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State employees, retirees to be charged extra for using WakeMed
For the 750,000 members of North Carolina’s State Health Plan, using WakeMed could cost thousands of dollars extra starting next year. But using UNC Health could lead to equally large discounts.
OnePlus shutdown reportedly goes beyond US & Europe next year, Realme exiting China
If you had any doubts left regarding the end of OnePlus in Europe and the US, another report is stepping...
A sneak peek at nine new(ish) emoji on the way
Unicode’s emoji tsar Jennifer Daniel has given us a sneak peek at nine emoji set for release next year –...
LeBron James Connected to Cleveland Cavaliers Homecoming
While LeBron James is still making his decision about where he wants to play next year, don't be surprised if he ultimately winds up back where it all started, with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After eight strong seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, James is a free agent at the age of 41, and he has ...
Your health insurance costs could spike next year
Early filings from 77 health insurers indicate that monthly insurance premiums could increase by 10% to 20% in 2027.
Your health insurance costs could spike next year
Early filings from 77 health insurers indicate that monthly insurance premiums could increase by 10% to 20% in 2027.
Two New Apple Pencils Reportedly Launching Next Year
Two new Apple Pencil models are in development for release alongside next-generation iPad Pro models next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Specifically, he said new versions of the lower-end Apple Pencil with a USB-C port and the higher-end Apple Pencil Pro are in the works.
They're Building Half A Bridge to Save Science...
Today’s post is about science: what you can do now to protect it from unprecedented threats, and how your action is the first half of a long-term program that Congress must take up next. Let me start with describing the embryonic state of science advocacy. There are many well-meaning organizations: the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Research!America, and subject-specific organizations such as the Society for Neuroscience and the American Physical Society. Their general approach is to emphasize the common good: the remarkable value that science and innovation have provided to all Americans. However, these organizations are offering an incomplete solution. Before I start, a preliminary: If you already know about the threat, go ahead and weigh in with OMB at this link. Ideas about what to say come from Research!America and the American Physical Society. You have until Monday, July 13 at 11:59pm Eastern. Then come back here and read the rest of this post. Finally, get in touch with whoever is likely to be your next member of Congress in 2027. The threat: An end to merit-based science… The onslaught of attacks on science is accelerating. It’s not just cuts to grants, which was the last battle. That battle is not done yet, but there is a new and worse threat. Now comes a proposed public rule from the Office of Management and Budget. The rule would take decision-making power over grants away from experts and put it into the hands of political appointees. Former NIH official Elizabeth Ginexi wrote an excellent summary of what OMB is trying to do, which is codify the executive branch’s ability to award or terminate grants, for arbitrary cause or no stated cause. Since World War II, a necessary step in scientific grant-making has been consideration of scientific merit. This approach has made America into a dominant scientific superpower, the envy of the world. Of course, political considerations do come into the mix. The proposed rule tilts the balance dramatically away from merit. …but why? Many people have difficulty comprehending why Russell Vought and OMB would want to damage science in this way. If you’re a working scientist, you are likely to be particularly uncomprehending. Who would hurt an activity so self-evidently good? The answer is: this is part of the program to replace the rule of law with a personalist regime. OMB Director Russell Vought, a Christian nationalist, would like to implement what legal scholars call a “unitary executive,” and what I would call a dictatorship. Or if you like, a personalist authoritarian regime. I am a working scientist. This rule will debilitate my research. It may chill the speech of scientists for speaking freely in the public sphere. It is a form of personalizing power and decision-making within the executive branch. In short, it sacrifices science in the service of tyranny. To Russell Vought, a decrease in the quality of science might be an acceptable cost. He might even consider it an added benefit to weaken a pillar of soft U.S. power based on knowledge and skepticism. The professional societies are building half a bridge The nonprofits are asking you to make public comment. Public comment is like building the first half of a bridge. Before implementation, OMB is compelled by law to have a period of public comment. Rules have to be consistent with the law and the Constitution. They express the federal government’s stance toward how those laws will be implemented. When a presidential administration works in good faith, these public comments are used to inform their eventual action, and sometimes mitigate it. The comment period reflects our First Amendment right to petition our government. The executive branch is then supposed to take those comments into account - completing the bridge between us, the people, and our government. Project 2025 seeks to take away the second half of the bridge. We have to replace it. The first half of the bridge Organizations like AAAS, Research!America, and SfN are partly right. You should certainly comment. Their core model is earnest: if enough of us make noise, then we will achieve change. This idealistic point of view is offered in good faith. That point of view is also currently bullshit. The fundamental reason is that the federal rulemaking process has two parts: There has to be a period of public comment. OMB makes the final rule…but is free to disregard public comment. Oops. That’s a loophole. However, not all is lost. Congress can complete the bridge Congress has enormous power. That power suggests a roadmap for how to proceed. This lawless administration is still going to issue that rule. Nonetheless, your comments still play an essential role. Here are two steps you can take. Step 1: Send your comment to your Representative and Senator. Whether they are Democrats or Republicans, many of them support science. Whatever you wrote as public comment in the Federal Register, also send it to your member of Congress. You can include information about jobs in your district or state by looking at Joshua Weitz’s ScienceMatters interactive map. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and give your town, zip code, or state, then deliver your message. Step 2: Politicize the hell out of science. You heard me, politicize it as an issue. We hear a lot from the old scientific establishment about science being nonpartisan. This is obsolete, sentimental thinking. Under normal conditions, it was true. But we can no longer make that assumption. We can keep on pretending, but we’re putting science at risk. There is a way forward. Rules are subordinate to the law…and Congress makes laws. Therefore Congress can step in. In this fall’s election, it is likely that Democrats will retake the House of Representatives. That puts at least one chamber of Congress in the hands of Democrats. They are far more inclined than the current Congress to investigate and legislate. This opens a path to undoing the damage. It also creates a permission structure for pro-science Republicans to find a way back from the brink. We have to encourage them. In the House, every district is up every two years. In your district, contact both of the major party candidates. If your state has a Senate race, contact those candidates too. Specifically mention the proposed OMB rule. Ask for two things: For this year’s appropriations process in August and September, ask that amendments be added to stop the implementation of the new rule. Those amendments should support peer-reviewed science and stop political interference. Looking ahead to next year, ask the Congressman/Congresswoman/Senator to work to hold hearings in 2027 on the importance and benefits of peer-reviewed science for health and prosperity. What hearings and amendments will accomplish Congress can use its investigatory power to summon heads of agencies and the director of the OMB. That will allow fact-finding regarding the consequences of this rule. Congress can override the rule through the appropriations process. They can write into statute a requirement to follow peer review and best scientific practices. In this way, Congress can stop the attacks on science. Postscript: Moving forward Now I have a request for you, to help me. As many of you know, I ran for Congress in order to save democracy and science. Although I did not win, that battle continues by other means. I met and heard from thousands of supporters both here in New Jersey and nationally. I learned that pro-science, pro-democracy activists have the potential to become a much greater force. In the weeks and months ahead, I will be building ways to harness that energy. I will be announcing those plans soon. In the meantime, an important step is to wind down the Congressional campaign, which has a few remaining bills to pay. Please help me retire that last debt.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond dev explains why it's not Spyro 4
Spyro is finally back with a brand new game with next year’s A Realm Beyond, but it technically isn’t Spyro 4 – at least in name. Toys for Bob recently commented on the naming decision. You may remember that when Crash Bandicoot was brought back with a brand new game, we did end up getting Crash Bandicoot 4. However, Toys...
Romney weighs in on 2028: Those 80 and older shouldn't be 'running the world'
Former Sen. Mitt Romney, who will turn 80 next year, indicated that he does not think individuals 80 and older should be at the helm of the nation.
The Steelers Have the Pieces to Contend in the AFC
The Pittsburgh Steelers have undergone a lot of change during the 2026 offseason. While the team has not answered the question of who their franchise quarterback is, they are focused on gearing up for a deep run next year. This will not be easy. The AFC is a bloodbath of a conference, with teams trading […] The post The Steelers Have the Pieces to Contend in the AFC appeared first on The Lead.
Obamacare premiums surged this year. A new analysis shows it's likely to happen again in 2027
Middle-income Americans straining to pay for Affordable Care Act health insurance are unlikely to get relief next year, according to a new analysis.
Hungary moves to overhaul university models banned from Horizon Europe
Hungary’s new government is aiming to overhaul the governance model of the institutions and universities that lost access to Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ funds “in a short timeframe,” according to Péter Horváth, the new state secretary for science policy and innovation. “As of today, the two non-university foundation-controlled institutions under my remit have been transformed,” he told Science|Business. “We hope the universities will follow and that this will be enough to satisfy the EU’s demands.”Under the previous government, led by Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, many academic and scientific institutions were restructured and made into special public trust foundations, with members strongly linked to the government given lifelong mandates and significant decision-making powers with little oversight. The European Commission deemed that this undermined academic freedom and transparency in the country, leading to a ban on 34 institutions in 2022, including 21 universities, which saw academics in Hungary lose access to Horizon Europe grants. The new Hungarian government, elected in May and led by Péter Magyar and his Tisza Party, has promised to dismantle this governance model and restore the institutions to EU programmes. As a result, the European Commission has promised to return access to the Erasmus+ education mobility programme, but so far no concrete agreement has been made on the Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation. Hungary has already made legislative changes in June to allow the institutions to be reformed and set a timeline for the implementation.The non-university foundations, which are mainly cultural centres such as the Foundation for Hungarian Culture or the Makovecz Campus Foundation, will all be dissolved by August 31 this year, a date tied to EU-set milestones that Hungary must meet to unlock frozen funds, with control transferred to relevant ministries. Meanwhile, the universities will have until 31 August 2027. For each university foundation, the government will set the dissolution date and the body to take over operations. There is no final decision on a permanent new model for the universities, according to Hungarian MEP Eszter Lakos, who is shadow rapporteur for the Horizon Europe specific programme, a separate piece of legislation detailing implementation rules for the EU’s next research programme, due to start in 2028. “The aim of the transition year is to settle this with [the universities], not to impose a model, and not to put them under state control,” she told Science|Business. “The goal is to give academic independence back to universities.”There are three models that are most likely to be implemented. One would be a return to a traditional, state-run model. Another could be a newer, more self-standing public institution. A third option would be a reformed version of the foundation models that meet EU standards. According to Lakos, the dismantling of the system put in place by the Orbán government is well underway and if all goes according to plan, Hungary could regain access to EU research money by the start of the next academic year in 2027. “I believe that the Hungarian government is doing the necessary changes so the universities could return as beneficiaries to Horizon from the next school year,” she said. In the meantime, “the universities, institutes and cultural assets carry on under proper public stewardship rather than a handful of unaccountable trustees,” said Lakos. The laws passed in June impose new safeguards: board terms are capped at four years and renewable only once, appointments are made through open competitions and sitting politicians cannot join joining these boards.It remains unclear whether a domestic science funding programme set up as a back-up scheme by the former government following the EU funding ban, called HU-rizon, could be continued. “This programme should never have had to have been established in the first place, but it has proven to be quite popular,” he said. “I am considering continuing this programme with a refined focus on helping international collaborations.”Re-organising the research network One of the first priorities for Horváth and his cabinet is to resolve questions over the future of the Hungarian Research Network, Hun-Ren. The network of academic institutes was taken away from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 2019 and turned into a quasi-private organisation, with similarities in its governance to the public trust foundations.Horváth and his team have consulted over 5,000 representatives from the network and the conclusion is broad unhappiness with the directors of all the institutes involved. “We have presented the results to the president and the chief executive of the network and this is currently being discussed,” Horváth said. The plan is to re-integrate the network back into the Academy of Sciences but in an improved way, “learning from mistakes of the past,” he added. The government also wants to reintegrate four humanities and social science research centres into the network that the previous government had transferred to Eötvös Loránd University. The transfer brought sharp criticism from the academic community, with a group of Hungarian research heads, including European Research Council grant recipients, sending an open letter to Orbán warning that the transfer would “cause historically significant harm to the entirety of Hungarian scientific life.” The transfer was “one of the biggest shames in Hungarian research in the past 20 years,” Horváth said. “We want to immediately re-integrate them back into the research network and to regain the trust of these institutions, because the way they were treated was really unfair.”Another pressing issue is the Élvonal Excellence Research and Talent Development Foundation, led by Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz. The foundation signed a financing agreement with the former government earlier this year for a budget of over €730 million over the next five years. The goal is to create a world-class centre to attract top talent from abroad and to develop local researchers. But there was little transparency about this foundation, and news of its huge budget, which is nearly as much as Hungary’s entire research budget, caused a stir in the media following the recent elections. Another issue is that, as with the foundation boards of the institutes banned from Horizon Europe, there was little-to-no oversight of decisions led by Krausz. “It was an excellent idea but an unacceptable execution,” Horváth said of the foundation. “The fact that this is out of the Hungarian funding scheme, mostly concentrating on one person who decides on the budget is unacceptable for us.”The government plans to merge the centre with the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, the country’s R&D funding agency, with a reduced budget. Horváth is hopeful that Krausz will still be involved. The new government’s R&D goalsA phrase that crops up regularly during the discussion with Horváth is “democratic process.” The new state secretary is determined to involve Hungary’s research community in shaping future policies. This marks a departure from the previous government’s approach, and several people in Hungary’s research community have commented on the openness of the new government. In terms of concrete goals, Horváth and his team already have plans. He wants to create a new science fund in Hungary, based on the best practices of other European countries. The fund would not be tied to annual government budgets and would provide long-term, stable financing. “If we were to succeed in creating this fund, then I think it would be one of the biggest achievements for me in this period of government,” Horváth said. On the innovation side, he is looking into how best to bring in the private sector. “We want to make sure that we are working with the private sector to support innovation,” Horváth said. One of his big aims is to introduce entrepreneurship teaching into high schools. Hungary already has a reputable national academy offering research and innovation training in the field of natural sciences, and Horváth wants to expand this to all disciplines and across the whole country. “One of the main ways to elevate our innovative businesses is to teach our children to be innovative,” he said. “This will probably need ten years to pay off, but this is what we should do. Our aim is to make Hungary strong in our region, and this is what is needed.” Related articlesHungary’s Horizon Europe performance in numbersCommission unlocks Erasmus+ cash for Hungary, Horizon could be next‘Academic Huxit.’ Hungarian researchers speak out on impact of EU ban A more difficult task will be funding. The new government is aiming to increase research spending to 2% of the GDP by 2030, and then increase it to 3% in line with EU objectives. Currently, spending sits around 1.3%. But according to Horváth, the current budget, inherited from the previous government, is “heavily in the negative,” so any plans to increase research spending will have to start next year. Achieving 2% by 2030 already needs a big push, almost doubling the research budget. “This is something we’d definitely like to reach, and something I can see us achieving,” he said. “From the 2030s, I’d like to see an innovative generation growing up that can help us reach the 3% target.” Positivity in the new governmentDespite the many challenges facing Horváth and his team, the mood is positive. “It feels a bit like a start-up right now. Everyone is working 24/7, day and night, trying to do as much as they can. There is a lot of energy,” he said. It is a big change for the state secretary who, like many in his cabinet, is coming from a background in research or business, and not in politics. “Six weeks ago, I was sitting with my microscope and my research PhDs, so it’s been a big change for me,” said the computer scientist, who was previously the director of the Institute of Biochemistry at the Hun-Ren Biological Research Centre in Hungary and worked at the Institute for AI for Health at Helmholtz Munich. But he is relishing the task to transform the country’s R&D landscape. “We feel enormous support from the Hungarian people, but also from Europe,” he said. “We’ve received a lot of letters of support from around Europe. There is big trust there, and huge responsibility on our side. We want to get everything back on track, and there’s a lot to do.”
Ascension to buy Tennessee hospital as part of a $1B investment deal
One of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country is set to buy Williamson Health, a Tennessee-based regional hospital and provider network. If approved by regulators, the transaction could be finalized sometime next year.
ACA premiums likely set for another double-digit rise next year
Insurers are proposing a rate hike of about 14%, driven by rising healthcare costs, inflation and the loss of enhanced tax subsidies.
Republican senators ready another attempt at banning THC next year
Texas senators examined the relationship between THC products, mental illness and homelessness during an interim hearing, with witnesses pointing to rising health care costs and increasing mental h…
Gotham FC team to move to Etihad Park
The 25,000-capacity space is set to open next year.
Business attorney and political newcomer starts mayoral campaign committee
An Evanston attorney and nonprofit leader filed paperwork last week to run for mayor in next year's special election, growing the potential field a few
Business attorney and political newcomer starts mayoral campaign committee
An Evanston attorney and nonprofit leader filed paperwork last week to run for mayor in next year's special election, growing the potential field a few
Marine Le Pen verdict live: France's far-right leader awaits appeal ruling with presidential race at stake
Marine Le Pen will learn from a Paris appeals court whether an electoral ban for illicit party financing will prevent her running in next year's presidential election.
A Long-Awaited Verdict for Marine Le Pen Could Reshape France’s Politics
A court will decide on Tuesday whether to uphold Ms. Le Pen’s embezzlement conviction. If it does, the far-right leader will probably be barred from running for the presidency next year.
With Julia Letlow’s victory, Jeff Landry flexes political muscles as he eyes reelection next year
Landry scored a big win when Letlow won the Republican nomination for Senate. What does that mean for his reelection chances next year?
Apple has reportedly suspended the development of the AirPods Ultra
Even so, they could still presumably be launched late next year. For quite a while now we’ve been hearing rumors about an upcoming pair of AirPods that...
NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a day
The "marathon a month" scheme, developed with former Olympic medallist Sir Brendan Foster, will launch early next year.
Sporting director Hughes set to leave Reds next year
Richard Hughes is overseeing Liverpool's current transfer window, but is expected to exit the club next summer.
Apple is reportedly planning new iPad Pro and MacBook Pro releases early next year
Apple is readying several new iPad Pro tablets, and a budget-friendly MacBook Pro, reports suggest.
Apple Is Reportedly Planning A Visual Refresh Of The Entry-Level MacBook Pro Next Year
Next spring could be a fiesta of new iPads, MacBooks and iPhones.
Apple Readies New iPad Pro, Redesigned Entry MacBook Pro for 2027
Apple Inc. is preparing an upgraded iPad Pro line and a redesigned entry-level MacBook Pro for next year, adding to a slate of several other major new products planned for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary year.
Business News: Breaking N3W5 - Former AP CEO Bennahmias Announces First New Watch Brand
Ex-Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henri Bennahmias unveils 'N3W5' - the first watch brand under his 'The Honourable Merchants Group' luxury startup. It won't debut until late next year.
Lakers post farewell message to LeBron James after shocking decision
The Los Angeles Lakers are no longer suitors to retain LeBron James after he informed the team he would not return next year.
Report: Apple Watch Redesign Coming Next Year With New Band System
A "major overhaul" of the Apple Watch's design is due to arrive next year with a new system for connecting bands, according to a known Weibo leaker. In a set of recent posts, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" linked the new claim to older rumors about an "Apple Watch X" model, which was said to introduce a fresh design and break compatibility with the existing watch band system.
Apple Watch to get ‘major overhaul’ next year, says leaker
Apple Watch Ultra 4 is rumored to have major design changes, and per a new leak, the ‘Series’ line could get its own big upgrades next year.
BWF unveils 2027-28 calendar; India Open moves to February next year: Indian Sports LIVE, June 30
Here are all the updates from Indian sports on June 30, 2026.
NC’s new mental health bill is heavy on studies, light on solutions
The bill makes a few changes to NC's involuntary commitment laws, but it largely punts the biggest decisions until after a stack of studies due next year.
Duke basketball's first 2027 commit has a familiar last name
The Blue Devils get another Knueppel next year.
Leaker outlines iPhone lineup for next year, with six new models coming
Apple is rumored to have more new iPhones launching in 2027 than ever before, here’s every model coming per leaker Digital Chat Station.
Commentary: Putting students before politics
After another school year, superintendents across Texas are not just packing up classrooms; we are staring down spreadsheets, trying to piece together next year’s budgets. It is a grueling annual...
Maryland health insurance rates could rise 13.7% in 2027 under proposal
BALTIMORE — Maryland residents who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace could see higher premiums next year, with insurers requesting an average rate increase of 13.7% for
Malachi Moreno: “Next year is my year”
Big expectations surrounds Kentucky’s second-year, homegrown center.
Apple's OLED 'MacBook Ultra' Will Stick With M5 Pro and M5 Max Chips
Apple's upcoming high-end MacBook model featuring an OLED touchscreen display will use the company's current M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new, top-of-the-line device will launch "between late this year and early next year," Gurman said, adopting the existing high-end Apple silicon chips rather than next-generation M6 versions.
Clippers draft pick Narcisse Ngoy announces he will play at Auburn next year in unique draft-and-stash situation
Hims' obesity drug business may get boost as employers drop coverage
Telehealth provider Hims and Hers Health may get a boost next year from employers dropping coverage of weight-loss drugs like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Foundayo to rein in costs, investors and analysts say.
Porsche Unveils 911 GT4 R as 718 Cayman Replacement
Porsche 911 Cup-based model to compete in GT4 ranks beginning next year...
Veteran District 39 Sen. Nancy King trails political newcomer Amar Mukunda in primary election
Other Democratic incumbents with challengers appear set to return to Annapolis next year
While Mainers still reeling from health insurance hikes, insurers propose more
Kennebunkport resident Kristin Fuhrmann-Simmons saw her family’s health insurance costs increase ten-fold after Congress last year failed to extend pandemic-era tax credits for plans purchased on the marketplace. Next year, she’s facing another potential 20% increase, this time due to a proposed hike by her insurance provider. “I didn’t know that the cost of care […]
Minnesota health insurers proposing double-digit rate hikes for 2027
Health insurers are proposing double-digit rate increases next year for individual plans sold on MNsure, the state’s health insurance marketplace for those who don’t get health insurance
Kansas state employees to see 15% spike in health insurance if they stay with Blue Cross Blue Shield
Kansas state employees choosing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas insurance next year will see rates rise by 15%.
Wisconsin’s Medicaid work requirements: Here’s what to know
An estimated 63,000 Wisconsinites could lose BadgerCare Plus as the state prepares to implement new federal Medicaid expansion work requirements next year.
The feds promised Minnesota’s rural hospitals grant money to ease massive Medicaid cuts. Hospitals are still waiting.
Rural health care providers in Minnesota and across the country are bracing for heavy Medicaid funding cuts next year.
Apple to Release These 20 New Products Across Rest of 2026 and 2027
Apple's annual WWDC developers conference is in the rearview mirror, but there is still a lot to look forward to over the next year and beyond. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman listed around 20 products that he expects Apple to release across the remainder of 2026 and 2027.
Senate’s likely next No. 2 warns Trump if Democrats take the majority: ‘It’s going to be a fight’ on key values
Sen. Brian Schatz, who many believe will take over the second most powerful role in the Democratic caucus next year, has a warning for President Donald Trump: He could be dealing with a very different Washington if Democrats achieve the electoral gains they’re hoping for this fall.
As EA appear to renew the trademark for Ultima, its creator lies in wait to reclaim the game's copyright next year
"And so, I have been waiting… finally, the time has come!"
Are You Prepared To Wait Until 2027 For A Steam Controller?
In an update, Valve says it may not ship some Steam Controller orders until next year.
One of New Orleans’ highest-profile business leaders will move to new role next year
Hecht started as a salesman for the city and grew to lead some of the region's most pivotal projects.
Playing politics with water access in Anne Arundel? Behind the vote to delay two projects.
Two projects for public water access in Anne Arundel were quickly amended out of next year’s budget. Advocates described feeling blindsided, and some officials decried the move as potentially motivated by politics.
iPhone Air 2 coming next year with two key upgrades: report
Apple is aiming to launch an iPhone Air 2 in the spring of 2027, Bloomberg reports today. The iPhone Air...
You won't be able to buy iPhone 19 as Apple reportedly plans jump to iPhone 20 next year
To celebrate 20 years of iPhone, Apple plans a radical design change for 2027.
Far-right general upends Italian politics
Ahead of next year’s election, Meloni has to decide whether to embrace firebrand ex-paratrooper Roberto Vannacci.
Mood darkens among German auto suppliers as investment, hiring fall, survey shows
German automotive suppliers expecting business conditions to worsen over the next year now outnumber the industry's optimists, a survey showed on Wednesday, as domestic hiring sinks to a new low and investment in the sector moves overseas.
The Apple iPhone Fold/Ultra may have been delayed to next year
Originally, it was expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pros this September. With the higher than usual amount of leaks about the iPhone...
Rhode Island health insurers request double-digit premium hikes for 2027
Some Rhode Islanders could pay significantly more for health insurance next year.
Samsung Galaxy S27 and Xiaomi 18 spotted: Major Leica camera lineup changes expected
Months before launch, early traces of two of next year's likely most important camera flagship rivals have appeared in databases. Model numbers have been discovered for both the Samsung Galaxy S27 and an initial Xiaomi 18 model, with major changes to the lineup becoming apparent for the latter in particular.
Galaxy S27 Ultra Could Finally Address Endless Customer Complaints Of Older Flagships As Samsung Plans Three Upgrades Next Year
The Galaxy S27 Ultra may finally rectify the mistakes of older flagships as Samsung is rumored to introduce three upgrades in 2027
What can you expect at Neshoba County Fair political speaking?
Mississippi's preeminent political speaking event returns to Philadelphia in June, bringing candidates for the state's highest offices next year.
Changes to the NC State Health Plan will make retirees pay more. Here’s what it means for you
Retirees on the state’s Medicare Advantage plans will pay more for hospital stays, specialist visits and some drugs next year.
Private health insurance rates may rise in California as lawmakers move forward with tax proposal
Private health insurance rates in California may rise next year as state lawmakers and the governor move forward with a plan to increase what's known as the state's managed care organization tax.
What Genres and Streamers Won 2025? And Who Lost? Plus Six Strategy Thoughts
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) Okay, time for the tenth and final article in my ten-part series recapping 2025. As I wrote two articles ago, my barometer for whether these articles are worth writing/publishing is whether they yield strategic insights, and once again, every subsection in this article has a strategic takeaway (or two). Honestly, these are the most important takeaways, since I step back and look holistically at the streaming wars in 2025. After I declare which streamers won and lost the year and which genres won and lost the year, I have six bonus thoughts. If you’d like to review the whole series... You can find the film flops here and here. You can find the TV shows flops here and here. You can find the top films here. You can find the top TV shows here, here and here. Then I declared my winners and losers in various categories here. You can find my 2024 recaps here. You can find the 2023 recaps here and here. And my 2022, 2021 and 2020 are all stored here. Yeah, it’s halfway through the year, and I’m just finishing this series up now. This year, I tried to space things out to not clog up my writing calendar, plus I had to wait for Fallout to (finally) drop off the charts. Well, that ended up pushing this series wayyyyy too far back on the calendar. Oh well. Next year, the goal will be to finish this series in March, but frankly, I just need more staff to make that happen. So please subscribe. Or, if you’re an advertiser (movie studio, FYC firm, or other), please reach out. Subscribe Streamer of the Year: Netflix Honorable Mention: Paramount (and CBS) So, just last week, I wrote about how Netflix has lost seven of its top twelve scripted shows in the last year. And I shared two very dour looks at Netflix’s potential slowdown this year and last. Guess what? They’re still the number one streamer in America. In 2025, they dominated new streaming shows (even if most of those new hit shows aren’t coming back for future seasons), they had the two biggest films, and they had the top returning TV show by a mile. The world is complicated, nuanced and messy. There may be warning signs of a future Netflix slowdown, but in 2025, Netflix was still the number one streamer. Note what I didn’t say? That Netflix has “won” the streaming wars, because obviously the streaming wars are still ongoing and, more importantly, YouTube is still growing—so now YouTube has “won” the streaming wars?—while Netflix’s share of TV consumption has stalled out. Avoid simplistic talking points, especially if they’re constantly repeated and could fit on a bumper sticker. I had trouble picking the second-place streamer this year, because all of the candidates for second place—Prime Video, HBO Max, and Paramount+—had some hits, but no one stood out. Then I saw this update from Nielsen on the top shows on TV in the 2025-206 season. Sure enough, Netflix had five of the top ten shows! And they had ten of the top 31 shows and fifteen of the top fifty. But CBS/Paramount+ actually had more shows in the top thirty and the top fifty. Paramount+/CBS had twelve of the top thirty shows and nineteen of the top fifty. Let me emphasize that: CBS/Paramount+ had more top shows in the 2025-2026 season than Netflix. And this look was just for TV shows, not live sports, an arena Netflix barely plays in. Meanwhile, Paramount-Skydance’s market cap is a fraction of Netflix’s. That’s weird, right? Streaming Loser of the Year, TV… We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… ...what streamer lost the year in TV... …whether Netflix could win the title for “film” streamer too… …who won the Disney vs Warner Bros. battle for theaters… ...what TV genres won and lost the year... ...what film genres won and lost the year... ...what film genre people think is thriving on streaming but isn’t… …why F-BOSSS TV shows don’t hold the same sway in the 2020s… …what it means to “flop” as a film on streaming… …UK shows underperforming on streaming… And a lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you’d like to read more about why you should subscribe, please read this article about the Streaming Ratings Report, why it matters, why you need it, and why we cover streaming ratings best.
Changes to come for high school sports next year
FHSAA Board of Directors approve new Open Division championship classification for 11 sports.
Republicans who pushed Epstein files release see political careers upended by Trump
Only one of the four House Republicans behind the Epstein files law will return to Congress next year. “Everybody’s paying a price for it,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said.
Health plans say AI is pushing healthcare costs higher
Nearly 70% of surveyed health plans said providers’ use of AI documentation and coding tools was a top three trend inflating commercial healthcare costs next year, according to a new report from PwC.
Social Security is Facing a Political Crisis
On Tuesday the Social Security Trustees released their latest report on the system’s finances. The numbers didn’t change much: Unless something is done, the Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program, Social Security’s official name, will be unable to pay full benefits starting in either 2032 or 2034, depending on some technical issues. That’s not far away: If the Trustees are right, the prospect of a Social Security crisis will loom over the next presidential administration. It’s important to understand, however, the nature of the looming crisis. It won’t be an economic crisis. It won’t even be a serious fiscal crisis. Whatever you may have heard, Social Security isn’t in danger of going bankrupt. What we’re facing, instead, is potential political crisis. Congress and the White House could easily take action to sustain America’s retirement system. But given the current state of our politics, there’s no guarantee that they will. There is a widespread misunderstanding of how Social Security works. While Social Security was designed to look like a pension fund, it isn’t. A pension fund pays benefits out of a stock of assets it has accumulated over time. In contrast, Social Security operates as a government transfer program, like food stamps or Medicaid. Now, unlike food stamps — but like the highway trust fund — Social Security is on paper supported by a dedicated tax, the payroll tax, that is assigned to that program. But I say “on paper” because from an economic point of view assigning the payroll tax to Social Security is just an accounting convention. What matters for the U.S. economy is the overall balance between government spending and government revenue, not the difference between one type of spending and one source of revenue. So there’s no inherent economic significance to the fact that by 2034 payroll tax receipts will be insufficient to cover promised benefits. There is, however, a legislative issue. As long as the Social Security Administration can pay benefits out of payroll taxes and its cash reserve, there’s no need for Congress to vote each year to authorize benefits — they just keep going out until further notice. However, once those resources become insufficient, benefits will fall —by 17 percent according to the Trustees — unless Congress passes new legislation that “tops up” Social Security’s finances. Yet the current administration and Republican party are such extremists that there is a real risk that Social Security will be held hostage on behalf of their goals. If this should come to pass, the hostage-takers will claim that shoring up Social Security is unaffordable. Right on cue, Mike Johnson, the Trump-sycophant Speaker of the House, declared on Monday that “entitlement programs” like Social Security “have to be adjusted and fixed,” and that Republicans will introduce a plan to that effect next year. But this is a ploy, because while the cost of maintaining Social Security benefits at their promised level isn’t trivial, it is in fact affordable. According to the Trustees’ report, the actuarial balance of OASDI up through 2050 — the amount of additional funds it would need to keep paying full benefits for the next 25 years — is 1.06 percent of GDP. To put that number in perspective, the Trump administration proposes increasing military spending next year by $420 billion, equivalent to about 1.4 percent of GDP – without any discussion of whether that’s affordable Yet how did we get to the point where Social Security will need to be topped up? The main answer is that we have an aging population, with a growing ratio of retirees collecting benefits to workers paying into the system: Trump’s anti-immigration policies are making this problem worse. According to the Trustees’ report, lower immigration will deepen Social Security’s financial hole because many immigrants are working-age adults who will pay into the system for decades before they collect benefits. In fact, this problem may be much bigger than the report acknowledges: The report’s baseline assumption is that we’ll have net immigration of almost 1.2 million people a year, and even the pessimistic case assumes 750,000 a year. Meanwhile actual net immigration has already been cut far below that — and may now be negative. Moreover, Social Security is being financially damaged by growing income inequality in America. Payroll taxes are levied only on wages up to $184,500, and they don’t touch capital income. With the distribution of income increasingly shifting from labor to capital, as well as becoming more unequal among wage-earners, revenue from the Social Security payroll tax has been falling as a share of national income. From 1990 to 2024, it fell from 5.02 percent of gross domestic income to 4.46 percent. Which brings me to the question that, these days, we ask about everything: How might Social Security be affected by the advent of AI? A short answer: If, as many of us fear, AI accelerates rising income inequality, it will further reduce the payroll tax receipts that currently pay for Social Security and further endanger its finances. On the other hand, if AI, as its advocates promise, leads to faster economic growth, it will increase the potential tax base that could and should be used to support Social Security and other social insurance programs. But to take advantage of that larger base, we’ll have to get serious about taxing wealth and capital income. Is Social Security in trouble? Yes, but only because of the way its financing is currently structured — a structure that no longer works well because our society and economy have become so unequal. Moreover, Trump’s immigration policies are further endangering its already deteriorating financial condition. So don’t believe Republicans’ gaslighting that it will be necessary to cut Social Security benefits. All that is necessary to preserve Social Security is political will to raise taxes on the wealthy and a sensible immigration policy. MUSICAL CODA Actually 67 under current law.
This Is The First Time I've Felt Like The New Fable Is A Real Game
Our first 30-minute gameplay clip has convinced me it might actually release early next year
Health insurance for many Oregonians could get a lot more expensive next year
Health insurers are seeking double-digit rate hikes for Oregonians who buy their own coverage and workers at small businesses.
More than 40,000 Coloradans will need a new health insurance carrier next year. Here’s who is affected.
Cigna is withdrawing from the individual health insurance market nationwide starting in 2027, impacting more than 40,000 Coloradans.
Clockwork Revolution: Burlesque, Bullets, and Butterfly Effects
On behalf of the team at inXile entertainment, I’m thrilled to share more of Clockwork Revolution — our time-bending first-person action RPG set in the steampunk city of Avalon, with a cast of unforgettable characters, and a world that reacts deeply to every choice you make. We’re hard at work on the game and can’t wait for you to play it next year.
Tons of new Final Fantasy 7 Revelation details
A truckload of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation details have come in following this week’s announcement. After two entries in the Final Fantasy 7 remake series, Square Enix will finally end the trilogy next year. Denfaminico Gamer caught up with Naoki Hamaguchi after the reveal at Summer Game Fest and managed to get a bunch of new information. Hamaguchi touched on...
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation: 22 New Screenshots Showcasing Its World, Combat, And More
It’s hard to believe, but after almost a decade, the Unknown Journey will conclude in Final Fantasy Revelation next year. Officially shown off at Summer Game Fest Live this week, Revelation is shaping up to be an exciting conclusion to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake saga, as well as a good-looking game on top of...
CPS board to consider budget approval, safety, smoothies and Health Science High
The gap in the proposed budget for next year would be made up by drawing roughly $11.7 million from reserves.
CPS board: budget approval, safety, smoothies and Health Science High
The gap in the proposed budget for next year would be made up by drawing roughly $11.7 million from reserves.
The Wolf Among Us 2 finally arrives next year, a decade after it was announced, but a remaster of the acclaimed original is coming first
It's been a long time coming but The Wolf Among Us 2 is finally launching next year, ending a tumultuous decade of development.
NC State Health Plan board approves Medicare Advantage plan benefit changes despite retiree concerns
Retirees on the state's Medicare Advantage will face higher out-of-pocket maximums next year, as well as higher copays for many medical services.
Tifa Lockhart, Bosch, Yasmine and Arjun announced for Street Fighter 6 Season 4
Street Fighter 6 is currently celebrating its third anniversary this week, and we now can see what the future of the game is going to hold for the next year.During the Summer Game Fest 2026 showcase today, Capcom announced ...
Here's how you can win tickets to the “Heated Rivalry” season 2 premiere
The show is giving away two tickets to the big event next year.
NC State Health Plan to propose benefit structure aimed at shifting care to 'preferred providers'
The new structure is necessary, plan administrators say, because costs are continue to outpace premiums. Those premiums are likely to increase next year.
Alice in Wonderland-inspired restaurant and entertainment venue opening at Atlanta’s The CTR
The Looking Glass, an Alice in Wonderland-inspired restaurant and entertainment venue will open in The CTR in downtown Atlanta next year.
New York Democrats eye single redistricting amendment
Initial plans to pass multiple amendments to provide state lawmakers with flexibility to account for changing circumstances when it comes time for second passage next year had been scrapped in favor of a single proposal.
iOS 28 Will Reportedly Be 'Far More Significant' Than iOS 27
While we are still a week away from Apple unveiling iOS 27, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has just shared the first rumor regarding iOS 28. In his Power On newsletter today, he said that iOS 28 will be "far more significant" than iOS 27, but he did not provide any specific details. "Next year's '28' releases are already shaping up to be far more significant than the '27' updates," wrote Gurman, without elaborating.
Apple Is Officially Coming for Meta’s Privacy-Invading Lunch With Its Own Smart Glasses in Late 2027
Look forward to the tech giant's long-rumored wearables to be recording you without your knowledge or consent some time later next year.
Healthcare providers brace for Medicaid cuts. Are layoffs in rural NC next?
More than 250,000 North Carolinians could be kicked off Medicaid next year. The cuts have the potential to devastate local economies, particularly in rural areas, if hospitals and health clinics respond by conducting layoffs or shutting down entirely.
Greece’s Splintering Politics Raises Specter of Messy Election
New parties are adding to the mix as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis grapples with a cost-of-living crisis ahead of a key vote due next year.
Sony takes final bow as stand-alone TV maker
Sony unveiled two high-end TVs, which are likely to be its last premium sets before its home theater business merges with TCL Electronics Holdings next year.
Xbox Delays Fable Into Next Year
Allegedly to plan game launches "in a way that works best for players"
APS brings back Kaiser, Cigna for health insurance next year after 2023 ‘debacle’
Three years after dropping Kaiser Permanente and Cigna as health-insurance providers, Arlington Public Schools is bringing them back. Superintendent Francisco Durán said at the May 28 School Board meeting that the two firms had been selected to provide health-insurance coverage for a three-year period beginning at the start of 2027. They will replace CareFirst BlueCross
Washington health insurance rates could rise 22.4% on average in 2027
Health insurance rates could increase next year for hundreds of thousands of Washington residents who buy coverage on the individual market.
Nick Howland to be next Jacksonville City Council President, with Joe Carlucci to be next VP
Both winners said they wanted unity and collaboration through the next year.
Former Greek anti-austerity leader Alexis Tsipras steps back into politics
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Alexis Tsipras, the combative Greek anti‑austerity leader who railed against Brussels during the country's debt crisis, returned to politics Tuesday ahead of elections next year.
Former Greek anti-austerity leader Alexis Tsipras steps back into politics
Alexis Tsipras, the combative anti‑austerity leader who railed against Brussels during Greece’s debt crisis, has returned to politics ahead of elections next year. The former prime minister...
Former Greek anti-austerity leader Alexis Tsipras steps back into politics
Alexis Tsipras, the combative anti‑austerity leader who railed against Brussels during Greece’s debt crisis, has returned to politics ahead of elections next year