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Researchers: Food systems must be overhauled, but obstacles are many

Scott E. Rupp Food & Beverage

Agriculture and food policies must be more than just the supply of food, and decision-makers in the industry must "make a paradigm shift to align policies about climate, agriculture and food with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." So says a group of international researchers who have penned a new review article in the journal Agronomy for Sustainable Development, the official journal of the French Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA).

Dying man awarded $289 million as Monsanto faces more lawsuits

Michelle R. Matisons Science & Technology

Over the years, more and more people have come to know the name "Monsanto" as synonymous with new industrial agriculture and genetically modified food. As a company, it is responsible for many products perceived as dangerous, including Roundup, the notorious weedkiller. Lawsuits have always grown around Monsanto like untreated weeds, but the courtroom tide is turning in favor of the public. Recently, a 46-year-old California school pest control manager with non-Hodgkin lymphoma won a $289 million settlement against the company.

The benefits of a white roof

Scott E. Rupp Facilities & Grounds

Is your organization too cool for a cool white roof? Probably not, but there’s a pretty good chance such an office amenity is one of the furthest things from your mind. It’s never too late for a look at the top of your organization’s home base to do the world a little good, though. If management is looking for innovations to bring more sustainability to the organization, a little white paint may go a long way.

It’s time for the energy industry to think like Apple

Shawn Smajstrla Science & Technology

When the iPhone debuted in 2007, its impact was immediate. Since then, the iPhone and other smart devices like it, have changed the way we work, play, shop, communicate — the way we live. What made the iPhone so revolutionary, though, wasn’t its touchscreen, camera or user interface. What truly made the iPhone a breakthrough was how it utilized a convergence of digital technologies. Meanwhile, the energy grid that powers our connected lives continues to function largely as it has for more than a century.

Puerto Rico’s recovery faces ongoing privatization challenges

Michelle R. Matisons Civil & Government

On July 9, Puerto Rican officials submitted a 411-page draft recovery plan to the U.S. Congress that outlines Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s vision for the island’s future as it acknowledges that the death toll from Hurricane Maria may be much larger than originally admitted. This plan states that prior to September’s storm, the island already struggled "with an economic crisis spanning more than a decade." That crisis led a federal oversight board to take over Puerto Rico’s finances in 2016.

Robust remodeling trends holding steady

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Some regional and seasonal fluctuations notwithstanding, remodeling activity held steady during the second quarter and appears to be on track to stay that way for the remainder of the year. Market conditions within the housing industry are favoring remodelers, some of whom are reporting backlogs of up to six months on some projects. On the whole, remodelers and designers are optimistic that business will grow in the coming months.

Negotiating commercial leases: Renewal term allowances

Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield Retail

For many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.

Everything-as-a-service subscriptions are everywhere

Scott E. Rupp Retail

It seems everything is available "as-a-service" in our current age. We can subscribe to lighting, software, cars, offices and much more. As-a-service subscriptions are on the rise primarily because technology is now capable of supporting a variety services, solutions and the ability to perform tasks from a range of locales with few barriers, and because individuals and businesses want what they want when they want it. Additionally, such services are agile and require little more than a monthly fee and little commitment on the user’s behalf.

Turkish Airlines prepares for Istanbul New Airport amid rumors of stake…

Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & Automotive

Turkish Airlines, on the back of its highest ever load factors, has undertaken a trial operation of the Istanbul New Airport and announced plans for the largest movement of equipment in civil aviation history ahead of its October opening. It has certainly been a momentous time for the Turkish flag carrier and its growing dominance of air travel in Europe and the Middle East. On Aug. 9, the airline reported it carried a record 7.5 million passengers and 119,000 tons of cargo in July, marking its best ever month, with a $258 million net operating profit in the first half of 2018.

Big Sur back in action as Highway 1 reopens

Dave G. Houser Recreation & Leisure

California’s most famous road trip is back on. For the first time in 14 months, Highway 1 — aka the Pacific Coast Highway — is open without interruption, after a quarter-mile chunk of it in Big Sur was wiped away in a massive landslide last year. Over the years, landslides have taken out portions of the iconic highway, but none were as big as the so-called Mud Creek slide in May 2017, when more than 6 million cubic yards of earth collapsed into the sea following torrential rains.

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