SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " par " 39,418 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Europe has the science. Now it needs a clinical trials system to match.
Europe has the scientific expertise to lead the next generation of cancer research, but slow and fragmented clinical trial processes, particularly in the case of multinational trials, are not allowing it to reach its full potential. The EU Biotech Act can address the existing bottlenecks to turn this excellence into faster research, stronger competitiveness and earlier opportunities for patients.
The TASK#STOMP Windows backdoor takes Wi-Fi passwords, screenshots, and business files
The TASK#STOMP backdoor steals office documents on Windows PCs, grabs new files as they're saved, and can rebuild itself if partly removed.
Baton Rouge airport to get $7.9 million renovation, plus more permits
Here is a list of commercial and residential building permits issued by East Baton Rouge Parish Government from Sept. 14-18.
Michael Baker International Names Brian Pursch, SHRM-SCP, VP, Human Resources Business Partner Lead
/PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, architecture, consulting, and digital solutions, today announced that Brian...
The Bat Girls - College of Arts and Sciences
A Carolina research team is partnering with the military to track endangered bats and locate their roost sites.
Marysville police shut down 21 illicit massage businesses in Snohomish County investigation
The Marysville Police Department said its investigation into illicit massage businesses is prompting a broader law-enforcement effort across Snohomish County.
Should You Buy PepsiCo Stock Because Its International Business Keeps Accelerating?
PepsiCo (PEP) stock traded at $129.75 on September 18, the lowest price of its past 52 weeks. The worry is North America, where sales of snacks and drinks have disappointed. Yet the part of PepsiCo that sells outside the U.S. is growing faster and earning more on each sale. The share price appears to give that part little credit.
Democrats differ over campaign funding flap - Illinois Times, the capital city's source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture
My associate Isabel Miller and I told subscribers earlier this month that Democrats for the Illinois House had been suddenly cut off from the Democratic Party of Illinois’ lucrative postage discount program, which can save as much as a third to a half of campaign postage costs. Afterward, an extraordinary interaction occurred between the executive […]
Three Weeks After Health Department Closure, UWS Sweetgreen Permanently Closes
The permanently closed Sweetgreen at 311 Amsterdam Avenue. Photo by Gus Saltonstall. By Gus Saltonstall Sweetgreen, the popular fast-casual salad
Travel health insurance
Travel health insurance Do you have a friend or relative traveling to the Dominican Republic? Encourage them to get travel health insurance before they depart the U.S. to avoid possible medical emergencies becoming financial emergencies, too. Many travelers ask, “Why would I need travel health insurance–I have health insurance?” But your domestic U.S. health insurance may not work overseas. Hospitals here in the Dominican Republic often require payment in full prior to the patient being treated or being discharged. Some private U.S. insurance companies pay for overseas medical care, but usually only on a reimbursable basis, meaning you must pay first and request reimbursement later. The U.S. government does not pay for medical care overseas, and Medicare does not cover medical or hospital expenses incurred outside the United States. In addition, if the traveler needs to be medically evacuated for any reason, this is not covered by most U.S insurance and usually costs well over $10,000 USD. Travel medical insurance can alleviate this cost burden. Don’t let unexpected medical costs ruin your vacation! Please review more information here on Travel.State.Gov and on the Embassy website’s page on Medical Emergency – U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic.
Population Science Fall Seminar Series kicks off
The Population Research Institute and the Collaborative on Population Aging Disparities will host the Population Science Seminar Series this fall, featuring hour-long talks from scholars whose research examines population dynamics and the social forces that shape them. Seminars will take place on select Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. in the Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building, room 314.
Adam Smith Named Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer at Disney Entertainment
Disney Entertainment has announced that Adam Smith has been named Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer, with responsibility for Disney+ and Hulu including product, engineering, advertising technology, programming strategy, partnerships, and data and analytics....
Are Business Services Stocks Lagging HireQuest (HQI) This Year?
Here is how HireQuest, Inc. (HQI) and ScanSource (SCSC) have performed compared to their sector so far this year.
Paris Hilton and More Celebs React to Presley Gerber's Sudden Death
Celebrities have shared heartfelt tributes in honor of Cindy Crawford‘s son, Presley Gerber, who died suddenly at age 27.
Health Survey Ends Sept. 30th
Chaffee County Public Health is asking community members to participate in the 2026 Community Health Assessment. Residents are invited to complete a co
NEA C-Suite: LJ Bryant
How would you describe your company? CB Winter Haven started as C&B Tax Inc. My mom started the business with a partner in the late 1990s, building a handful of...
Academy Sports wants to turn Western wear into a bigger business
After expanding Ariat beyond work boots and into apparel, the sports retailer is giving the brand dedicated spaces as demand for Western and lifestyle products grows.
Two new books from SPIA faculty tackle the politics behind healthcare and global investment | School of Public and International Affairs
Growing up in Peru, Zoila Ponce de León saw disparities in access to healthcare from a young age. She may not yet have had the language for it, but she was already asking the questions she would spend much of her early career working to answer: Why is it so difficult to access healthcare? And why, when these problems are so widely recognized, won’t politicians do more to change the system?
Two new books from SPIA faculty tackle the politics behind healthcare and global investment | School of Public and International Affairs
Growing up in Peru, Zoila Ponce de León saw disparities in access to healthcare from a young age. She may not yet have had the language for it, but she was already asking the questions she would spend much of her early career working to answer: Why is it so difficult to access healthcare? And why, when these problems are so widely recognized, won’t politicians do more to change the system?
‘Contract Terminated’: Olympiacos Part Ways With Dani Garcia
Dani Garcia secures a swift move to Atromitos after struggling for form at Olympiacos.
GOP fiscal hawk sounds alarm on 'out of control' federal spending, saying 'both parties have failed us'
Sen. Paul, who said "both parties have failed us," does not support President Trump's proposal to dole out $5,000 to American adults if the GOP wins both chambers in the midterms.
15 Scenes That Left a Lasting Effect on TV
Most television scenes are forgotten almost as soon as the episode ends. Others become part of the culture, quoted for years, recreated online, discussed by fans, or remembered even by people who neve...
DRC’s Ebola Outbreak: The Vast Mobilisation That Doesn’t Measure Itself (Part II)
The world has ridden fast to rescue DRC from Ebola. But four months on, nobody can say for sure how many agencies are responding, how many people they employ,
AI investments face ‘so much uncertainty’ on returns, expert warns
Bahnsen Group Managing Partner and CIO David Bahnsen analyzes the massive rise in artificial intelligence capital expenditures and highlights his energy stock picks on ‘Mornings with FOX Business.’
Groundbreaking held for $44M Murray Mill in Anderson
Charleston-based Southeast Partners broke ground on the $44 million Murray Mill in downtown Anderson on Sept. 17.
Exclusive: Donatella Versace Is Back With a New Brand
The legendary designer has partnered with Revolve Group on a new independent venture that will include fashion and beauty.
Highlighting Mental Health Disparities in Indigenous Communities Affected by Huntington’s Disease
⏱️12 min read | Unique research highlights an overlooked mental health disparity among Indigenous North American people with HD – and the need for care grounded in trust, community partnership, and cultural understanding.
New Orleans officials want to redevelop Claiborne Avenue. Here’s what they're planning next.
New Orleans city officials will design a new outdoor performance space, marketplace and nonprofit cafe along Claiborne Avenue as part of a plan to redevelop the 19-block North Claiborne Avenue
Youth mental health improves, New Hampshire survey reports
Youth mental health has improved since the COVID-19 pandemic, when anxiety and depression spiked for teens, according to the results of a statewide survey. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services recently released the results of its 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The anonymous and voluntary survey helps measure health-related behaviors among New […]
Convicted Greek neo-fascist tries to evade election ban
His return has also caused tensions inside the governing New Democracy party
Ask The Expert: A modernized health plan: Supporting cost management and the employee experience
See how health care cost transparency can help employees compare care and costs while giving employers a different approach to managing benefits.
Detroit Tigers to Announce New Comerica Park Name
The Tigers and Fifth Third Bank will announce a new name for Comerica Park, with the rebranding expected to begin in 2027.
The Netherlands is bracing for potentially devastating US sanctions against the ICC
The Netherlands is making preparations for the United States to sanction the International Criminal Court, in the last escalation of the Trump Administration’s attacks on the global tribunal.
Environmental Science Takes an Average of Seven Years to Influence International Policy, Study Finds
A study led by the University of Alicante (UA) and the Mediterranean Centre for Environmental Studies (CEAM) analyses the barriers separating scientific knowledge from environmental policy and its effective implementation.
The rumors of the demise of Scheel’s Sports Park are greatly exaggerated, says tourism chief
Visits are ramping up, and will continue to do so, Dahl said.
Parental gambling linked to poorer health and educational outcomes for Australian children
New Australian research has found that risky parental gambling is associated with poorer physical health, mental health and educational outcomes among children, highlighting the need to recognize gambling ...
Made in Arizona: Cactus Corn bets on partnerships, tourism for sustained growth
Phoenix-based popcorn brand Cactus Corn expands beyond Chase Field with retail partnerships and corporate gifting to diversify revenue streams.
Research: The True Cost of Corporate Scandals? Talent.
New research tracking millions of career moves shows that corporate misconduct carries a significant hidden cost: voluntary employee departures. An analysis of 735 large public companies found that regulatory violations equal to 5% of annual revenue were associated with a 3.9% increase in departures. Turnover rises sharply when violations are geographically widespread, occur in rapid succession, or expand into new categories of misconduct. Employees who leave also tend to join companies with cleaner regulatory records, giving responsible competitors a recruiting advantage. Companies should treat compliance as a talent issue, monitor patterns of misconduct alongside attrition, and respond to violations with credible accountability to protect their workforce and reputation.
President Trump's newest vaccine 'demands' repeat old misinformation
A day after health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised that parents concerned about vaccines had a “friend” in the White House, President Trump said he’ll be “demanding” that drug companies split up their combined vaccines.
Guardians Exec on Parker Messick’s Rookie Season
A new process turns plastic waste into gasoline and diesel fuel
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a surprisingly simple way to turn polyethylene, the common plastic used in shopping bags and cutting boards, into gasoline and diesel-like fuels. The process uses inexpensive aluminum-based molten salts to break long plastic molecules into smaller hydrocarbons, producing about 60% gasoline under relatively mild conditions.
DOH-Charlotte Hosts Child Safety and Wellness Workshops - Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County
DOH-Charlotte invites residents to attend our free Child Safety and Wellness Workshops starting on October 13.
FINN Partners Calls for Shared Action on Brain Health in New eBook
/PRNewswire/ -- The ability to learn, earn a living and remain independent rests on brain health. Protecting those abilities requires action well beyond the...
News | Hotel-convention host Manchester at forefront of radical changes in U.K. politics
Parliamentary lawmakers on Oct. 12 to discuss rejoining European Union.
Chubb names two digital heads to fill Ringsted's former remit
The insurer has split its global digital business into separate technology and partnership tracks, each with its own dedicated head
Swiss business groups pressure parliament over UBS capital rules before vote
ZURICH, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Swiss business groups have weighed into the debate on tougher capital rules for UBS, writing to lawmakers to lobby against what they say risks being "excessive" regulation drawn up for the bank after the 2023 collapse of C...
Swiss business groups pressure parliament over UBS capital rules before vote
ZURICH, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Swiss business groups have weighed into the debate on tougher capital rules for UBS, writing to lawmakers to lobby against what they say risks being
Prep Spotlight: Getting to know Norman football player London Herbin
The Oklahoman asked each athlete who attended a media day to answer their favorite music and more as part of its Prep Spotlight series.
Trump's 'grand conspiracy' probe presses on with subpoenas after the lead prosecutor’s exit
Justice Department officials are pressing forward with an investigation of President Donald Trump's foes despite the departure of prosecutor Joe diGenova, who had been leading it for months.
Science In Sport partners with Nike for its After Dark Tour
Science In Sport becomes Nike After Dark Tour's fuel and hydration partner, with race packs and a co-branded nutrition range for runners.
The 6 Best Science Fantasy Movies Released Since 2010, Ranked
From Everything Everywhere All at Once to Avatar: The Way of Water, these science fantasy epics balance awe and heart.
Ligue 1 Review | Is Le Classique still classic?
Le Classique is supposed to be Ligue 1’s premier fixture. However, the contrasting realities of France’s two biggest teams, Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille, meant that Sunday night�...
Northern Light Health Walk for Hope honors loved ones impacted by cancer
Participants of the fundraiser paid tribute to their loved ones through holding signs and sharing stories.
Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck Almost Reunited on Screen After 23 Years
Ben Affleck revealed why Jennifer Garner didn’t end up starring in his new Netflix thriller, Animals. The actor-director explained how a series of unexpected production changes led to Garner’s departu...
Fort Bliss celebrates Oktoberfest weekend
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Fort Bliss brought a taste of Germany to the Borderland over the weekend with its annual Oktoberfest celebration at Biggs Park. Monica Thomas, marketing manager for Fort Bliss MWR, joined us on the Noon show ahead of the three-day celebration to discuss what visitors could expect. The event featured German
Tim Lamb Group Facilitates La Porte Ford Acquisition
Tim Lamb Group, the largest auto dealership sales and acquisitions firm in North America, announced the successful acquisition of Auto Park Ford of La Porte. The dealership, located at 1522 E. …
Bo French opponent Jon Rosenthal offers wisdom on Railroad Commission
Bo French’s racist comments spark outrage while opponent Jon Rosenthal, an oil and gas engineer, proposes smarter policies, writes columnist Chris Tomlinson.
Pokemon account posts Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire played on unknown emulator fuelling Switch re-release hopes
The official Pokemon X account has recently posted footage of the much-loved Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire being played on unknown emulator. This has naturally sparked hopes of a re-release of the games on…
MSI announces RTX Spark N1X EdgeMesa PC with up to 128GB LPDDR5X
MSI joins the RTX Spark lineup with its EdgeMesa N AI+ desktop. The system offers up to 1 petaFLOP FP4 performance, 128GB unified memory and 10GbE.
Health department investigating after rabid bat found in downtown Minneapolis
Health insurance premiums to see 16% spike as PA insurance department release '27 rates
Pennsylvanians who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace will see a noticeable spike in their premiums, according to PID.
Six Girona footballers called up to their national teams
Six Girona FC footballers have been called up by their respective national teams to take part in international commitments during this September and October break.Vlad Vanat will be part of Ukraine's ...
Amer Sports named to the 100 Best Corporate Citizens List
Amer Sports has been named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2026, ranking #84 on the list developed by 3BL in partnership with ISS-Corporate.
MORNING BUSINESS REPORT: Paramount settlement, parents rely on family for money, CT foliage rank
Paramount looks to settle antitrust lawsuits, more parents are relying on family to make ends meet, and where CT ranks for foliage. Here's the Morning Business Report for Sept. 21.
Most Sports Parents Say There's More Good Than Harm In Youth Sports, Survey Finds
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterMONDAY, Sept. 21, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Sports parents overwhelmingly say the benefits of organized competition outweigh the drawbacks for them and their kids, a new survey has found. Nearly 9 out of 10 sports parents (89%) said the benefits of youth sports ...
Arkansas health department schedules free flu clinics statewide
The Arkansas Department of Health will host free community flu vaccine clinics across the state beginning Monday.
Mars’s Ancient Clay Holds the Same Organic Molecules That May Have Sparked Life on Earth
The team operating a remote chemistry lab onboard NASA’s Curiosity rover won a Gizmodo Science Fair award for discovering compelling chemical evidence that Mars could have once supported life.
North Dakota Supreme Court races are nonpartisan, but Republicans play a big role
North Dakota voters have a rare contest for a state Supreme Court seat this fall, one that raises questions about Republican politics in the nonpartisan race.
This week: Senate still at work on college sports bill
The Senate returns Tuesday, and with the House already on recess until after the midterms, the big question might be: How long will senators stay in town? The Senate is also scheduled to be in session next week before departing for election season, unless GOP leaders decide to cut it short like House leadership did. […]
Channel 4 partners with Nivea on YouTube branded entertainment format
UK public broadcaster Channel 4 has partnered with German personal care brand Nivea and its Black & White deodorant on a branded entertainment format for YouTube.
Michigan’s two major party candidates for U.S. Senate offer differing ideas for health care
The two U.S. senate candidates from Michigan offer vastly different ideas for health care. As Russ McNamara reports, lowering costs for consumers is the goal for both.
Presley Gerber Dies at 27: Cindy Crawford’s Son’s Biography, Career and Timeline
Presley Gerber, son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, died at 27 on September 20, 2026. Here is his biography, modeling career, key dates and recent supermodel deaths.
Johnsonville Sausage Makes Its Case for Dinner Running in Political Parody Twist
Little Black Book, Campaign directed by Jordan Brady through True Gent puts a parody twist on the political ad blitz consuming Americans ahead of the midterms
The Battle to Turn Consumers Into Effective Health Care Shoppers
A seminar explores government efforts to encourage U.S. consumers to comparison shop for their health care needs
Trump administration takes on mental health parity
It's steering the issue in a different direction than the Biden administration.
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters to lead USC Dornsife’s Center for the Political Future, named Warschaw Chair
The Michigan Democrat will serve alongside Republican strategist Mike Murphy, bringing a record of bipartisan lawmaking and plans to expand the center’s presence in Washington.
Smyth grabs headlines but Saito stars
Final Score's Sam Ashoo praises Queens Park Rangers substitute Koki Saito for his impact in their dramatic 2-2 draw with Preston North End.
Lee Health: The people who make the difference
As I prepare to retire as Lee Health’s president and CEO, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I’ll remember most from my years serving.
Michigan State football in need of a health check as Big Ten play hits
As Pat Fitzgerald starts his quest to return Michigan State football to the top of the Big Ten, the Spartans enter with some health questions.
What events are happening in the South Bend area from Sept. 21 to 27?
From fall festivals to haunted parks and film screenings, here is a guide to events happening Sept 21 to Sept 27.
Celebrate Dolly Parton Day on 9/25 with parties, books and tattoos!
In honor of the iconic star and her song “9 to 5,” Sept. 25 has been dubbed “Dolly Parton Day.” Check out these Parton-inspired events to celebrate!
Gavin and Stacey co-stars support Strictly debut, says Melanie Walters
Walters, best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC comedy, is partnered with professional Aljaz Skorjanec.
‘We need more cash’: Democrats privately flashing alarms over GOP spending deluge in midterms
Top Democrats across the country are privately warning that they do not have enough cash in the November midterm battle to capitalize on what could be their party’s best political environment in over a decade and are at serious risk of leaving winnable seats on the table.
Editorial: Debate over restructuring MUSC is too big for board alone
The coming departure of MUSC's president has raised the question of whether the college’s academic and health care missions should be overseen by different leaders. Lawmakers should make the call.
Building Michigan’s healthy future requires a different kind of workforce strategy
Wayne State is investing in talent, research and partnerships to strengthen Michigan’s health workforce and improve community health.
Building Michigan’s healthy future requires a different kind of workforce strategy
Wayne State is investing in talent, research and partnerships to strengthen Michigan’s health workforce and improve community health.
McKinsey partners: you need to protect successful new ventures from the core business
The more successful a venture becomes the harder it is to protect.
The data center backlash is reshaping American politics — one community at a time
With striking speed, the widespread debate around data centers has become a fault line in American communities, cutting across political parties and forging unexpected alliances.
Tarrant County remains the last large 'purple' holdout in Texas
In recent elections, the county anchored by Fort Worth has swung back and forth between Republicans and Democrats. And that's why both parties are wrestling for control in 2026.
Russia election results show Putin’s party winning: What we know
Keane presence at Celtic Park defeat played down
Despite many putting two-and-two together following Roy Keane's appearance at Sunday's defeat by Rangers, the former Celtic midfielder and friend of under pressure current boss Martin O'Neill made it abundantly clear on the most recent Stick to Football podcast he would never attend a game with the ulterior motive of replacing a manager. Reacting to Celtic's defeat by Rangers, Roy Keane remarked to Celtic AM that it was the "ups and downs of football".
Boomers love AI images of their grandkids; millennial parents hate it
Some grandparents think AI images of their grandkids are adorable. Millennial parents worry about privacy, consent, and where the photos may end up.
Boomers love AI images of their grandkids; millennial parents hate it
Some grandparents think AI images of their grandkids are adorable. Millennial parents worry about privacy, consent, and where the photos may end up.
Allegri off to Napoli’s worst start in over ten years
Massimiliano Allegri’s Napoli have only earned seven points in the opening five Serie A matches, marking the Partenopei’s worst start to a season since 2015-16.Fair to say that Allegri’s Napoli ...
Brooklyn Beckham 'building business empire with help from billionaire father-in-law'
Brooklyn Beckham is reportedly planning to build a business empire based around "everyday products". The 27-year-old son of Sir David Beckham and Lady Victoria Beckham - who is estranged from his pare...
[Caring the Korean Way] Korean parents turn to dream lenses to slow childhood myopia
What does it mean to care -- deeply, instinctively and culturally? In this series, "Caring the Korean Way," we explore the distinct practices, beliefs and values that shape how Koreans care for themselves and each other. From time-honored folk remedies to modern reinterpretations of healing, each st
BAAN Holding: Playocity Entertainment Project in Jeddah to Cost SAR 25 Million
BAAN Holding Group Company announced that the estimated cost of its new Playocity entertainment project, in partnership with global brand Hasbro, is…
UK's JD Sports expands into Mexico through Grupo Axo partnership
British sportswear retailer JD Sports on Monday announced its expansion into Mexico through a long-term franchise partnership with fashion retailer Grupo Axo, betting on strong demand from Mexico's growing young population.
Whether you like it or not, celebrities have an impact on politics
The global groundswell of support for Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian advocacy serves to remind us that maybe celebrity activism really is that deep after all, writes Cheek’s Varsha Yajman. Subscribe In the last week, publications, podcasts, and influencers that have either rarely or never spoken about Israel’s genocide in Palestine have flooded my social feed. And it was all because singer Ed Sheeran and his team dropped Macklemore as his opener for saying “Free Palestine” on stage. Millions raised, millions speaking up in support of Palestine - all of this confirming my view that, whether I like it or not, celebrities do have an impact on political outcomes. And this is interesting when much of the time celebrity activism can induce an eye roll - I love to see Charli XCX pointing out a Palestinian flag in the crowd, but it’s hardly the bold symbol of allyship that some fans would make it out to be. But there’s a line between healthy scepticism and outright dismissal - and I’d argue that the latter lets the rich and powerful off far too easily. For instance, actress Jennifer Lawrence, once outspoken about her political views, last year told The Times she no longer believes celebrities have a role to play: “Celebrities do not make a difference whatsoever on who people vote for. So then what am I doing? I’m just sharing my opinion on something that’s going to add fuel to a fire that’s ripping the country apart.” While it’s a narrative she might find comfort in, it simply is not true. Grassroots movements often garner worldwide attention when celebrities and other high-profile spokespeople bring a mainstream platform to their causes. And this frustrates me. We have had three years of a live-streamed genocide. Macklemore himself has been calling for a Free Palestine long before he booked the Sheeran concert. Yet it’s the high-profile fallout of the last week that finally seems to have made saying “Free Palestine” socially acceptable in the mainstream. It feels like the collective mood has shifted, where calling out censorship is now the obvious response - not just the business of ‘radical’ activists. To recap, Sheeran’s decision followed an ultimatum from billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, one of the venues Sheeran was scheduled to perform at: either drop Macklemore as your opener after only two of the eight scheduled shows, or you do not play at any stadiums. Sheeran’s disappointing decision to stand on the side of billionaire-led censorship has ultimately seen a surge in support for Free Palestine. It began when all his openers and his backing band pulled out of Sheeran’s tour, in solidarity with Macklemore and with the Palestinian cause. It was met with an uproar of support from those who had never or barely touched politics before: influencers lip-syncing to Macklemore’s music, singers like Jack Antonoff singing “Free Palestine,” and publications and podcasts standing with Macklemore. And finally, we saw material support: Macklemore donated $1 million in profits from his two nights opening for Sheeran’s tour to several Palestinian aid groups and called for Sheeran and Kraft to match it, which they have since promised to do. We’ve also seen children’s entertainer Ms Rachel follow suit with a $1 million donation to Palestinian aid, and publication PopBase has donated $10,000. Anera, a humanitarian aid group working in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan, said donations since Macklemore’s announcement were more than triple this month’s daily average. The group’s Instagram page has also gained 8,000 followers. Macklemore far from the first celebrity to speak and participate in politics in the Western World. In 1924, singer Al Jolson supported Republican candidate Warren G. Harding for president, and decades later, celebrities such as Harry Belafonte, Lena Horne, and Aretha Franklin voiced their public support for the Civil Rights movement. More recently, in the lead-up to the 2024 US election, ‘The Daily Show with Trevor Noah partnered with the organisation Power the Polls to recruit poll workers to address shortages- a problem disproportionately affecting voters of colour. The campaign saw 170,000 new sign-ups - 35,000 of which came directly through the TV show’s link - resulting in the recruitment of 713,000 total poll workers that year, an almost three-fold increase on the organisation’s goal. Alongside recruiting workers, celebrities in the US (where voting in elections is not compulsory) have made a huge difference by calling for people to register to vote. Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris in 2024 saw over 400,000 visitors on the voter registration site within 24 hours of her Instagram post. In 2023, Swift had urged her fans to register, resulting in 35,000 new voter registrations. Similarly, Ariana Grande promoted voter registration in 2019 by setting up booths at concerts on the American leg of her tour, resulting in over 33,000 voters registering. And the same thing is happening closer to home. This year, musician Jack River successfully called for government action to ensure creatives in Australia do not have their work scraped by generative AI companies. Celebrity as the mediator between the punter and the politician Celebrity activism isn’t just a feel-good news story - research tells us it actually makes a difference. By directing attention to issues affecting the average person, like voting inaccessibility or a lack of action on a genocide, researchers Alfred Archer and Amanda Cawston state that “celebrities can play a useful bridging role between political elites and the people they represent”. Alternatively, in a world where talking about politics is “not cool,” or where people lack exposure or knowledge to engage with politics, celebrities can act as an educational resource or an entry point into the political world - when they speak up about an issue, their audience gets exposed to it. Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival is a perfect example. Rodrigo partnered with twelve organisations focused on women’s issues, such as reproductive rights. These organisations had stalls at the festival for people to meet them and were also featured heavily on social media, giving their issues global attention and raising $20 million for the organisations. We have also seen celebrities at award shows such as the Emmys wearing F*CK ICE pins, referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s treatment and detainment of people - generally people of colour. When celebrities speak up about political issues in public forums, they put the issue at the forefront of mainstream media, rally their supporters, and make it clear that, however much they disagree, the government cannot simply ignore it. Our over-reliance on celebrities versus our politicians As much as I love seeing my favourite celebrity use their platform for a good cause, there is an important question to ask: not whether celebrity activism is good or bad, but whether we should have to rely on celebrities. And the answer would, in an ideal world, be no. In an ideal world, or merely a just world, action on Palestine would’ve happened decades ago, climate change would be taken seriously, and most importantly, people would understand their democratic rights. However, that is not our reality. Only around 28 per cent of Australian Year 10 students reach proficiency in civics and citizenship. In the US, almost two-thirds of people under 30 say high school civics education didn’t prepare them to understand voting deadlines, how to research candidates, or how to vote by mail. When civics education is weak, our trust in these institutions and our understanding of change-making processes also decline. This is where celebrity steps in and becomes our main source of reliance. As Mary R. Connelly notes in _The Tartan, “_Celebrities will always be involved in campaigns in one form or another, but their presence is not what causes people to vote blindly. The lack of political engagement and literacy is what allows celebrities to wield their influence on the political sphere so impactfully.” About the author Varsha Yajman is the Digital Content Producer at Cheek Media. She is a youth advocate and lawyer with a background in climate litigation and is passionate about looking at the intersection between race, climate justice, and mental health. Thanks for reading Cheek Media Co. ! This post is public so feel free to share it. Share
Keane presence at Celtic Park defeat played down
Roy Keane's appearance at Celtic Park as Martin O'Neill ponders his future as manager is played down as Aberdeen's Findlay Marshall expresses relief at not being sent out on loan.