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Business leaders speak on barriers and opportunities for growth in an uncertain future
Black-owned businesses continue to make significant contributions to the U.S. economy, but business leaders say entrepreneurs are facing new economic pressures ...
Psychonauts Developer Double Fine Gets Rights To Games Back, But Union Future Uncertain
Good news and bad news
Vance’s homecoming is a throwback to 2024 — and a preview for 2026 and 2028: From the Politics Desk
Plus, an uncertain South Carolina race presents a key test for Trump.
The tariff math turns negative as refunds outpace revenue
The Trump administration’s tariff policy has resulted in substantial refunds and continued uncertainty about tariff revenue, Fortune reports. In May 2026, the Treasury refunded approximately $21.97 billion in tariffs while collecting about $21.93 billion. In June, refunds increased to $49.18 billion compared with $23.63 billion in new tariff collections, resulting in negative net customs revenue […]
Reimagining how scientists study the chemistry of the air
Professor Victoria Barber and doctoral student Cooper Crabtree are spearheading Keck Foundation-funded project charting a path toward better understanding atmospheric oxidation. by Álvaro Castillo, UCLA College of Letters and Science From the vantage point of Victoria Barber, a UCLA assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, understanding the chemical reactions that shape air quality and climate are among the most pressing scientific challenges of our time. And thanks to a recent grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation, she and doctoral student Cooper Crabtree will spearhead a new research project exploring exactly how pollutants form in the atmosphere. Specifically, the project will examine how volatile organic compounds transform through atmospheric oxidation and explore how pollutants, like smog, form in the atmosphere. VOCs are released by sources ranging from trees and wildfires to vehicle exhaust pipes and consumer products such as cologne and perfume. As they undergo atmospheric oxidation, they can transform into a wide range of other compounds. Anyone in Southern California can attest to the urgency of this area of research — for example, in late July of this year, Los Angeles County was under an active ozone pollution advisory for almost a full week. While many people associate ozone with the protective ozone layer high in the stratosphere, ground-level or tropospheric ozone is a harmful secondary pollutant formed through atmospheric oxidation. Understanding how VOCs transform into pollutants like ozone is therefore critical to improving air-quality forecasts and informing strategies to reduce exposure. “My group is focused on trying accelerate our understanding of these networks of reactions so that we can do a better job of predicting how those pollutants form,” Barber said. “When we make decisions about how we might alter emissions, we can understand how that’s going to influence the production of these downstream pollutants.” With support from the W. M. Keck Foundation, Barber and Crabtree are developing new experimental approaches that will combine — and improve — techniques to study hundreds of chemical systems more efficiently than traditional methods allow. Instead of spending years decoding a single VOC, the project seeks to dramatically expand the pace and scale of discovery. The grant comes at a particularly important moment for environmental research. Barber, who joined UCLA in 2023, says funding for climate and air-quality research, especially for early career scientists, has become increasingly difficult to secure, a challenge compounded for ambitious projects that require building entirely new research infrastructure. The Keck Foundation’s support, Barber said, provides the flexibility to pursue bold early-stage, high-risk ideas that may be more difficult to fund using conventional federal funding sources. “It’s really, really hard to do environmental research under the current federal paradigm,” Barber said. “By stepping in and providing stable and flexible funding to explore this new idea, the Keck Foundation is making a huge difference to my research program.” In addition to funding early-career faculty, the Keck Foundation’s support is also focused on empowering graduate students like Crabtree in their scientific growth. The project gives Crabtree the opportunity to help develop an entirely new experimental approach to studying atmospheric chemistry — an experience that will provide him with valuable technical skills, scientific training and preparation for the next stage of his career. Stable funding also allows doctoral students like Crabtree to devote themselves more fully to research rather than balancing their scientific work with additional teaching responsibilities needed to cover funding gaps. “Getting to devote more of my time to research this past school year has greatly improved the pace and quality of our experiments, data analysis and planning for our future work,” said Crabtree, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry. “I feel very lucky — especially amid the current uncertainty surrounding scientific funding — to be able to continue exploring exciting knowledge gaps in our field and growing as a scientific researcher.” For Barber, mentorship is among the most rewarding and important aspects of her role as a faculty member. “Our jobs as faculty are to do good science and make good scientists,” she said. “I believe the Keck Foundation shares this belief and sees the potential positive impact this project can have.”
Mayor Karen Bass, labor unions push for faster decision on Paramount-Warner Bros. merger
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and entertainment labor leaders are raising concerns about continued uncertainty surrounding Paramount-Skydance's pending purchase of Warner Bros.
Most Americans aren't anti-vaccine. They're uncertain — and that's a growing public health challenge
The bigger issue at hand may be that many Americans fall into a large, uncertain middle ground – neither firmly pro-vaccine nor staunchly opposed.
The Apophis encounter in 2029: A rare opportunity for planetary science and defense
The near-Earth asteroid Apophis will make an extremely close flyby of Earth on April 13, 2029, at a distance of approximately 38,000 km—an event that occurs on average only once every 7,500 years, offering an unprecedented opportunity for planetary science and planetary defense. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding the physical parameters of Apophis, such as its shape, spin state, internal structure, and material composition, and predictions of tidal effects—including potential orbital changes, spin acceleration, surface material displacement, and dust ejection during the flyby—are highly dependent on model assumptions. Although multiple nations have planned exploration missions, how to coordinate global observational resources within the limited time window, optimize rapid-response mission architectures, and translate scientific understanding into effective planetary defense strategies remain critical challenges to be addressed.
Buccaneers, Vita Vea reach an agreement on a new deal
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive tackle Vita Vea have put an end to weeks of uncertainty by agreeing to a new deal, keeping one of the franchise’s most important defensive players in Tampa Bay. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the agreement Wednesday, a dramatic turnaround after Vea requested a trade in late July when extension […]
Why Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Is Down 6.2% After Profit Turnaround, Lower Guidance And CEO Change
Flutter Entertainment plc recently reported past second-quarter 2026 results showing higher sales of US$4.33 billion but a shift to a net loss of US$274 million, alongside lower full-year 2026 revenue guidance and confirmation of a CEO transition to Dan Taylor from October 1, 2026. The combination of rising sales, a move into losses, trimmed revenue expectations, and boardroom change presents a complex picture of operational progress alongside profitability and leadership uncertainty for...
How One CEO Stepped Up to Save a Family Business
When Nubia Perez stepped into leadership in a time of uncertainty, she brought structure, vision and renewed growth to her family’s manufacturing business.
Buccaneers Only 19th in NFL Future Power Rankings
Despite a questionable high front-office grade, analysts cite coaching instability and quarterback uncertainty as major issues for Tampa Bay’s future outlook.
Major sports events boost business near Chase Center, but lasting impact uncertain
Sporting events bring business to Bay Area but lasting impact uncertain
Oil edges up on uncertainty over exports through Hormuz
Oil prices ticked higher in early trade on Wednesday, climbing for a fourth straight day on supply uncertainty as investors weighed conflicting messages from Tehran and Washington on whether the Strait of Hormuz is open to ships.
Patrick Mekari Reportedly Undergoes Back Surgery
Patrick Mekari’s back surgery adds another layer of uncertainty to the Jaguars’ already hobbled offensive line, raising questions about his future, and Jacksonville’s early options.
Digital ad tax ruling raises new questions about Maryland's finances, business climate
Maryland's first-in-the-nation tax on digital advertising is facing an uncertain future after the Maryland Tax Court struck down the law, setting up a likely ap
Bexar County health department at risk as ARPA money runs out
Just four years in, Bexar County's public health department faces an uncertain future as the pandemic-era funding it relied on dries up.
German companies cut US investment to three-year low, data show
German companies slashed investments in the United States to a three-year low in the first half of 2026, as Trump administration policies fed uncertainty between the transatlantic trading partners.
Home Depot’s CEO Leave Is a Reminder Every Business Needs a Succession Plan
Organizations can navigate unexpected leadership change by planning for uncertainty and preparing detailed succession plans.
Prediction markets and sports betting: How this UK exchange is trying to do both in the U.S.
Smarkets is entering the U.S. prediction market race but also applying to run as a sportsbook within states amid regulatory uncertainty at the federal level.
Commanders' unofficial depth chart reveals questions at wide receiver
The Washington Commanders unofficial depth chart reveals continued uncertainty in the wide receiver room.
Sporting Lisbon Makes Luis Suarez Decision Amid Newcastle Transfer Links
Newcastle United continues to be linked with attacking reinforcements as Matthias Jaissle shapes his squad for the new Premier League season. One of the Magpies’ previously reported targets, Sporting Lisbon striker Luis Suarez, has resurfaced amid uncertainty in Portugal. Following some worrying developments surrounding his situation in the Iberian club, Portuguese outlet A Bola reports […]
Los Angeles businesses call tariff refunds a huge relief amid financial uncertainty
AI needs science’s search history
“Actually, that’s where the gold is,” said Alasdair Russell, my graduate school friend who leads a pre-clinical genome editing group at Cambridge. He was talking about the winding road of science that is omitted from published papers. “When you’re discussing how to do the experiment, and why this way is better than another way, and what does the data really mean? I know what it shows, but what does it mean?” At RAAIS 2026, he described how his group has begun logging the twisting path of discovery as it happens, recording the verbal and written exchanges that normally disappear. Ideas become nodes in a living graph: they branch when a meeting produces two plausible experiments, merge when separate lines of evidence converge, and go dark when someone quietly stops pursuing them. In his implementation, one agent scores novelty, while another tries to learn “how scientists think and how they navigate through a complex world of data,” so that high-potential nodes can trigger deeper investigation. As frontier AI labs deploy agents toward scientific discovery, giving AI authentic scientific taste remains a trillion-dollar dilemma. The bottleneck is that the record we have kept for centuries of science might be insufficient to get us there. The experiments that never make the paper Peter Medawar, 1960 Nobel laureate and “father of transplantation,” asked in 1963 whether the scientific paper was a fraud, and answered yes: the form of the paper misrepresents the thinking that produced it. Sixty years on, the diagnosis is unchanged. A paper presents a clean progression from hypothesis to result to conclusion. Lost along the way are the unconventional theories, the abandoned or unaffordable methods, and the underwhelming and inconclusive data. It reads like a browser history with every dead end deleted: the ten open tabs, the four rephrased queries, the wrong turn down a subforum. All scrubbed, leaving one clean path from question to answer as the canonical path. What has changed since then is that the discarded material is now worth something. No high-impact journal wants these artifacts, but raw trial and error is the most likely source of the training data required to develop scientific intuition, or what researchers call taste. Earlier attempts to capture the discards were motivated by scientific integrity. The Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine launched in 2002 to publish rigorous studies that disputed established models or exposed ineffective treatments. Its archive preserved negative conclusions after they had become papers, rather than the live alternatives and arguments that produced them. BioMed Central closed it in 2017, saying the mission had been served now that other journals publish null results. A less generous reading is that in fifteen years it published around 200 papers because almost nobody wants to read a negative result, let alone write one up when it will not count toward academic tenure. AI models are different. Even an uninteresting negative result can be useful, provided it is labeled. Earlier this year, Anthropic put a version of this to the test. The company pulled 129 decision points from real Claude Code sessions between January and March 2026, showed models the work up to a human detour, and asked what should happen next. Claude Mythos Preview beat the human choice 64% of the time, while Opus 4.5 managed 51%. The comparison was tilted toward the models because Anthropic deliberately chose moments where the human decision had room for improvement. On 127 further scenarios where the human action was already strong, the models improved on it only about 20% of the time. The study was possible because Anthropic’s researchers work inside a tool that logs by default. The reasoning, detours and outcome are produced in the same working environment. Biology has no equivalent. Its reasoning happens in hallways, at benches, in Slack threads and on whiteboards, while the outcome arrives weeks later somewhere else. The record has to emerge from the work itself. Ask scientists to reconstruct it afterwards and we’ll create another polished account. Subscribe A log is not a label Before any of this becomes training data, a negative result has to say what failed. The first paper published in the Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine examined 234 negative studies across five leading medical journals. Only 30% discussed statistical power, and half clearly defined a primary outcome. Tell a model an experiment failed, without telling it whether the assay was underpowered, a reagent had degraded, or the hypothesis was simply wrong, and it will learn noise with confidence. Decision histories have a second missing label too. When a lab considers five experiments and runs one, only the chosen branch returns an outcome. The other four are experimental counterfactuals. Researchers call this the selective labels problem: the data reveal results only for the actions someone chose to take. Such a record can teach a model to imitate a lab’s taste, but it cannot establish that the taste was good. It also smuggles local constraints into general lessons. A lab that never ran cryo-EM because it did not own a microscope teaches a model that cryo-EM is rarely the right call. Alasdair’s nodes preserve the candidate set, which is the necessary first step. To be useful, each decision record needs six fields: The evidence available at that moment, and nothing that arrived later. The candidates considered, including the ones dismissed in a sentence. For each candidate: the expected result, the confidence attached to it, and the cost in time and money. The route chosen, and the reason. What happened next. How the evidence changed the scientist’s view. These must be timestamped before the outcome, because hindsight turns uncertainty into inevitability. Disagreement also has to survive. Averaging three scientists into one clean rationale reproduces exactly the information loss we are trying to fix. But there is an obvious failure mode here. Once decisions are logged and scored, people log for the record post-facto. Anyone who has watched an electronic lab notebook fill up with retrospective tidying knows how quickly a research tool becomes a compliance exercise. A record that costs a scientist ten minutes of honest reflection per decision is worth far more than one that costs an hour of performance. A publication initiative called Registered Reports offers a useful starting point. Here, researchers submit their rationale, methods and analysis plan for peer review before the data exist, and the journal commits in principle to publish if they follow the approved plan. Nature has now expanded the format across every field it covers. This approach to paper writing timestamps intent before the outcome, but it freezes one plan. A useful search history must also preserve how the plan changed, which alternatives were rejected, when, and on what evidence. Subscribe Run the runner-up Autonomous labs show what happens when decisions and outcomes are connected in a loop. Liverpool’s mobile robotic chemist ran 688 experiments over eight days in a ten-variable formulation space. A batched Bayesian search used each result to choose the next experiments and found photocatalyst mixtures six times more active than the starting formulations. Every completed experiment changed what the system did next. The robot optimized within a goal and search space that humans had already chosen. It did not decide which scientific question mattered. So what this work demonstrates is narrower, but still useful: a search history pays off when the options return standardized outcomes quickly. Open-ended biology is harder because branches can take weeks and the discarded alternatives may never be run. Some exploration therefore has to be bought. Where two branches are plausible and the stakes justify the cost, a lab should sometimes run the runner-up. Otherwise the record captures what today’s scientists usually chose and stays silent on what they systematically overlooked. A funder could ring-fence a small fraction of a grant for the branch not taken, provided that the decision record and the outcome are both deposited. That costs money, but so does having every lab rediscover the same abandoned path. Test whether taste transfers When it comes time to evaluate if our new AI system exhibits taste, the comparison should run across laboratories and fields. At selected decision points in a live research campaign, we should freeze the six fields: the evidence, the candidates, expected results, confidence, costs and the choice made. Experts then rank the options before the outcomes are known, and those outcomes are checked independently later. We could give models one of two diets - papers alone, or papers plus decision histories - and ask them to rank the next experiment on unfamiliar projects. Then, we score information gained per dollar and week, calibration, and how quickly weak branches are abandoned. If histories improve choices only inside the lab that produced them, they amount to useful organizational memory. If they improve choices on unfamiliar problems elsewhere, Alasdair’s group will have captured something science has never managed to write down: a transferable record of taste. Until that happens, a scientific search history is a promising record, not yet a training set.
Fear as Policy: The Growing Mental Health Toll of Mass Deportation Policies
Immigration policies have created a climate of uncertainty that affects daily life and carries long-term mental health consequences.
Barcelona defender’s agent visits club facilities amid growing Arsenal interest
With the transfer window entering its final stages Jules Kounde’s future at FC Barcelona is starting to become uncertain. Now, According to Jijantes (h/t SPORT), Jonathan Kebe, the French defender��...
NFIB survey: small business optimism continues to rise
Hiring plans hit their strongest level since 2022, even as owners reported stubborn uncertainty and difficulty finding qualified workers.
Browns Sign Ex-Eagles Tight End Amid Rookie’s Ongoing Absence
The Cleveland Browns added a new tight end amid uncertainty around the rookie's future. The post Browns Sign Ex-Eagles Tight End Amid Rookie’s Ongoing Absence appeared first on HEAVY.
Tony Romo’s CBS future remains uncertain as network says it’s still ‘assessing’ his fate
Romo has been placed on indefinite leave after a drunk driving arrest.
Small business optimism rebounds in July, led by stronger hiring plans
NFIB said small business optimism rose above its long-term average in July, driven by stronger hiring and investment plans, though uncertainty remained elevated.
Business Chief Opens Speaker Applications for CXO Summit 2026
London, 11 August 2026 - Business Chief, a BizClik Media brand, has opened speaker applications for the CXO Summit 2026, inviting Chief HR Officers, People & Culture Leaders, Chief Marketing Officers, Chief Finance Officers and CEOs to join its flagship executive event. The summit, which brings together C-suite leaders to address critical challenges facing modern enterprises, from AI disruption to economic uncertainty. The event has already secured an impressive lineup of speakers from global or
Blocked storm drains blamed for Ringgold flooding, but some businesses remain uncertain
Downtown Ringgold business owners were able to get some answers Monday night as they continue to recover from two flooding incidents last week.Questions remain
Australian Business Confidence Drops on Middle East Uncertainty
Australian business confidence snapped three months of gains as uncertainty over the Middle East conflict and persistent energy price strength weighed on the outlook.
Minnesota Cannabis Businesses Grapple With Growing Pains
Minnesota's hyper-regulated cannabis industry is starting to bear fruit—er, flower. But uncertainties remain about whether operators have sufficient breathing room to build viable businesses.
O’Connell Announces Office of Entertainment Executive Director
Sarah Childress to lead new office within the mayor’s office following entertainment commission uncertainty
Why Luke O’Nien Represents the New Sunderland
From an uncertain arrival to one of Sunderland’s most respected leaders, Luke O’Nien’s journey reflects the changing culture and ambition of the club.
Oil rises as uncertainty continues over reopening of Strait
Oil prices rose on Monday as uncertainty continued over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as Iran said a deal with Oman defining new shipping lanes was in its final stages, but the U.S. must still meet other conditions.
Big Ten season preview: USA TODAY Sports sees one key Oregon flaw
USA TODAY Sports' preseason college football preview identified the big point of uncertainty on Oregon's 2026 roster
Why a new federal definition of hemp has a Vermont industry holding its breath
“The clock is running out,” said one CBD vendor. “It's so hard to plan and make any kind of business decisions with all this uncertainty.”
LSU and the BUSINESS OF COLLEGE SPORTS
LSU CFO Matthew LaBorde explains how revenue sharing, NIL, facility economics, football scheduling and financial uncertainty are reshaping the business of college sports.
Simpson In, Bennett Uncertain: McVay Talks Quarterback Preseason Plan
The comments came on the first day of practice at the Rams' Woodland Hills facility, following two weeks of training camp at Loyola Marymount University. The team will travel to Arrowhead Stadium for an Aug. 15 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. "Ty definitely will play," McVay said.
A Maine Town, Once Dependent on a Paper Mill, Tries to Move On
For over a century, Madison Paper Industries was a small Maine town’s economic engine. A new owner moved in, but uncertainty persists.
Trump’s unfinished ballroom faces uncertain path after latest legal blow
President Donald Trump has dug himself a hole.
Schumer caves, hands Republicans shutdown win after months of uncertainty
Senate Democrats relented on shutdown threats, with John Thune accusing Chuck Schumer of making a political calculation ahead of midterm elections.
New uncertainties as owner of stricken Longview mill posts quarterly loss
It's unclear whether financial challenges at Japan-based Nippon Paper will affect the restart process at its Longview mill, which shut down following a fatal accident in May.
US economy unexpectedly shed jobs in July
The Labor Department released the July 2026 jobs report, which showed the U.S. economy shed jobs unexpectedly last month amid uncertainty over inflation.
Ask Ethan: Can "following the science" save the Earth?
Between war, disease, environmental destruction, and resource overconsumption, our civilization's future is uncertain. Can science save us?
Here's what tariffs have cost our small business
If we are uncertain whether tariffs will rise again, we become even more cautious.
Oregon universal health care board punts single-payer report over funding uncertainty
A state board in charge of developing a universal health plan for all Oregonians will delay the release of its final report to lawmakers, citing uncertainty over how to pay for it. The Universal Health Plan Governance Board voted unanimously Thursday morning to extend its deadline to Dec. 1 for its report that will describe […]
BREAKING: Jahmyr Gibbs Lands MASSIVE Contract Extension With Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have secured Jahmyr Gibbs with a massive contract extension. The deal ends his training camp uncertainty and keeps one of the NFL’s most explosive offensive players in Detroit.
Yankees starter admits to ‘uncertainty’ about future
Yankees starter admits to ‘uncertainty’ about future
Todd Blanche’s Attorney General nomination faces uncertain Senate floor vote
Science|Business summer reads of 2026
As most people in the European research and innovation policy bubble are going on a well-deserved summer break, we have come up with a list of our favourite books, podcasts and essays from the past year that ask deeper questions about science, technology and politics.BooksPasteur’s Quadrant: Basic Science and Technological Innovation, by Donald StokesIf you haven’t read Pasteur’s Quadrant yet, now is the time. In the EU and elsewhere, we’re living through a period of dwindling faith that curiosity-driven research automatically leads to economic growth and technological progress. Pasteur’s Quadrant, published in 1997 by the Princeton academic Donald Stokes, is the most influential critique of the standard “linear model” of R&D: the idea that new discoveries made in ivory-tower labs get neatly passed on for commercialisation by start-ups. In reality, Stokes argues, practical applications often inspire more theorical lines of inquiry. Of course, we have long known that things are more complex than the linear model, but even today, it’s still often assumed in Brussels discourse. The book is a useful corrective, and is being used now to argue for new types of scientific institutions. David MatthewsThe Weaponization of Expertise: How Elites Fuel Populism, by Jacob Hale Russel and Dennis PattersonAre society’s problems solvable by technical expertise alone? “If only the benighted would listen,” say Jacob Hale Russel and Dennis Patterson, two professors at Rutgers Law School who got frustrated with how scientists and politicians handled public health communication during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the book, they argue that clichéd mantras about scientific evidence and expertise perpetrated by academics, journalists and politicians have harmed public trust in the very institutions they were trying to defend. Paradoxically, slogans such as “we believe in science,” “follow the science” and “defer to the experts” can fuel mistrust in science, experts and democratic institutions. The authors criticise “condescension” and “technocratic paternalism” in the public discourse and make the case for a more nuanced approach to scientific and expert policy advice that rests on humility, doubt, scepticism and open dialogue. “Most complex social questions in fact revolve around values, not the recitation of unambiguous facts,” they say. Florin ZubascuBreakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future, by Dan WangIn this book, Dan Wang compares the structural differences between the US and Chinese industrial policies, but raises a very timely question for innovation policy wonks: how can advanced manufacturing know-how contribute to technology-intensive economic growth? Wang says technology has three components: the tools, the blueprints and patents, and the process knowledge. The third component represents the “proficiency gained from practical experience, which isn’t easily communicated and requires years of implementation.” According to Wang, rather than seeing tools and blueprints as the ultimate ends of technological progress, policymakers should see them as milestones in the training of better scientists and manufacturers. Over the past decades, China has amassed “process knowledge” because capital flowed to complex fabrication facilities, while investors in the West have parked their money in capital-light businesses such as digital platforms or chip companies that focus on design. As it turns out, thanks to its oversized focus on manufacturing, China has gained remarkable advantages in the global technology race. Florin ZubascuBaltic: The Future of Europe, by Oliver MoodyWhat can Europe learn from the nine countries surrounding the Baltic Sea? Alongside the familiar stories about Estonia's digital transformation, the book examines how the region has used technology, resilience, education, governance and long-term thinking to respond to geopolitical, economic and security challenges. Innovation policy wonks might find fresh perspectives on how innovation can strengthen defence, societal resilience and Europe's capacity to adapt in an uncertain world. Whether or not you agree with all of Oliver Moody's conclusions, the book is a useful guide to a region that is increasingly shaping European debates on security, competitiveness and technology. Goda NaujokaityteThe Invention of Nature, by Andrea Wulf This book chronicles the wild and adventurous life of natural science pioneer Alexander von Humboldt who at some point in the 19th century seems to have been just about the most famous person in the world. Through scientific expeditions to the Andes Mountains and to the depths of Siberia, von Humboldt contributed a host of discoveries and concepts. During his life he met and formed relationships with historical figures as different as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simon Bolivar, Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles Darwin. He is also claimed to be the person in the world with most things named after him, a list that includes an ocean current, a penguin and a region of the Moon. Still venerated in Germany, with numerous scientific institutions named after him, von Humboldt has slipped out of public consciousness in most of the rest of the world. For anyone not familiar with him, this book does a good job of describing his fascinating life. Ole EllekrogCareless People, by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsYou may have heard this referred to as the book Meta doesn’t want you to read. The 2025 memoir from Sarah Wynn-Williams, former director of global public policy at Meta, then just called Facebook, includes explosive claims about everything from a toxic workplace culture to how the company worked with advertisers to target vulnerable teens, and the lengths it was prepared to go to in order to break into China. It’s a fascinating insight into how and why the tech company gradually shifted its approach to policy, whether in the US, Europe or Asia. Meta has denied the allegations in the book, and last year won an emergency ruling to prevent Wynn-Williams from promoting it. In response, the author is now suing her former employer. If that doesn’t make you want to read it. Martin GreenacrePodcastsThe Europeans: Europe’s anti-ElonThis podcast is a great choice for a light-hearted dose of European policy and culture news. Most of it has little to do with research, innovation and technology, but this particular podcast features an interview with Mastadon’s founder Eugen Rochko. He talks about his experience running an open-source, federated, European-made social media platform, and leaving it all behind. The conversation, which starts 14 minutes in, gently encourages us to reflect on what kind of technology we, as Europeans, want to make. Goda NaujokaityteSolarpunk and how we escape dystopiaNew technologies are very often taken from science fiction. Alberto Santos-Dumont, inventor the airship, was inspired as a child by the adventure stories of Jules Verne. OpenAI’s attempt to build a personal assistant with the voice of Scarlett Johansson was lifted from the 2013 film Her, completely ignoring the movie’s cautionary message. So if we want better tech, we need to imagine it first. Unfortunately, the state of current sci-fi is relentlessly dystopian, giving inventors precious few ideas or hope. However, a new genre, Solarpunk, which envisages a technologically advanced but ecologically harmonious future, is now taking off. The actual tech the genre imagines, such as permaculture, renewable energy or community repair workshops, while nice, isn’t all that inspiring or ambitious. But it’s a first step towards rescuing sci-fi from its pessimistic Blade Runner rut. David MatthewsEveryday AbundanceLaunched in June, Everyday Abundance is a podcast that tells the stories of the inventions we now take so for granted that we barely given them a second thought. For example, the washing machine, which liberated women from a lifetime “bent over washtubs and washboards.” Or modern dentistry, which ended the reality that “tooth pain was simply part of human life.” Historians of technology, Virginia Postrel and Charles C Mann are very much on the optimistic end of the spectrum when it comes to the capacity of invention to improve human life. Here, they set out their case: if it wasn’t for progress, you might be hunched over a washtub with toothache rather than reading these words. David Matthews‘We will not know what we lost’: Conservation fallout a year after USAID shutdownSince his return to the White House, Donald Trump has been on a mission to undermine science. He slashed jobs at federal agencies, terminated grants in some research areas, took unprecedented control over university affairs and, within hours of his inauguration, suspended the US Agency for International Development. While its initial focus was to administer health and food aid around the world, it had since expanded to conservation projects. The result? Some of these projects were stopped abruptly. In this Mongabay podcast, environmental reporter Michelle Nijhuis tells the story of the EcoGuard conservation programme in Liberia, whose local patrols had helped protect rainforests, monitor endangered wildlife and track illegal threats. From one day to the next, these were left without salaries. Luckily, she notes, the initiative was able to get emergency funding from international NGOs, but its future remains “incredibly uncertain.” Juliette PortalaEssaysThe Mars Delusion, by Henry WismayerWhy is humankind so fixated on establishing a colony on Mars? asks London-based writer Henry Wismayer. From space evangelists promoting Martian settlement as an insurance policy, to billionaire Jeff Bezos, who said humans should settle on Mars “because it’s cool,” the mission is not running short of advocates. However, in this essay, Wismayer reminds us that some critics expect any future Mars pioneer to end up “irradiated, sick, mad and dead.” Scientists have already looked into the possible effects of prolonged exposure to Martian gravity, and it’s not pretty: muscle shrinking, bones weakening, changes to the central nervous system and other biological modifications to make us all reconsider the journey. “Some researchers have forecast that the future settler, after generations of evolutionary conditioning, will look less like an Übermensch and more like ET,” Wismayer writes. Juliette Portala
Nationals outlast Phillies after Painter exits post-deadline start early
Andrew Painter, who looked strong, exited early with left hamstring tightness as the Phillies’ post-deadline rotation picture grew more uncertain.
Business Uncertainty Drives Changes in C-Suite Strategy: Sentry
Economic uncertainty—fueled by shifting trade policies, geopolitical instability, and operational disruptions—is driving leaders to rethink planning, risk management, and long-term strategy, according to new research from Sentry Insurance. New data from a survey of more than 600 executives reveals that C-suite confidence has fallen sharply since the start of 2026, with 82% of U.S. executives … Continued
Malaysia Says Investment Pipeline Holds Despite Political Angst
Malaysia continues to attract strong foreign investor interest despite growing political uncertainty following a string of local election setbacks for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition.
Business uncertainty up sharply as economic headwinds reshape C-suite decision-making
/PRNewswire/ -- C-suite confidence has fallen sharply since the start of 2026. New research from Sentry finds 82% of U.S. executives are more concerned about...
Politics & Power: Scandals, splits, uncertain road to November mean midterms are still in flux
Scandals, ideological schisms, and foreign‑policy crises have blurred the midterm map. Candidate quality, outside spending, and voter perceptions of the economy — plus President Donald Trump’s outsized role — will determine control of Congress.
‘I can't be thinking about that:' Moro Ojomo opens up on his contract and future
Moro Ojomo knows his future in Philadelphia is uncertain., but the rising Eagles defensive tackle is focusing solely on another breakout season.
I Help Professionals Buy Their Own Businesses: This Is the $1.1 Million Mistake I See All the Time
Waiting to buy a business because of fear or uncertainty often costs professionals significantly more in missed compounding wealth than the risks they are trying to avoid would cost.
Spirit's collapse hits businesses in Detroit Metro's Evans Terminal
Spirit Airlines' exit from Detroit Metro Airport has left vendors in the Evans Terminal facing empty gates, declining sales, uncertainty.
Good Communication Is Good Business by Geoffrey Losee
The following column was contributed by J.D. Fisher. Mixed-use communities are increasingly common. Restaurants, breweries, retail stores, entertainment venues, and professional offices often operate within walking distance of established neighborhoods. That proximity creates tremendous opportunity, but it also means that a business's decisions may affect more than just its customers. Many business owners understandably focus on obtaining the permits necessary to open their doors. However, municipal approval is rarely the end of the conversation. As a business evolves, whether by adding outdoor seating, live entertainment, extended operating hours, or other new amenities, the applicable zoning ordinance may require additional approvals or impose operational standards designed to balance commercial activity with nearby residential uses. From a business perspective, the question should not simply be, "Can we do this?" It should also be, "Have we communicated with everyone who may be affected?" Recent local news coverage highlighted how differing interpretations of a municipal ordinance can quickly become the subject of public hearings, legal arguments, and significant uncertainty for a business. While every situation turns on its own facts, one common theme emerged: practical solutions are more difficult to achieve if communication breaks down. Businesses can often reduce that risk by engaging early with the relevant stakeholders. That begins with municipal staff. Planning departments are oftentimes willing to discuss how an ordinance applies before substantial investments are made. Seeking clarification in advance may identify permitting requirements or operational limitations that can be addressed proactively rather than after enforcement action. Communication should not stop with local government. Nearby property owners and neighborhood representatives frequently appreciate being informed about proposed changes before they occur. A brief meeting, an informational email, or an invitation to discuss concerns can foster goodwill and reveal potential issues while there is still flexibility to adjust operations. That’s why such meetings often required for substantial projects and may be a good idea even if not required. Perhaps most importantly, businesses should view compliance as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Operational changes that seem minor from a business standpoint may have regulatory implications under local development ordinances. Periodically reviewing proposed changes with experienced land-use counsel or planning professionals can help identify issues before they become disputes. No ordinance can eliminate every conflict between commercial activity and residential expectations. Nor should every disagreement become a legal controversy. But businesses that invest in transparent, proactive communication place themselves in the strongest position to protect both their operations and their relationships within the community. In today's regulatory environment, good communication is more than good public relations, it is good risk management. If your business is planning to expand its operations, introduce a new use, or simply wants to better understand how local land development regulations apply, the attorneys at Rountree Losee LLP are available to help. Our land use and local government practice works with businesses throughout southeastern North Carolina to navigate municipal approval processes, identify potential issues before they become disputes, and keep projects moving forward with confidence. Read more at rountreelosee.com.
Analysis | Is the midterm cake baked?
The vibes around the economy are bad — polls and focus groups show voters feel like they are getting screwed at the gas pump and at the grocery store, jobs feel harder to come by, and the rise of technology like artificial intelligence is injecting considerable uncertainty into the future.
Roanoke’s largest undeveloped tract remains in limbo
The fate of Roanoke’s 150-acre Evans Spring site remains uncertain as city council allows conservation but landowners hold final decision.
Trump's threat to push ahead on settlement fund injects new uncertainty into attorney general talks
Trump asserted in a Truth Social post that he would keep acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in his current role and press ahead on the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” if Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis refuse to back Blanche.
Zack Wheeler knows deadline uncertainty better than most: ‘an anxious time'
Zack Wheeler has been traded, nearly moved and left in deadline limbo. Those experiences shaped how he views this time of year.
XBOX could eventually stop releasing games on Steam
Microsoft may reconsider releasing Xbox games on Steam as part of wider PC plans, but Jez Corden says the reported strategy remains uncertain.
Judge strikes down Houston minority contracting rule, leaving business owners uncertain
For more than four decades, Houston’s Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) Program has helped connect certified businesses with city contracting opportunities. Now, a federal judge’s ruling is changing part of that process.
The business of back-to-school
Back-to-school shopping is more than a seasonal ritual for families. It is one of the country's largest annual retail events, generating billions of dollars in spending.For retailers, it is a critical sales period. For economists, it offers an early snapshot of how Americans are responding to rising prices, shifting consumer confidence and broader economic uncertainty.
Brandon Johnson credits Chicago for leading progressive politics
Amid uncertainty about whether he’ll seek reelection, Chicago mayor discusses Democratic climate and progressive politics
With future of U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade in limbo, Texas businesses navigate choppy waters
The Trump administration announced July 1 it would not renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Rising uncertainty has led businesses that depend on the trade pact to pull back on investment in Texas, experts say.
Business owners uncertain as St. Pete-Duke Energy agreement to expire Friday
Whether St. Pete residents will pay Duke Energy or the city for their power is still unclear, despite the expiration of their agreement coming Friday.
Fed policymakers leave rates unchanged amid elevated uncertainty
Fed policymakers left interest rates unchanged at their July meeting as stubborn inflation remains well above the central bank's 2% target.
Jonathan Grennard's Exit Leaves Vikings Dangerously Thin at Edge Rusher
The Vikings fully report to training camp this week, and there are a lot of storylines that could converge in Eagan as the team has had a lot of questions and not a lot of answers this offseason. One such example of uncertain elements of the team that could become more and more urgent as the season gets closer is the Vikings' edge defenders and the depth at that position in particular. To the untrained eye, the Vikings had a plethora of edge rushers last year, but in reality it was actually a facade masked by the star power of their two starters, Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, who were coming off a season in which they combined for 23.5 sacks and 36 tackles for loss.
Blanche nomination uncertain as key GOP senator says DOJ ‘radio silent’ on demand to spike controversial fund
The fate of Todd Blanche’s nomination to be President Donald Trump’s attorney general is up in the air, with a key GOP senator indicating Tuesday he has not yet received the assurances he needs to vote in support.
Small Business: Planning for the Future, Your Way
Voice of Business Blog Guest post from Greater Rochester Chamber member Bank of America As entrepreneurs and small businesses here in Rochester prepare for Q3 and Q4, many are navigating uncertainty. These small businesses – from new ventures to established family-run enterprises – are essential to Rochester’s success. According to a 2025 U.S. Small Business Administration report, Rochester…
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was reportedly being turned into a 2.5D brawler by CD Projekt Red and Shantae studio WayForward, but its fate is uncertain
The spin-off was in development between 2025 and 2026, before layoffs hit the retro-inspired developer famous for its beat 'em ups and platformers.
Iran War Enters 6th Month and a Period of Greater Uncertainty
Here is a rundown of the major events of the war, as both sides consider their next moves.
Minneapolis starts Black Business Week with focus on investment, entrepreneurship
The kickoff comes as small businesses across the Twin Cities continue to navigate economic uncertainty. Some business owners have reported challenges tied to the recent increase in federal immigration enforcement activity, including fewer customers, staffing concerns and financial strain.
Ndiaye future uncertain amid Al-Hilal interest
Al Hilal have expressed an interest in Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, who has rejected multiple contract offers on Merseyside. The 26-year-old has also held talks with the Saudi Pro League club, but they have not made a formal offer as they explore a number of attacking options. However, Ndiaye's future has been thrown into doubt by him so far being unable to agree new terms with the Toffees.
German Business Sentiment Improves, Shrugging Off Middle East Uncertainties
Confidence among firms picked up a little this month, though the roller-coaster ride of oil prices in recent weeks suggested the recovery could be fragile.
Germany’s Business Outlook Improves Despite Iran Uncertainty
Germany’s business outlook brightened for a third month, a sign of resilience to higher energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty.
Political turmoil, lower pay yield small candidate pool for HTA’s top job
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has attracted about 60 applicants in its search for a new president and CEO, a significantly smaller candidate pool than past searches as the agency tries to recruit a leader after years of political turmoil and uncertainty about its future.
CEOs and execs can't agree on what AI means for Gen Z workers
For young Gen Zers entering the workforce, the rise of generative artificial intelligence has brought no shortage of uncertainty.
Report – Milan Superstar Trains in Brazil Amid Uncertain Future
Milan winger Rafael Leao continues his pre-season preparations away from Italy amid growing speculation surrounding his future. According to Pianeta Milan, the Portuguese star is currently ‘enjoying...
Jacoby Brissett Practices With Arizona Cardinals Despite Contract Uncertainty
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett participated in Thursday's workout after a quiet offseason due to contract uncertainty.
Without Harrison Smith, Vikings have questions at safety in 2026
The Vikings enter training camp with uncertainty at safety as Jay Ward, Theo Jackson and rookie Jakobe Thomas compete to help replace Harrison Smith.
New Trump Tariffs Increase Uncertainty For Small Businesses
The change in tariff policies that went into effect Friday is distinctly worrying for some small firms, but other say it's business as usual.
Mendoza Signs $57M Contract While Pavia’s Path Uncertain
The No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft finally signed his rookie contract.
AmEx raises 2026 revenue growth forecast as affluent cardholders keep spending
American Express increased its full-year revenue growth forecast and beat Wall Street expectations for second-quarter profit on Friday as its affluent customers continued to swipe their cards for travel and dining despite lingering economic uncertainty.
With Judge's Timeline Uncertain, Yankees Faces a Deadline Balancing Act
The race in the AL East has gotten tighter, adding pressure to the Yankees to make a deadline deal.
Some House Republicans defect to again pass resolution seeking to halt military action in Iran
The House on Thursday narrowly passed a resolution to halt U.S. military action in Iran, sending a warning to President Donald Trump for the second time as the war has escalated and the future of the conflict is increasingly uncertain.
House again passes resolution seeking to halt military action in Iran as some Republicans defect
The House has narrowly passed a resolution to halt U.S. military action in Iran, sending a warning to President Donald Trump for the second time as the war has escalated and the future of the conflict is increasingly uncertain
German industry group says AfD is 'no pro-business party'
Germany's leading industry association has sharply criticized the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), saying the party's policies would create uncertainty for businesses and discourage investment...
House takes first step to unlock Iran war funding — but fate in Senate uncertain, with measure tied to ‘SAVE America Act’
The House of Representatives on Wednesday took the first step toward funding President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, as well as approving tens of billions in additional Pentagon money and aid for US farmers.
Patriots O-line deep dive: Center change brings uncertainty
Our third installment in a five-part look at the Patriots’ 2026 offensive line.
Sony and Alamo Drafthouse are reopening Hollywood's Cinerama Dome
After a six-year closure and an uncertain future, the Cinerama Dome is back. Sony Pictures Entertainment and Alamo Drafthouse are restoring the historic theater and plan to reopen it in early 2028.
Model the Transformation You Expect Employees to Deliver
Leaders must model the transformation they expect others to deliver. Yet many leadership teams undermine their own ambitions by promoting agility, experimentation, and innovation while continuing to govern through legacy processes that reward predictability and risk avoidance. Employees notice the disconnect and follow what leaders do, not what they say. The most successful transformations occur when senior leaders personally sponsor the organization’s most uncertain initiatives, devote meaningful time to change, embrace learning, and demonstrate a willingness to change course when evidence demands it. Executives can test whether they are truly modeling the by examining how they spend their time (the calendar test), how they manage ambiguity as an executive team (the uncertainty test as a team, and whether they openly retire initiatives that no longer create value (the cancellation test).
Watch China's Hanfu Boom Is a Political Tool
Bloomberg Opinion columnist Karishma Vaswani says China's Hanfu boom gives young people comfort amid economic uncertainty and the Communist Party a tool for promoting national greatness. But nostalgia cannot create jobs, revive the property market or persuade young people to start families.