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Oshkosh Chamber survey reveals optimism for economic growth in 2026
Oshkosh business leaders expect continued growth in 2026 as new survey data show strong hiring plans and steady economic momentum.
Son of Libya’s late dictator Gadhafi shot dead by gunmen, political team says
Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, has been killed in an apparent assassination at his home in the city of Zintan in northwestern Libya, the head of his political team said on Tuesday. He was 53.
'System in flux': Scientists reveal what happened when wolves and cougars returned to Yellowstone
Large carnivores are both clashing and coexisting in the western United States. Although wolves dominate cougars and steal their prey, cougars' shift from elk- to deer-heavy diets, paired with a rugged landscape for escape, might help cougars avoid violent wolf encounters.
Top consulting firms test boundaries with China workarounds
Faced with a fraught geopolitical environment, global consultancies are turning to riskier ways to do business in China that some industry and legal experts say test the boundaries of Western sanctions and Beijing's drive to curb foreign involvement in sensitive sectors.
Western North Carolina plants new STEM educator research community
Society for Science is expanding access to STEM education in Western North Carolina through a new initiative. Sponsored by Appalachian…
Are western New Yorkers spending more on digital entertainment as winter sets in?
As winter settles across Genesee County, colder evenings and shorter days are reshaping how households in Batavia and nearby communities spend their discretionary dollars. With outdoor options limited and heating
Meningitis cases rise in major Midwestern city, prompting public health alert
Chicago health officials issue urgent alert after seven meningococcal disease cases, including two deaths. Know the symptoms and warning signs.
750-year-old Indian poems reveal a landscape scientists got wrong
Old Indian poems and folk songs are revealing a surprising truth about the land. Scientists found that descriptions of thorny trees and open grasslands in texts written as far back as the 1200s closely match today’s savannas in western India. This suggests these landscapes are ancient and natural—not ruined forests. The discovery could reshape how conservation and tree-planting efforts are planned.
Northwestern-Washington tale of teams walking down similar paths
The men's basketball seasons for Washington and Northwestern have been nearly mirror images of each other.
The video games industry is killing itself and no one seems to care
After a week of bad news for games companies, a reader worries that Western publishers are too far gone for any kind of recovery to be possible.
Midwestern University Appoints One Health Initiative Coordinators
Dr. Karen Gruszynski and Dr. Tiffany Hughes chosen to educate the MWU community on the benefits of One Health
UT Martin visits Western Illinois following Nicastro's 27-point game
UT Martin Skyhawks (11-8, 7-3 OVC) at Western Illinois Leathernecks (17-3, 9-2 OVC) Macomb, Illinois; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Western Illinois takes on UT Martin after Mia Nicastro scored 27 points in Western Illinois' 69-55 win over the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. The Leathernecks are 10-0 on their home court.
Testing the system: regional simulation exercises advance global health security
These exercises – South-East Asia Regional Practice of All-Hazard IHR Event Communications (SAPHIRE), Joint Assessment and Detection of Events (JADE) in the European Region, and IHR Exercise Crystal in the Western Pacific Region – bring together National Focal points (NFPs), who play a critical role under the IHR in safeguarding global health security. These annual exercises stress-test IHR event communication procedures and contingency plans, demonstrating a sustained commitment by countries to strengthening preparedness and learning.
Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute launches new website
The Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute has launched a new website designed to serve as a central hub for news, events and opportunities.
Women’s Sports Bar From Northwestern Alumna Opening Near Wrigley Field
After years in Chicago’s nightlife scene, Flores is launching Level Sporting Club to put women’s sports front and center.
Women's sports fans will have a new place to hang out with opening of Level Sporting Club
Founded by former Northwestern basketball player Clarissa Flores, the bar will be near the heart of sports bars crowding around Wrigley Field.
Winners of 2026 Southwest Wyoming Regional Science Fair Announced
ROCK SPRINGS — Western Wyoming Community College hosted 68 students from five different schools participating in the Southwest Wyoming Regional Science Fair Jan. 22. “The science fair gives students statewide a chance to showcase their scientific creativity and ingenuity. We deeply appreciate the participating students and the teachers and families who support them,” David Tanner,
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
When Pittsburgh sports fans look at Baltimore, we see our reflection
I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, specifically Beaver County, where most young boys dream of becoming star athletes. But now I find myself residing in...
Feinberg Prof. Jessica Schleider’s mental health platform to partner with University of Notre Dame wellness project
Feinberg Prof. Jessica Schleider is bringing her digital mental health platform Project YES to St. Joseph County, home to the University of Notre Dame, through a three-year program aimed at promoting youth mental health and bridging gaps in healthcare service. The St. Joseph County Universal Wellness Project, funded by a grant from the Valinhos Foundation,...
In Wyoming, campus politics sparks a push for deep budget cuts
It’s a familiar scenario: Republican legislators in a cash-rich Western state are looking to slash higher education funding. In this case, though, Idaho is not the battleground.
Burning Wood Indoors May Be a Bigger Health Risk Than You Think
By I. Edwards HealthDay ReporterTUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Lighting a fire on a cold winter night can feel cozy. But a new study suggests it may also harm your health, even if you don’t burn the wood yourself. Researchers at Northwestern University found that home wood burning is responsible for about 22% of outdoor ...
Snow blankets western PA as people work to get back to normal Monday
Businesses and residents worked to get back to normal Monday, one day after snowstorm.
The Republic of Korea–WHO country cooperation strategy 2026–2030
The Republic of Korea–WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030 encapsulates our collective commitment to advance health and well-being for all. Rooted in mutual respect and collaboration, this country cooperation strategy (CCS) aligns with the shared regional vision of Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025−2029), emphasizing the interconnectedness of our efforts.
The Electric: Idle Chinese Plants Are Inviting Business With U.S. Battery Startups
A free-for-all of factory expansion among China’s battery manufacturers has left more than 40% of the country’s battery plants idle. That has presented a prime opportunity for a nascent wave of Western startups to capitalize on the Chinese battery makers’ misery.
Old Problems doom Northwestern against UCLA
Pauley Pavilion proved to be too much for the Wildcats to handle.
Three Takeaways From Northwestern’s 71-64 Loss to UCLA
More of the same in a tough loss in Los Angeles.
Netflix cancels ‘Sons of Anarchy’ showrunner’s drama after just one month
The Western drama lasted only one month on the streaming service after viewership tanked and production troubles plagued the seven-episode first season.
Brewer scores 20, Western Michigan defeats Central Michigan 77-65
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) Jayden Brewer had 20 points and 11 rebounds in Western Michigan's 77-65 victory over Central Michigan on Saturday night.
Leicester City? Texas Western? A search for Indiana football's best cross-sport comparison
Was Indiana's title the greatest story in sports history? There might never be an objective answer, but we polled our experts for comparable arguments in other sports.
UCLA, Northwestern clash coming off notable victories
UCLA will look to follow up its biggest win of the season with another victory when it hosts Northwestern in a Big Ten matchup Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.
Bailey's 22 help Southern Indiana beat Western Illinois 96-64
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) Cardell Bailey scored 22 points as Southern Indiana beat Western Illinois 96-64 on Friday.
Northeast Ohio hosts National Science Foundation site visit as NEO-SMART advances as national finalist | CWRU Newsroom | Case Western Reserve University
Northeast Ohio was in the national spotlight this week (Jan. 21-22) as regional leaders hosted a site visit from the National Science Foundation (NSF)...
The liberal Western Mass. city where the left is eating its young — and old
The personal has always been political in Northampton, but rarely has local politics seemed so intensely personal.
Northwestern To Celebrate National Girls & Women In Sports Day On February 5
Join Northwestern Athletics and the Northwestern University Women's Center in celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Thursday, Februa...
European corporate outlook dims slightly, still marred by global uncertainty
The outlook for European corporate health has slightly deteriorated, the latest forecasts showed on Thursday, as U.S. tariff respite is overshadowed by geopolitical tensions which are straining traditional Western alliances.
Learn the risks of using AI tools for mental health support | CWRU Newsroom | Case Western Reserve University
While artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and applications can be helpful, they are not a substitute for professional care, can misunderstand emotio...
Somali-born activist praises Trump's stark warning at Davos speech: 'Priority number one'
After President Donald Trump took to the stage in Davos to declare that Western Civilization must defend itself, Somali-born activist and author Ayaan Hirsi Ali said that “Trump is right."
Ford Field to host CMU, EMU football game in 2026 and 2027
Detroit's Ford Field will host a MAC football game between Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan in 2026 and 2027.
No military force for Greenland, a historical pitch for controlling the island and other takeaways from Trump’s Davos speech
President Donald Trump’s winding, antagonistic speech to business moguls and government officials in the Swiss Alps on Wednesday was hardly a salve to concerns the Western Alliance is at its breaking point.
Center in the Square provides second statement amidst science museum exit
Marciniak said, “Center in the Square has seen that our community is interested in understanding why The Science Museum of Western Virginia’s lease will not be renewed...”
Roanoke community shares thoughts on science museum leaving Center in the Square
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Center in the Square has notified the Science Museum of Western Virginia that, as of January 1st, 2027, it will reclaim the fourth and fifth floors of the building from the museum, ending their relationship after 42 years. Center in the Square President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tara Marcniak shared […]
Southern California seeks Big Ten momentum against reeling Northwestern
Southern California welcomes Big Ten Conference counterpart Northwestern to Los Angeles on Wednesday as both teams look to get on track in league play.
Towns' 21 lead Bowling Green past Western Michigan 72-54
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) Sam Towns' 21 points and nine rebounds helped Bowling Green defeat Western Michigan 72-54 on Tuesday.
MoWest gears up for 26th annual Super Science Saturday this February
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kids and adults have the chance to explore, experiment and discover a love for science and math during Missouri Western's annual Super Science Saturday.
Science museum located in Roanoke's Center in the Square to vacate at end of 2026
The Science Museum of Western Virginia will close its location at Center in the Square at the end of 2026.
Wrestling Postview: No. 1 Penn State 51, No. Northwestern, 0
The Nittany Lions flex their might for the second time on the weekend, smashing an outmatched but refreshingly aggressive Northwestern squad.
The Science Museum of Western Virginia set to leave Center in the Square by end of year
Center in the Square confirmed on Monday that the Science Museum of Western Virginia is set to leave the Center in the Square location by the end of the year.
Illinois outlasts Northwestern, matches best start in program history
Illini lean on Wallace, Guyton to hold off Wildcats.
WCU honors former sports information director with E.J. Whitmire press box naming
Western Carolina University's Western Skybox at E.J. Whitmire Stadium will be named in honor of former sports information director Steve White.
NBA All-Star 2026: Picking the Western Conference starters
Full-length Replay: Illinois at Northwestern
No. 13 Illinois (13-3) visits Northwestern (8-8) for a Big Ten game. Keaton Wagler leads the Illini.
‘Yellowstone’ universe actors to shoot Western ‘The Rescue’ in Georgia
Paramount is planning to shoot a modern day Western in Georgia starting next month called “The Rescue,” starring two actors from the “Yellowstone” universe.
Iran, Gaza and the politics of counting the dead
As Western media accepts death tolls from Iran at face value, Palestinian deaths in Gaza remain endlessly questioned.
Northwestern faces Wisconsin after Harter's 21-point game
Wisconsin Badgers (11-6, 3-3 Big Ten) at Northwestern Wildcats (7-10, 1-5 Big Ten) Evanston, Illinois; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Northwestern hosts Wisconsin after Casey Harter scored 21 points in Northwestern's 73-54 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Wildcats have gone 5-4 in home games.
Dominant outings in crosstown rivalry basketball games between Oshkosh schools
The Oshkosh West and Oshkosh North boys and girls basketball teams split in cross town matchups with Oshkosh West girls and Oshkosh North boys wins.
McMorris' 12 lead Eastern Illinois over Western Illinois 57-55
CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) Terry McMorris had 12 points in Eastern Illinois' 57-55 victory over Western Illinois on Tuesday.
Northwestern baseball 2026 position previews: newcomers
Ben Greenspan’s overhaul that may alter the trajectory of the program in the coming years.
Joe Starkey returns to TribLive as sports columnist
Veteran sports columnist and broadcaster Joe Starkey is joining TribLive, the company announced Tuesday, adding one of the most respected voices in Western Pennsylvania to its sports coverage of Pittsburgh’s professional and college teams. Starkey, who worked at the Trib earlier in his career, is an award-winning sportscaster, radio host
Democratic Party must grapple with ‘excesses of identity politics,’ Democrat consultant says
Democrat consultant Julian Epstein discusses how identity politics and anti-Western ideology are key issues harming the Democratic Party on ‘Life, Liberty & Levin.’
Western Pacific Region achieves milestone: 19 countries complete comprehensive health information system assessments
The Health Information and Digital Health (HID) unit in the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has successfully supported 19 countries, covering 99% of the Region’s population, to conduct comprehensive health information system (HIS) assessments, surpassing the regional target of 15 set for 2025 and advancing efforts toward universal health coverage. Using SCORE, a technical package of essential interventions, recommended actions, tool and resources developed by WHO and partners to address challenges in meeting HIS needs, these assessments systematically assess health data availability and quality, enabling countries to monitor trends, identify and respond to emerging health challenges, and improve policies and programmes for healthier families, communities and societies. The first round of SCORE assessments were conducted between 2019-2021 in 14 countries in the Region and over 130 countries globally. The second round of SCORE assessments were conducted between 2024-2025.SCORE assessments are a key priority identified by Member States and WHO at all levels, including within WHO-Country/Multi-Country Cooperation Strategies, the Regional Vision Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025–2029), and the WHO Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14, 2025–2028). Within the Regional Vision, implementing SCORE assessments is a key action for technology and innovation to advance health equity (strand 5).The SCORE for Health Data technical package is based on five key interventions, represented by the acronym SCORE. Interventions S, C and O focus on strengthening core data sources. Survey (S) covers population-based health surveys, surveillance systems and censuses, including their capacity to monitor health-related SDGs. Count (C) focuses on birth, death and cause of death registration as parts of a functional CRVS system. Optimize (O) addresses routine health service data and key health service inputs such as health financing and health workforce.Interventions R and E focus on data use for action. Review (R) examines regular analytical reviews of health sector progress and performance, together with national analytical capacity. Enable (E) looks at the policy, governance, and digital foundations needed to support effective data use.The Western Pacific Region shows relatively strong performance in the Review (R) and Count (C) interventions. Most countries in the Region demonstrate good analytical reporting and institutional capacity for analysis and learning. More than two-thirds of countries show more mature CRVS systems, driven by improvements in birth and death registration. However, medical certification of cause-of-death remains a key gap, with limited or low coverage in over half of countries in the Region.Performance under the Survey (S) intervention is mixed. While surveillance systems are generally strong, several countries in the Region continue to face challenges in implementing their surveys and censuses. Monitoring health-related SDGs is still a challenge for more than a third of countries in the Region.The greatest challenges are observed in the Optimize (O) and Enable (E) interventions. More than half of countries have lower maturity levels in routine health service and resource systems. Two-thirds of countries also face challenges with effective use of data and evidence for policy and action, largely due to gaps in digital infrastructure, governance and legislation for health data systems, and especially in data and sharing.  As part of the SCORE methodology, multi-stakeholder consultations and validation workshops were conducted in many countries to review findings and plan strategies for HIS strengthening. The HID unit continues to provide targeted support to facilitate dialogue and assist countries in developing HIS improvement plans. These plans guide governments and partners to align investments and coordinate efforts for maximum impact.WHO also assists countries with tailored technical support to address key gaps as requested by countries/national health authorities. SCORE assessments should be conducted periodically to monitor progress in HIS strengthening, although progress across addressing gaps identified in SCORE should be continually tracked as countries implement improvements.Additional countries will be supported to implement SCORE in 2026. The Regional Vision delivery-for-impact target, endorsed by Member States, is for all countries and areas to have implemented SCORE assessments and have an increased SCORE index by 2029 while WHO is aiming for 80% of Member States in the Region to conduct round two assessments. Countries yet to complete assessments are therefore encouraged to contact the HID unit at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific for tailored support.The implementation of SCORE HIS assessments in the Western Pacific Region was supported by The Gates Family Foundation.
Fractures are starting to show in Trump's GOP at the start of this election year
From pushback to Trump's self-described “Donroe doctrine” of aggression in the Western Hemisphere to breaks in party unity over health care, Republican lawmakers are displaying signs of independence from Trump.
Schwenk, Kaiser 2026 Junior Achievement Dubois County Business Hall of Fame inductees - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.
Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana announced the 2026 JA Dubois County Business Hall of Fame Laureates at a press conference on Thursday, January 8, at the Dubois County Museum. The 2026 Laureates are Bill Kaiser and Raymond “Ray” J. Schwenk. Laurates will be inducted into the JA Dubois County Business Hall of Fame on Thursday,...
1/8 Big Ten Basketball Preview: Ohio State at Oregon
There’s a triple header set for tonight with three Big Ten games set to take place on Big Ten Network later this evening. Northwestern Wildcats at #12 Michigan State Spartans In the first game today the Spartans are set to host Northwestern. Michigan State bounced back nicely from a dreadful 56-58 road loss to Nebraska […]
How did Branson, Missouri, become America's capital for conservative entertainment?
A new book explores the cultural impact of Branson, Missouri, a tourist town that inspires devotion and disdain in equal measure. Long known for wholesome, family-friendly entertainment, the Midwestern destination has become a stage that showcases today’s cultural and political divides.
College Station virtual golf facility combines indoor entertainment with international charity work
A father-son team has opened a virtual golf facility that channels all concession profits toward providing water filters for families in western Kenya.
Health care workers' union demands more staff before ER expansion at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Unionized health care workers this week took aim at Northwestern Medicine, saying the health care system needs to hire more people before expanding the emergency room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Unionized health care workers demand mores staff before Northwestern expands ER
Levy Senior Center to host Philosophy of Science on Jan. 8
Each month, graduate students from Northwestern University visit the Levy Senior Center to discuss different science topics. This month, they will explore
Trump’s plan to own the Western Hemisphere and Greenland is not what Americans want
President Donald Trump’s decision to remove the head of a sovereign country over the weekend was a hugely significant operation. But it was perhaps even more significant as a statement of intent.
Full-length Replay: Iowa at Northwestern
The No. 14 Hawkeyes travel to Evanston to face the Wildcats for a Big Ten conference matchup.
Philadelphia faces Denver, aims for 4th straight win
Philadelphia is 9-4 in games decided by 10 points or more. The Nuggets have gone 13-7 away from home. Denver is fifth in the Western Conference with 33.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Nikola Jokic averaging 9.1.
Moore, Myers lead Western Kentucky past Louisiana Tech 66-61
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) Teagan Moore scored 19 points to lead Western Kentucky and Ryan Myers sealed the victory with a free throw with 53 seconds left as the Hilltoppers defeated Louisiana Tech 66-61 on Sunday.
Political science expert reacts to Maduro capture
The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces is raising questions about what comes next for Venezuela and the United States. A Southern Colorado political science professor said the move could signal a shift toward a more aggressive United States foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere, while also raising legal and constitutional concerns about the operation and its long term impact.
Full-length Replay: Minnesota at Northwestern
The Wildcats host the Gophers. Northwestern has won three straight in the series vs. Minnesota.
Cavs score vs Nuggets. Cavaliers live game updates, news, highlights
Coming off wins against two other Western Conference teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Our updates will be here.
Ex-Grizzlies guard De'Anthony Melton states Warriors had 'no business' winning 2022 NBA championship
Then-Grizzlies guard De'Anthony Melton reflected on his old team's 2022 Western Conference semifinals series against the Golden State Warriors.
Researchers ask how gender-diverse people feel about donating their bodies to science
A new study at Western seeks to better understand what sex and gender diverse people think about donating their bodies to science. Researchers say this information can better inform future healthcare professionals on respecting their patients' identities.
Keweenaw Peninsula on track for strong winter business
A western U.P. organization is reporting an important snowfall milestone earlier than usual this year.
Stephen F. Austin defeats Northwestern State 74-64
NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) Keon Thompson scored 21 points as Stephen F. Austin beat Northwestern State 74-64 on Wednesday.
Matt Szafranski of Western Mass. Politics & Insight on some of the Pioneer Valley's top political stories of 2025
All politics is local, and the Pioneer Valley is no exception. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief James Paleologopoulos spoke with Western Mass Politics and Insight editor-in-chief Matt Szafranski about some of this year’s top political stories. They include what could be a generational divide taking shape in Springfield and beyond, and political upheaval in Northampton, where a group devoted to securing public school funding took on the city government at the ballot box...
Mission Health announces visitor restrictions, citing high rate of flu in WNC
WLOS News 13 provides local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of events and items of interest in the community, sports and entertainment programming for Asheville, NC and nearby towns and communities in Western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina, including the counties of Buncombe, Henderson, Rutherford, Haywood, Polk, Transylvania, McDowell, Mitchell, Madison, Yancey, Jackson, Swain, Macon, Graham, Spartanburg, Greenville, Anderson, Union, Pickens, Oconee, Laurens, Greenwood, Abbeville and also Biltmore Forest, Woodfin, Leicester, Black Mountain, Montreat, Arden, Weaverville, Hendersonville, Etowah, Flat Rock, Mills River, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, Clyde, Franklin, Cullowhee, Sylva, Cherokee, Marion, Old Fort, Forest City, Lake Lure, Bat Cave, Spindale, Spruce Pine, Bakersville, Burnsville, Tryon, Columbus, Marshall, Mars Hill, Brevard, Bryson City, Cashiers, Greer, Landrum, Clemson, Gaffney, and Easley.
12/30 Big Ten Basketball Preview: Wisconsin Hosts Milwaukee
The season continues on Tuesday with a triple header tipping off early this evening on BTN. Let’s take a look at the upcoming action. Howard at Northwestern Wildcats In the first game today Northwestern will look to close out the year with a much needed win. The Wildcats are 2-4 over their past six games, […]
Jacksonville State wins 78-67 against Western Kentucky
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) AC Bryant scored 23 points as Jacksonville State beat Western Kentucky 78-67 on Monday.
Atlanta faces Oklahoma City, looks to halt 6-game skid
Atlanta Hawks (15-18, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-5, first in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles hosts Sacramento after Leonard's 55-point game
Sacramento Kings (8-24, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (10-21, 13th in the Western Conference)
BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Western MA Graphic Novels in Great Barrington
Located on the fringe of downtown Great Barrington, this retail store is filled with an eclectic, hand-curated inventory of comics for all ages.
As seasons roll on, Western sports missing a familiar face
For decades, equipment manager Kevin Fenwick made his mark on athletic community
Three takeaways from Northwestern football against Central Michigan
What went right against CMU — and in the season as a whole?
Two-day experience brings nonprofit and small business leaders to Western Mass
Mission-Rich Academy will host its first live leadership intensive Feb. 12–13 in Springfield, offering nonprofit and micro-business leaders hands-on training.
New mobile unit to help communities with mental health after Helene
More than a year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, mental health and addiction providers say demand for services continues to grow. Crossroads Treatment Center is launching a mobile unit to expand access to holistic care.
Central Michigan vs Northwestern live updates in GameAbove Sports Bowl
The Central Michigan Chippewas are playing the Northwestern Wildcats in the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit.
Northwestern vs. Central Michigan prediction, odds: 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl picks from proven model
SportsLine's computer reveals its CMU Chippewas vs. Northwestern Wildcats best bets
Northwestern vs. Central Michigan prediction, odds: 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl picks from proven model
SportsLine's computer model reveals its CMU Chippewas vs. Northwestern Wildcats best bets
CMU vs Northwestern preview and prediction for GameAbove Sports Bowl
Central Michigan looks to finish its season with a bowl win over Northwestern at Ford Field.
What channel is Northwestern vs CMU today? Time, TV for GameAbove Sports Bowl
Northwestern and Central Michigan face off in a true Midwestern matchup at Ford Field in Detroit. How to watch, including time, TV schedule and more:
Northwestern and Central Michigan are heading for a defensive showdown in GameAbove Sports Bowl
Northwestern vs. Central Michigan prediction, odds, spread: 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl picks from proven model
SportsLine's computer model reveals its CMU Chippewas vs. Northwestern Wildcats best bets
Northwestern-Central Michigan GameAbove Sports Bowl picks, odds
USA TODAY's college football experts lock in their picks for the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl on Dec. 26.