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Lead: Why Uncertainty Matters More Than EverIn a world where answers are a click away, Simone Stolzoff finds that intolerance for uncertainty fuels anxiety, indecision, and even political polarisation. His new book How to Not Know argues that learning to sit with the unknown is a skill we can cultivate, not a flaw to fix. Stolzoff’s Personal Cross‑Roads and the Birth of a BookWhile working as a journalist in New York, Stolzoff was offered a design role in San Francisco, forcing him to choose between two attractive career paths.The decision triggered an "existential loop" that highlighted his own intolerance for uncertainty.Choosing the design job sparked a multi‑year exploration of uncertainty, culminating in the book How to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World That Demands Answers. Rising Global Uncertainty Metrics and Their Psychological TollStanford economist Nicholas Bloom notes that the five highest global‑uncertainty readings have occurred in the past five years, a trend coinciding with the proliferation of smartphones and instant information. Research cited in the interview links this decline in tolerance to:Constant exposure to real‑time news feeds.An expectation that answers should be immediately available.Increased anxiety and a tendency to catastrophise. Impact: From Personal Angst to Societal PolarisationThe interview connects personal uncertainty intolerance to larger social issues:Political polarisation: Quick judgments based on incomplete information reinforce echo chambers.Mental‑health burden: Chronic worry about unknown outcomes drives anxiety and depressive symptoms.Decision paralysis: Over‑analysis of everyday choices (e.g., streaming content) reduces satisfaction. Future Outlook: Building a More Resilient Relationship with the UnknownStolzoff proposes three practical pathways:Exposure: Deliberately engage with ambiguous situations to desensitise the fight‑or‑flight response.Embodied regulation: Use breathing, movement, or mindfulness to shift from a reactive brain to an analytical one.Values‑aligned action: Make decisions that reflect personal values rather than seeking perfect certainty. By treating uncertainty as a source of possibility rather than threat, individuals can improve mental health, enhance creativity, and contribute to a more nuanced public discourse.

The Global Health Emergency DeclarationThe World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda a "public health emergency of international concern" after the virus killed nearly 90 people.The outbreak, originating in eastern DRC's Ituri province, involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The variant has no approved vaccine or treatment, making containment particularly challenging.Health authorities said the outbreak poses a high regional risk because infections have already been detected in Uganda and cases linked to the outbreak have reached Congo's capital, Kinshasa.The WHO, however, stopped short of declaring a pandemic, saying it did not meet the necessary criteria. The United Nations agency advised countries against closing borders or restricting trade.Outbreak Origins and Current SituationThe outbreak was first reported in Ituri province in the northeastern DRC on Friday near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan, according to Africa's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). As of Saturday, the centre had reported 88 deaths and 336 suspected cases.The outbreak began in Mongwalu, a busy mining area. Infected people later travelled out of the area, sought treatment in other places and spread the disease. Africa CDC warned that population movements, weak healthcare infrastructure and violence by armed groups in Ituri could complicate containment efforts.The outbreak's patient zero was a nurse who arrived at a health facility in Ituri's capital, Bunia, on April 24, showing Ebola-like symptoms, DRC Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said.Meanwhile, Uganda has recorded two laboratory-confirmed cases linked to travellers arriving from the DRC, including one death in the capital, Kampala."The number of cases and deaths we are seeing in such a short timeframe, combined with the spread across several health zones and now across the border, is extremely concerning," warned Trish Newport with the medical aid organisation Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French acronym MSF."In Ituri, many people already struggle to access healthcare and live with ongoing insecurity, making rapid action critical to prevent the outbreak from escalating further," she added.Understanding the Ebola VirusEbola is a severe and often fatal viral disease first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the DRC. The virus is believed to originate in wild animals, particularly bats, before spreading to humans.The disease spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, semen or other contaminated materials, including bedding and clothing. People become contagious once symptoms appear.Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, intense weakness, muscle pain and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. The incubation period can last two to 21 days.The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, first identified in Uganda in 2007.It has a "very high lethality rate, which can reach 50 percent", Kamba said on Saturday. "The Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine, no specific treatment," he added.Implications of the WHO Emergency DeclarationThe WHO's declaration of a "public health emergency of international concern" is the organisation's second-highest alert level under international health regulations.The agency stressed that the outbreak does not currently meet the threshold for a pandemic emergency, the highest level introduced after COVID-19. However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said neighbouring countries were "considered at high risk for further spread due to population mobility, trade and travel linkages, and ongoing epidemiological uncertainty".The organisation urged neighbouring countries to activate emergency-management systems, strengthen cross-border screening and isolate confirmed cases immediately. The WHO also recommended daily monitoring of contacts and recommended that exposed individuals avoid international travel for 21 days.At the same time, the WHO cautioned against border closures, saying restrictions could encourage unmonitored informal crossings and undermine containment efforts."There are significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event at the present time," the WHO said. "In addition, there is limited understanding of the epidemiological links with known or suspected cases."Historical Context of Ebola OutbreaksThe DRC has experienced at least 17 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first discovered there in 1976, making it one of the countries most affected by the disease.The deadliest Ebola outbreak in the DRC occurred from 2018 to 2020 and killed nearly 2,300 people. Some cases were also reported in Uganda. Another outbreak last year killed at least 34 people before it was declared over in December.Ebola has killed about 15,000 people since it was discovered, almost all in Africa.Regional Challenges and Response DifficultiesA conflict involving several rebel groups is likely to pose a significant challenge to the response to the virus, including in Ituri province."The ongoing insecurity, humanitarian crisis, high population mobility, the urban or semiurban nature of the current hotspot and the large network of informal healthcare facilities further compound the risk of spread, as was witnessed during the large Ebola virus disease epidemic in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in 2018-19," the WHO warned.This month, an attack by rebels killed at least 69 people in the northeastern province, security officials said.The mineral-rich region faces ongoing attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group formed by former Ugandan rebels that has pledged allegiance to ISIL (ISIS), and the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement, better known as M23.For more than three decades, the eastern DRC, known for its vast mineral wealth, has been plagued by conflict as numerous armed factions compete to dominate its mining areas.

Rising Wealth Gap Among AI InsidersMenlo Ventures partner Deedy Das described San Francisco as "pretty frenetic" and highlighted the worst‑ever divide in outcomes within the AI sector. A back‑of‑the‑envelope calculation suggests a small elite is pulling ahead while most engineers confront stagnant wages and layoffs.Back‑of‑the‑Envelope Calculation Reveals 10,000 AI Insiders with $20M+ Net Worth~10,000 founders and employees at OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia and similar firmsEach has "retirement wealth" exceeding $20 millionAll other workers typically earn under $500 k over a lifetimeFinancial Snapshot: $20M+ Retirement Wealth vs. Sub‑$500k CareersThe calculation underscores a concentration of wealth:10,000 high‑net‑worth individualsAverage retirement portfolio > $20 millionMajority of AI talent earning $100‑$300 k annually, unlikely to reach similar wealthIndustry Ripple Effects: Layoffs, Skill Obsolescence, and Workforce MalaiseOngoing layoffs across tech firmsSoftware engineers report that their core skill set feels “no longer useful”Growing “deep malaise about work and its future” among non‑elite staffSocial media backlash, e.g., entrepreneur Deva Hazarika calling the elite “incredibly fortunate”Future Outlook: Consolidation, Talent Shifts, and Potential Policy ResponsesAnalysts anticipate several possible trajectories:Further consolidation of AI talent within a handful of high‑valued firmsIncreased migration of engineers to adjacent fields (e.g., biotech, fintech) seeking relevancePotential regulatory scrutiny on compensation disparities and workforce practicesEmergence of new venture models aimed at democratizing AI equity

Sudan's national army announced on May 16, 2026 that it has seized the town of Khor Hassan in southeastern Blue Nile state from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking a pivotal gain near the Ethiopian border.Khor Hassan Captured: Tactical Shift in the Blue Nile FrontlineThe army’s statement said the town, previously held by the RSF with support from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement‑North (SPLM‑N), was taken after heavy fighting. The seizure is part of a broader strategy to retake the nearby garrison town of Kurmuk, a crucial corridor for cross‑border trade and access to the Al‑Roseires Dam.Location: southeastern Blue Nile state, bordering Ethiopia.Previous holder: RSF with SPLM‑N backing (since March).Strategic goal: open a route toward central Sudan and weaken RSF supply lines.Human Toll and Displacement Figures Highlight War's EscalationThe conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has already caused massive humanitarian loss:Deaths: > 150,000 people.Displaced: > 12 million individuals.Blue Nile’s resources: significant gold deposits and the Al‑Roseires Dam.Both the Sudanese government and the RSF have accused neighboring Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates of backing the RSF, claims that the accused states deny.Strategic Implications for the Sudan‑Ethiopia Border and Regional Power BalanceControl of Khor Hassan gives the army a foothold on a gateway that can facilitate advances into central Sudan. It also threatens the RSF’s logistical lifeline that runs through the border area, potentially limiting their ability to resupply from Ethiopia.Border dynamics: heightened tension with Ethiopia over alleged support for RSF.Economic impact: disruption of cross‑border trade routes and access to hydro‑electric infrastructure.Security outlook: increased risk of spill‑over clashes along the frontier.What the Recapture Means for Future Military Campaigns and Peace EffortsAnalysts expect the army to press forward toward Kurmuk, aiming to secure the entire border corridor. However, the intensified fighting could complicate ongoing diplomatic initiatives, as regional actors grapple with accusations of interference.Short‑term: likely escalation of battles in Blue Nile and surrounding border towns.Mid‑term: potential leverage for the army in any negotiated settlement.Long‑term: the outcome may reshape power relations between Sudan’s central authorities, the RSF, and neighboring states.

The LeadIsraeli forces killed a Palestinian man in a targeted attack on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, as the army conducted raids across multiple Palestinian areas amid rising settler violence. The incident occurred as UN officials condemned attacks against religious sites and civilian property in the region.Jenin Camp Shooting and Military OperationsThe Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the victim as 34-year-old Nour al-Din Kamal Hassan Fayyad, stating he was "killed by occupation forces' fire in the Jenin camp." The Israeli military claimed troops fired after he attempted to "infiltrate" the camp area where "soldiers are operating, and the entry is prohibited."Since January last year, Israel has launched major military operations in Palestinian refugee camps in the northern occupied territory. According to UNRWA, these operations targeting Jenin and Tulkarem camps have displaced 40,000 Palestinians.Escalating Violence Across West BankSeparately, Israeli soldiers arrested a young Palestinian man after assaulting him in the Shu'fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem, and another from the village of Zawata, west of Nablus. Another Palestinian was assaulted by Israeli settlers in the town of Sinjil.Israeli forces also stormed the cities of Tubas and Qalqilya, and the towns of Tammun and Zaatara, east of Bethlehem, and raided the village of Deir Jarir, east of Ramallah. Israeli settlers set fire to an agricultural room and wrote racist slogans in the town of Turmus Aya.International Condemnation and ResponseA senior UN official condemned an arson attack against a mosque and several vehicles in a Palestinian village. Ramiz Alakbarov, the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, stated that masked individuals set fire to the site in the village of Jibiya and drew Hebrew graffiti."Attacks against religious sites and civilian property are unacceptable and undermine stability, human dignity, and freedom of worship," Alakbarov said, adding that these attacks come against a backdrop of rising settler violence and intensifying attacks in the occupied West Bank.Future Outlook and Potential EscalationAs tensions continue to mount in the occupied West Bank, international calls for accountability and de-escalation are growing. The UN has urged immediate and transparent investigations into all incidents of violence, with Alakbarov specifically stating, "These attacks must stop." The ongoing cycle of military operations, settler violence, and retaliatory actions threatens to further destabilize an already volatile region.

The Bangkok Train-Bus CollisionA tragic accident occurred in Thailand's capital when a train crashed into a public bus, resulting in significant casualties. The incident took place near an airport rail link station in central Bangkok on Saturday afternoon, according to Thai media reports.Casualties and Emergency ResponseThe collision has left at least eight people dead and twenty-five others injured. Emergency services, including firefighters and rescue crews, were quickly dispatched to the scene. Their primary tasks included rescuing trapped individuals from the wreckage and extinguishing flames that engulfed the bus and nearby vehicles.Ongoing InvestigationAuthorities are expected to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. Details about the cause of the accident, including potential factors such as signal failures, human error, or mechanical issues, are still emerging as rescue operations continue.

The Author's JourneyDoireann Ní Ghríofa, author of A Ghost in the Throat, has written a new book, Said the Dead, which delves into the history of a mental institution in Ireland. In an interview, she discusses her personal journey of recovering from depression and how it influenced her writing.Writing from ExperienceNí Ghríofa grew up in County Clare and moved to Cork for university, where she experienced severe depression and attempted to drown herself in the river on two occasions. She reflects on how her experiences have shaped her writing, particularly in her latest book.Exploring Mental Health HistoryThe book, Said the Dead, is a result of Ní Ghríofa's research into the history of a mental institution in Ireland, where she discovered the records of male and female inpatients. She shares her findings and insights into the lives of these individuals, highlighting the challenges they faced and the care they received.A Personal ConnectionNí Ghríofa's connection to the material is personal, as she reflects on her own experiences with depression and how it relates to the stories of the women she encountered in the records. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in approaching these stories.The Power of WritingThrough her writing, Ní Ghríofa aims to explore and understand the complexities of mental health and the experiences of those who have lived through it. Her book is a testament to the power of writing as a tool for healing and self-discovery.

A Global Celebration of Visual Storytelling For the 15th installment of the annual Photoville festival, which sees more than 90 exhibits of photographic portfolios from all around the world, festival co-founder Sam Barzilay is thinking about apples – specifically the bizarre and at times cosmic-looking ones in the exhibit Old Apples. "I was so delighted it got selected," he enthusiastically shared. "It's the most whimsical thing we have, it's about apples and how there are no two apples in nature that are the same." Diverse Exhibitions Reflect Contemporary Society With exhibitions celebrating everything from cumbia music to the many ways people play soccer globally and even a fox sanctuary, Photoville may be more whimsical than ever, but the show also delivers a satisfying range of the hard-hitting reportage and documentation that have made prior years so vital. Collections this year run the gamut from turbocharged wildfires in the western US to how racial inequalities affect water access to the ways in which ICE has brought chaos to many American communities. Amplifying Marginalized Voices Through Photography In light of efforts by the Trump administration to erase the reality of trans people, Photoville offers two exhibits that attest to the enduring nature of trans lives. Special Girls, which draws from the mammoth archive of photographer Remsen Wolff, shows off 1990s-era photos of trans women, as well as gender nonconforming individuals such as crossdressers and drag queens. "The world has changed dramatically from then to today," said Barzilay, "this is a celebration of the fact that this is not a new idea." Documenting Human Resilience in Challenging Circumstances Lexi Parra's portfolio of work The Avillas documents what happens after the titular family's matriarch self-deports amid terrifying threats directed toward immigrants in the United States by the Trump administration. The photos make for an extremely difficult reminder of what happens when a beloved member of a family is torn away from it. "It's looking at their lives today as they try to figure out what to do next," said Barzilay. The extremely moving collection Puppies Behind Bars is the fruit of the nearly two years that photographers Ashley Gilbertson and Ava Pellor spent in the men's maximum security Green Haven, documenting the titular program wherein those incarcerated raise puppies to become service dogs. "The dogs humanize an environment that's devoid of all humanity," said Gilbertson. "It gives men who have committed grave crimes against society a chance to do something, it gives men a chance to show weakness and vulnerability to be emotionally open and playful, it gives them a sense of responsibility." Cultural Preservation Through Visual Documentation The Women's Grass by Blackfeet Nation photographer Whitney Snow documents that intricate web of cultural knowledge and practice that has grown around sweetgrass. Long used by the Blackfeet in both religious ceremonies and as medicine, the plant is the province of the tribe's women, who have passed down knowledge of sweetgrass from generation to generation. "Women are held to a very high regard in our society," Snow said. "To have plant knowledge like that is considered very prestigious." The Future of Documentary Photography Festivals As Photoville continues to grow in its 15th year, it represents a vital platform for photographers addressing pressing social issues while also celebrating the beauty and diversity of human experience. The festival's ability to balance whimsical, light-hearted exhibitions with profound social commentary demonstrates the power of photography to both comfort and challenge viewers. In an increasingly polarized world, events like Photoville provide spaces where diverse perspectives can be shared and understood, suggesting that documentary photography festivals will continue to play an essential role in fostering empathy and understanding in the years to come.

The Lead Crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne has made a dramatic entry into the UK's rich list at No. 6, debuting with an estimated fortune of £18.17bn. His appearance on the list comes amid controversy over his £5m donation to Nigel Farage, which has sparked a parliamentary standards investigation. The Crypto Tycoon's Political Donation Harborne, who made his wealth in cryptocurrency, became a political figure when he gifted Nigel Farage £5m weeks before the Reform leader announced his candidacy in the 2024 general election. The donation has been at the center of a political storm, with Farage initially claiming it was intended to cover personal security costs and therefore didn't need to be declared. However, after it emerged that Farage purchased a £1.4m property in cash shortly after receiving the gift, he changed his explanation, calling it a "reward" for campaigning for Brexit for 27 years. The Wealth Rankings and New Entries The Sunday Times Rich List, which ranks the 350 wealthiest UK residents and Britons abroad, has seen several notable first-time entries this year. Alongside Harborne, David and Victoria Beckham have joined Britain's billionaire club, making David the country's first billionaire sportsperson with their combined wealth estimated at £1.18bn. Other newcomers include Labour donor Gary Lubner (£1.3bn), the Gallagher brothers (£375m), and Emily Eavis, daughter of Glastonbury festival founder Michael Eavis. The Top Wealthiest in the UK The Hinduja family topped the list again this year with an estimated fortune of £38bn through their Indian conglomerate Hinduja Group. The combined wealth of the UK's 350 wealthiest individuals and families rose by 1.4% in the last year to £784bn, with Britain's total of billionaires growing by just one to 157 after falling for three consecutive years. The Changing Landscape of UK Wealth Robert Watts, the compiler of the rich list, noted significant changes in recent years. "This year's rich list is a tale of two exoduses," he said. "One in six of the individuals and families who appeared on the list two years ago don't feature this time." Many foreign billionaires have moved away from the UK, while there has been a sharp rise in the number of British nationals now resident in Dubai, Switzerland and Monaco. The Future of UK's Wealth Elite As the UK's wealth landscape continues to evolve, the rich list reflects both the concentration of wealth and the changing nature of fortune creation. While traditional industrial and property fortunes remain prominent, new wealth from cryptocurrency, entertainment, and sports is increasingly represented. The political implications of wealth concentration and the transparency of political donations are likely to remain key issues as the 2024 general election approaches.