Author: wildgreenquest@gmail.com

A third fatality on Mount Everest, tension over rope fixing, a historic ski descent on Lhotse, and other major stories from the world’s highest peak.Climbers push for the top of Mount Everest (Photo: Tshering SHERPA/Getty Images)Published May 12, 2026 02:25PMAfter early delays, the climbing season on Mount Everest is in full swing. The speciality team of Sherpas that fixes the safety ropes to the summit is expected to reach the peak’s top on May 13, only a few days later than they did in 2025. As of May 12, the team had completed the lines up to The Balcony, a…

ToplineOpenAI CEO Sam Altman defended his personal investments in companies that do business with OpenAI in testimony Tuesday, saying he properly recuses himself as required, as the billionaire faces scrutiny from both Republican lawmakers and state attorneys general over whether his holdings are posing a conflict of interest for OpenAI.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman arrives to court on April 30 in Oakland, California. Getty ImagesKey FactsAltman testified Tuesday he has investments in companies that do business with OpenAI, but said he’s “always been recused” from situations that could pose a conflict for either party.The House Oversight Committee and chair Rep. James…

The best thing about franchising is also the worst thing: There are so many options to choose from. This is great because, if you’re looking to buy a franchise, you’re guaranteed to find one you’re passionate about. There are thousands of options out there for every budget and skill set. But that also makes the search exhausting — you could spend years investigating every franchise opportunity! That’s why we produced this list for the first time ever. It’s designed to shorten your search. We’ve taken our comprehensive Franchise 500 ranking — which evaluates franchises based on more than 150 data…

Known for their unique flavors and vibrant designs, Japanese snacks are coveted around the world. But now, thanks to geopolitical tensions, one of Japan’s biggest snack makers is deciding to dial back its vibrant packaging, at least temporarily. Tokyo-based snack company Calbee announced Tuesday a creative response to supply chain disruptions caused by the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz—taking its brightly colored packaging and turning it monochrome. [Photo: Calbee] According to a statement issued by the company, Calbee will temporarily convert its colorful packaging to grayscale, for 14 product variants of their Potato Chips, Kappa Ebisen, and Frugra snacks.…

I’m a professional speaker who brings in seven figures a year. People often ask me what separates a good speaker from a great one. They think I’ll say that the best speakers have lots of energy, or tell the best stories, or can be the most emotional. All of those are important, sure, but here’s the thing everyone misses: The best speakers have the best frameworks. Frameworks! It’s not sexy, and it’s not what people dream of building when they aspire to speak publicly. But it is the cornerstone of memorable teaching — not just in speaking, but in writing books, teaching…

At the time, I saw them as a “shortcut”—a way to bypass the fundamental habits I’ve spent 15 years teaching.I was wrong to see it in such black-and-white terms.After watching the science evolve and seeing the real-world impact on those who struggle with physical barriers, I have shifted my perspective. While I still believe the “natural” route—focusing on behavioural change—is the gold standard for those with full mobility, I now see these medications as a net positive for society when used as part of a comprehensive strategy.Levelling the Playing Field for Limited MobilityThe primary reason for my shift is NEAT…

Canada declared digital independence at Web Summit in Vancouver today, as Evan Solomon, Canada’s first-ever Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, unveiled $300 million in AI datacenter grants.gettyWhen a single American hyperscaler can drop $100 billion on AI infrastructure in a single year, what’s a middle power supposed to do? Canada’s answer, delivered at Web Summit Vancouver this week by the country’s first-ever Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation isn’t surrender. Nor is it a moonshot attempting to match U.S. spend dollar-for-dollar.Instead, it’s a softer declaration of digital independence, with an acknowledgment that independence doesn’t necessarily mean isolation.”Sovereignty…

A strange thing happened at my company: Three people, from the same team, all took stress-related sick leave within six months.  Then, a client came to meet with that team. The senior project manager, Mark, snapped at our own production team — undermining their work in front of the client. When Mark’s manager pulled him aside, Mark didn’t flinch. “You should be glad I work here,” he said. “We only have these customers because of me.” I should have fired Mark that day. But I didn’t. Which made me the problem. Toxic workers are a huge problem. A report from…

As operating costs rise and consumers curb spending in the wake of an affordability crisis, restaurants of all stripes are feeling the pinch from multiple directions. Five Guys Burgers and Fries is not immune to such industry-wide headwinds. Even as it has seen its overall U.S. footprint grow in recent years, it has also closed multiple restaurants, including locations in several states so far in 2026. The recent closures have mostly impacted California, but Five Guys restaurants in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Georgia, and Nebraska have also shuttered this year, according to a review of local media reports, online review…

Want to know what inspires a driver to pull off the road and do a little impulse shopping? Well, I can tell you. I’m the founder of a business called Roadside Republic. For the past 12 years, we’ve partnered with family- run orchards to sell peaches from roadside setups across high-traffic locations. Every day, about 80% of our customers are first-time buyers, and most hadn’t planned to buy peaches. But over time, I’ve figured out the secret to grabbing their attention and turning them into shoppers. It’s simple: nostalgia. And I believe it can work far beyond the peach business. …