpayers statewide, but the people involved in the deal say it's the best move for the future of the hospital.
The acquisition of Caesars Entertainment includes other Strip resorts
The sale of Caesars Entertainment is set to bring a wide swath of Las Vegas Strip properties under new ownership, extending far beyond the Caesars Palace name.C
Plans filed for Costco Business Center conversion at Midtown Kansas City store
New plans filed with the city show Costco is moving forward with a proposal to convert the popular Linwood Boulevard store into a Costco Business Center.
$17.6 billion deal: Fertitta Entertainment to control 4 of Atlantic City's 9 casinos
Talks surrounding the proposed $17.6 billion acquisition are ongoing, and while no agreement has been finalized, the likelihood of the deal moving forward appears strong.
Opinion | What would seizing the science center’s Main Street property actually accomplish?
Why are local taxpayers being asked to spend public money to destroy a 30-year-old educational institution that has already served more than 375,000 children and families? Letter to the editor.
Microsoft Threatens Researcher Over Bug Reports, Triggers Cybersecurity Uproar
Microsoft says it will coordinate 'as needed with law enforcement' after a disgruntled researcher exposed Windows bugs without proper coordination.
MLB reportedly submits first CBA proposal to union, which includes a hard salary cap and a $171M salary floor
Unsurprisingly, MLB is pushing for a hard salary cap in 2027.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, Zohran Mamdani tax billionaires' NYC second homes
A new tax will officially hit ultrawealthy property owners with crash pads or vacation homes in New York City.
9 Mile Garden bans sports equipment after injuries, property damage
9 Mile Garden, a popular outdoor entertainment venue in Affton known for its food trucks and live music, is banning sports equipment – like footballs and soccer balls – after reports of…
Newsom wants to claw back Trump fund cash as California burns billions on rail and other boondoggles
Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes a 100% tax on Californians who receive money from Trump's Anti-Weaponization Fund, calling it a reward for Jan. 6 rioters.
Jewelers Building owners plan $25M renovation in bid to lure new tenants
If the investments help bolster the rent roll, it could nudge other landlords to follow suit — ultimately helping restore vital property tax revenue in the central business district.
Rochester to receive $20M in aid as part of state budget
It's part of a $135 million package of additional funding, on top of Gov. Kathy Hochul's original budget proposal, to help distressed cities across the state.
Costco plans to convert its midtown KC store into business center. What will change?
New city records shed more light on what the proposed plans would mean, including what services would remain, or not, for customers.
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.
Germany news: Health care staff protest plan for major cuts
Medical staff in Germany are protesting proposed cuts that ministers say are necessary to stop spiraling costs. Meanwhile, a World War II bomb meant thousands were evacuated from their homes. DW has more.
Camp Mystic chief health officer barred from direct patient care by Texas nursing board
Mary Liz Eastland failed to develop proper emergency plans or properly respond to the flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors last year, the order states.
Camp Mystic chief health officer barred from direct patient care by Texas nursing board
Mary Liz Eastland failed to develop proper emergency plans or properly respond to the flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors last year, the order states.
Fort Hall Business Council announces opposition to data center development in response to proposed facility near former Hoku site
FORT HALL — The Fort Hall Business Council of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes has issued a formal resolution and public statement opposing data center development on the Fort Hall Reservation, as
Fort Hall Business Council issues resolution opposing data center development in response to proposed facility near former Hoku site
FORT HALL — The Fort Hall Business Council of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes has issued a formal resolution and public statement opposing data center development on the Fort Hall Reservation, as
Special taxing district buzz: Cut property taxes, but not mosquito control
'Without air conditioning and mosquito control, Florida would not have experienced the extraordinary growth and quality of life residents and visitors enjoy today.'
NC could change rules on voter ID, mail-in ballots. Here’s how you can weigh in
The North Carolina State Board of Elections is considering a series of changes to the rules surrounding voter ID, absentee ballots and conduct at polling sites. Over the next two months, the board will be accepting public comment on the proposed changes online and in public hearings.
Proposal to license interior designers underscores California’s hostile business climate
AB 1796 will set up a wasteful, expensive regulatory scheme and put most of California’s 2,000 certified interior designers out of work.
Bears TE Cole Kmet dealt in ESPN's hypothetical trade proposals
ESPN presented some hypothetical trade proposals regarding Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet. Would you be up for any of these?
Health insurers again propose double-digit premium increases
Insurers in the merged market, where many individuals and small businesses get coverage, have proposed an average rate hike of 12.9 percent for 2027, according to plans posted online by the Division of Insurance.
U.S. Supreme Court settles long-running water dispute over dwindling Rio Grande
In a brief order Tuesday, the court accepted the recommendation of a special master to move forward with agreements first proposed last year by New Mexico, Texas and Colorado.
Group turns in 562,000 signatures for Michigan corporate donations ban
The ballot proposal would prohibit DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and companies with state or local contracts worth more than $250,000 from contributing to politicians.
Dodge’s New Copperhead SRT Might Not Have a V8, and It's Not Based on the Charger
In an exclusive interview, the "Father of the Hellcat" reveals why the Copperhead’s proportions are "not cheated" and why a hybrid V8 is "an 8-track" technology.
Business leader sounds alarm over Mamdani’s NYC housing proposal
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s $22 billion housing proposal is drawing criticism from a business leader and a Republican lawmaker who warn parts of the plan could discourage developers and investors from building in the city.
Bipartisan college sports bill proposes salary cap, transfer limit
Two Senators will soon introduce a bipartisan college sports bill which aims to regulate payments to players, limit transfers and restrict coach movement during the season.
Bipartisan college sports bill proposes salary cap, transfer limit
Two Senators will soon introduce a bipartisan college sports bill which aims to regulate payments to players, limit transfers and restrict coach movement during the season.
Sports Minister: ‘Not appropriate’ for Italy to take World Cup spot
Italy’s Minister for Sport, Andrea Abodi, asserts that it is neither ‘possible’ nor ‘appropriate’ for the Azzurri to be considered for admission to the World Cup as a replacement for Iran.It...
9 Mile Garden bans sports equipment citing safety issues, injuries
On Thursday, 9 Mile Garden announced a ban on all sports equipment from its property, effective immediately.
Chinese Startup Fires 'Blazing' Oxygen-Rich Engine for Deep Space Missions
The liquid propulsion system can be reused with variable thrust and multiple restarts.
'Save our homes': Gov. DeSantis calls 'historic' Special Session that could lead to end of homestead property taxes
The proposal includes protections for local governments, but guardrails as well.
Eagle approves live entertainment permit for Woodstone at the Flats
Owners say the former Flats 16 property will become a community gathering space with restaurants, events, pop-up shops and outdoor areas
Halifax stadium, entertainment hub proposal fails to gain traction
An ambitious plan to build a stadium and entertainment hub near Halifax appears to be on shaky ground. A local business leader involved in initial discussions about the venture says talks last year with U.S.-based Ridgehaven Holdings fell apart when it became clear the bid lacked key elements.
Symphony Orchestra announces upcoming Key West schedule
The timeless power of music and memory propel South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s (SFSO) “Unstoppable” 29th season under the direction of award-winning Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso. Experience an exhilarating concert series
Morristown approves $48 million deal with Atlantic Health, clears path for $1 billion hospital expansion
The town council approved the agreement without public comment or discussion, setting up a three-step process for evaluating Atlantic's proposed expansion of Morristown Medical Center.
WakeMed declines merger proposal from UNC Health in midst of Atrium deal
The health system received UNC’s offer to combine days after publicly announcing plans to merge with Charlotte, North Carolina-based Atrium Health. Ultimately, WakeMed decided Atrium is the best path forward.
Medical spa owned by US senator hit with multiple lawsuits over poor mammography quality
Plaintiff attorneys have filed at least three proposed class-action lawsuits against the Greenbrier Clinic in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Birmingham restaurants flagged for health violations
Oakland County health inspectors found violations like improper storage and temperature issues at Birmingham eateries.
What is Measure ER? Why some say LA County sales tax increase is crucial after health cuts
L.A. County voters will decide on Measure ER -- a proposed half-cent sales tax increase that would last five years. While tax increases aren't popular, supporters say this one is a lifeline to healthcare services.
LA TIMES: In deal with business leaders, $30 minimum wage for L.A. hotel and airport workers will be delayed - UNITE HERE Local 11
In May 2025, the council approved a proposal that would have increased the minimum wage to $30 in July 2028 and also raised an hourly payment for healthcare coverage. In response, a coalition of airline and hotel businesses gathered enough signatures to place a measure on the Nov. 3 ballot that took aim at the city’s gross […]
Scientists are raising new questions about vitamin B12 and cancer
Vitamin B12 has long been seen as a health hero, helping the body make red blood cells, repair DNA, and keep nerves functioning properly. But scientists are discovering that the story may be more complicated than simply “more is better.” While too little B12 can damage DNA and raise cancer risk, some studies suggest that extremely high levels — especially from long-term high-dose supplements — may also be linked to certain cancers or poorer outcomes in cancer patients.
Scientists propose a 50-mile dam between Alaska and Siberia to keep a vital ocean current alive
The proposal is not a construction plan — at least not yet.
Nearly 500 N.Y. small business owners call for state data center moratorium
It follows a rally at the state Capitol two weeks ago where lawmakers and advocates pushed for the passage of proposed legislation before the end of session.
Proposed city budget approved by Buffalo Common Council
One amendment includes a tax rate hike of 19%.
'Concept cafes' blur line between ordinary establishments, adult entertainment
So-called concept cafes — themed cafes where employees serve customers while wearing revealing outfits — are gaining popularity across Korea, raising concerns that a new form of quasi-sexual entertainment is expanding without proper regulation.
After 20 years, Nvidia finally kills off its Control Panel app
Three decision was over a year in the making.
Schatz to go after prop bets, illegal offshore books
Schatz to go after prop bets, illegal offshore books
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.
Health insurers again propose double-digit premium increases
Nearly 700,000 Bay Staters are facing the prospect of double-digit premium increases next year as insurers struggle to handle cost pressures across the healthcare landscape.
South Carolina Senate rejects Trump’s push to redraw congressional maps
The proposal passed the South Carolina House on May 20 after two days of long debate. But senators on Tuesday were more skeptical of the effort.
Trump administration proposes non-disclosure agreements for federal employees to stop leaks
The Trump administration wants all current and future federal employees to sign non-disclosure agreements, part of a continuing crackdown on leaks to the media.
Trump administration proposes having all federal workers sign NDAs
The White House is preparing a government-wide nondisclosure agreement aimed at curtailing federal workers’ sharing of “confidential government information,” as it seeks to stop internal leaks to media organizations.
From Carter To Trump: The Changing Politics Of The Gas Tax
Joseph J. Thorndike examines the political history of the gas tax, from President Carter's plan for a new tax on gasoline, to President Trump's proposed gas tax holiday.
Cheaper, Alternative Health Plans Are Having a Moment, but Critics Urge Caution
Congress' decision not to extend enhanced marketplace tax credits has boosted the appeal of alternative health coverage with lower monthly premiums. Consumer advocates dismiss the plans as "junk insurance,” while proponents say patients need alternatives to pricey marketplace options.
Imaging societies clash over bill to require that docs consult appropriate-use criteria
The American College of Radiology is seeking to revive the shelved AUC program, while nuclear cardiologists are speaking against these efforts.
Miraval Austin: Bottom Line Review
Miraval is Hyatt’s “wellness” brand, with three locations in the US and one in the Middle East. Each property has an extensive array of classes, ranging from pilates to yoga, axe-throwing to tarot card reading. Most of them are included in the room rate, whether booking with cash or points, as is all food and […]
Advancing high-threat pathogen preparedness in WHO South-East Asia Region: 2025 in review
Effective preparedness for high-threat pathogens demands more than technical tools — it requires a coherent strategy, sustained country engagement, and the institutional infrastructure to translate evidence into action. In 2025, the Pandemic and Epidemic Management (PEM) Unit advanced all three, working across the full spectrum of high threat pathogen (HTP) preparedness: from methodology development and evidence generation to country-level technical support, emergency response, and regional workforce strengthening.At the core of the PEM unit's work is building the regional evidence and policy architecture needed to prioritize and respond to HTPs systematically. A major milestone was the development of the HTP Prioritization Methodology — a structured, multi-criteria approach to ranking pathogens by epidemic potential, severity, and national context — and its national pilot in Bangladesh, where SARS-CoV-2, Nipah, dengue, and cholera emerged as the highest-priority threats, informing the PEM unit's contribution to 2026–27 biennium prioritization and workplan development (Access link here).Underpinning this work, the PEM unit advanced the peer-reviewed evidence base for HTP preparedness in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR), with three publications in international journals in 2025: Development of a zoonotic influenza distribution assessment and ranking system (ZIDAR): Technical application in Nepal to support cross-sectoral risk-based surveillance in One Health; Implications for influenza A virus surveillance in Southeast Asian Region countries: a scoping review of approaches for the surveillance of swine influenza viruses at human-swine interfaces in BMJ Public Health; and Operationalizing multisector partnerships: a Theory of Action and Reflection tool for zoonotic influenzas in Health Policy and Planning. Together, these contributions move the Region’s HTP preparedness agenda from practice to science — generating the transferable methodological foundations that will inform evidence-based capacity strengthening in Member States.Country-level engagement in 2025 reflected the breadth of contexts in which HTP preparedness must function. Technical support was provided for Mpox and cholera events across the Region, including coordination of cholera and acute watery diarrhea prevention and control in Myanmar in the wake of the March 2025 earthquake. In Myanmar, the PEM unit contributed technical leadership to the earthquake emergency response — one of the most complex humanitarian emergencies in the SEAR — as Health Operations and Technical Support lead within the Incident Management Support Team. This included strengthening emergency response planning, supporting operational and after-action reviews, and providing monitoring and evaluation support for both acute and protracted crisis response. The breadth of HTP support provided to emergency operations across the SEAR was documented in the PEM unit’s contribution to the regional report for the Health Security Interface Technical Advisory Group.In Sri Lanka, technical collaboration with the WHO Country Office and the Ministry of Health laid the groundwork for the National Steering Committee's 2026 annual meeting, development of Standard Operating Procedures for specialized emergency response, and a national training programme — all structured around evidence-based risk assessment for specialized hazards including HTPs.Across the SEAR, the unit contributed to strengthening the workforce architecture that underpins HTP response. Technical inputs shaped the WHO South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Workforce Strategy 2025–2030, and the PEM unit supported conceptual development of the health emergency workforce framework for the Pandemic Fund Round 3 proposal.Alongside this, the unit's sustained engagement on the meningitis agenda culminated in the launch of the Regional Implementation Framework to Defeat Meningitis in South-East Asia by 2030 at the Seventy-eighth Session of the Regional Committee, ensuring the Region's priorities were reflected in the Global Technical Task Force and expanding the unit's HTP engagement beyond outbreak-prone zoonotic pathogens (Regional Implementation Framework to Defeat Meningitis in South-East Asia by 2030).Taken together, 2025 demonstrated that meaningful HTP preparedness is built incrementally — through methodology, engagement, and the steady accumulation of institutional capacity across Member States.Bangladesh piloted the HTP Prioritization Methodology and identified the highest-priority pathogens in the country context (Photo credit: WHO Country Office, Bangladesh).
Scientists propose recommendations to G7 leaders over Arctic warming
Arctic summer sea ice has shrunk by half since the 1970s, and scientists advising G7 leaders warn that the consequences will be felt far beyond the polar region.
Semiconductor decoupling. Powell's politics. Industrializing Ogaden. Free trade and the Magna Carta.
Thank you for opening your Chartbook email. Feliks Topolski, 1907-1989 8th Army’s Front, Italy 1944 Semiconductor decoupling Source: FT One thing that Jerome Powell deeply understood is that chairing the Fed under current conditions is a deeply political job. “Powell has successes and mistakes to his name. But he stands out as having thought more carefully about the Fed’s democratic legitimacy than any chair since Paul Volcker,” said Paul Tucker, a former deputy governor at the Bank of England, referring to the Fed chair who successfully fought the great inflation of the 1970s and early 1980s. … While Powell was at the Treasury in the early 1990s, he watched Alan Greenspan build relationships within the government. That convinced Powell he needed to follow the former Fed chair’s lead and spend more time in Congress than his predecessors Yellen and Bernanke. “The accountability for the Fed runs through Congress,” said Claudia Sahm, a former Fed official who is now chief economist at New Century Advisors. “That’s not just about having people on speed dial — it’s answering questions, explaining policy and getting feedback.” Source: FT Ethiopia’s PM Abiy and Nigerian business tycoon, with Chinese engineering, are driving industrialization in Ogaden/Somali region of Ethiopia. - Michael Masri’s reporting for Africa Report if fascinating. Ethiopia has launched a cluster of large industrial schemes in the Somali region, laying foundation stones for a urea plant and an oil refinery in Gode while opening the first two phases of the Ogaden LNG project. Abiy Ahmed framed the push as part of a broader strategy to link energy, agriculture and industry. “These projects embody more than industrial growth,” he said. “They represent our shared responsibility to harness opportunities, strengthen co-operation and promote peace.” The Gode urea plant, backed by Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), is designed for 3m tonnes a year. Dangote owns 60%, while EIH holds 40%. Officials say Dangote’s equity totals about $2.5bn, while the state provides land and implementation oversight. Gas from the Calub fields will be piped 108km to the site. Construction is slated for 40 months, with operations targeted for 2028. Ethiopia imports most of its fertiliser, spending more than $1.2bn a year for 1.5m–2m tonnes. Usage was roughly 1.7m tonnes in 2023, almost half of it urea, and demand for 2024–25 is put above 2.4m tonnes. If delivered on time, the Gode plant could cover domestic needs and allow exports to neighbours. Brook Taye, chief executive of EIH, called the venture “a significant milestone in the journey toward industrial self-sufficiency”. Dangote told the groundbreaking crowd that the complex would be integrated with gas supply and a polypropylene unit to support local inputs. He pointed to Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), with a capacity of more than 5,000MW, and noted his group’s cement operations and expansion plans. The Gode refinery is being developed by Golden Concord Group of China. It is designed to process 3.5m tonnes a year of crude and condensate from the Hilala field, with associated storage. Backers say it will ease foreign-exchange pressure from fuel imports and anchor further industrial activity, including a proposed steel smelting site in Dire Dawa. GCL’s chair, Zhu Gongshan, cast the project as “a key step in Ethiopia’s path to energy sovereignty”, underscoring the Beijing–Addis ties. Financing details are still being finalised, but the refinery is central to the government’s energy-security narrative. Source: The Africa Report Dangote’s Ethiopian vision: Dangote began with cement. His crown jewel, Dangote Cement, dominates Nigeria’s market and has 10 operations in other nations in Africa. The formula has been consistent: identify sectors with chronic shortages – cement, fertiliser, sugar – commit massive local investments, and scale up to serve regional demand. Ethiopia was a natural extension of that model. In 2015, Dangote launched the Mugher Cement Plant outside Addis Ababa at a cost of $600m, with an annual capacity of 2.5 million tonnes. The investment gave him a firm foothold in one of Africa’s fastest-growing construction markets. But success came with risks. In May 2018, violent unrest led to the killing of Dangote’s country manager and temporary shutdowns at Mugher. While other investors might have retreated, Dangote doubled down. Today, he is preparing to spend $400m to expand Mugher’s capacity to 5 million tonnes, alongside a new grinding unit near Addis Ababa. Cement is just one market Dangote is targeting. Ethiopia’s enormous state-controlled sugar industry, long plagued by inefficiency and debt, has struggled for years to reform. Its Omo Kuraz Sugar Development Project, touted as one of the continent’s largest initiatives, continues to face delays and mismanagement. … The most ambitious venture of all is the planned fertiliser production complex in Gode, Somali region. Publicised on 28 August 2025, the Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) deal plans one of the world’s largest single-site urea manufacturing plants. The project costs an estimated $2.5bn and has an estimated capacity of 3 million metric tonnes annually, a rate that would not only render Ethiopia independent, but even a net exporter of fertiliser. EIH, the state wealth fund of Ethiopia, will hold 40%, while 60% is held by Dangote Group. … For Dangote, Ethiopia is a trifecta: Cement demand is projected to grow by 10% annually, its sugar consumption is growing with rapid urbanisation, and fertiliser demand is all but insatiable, given that farming supports the livelihood of 70% of Ethiopians. Source: The Africa Report The stakes for Abiy are high: For Addis Ababa, the $4bn fertiliser project in Ethiopia’s Somali region is no longer simply a manufacturing investment. It is increasingly being framed as a strategic state project tied to food sovereignty, import substitution and the government’s broader attempt to build economic resilience under mounting fiscal pressure. “Becoming self-sufficient in food is our main agenda,” Abiy says during the visit. “Land is needed; we have it. Water is needed; we have it. Human resources are needed; we have it.” The scale is enormous even by African industrial standards. Once operational, the plant is expected to produce three million metric tonnes of urea annually, potentially making it one of the continent’s largest fertiliser complexes. Ethiopian officials say the project now includes a 110km gas pipeline, a 120MW power plant, a polypropylene packaging facility and a two-million-tonne NPK blending plant. For a government grappling with chronic foreign exchange shortages, ballooning import bills and pressure on agricultural productivity, the numbers matter politically as much as they do economically. The decision to anchor the project in Gode is deliberate. Long viewed as peripheral to Ethiopia’s industrial economy, the Somali region is now being repositioned by the federal government as a future irrigation and agro-industrial corridor. Officials argue that the area’s vast land reserves and access to water could eventually support large-scale commercial farming capable of reshaping Ethiopia’s food economy. The government is simultaneously building housing infrastructure for about 5,000 residents near the plant, while officials project broader industrial expansion along the corridor. Abiy goes further, comparing the long-term revenue potential of the Gode development zone with Ethiopia’s flagship state enterprise. “The investments we are making in this Gode area, combined, will generate high revenue for Ethiopia, at par with Ethiopian Airlines,” he says. Source: The Africa Report Feliks Topolski 1907-1982 Topolski’s Chronicle, ‘Nazi Revival’, Vol. 8, Is. 1-2, 1960 HEY READERS, THANK YOU for opening the Chartbook email. I hope it brightens your day. I enjoy putting out the newsletter, but tbh, what keeps this flow going is the generosity of those readers who clicked the subscription button. Photo by Jakub Dziubak on Unsplash If you are persuaded to click, please consider the annual subscription of $50. It is both better value for you and a much better deal for me, as it involves only one credit card charge. Why feed the payments companies if we don’t have to. Subscribe Grim vision of drone warfare by Sylvie Kaufmann For contributing subscribers only. Subscribe The state of the art in Colbert-studies. Jean-Baptiste Colbert was Louis XIV chief minister from 1661 to 1683 and traditionally seen as an architect of absolutism and mercantilism. Alexander Hamilton later cited him as an inspiration in 1782. Now his legacy is disputed. Daniel Dessert, the chief critic, sees Colbert as the orchestrator not so much of an absolutist state as of an elite cabal. Would be great to have a good English-language review of this important debate. Source: lhistoire Didn’t know that the Magna Carta included free trade provisions Fighting for the right to the beach in Oregon in 1967: Source: Research Gate RAF Station – British and Polish Flags, c. 1940-45, The Ingram Collection Feliks Topolski, 1907-1989 ink and wash If you’ve scrolled this far, you know you want to click: Subscribe