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Google Home Speaker vs. the mainstay Nest Mini: Is this a true upgrade?
The Google Home Speaker is now the easiest and most affordable way to get Gemini into your smart home, but...
Families, business owners push leadership to break silence following Haywood Mall shooting
Eleven days after shots rang out at Haywood Mall in Greenville, families and business owners are growing frustrated by the lack of answers from Simon Corporate and Upstate-based mall management.
Patriots Coach Jeremy Springer Announces Engagement To NBC Sports Host Kayla Burton
NBC Sports host Kayla Burton is engaged to an NFL coach. The popular Boston-based sports media personality announced her engagement to New England Patriots special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer. The two announced their big news in a joint Instagram post Monday, sharing photos from the NFL ...
Google's Gemini 3.5 Pro release slips to July
Google's next big AI model is coming later than promised, but the company is trying to use the extra time to make it better.
Online violence against women in politics: what shapes political party responses to technology-facilitated gender-based violence?
Political parties have a primary role to play in tackling online violence against women and gender diverse politicians. While the prevalence and impact of TFGBV, such as coordinated disinformation campaigns, deepfake image-based sexual abuse or trolling are well documented, many parties are still building their knowledge on how to respond effectively and have not put in place internal practices and policies that respond to the rapidly evolving, poorly regulated digital ecosystem. About the ReportIn order to promote and protect fair and democratic participation in politics, this ALIGN Report explores what political parties are doing in response to TFGBV and what factors shape their action. The findings, based on existing literature and interviews with gender and politics professionals, indicate there are three sets of factors which donors, civil society and practitioners should consider when designing action to support political parties to respond to TFGBV internally. These are: (1) gender norms; (2) socio-political environment; and (3) internal party factors.Key messagesUnequal gender norms are ubiquitous across politics, shaping expectations of leaders to be strong and assertive, and practices of political parties to uphold masculinist values and sustain cultures of silence. These often lead to weak response to TFGBV against women politicians.The socio-political context can incentivise or disincentivise action, depending on the salience of gender issues, which are increasingly weaponised. Electoral competitiveness, domestic laws (i.e. quota requirements), and even the political system or global normative frameworks influence political will to act.Internal party factors that shape responses will vary across countries and contexts, but include: structures to enforce codes of conduct, policies and reporting mechanisms on (TF)GBV, political ideology, extent of centralisation of leadership, and crucially the meaningful participation of women in decision-making positions, not least through internal women’s wings.Party responses can be seen as a spectrum, with actions falling between active discouragement to address TFGBV to commitment to transform unequal norms and practices within the party.About the ToolkitTogether with the report, this ALIGN toolkit offers gender professionals and others working on democratic strengthening a set of guiding questions and reflection prompts to identify which responses could be most effective and suitable in different contexts. These actions can complement other solutions to TFGBV, such as regulations promoting safety by design. The assessment spans a broad range of factors including: (1) different manifestations of gender norms, (2) the socio-political environment and (3) internal party structures.Key messagesPolitical parties are duty-bound to take action internally to respond to the significant threats posed to women members and candidates, including from their own party colleagues, affiliates and political peers.Existing party approaches to TFGBV can be assessed along a spectrum which ranges from active discouragement and passive acceptance to minimal response and transformative change.To generate effective and context-appropriate solutions to TFGBV, it is important to consider how gender norms shape leadership expectations and internal party practices, while also analysing the impact of the socio-political environment. While actions to support women to stay safe online are very common, codes of conduct and measures to strengthen women’s voice and power in the parties are proposed as most transformative solutions.
Gemini in Chrome adds ‘Select from screen’ tool as Gemini 3.5 Flash gains computer use
Gemini in Chrome now lets you focus a prompt with a new "Select from screen" tool, while developers can tap into 3.5 Flash computer use...
Black Business Expo 2026 in Pensacola
Looking for meaningful connections, community engagement, and a chance to support local Black businesses? Join us for the Black Business Expo 2026, Sunday, June 28th, from 2 to 6 p.m. in the historic Belmont-DeVilliers District in Pensacola.
Towerhouse Signs Deals With Spate Of YouTube Content Brands Including Culture Genesis & ‘American Mayhem With Larry The Cable Guy’ Show
EXCLUSIVE: V10 Entertainment’s management business Towerhouse has opened its doors to a suite of YouTube content creators. Culture Genesis, the LPGA, MotoAmerica, Japan Racing Association (JRA), syndi...
Google’s New $100 Speaker Makes a Weak Case for Gemini in the Home
The Google Home Speaker is the first new device of its kind to come from Alphabet Inc. in six years. In that time, Google has reshaped itself as an industry leader in artificial intelligence, with its Gemini platform now ubiquitous across consumer hardware like smartphones and web services like Search, Workspace and YouTube.
Google Home Speaker review: A modest update for the Gemini era
Google's new speaker is a modest update, but the question is whether Gemini is a good smart home assistant.
Health professor to research AI’s impact on hiring people with disabilities
Erblin Shehu, who specializes in healthcare management, will join a major project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Financing the Future: Leaders Make the Investment Case for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health
With development assistance declining and health systems under growing strain, leaders at Africa Health ExCon called for a shift from fragmented financing to integrated, sustainable investment in women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health. Discussions highlighted domestic financing, private sector engagement, service integration and climate-resilient health systems as pathways to greater impact.
Are AI chatbots like ChatGPT politically biased? We tested them.
The Post tested ChatGPT, Gemini and other chatbots with political questions, and the results show that the AI tools have different political leanings.
UK Police hosts campus, health care and public safety leaders for Safer Kentucky Symposium
The University of Kentucky Police Department brought together leaders from private colleges, public universities, health care institutions, public safety agencies, emergency management and student affairs for the Safer Kentucky Symposium, a statewide conversation focused on strengthening safety through communication, coordination and shared responsibility.
Monster Fantasy announced for PC – action RPG with cozy life simulation elements
Chengdu-based developer Jotoyo has announced Monster Fantasy, an action RPG with cozy life simulation elements coming to PC via Steam. A release date was not announced. A Kickstarter campaign will …
Gemini Intelligence makes brief Pixel 10 series appearance on Android 17 QPR1 Beta
Google today is rolling out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5 and it’s mainly just a bug fixer except for the inclusion of the Gemini Intelligence logo.
Lords of the Fallen II delayed to Q1 2027
Publisher CI Games and developer Hexworks have delayed Soulslike action RPG Lords of the Fallen II from its previously planned fall 2026 release window to Q1 2027. It will be available for PlayStat…
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds free character updates Classic Sonic, Axel, and Amigo announced
SEGA has announced new playable characters coming to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds from today until September, including Classic Sonic from Sonic the Hedgehog, Axel from the Crazy Taxi series, and Amig…
Hidden Gem
“You couldn’t replicate this at another university.” Part 3 of a three-part series on the Main Building’s Life Science Library.
Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition now available for Switch 2
SEGA has released Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition for Switch 2 for $49.99. It is available digitally, as well as physically as a game-key card.
Opinion | Michigan has a strong maternal, child health budget. We can’t afford to lose it
Strong maternal and child health systems require sustained commitment. Programs that improve outcomes only work when families can count on them being there.
Records: Rural Michigan ‘overlooked’ in Michigan’s $6B subsidy spending spree
A Bridge analysis finds that the northeast Lower Peninsula got $71 per person in economic development spending since 2022, compared to $854 in west Michigan. Some question the disparities.
Jim Cramer Says McCormick “Is Still Reeling From Their Deal to Buy Unilever’s Food Business”
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) was among the stocks Jim Cramer discussed as he said that the Iran peace negotiations could trigger an oil glut, cool inflation, and pull interest rates down. Cramer expects to hear a Unilever deal justification from the management, as he remarked: Also, on Thursday, we hear from McCormick. This is […]
Cadence raises $100 million to automate chronic disease care with regulated AI
Digital health startup Cadence has raised $100 million at a $1.23 billion valuation to expand its chronic disease management program.
Scientists Finally Find Out Why Gold Never Rusts Like Other Metals
Gold’s pristine shine may depend on an until now hidden atomic rearrangement at its surface.
Is Lowe's (LOW) Entertainment-Focused Loyalty Push a New Edge in Customer Engagement?
Lowe's Companies, Inc. recently announced a multi-year partnership with Live Nation Entertainment to offer MyLowe's Rewards and MyLowe's Pro Rewards members exclusive live music benefits, including concert perks and amphitheater tailgate experiences at select venues starting this summer. This expansion of the loyalty program into entertainment experiences highlights Lowe's effort to deepen customer engagement beyond the store and into members' leisure time. Next, we’ll explore how this...
Capcom Spotlight set for June 25
Capcom will host a Capcom Spotlight broadcast on June 25 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET / June 27 at 7:00 JST, the company announced. You will be able to watch it on YouTube (English, Japanese).
Rhythm Heaven Groove ‘Starter Demo’ now available
A demo for Rhythm Heaven Grove, dubbed the “Starter Demo,” is now available via Nintendo eShop, Nintendo announced.
Palmetto Sports Shorts: The Mahaffey Legacy
WATCH: Palmetto Sports Director Carmine Gemei speaks with Clemson Men’s Basketball forward Trent Steinour about his family’s generational legacy at Clemson.
Optum Behavioral Health names chief medical officer
James Polo, MD, will serve as chief medical officer for Optum Behavioral Health, according to a June 22 LinkedIn post. In his role, Dr. Polo focuses on clinical quality and policy, member experience, regulatory strategy, utilization management, affordability, innovation, and population health for various health plans. He will work with UnitedHealthcare, the rest of Optum, […]
Sega Reveals Updated Sales for Metaphor: ReFantazio, Persona 3 Reload, SMT V: Vengeance and Persona 5 Royal
Sega has held their 2026 management meeting on June 15, and has published the meeting presentation, giving sales updates on various games.
T. ROWE PRICE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ENHANCEMENTS TO U.S. INSTITUTIONAL BUSINESS
/PRNewswire/ -- T. Rowe Price, a global asset management firm and a leader in retirement, announced a series of strategic enhancements to its institutional...
ImPACT Applications, Inc. adds UpRight Science Balance Assessment for Athletes
ImPACT Applications, Inc., the leader in concussion management tools, announced today that Balance by UpRight—an FDA-cleared balance measurement technology from UpRight Science—is now available through the ImPACT Platform.
Monthly BAT Days Initiative Connects Residents to Free Health, Recovery and Support Services
On the second Wednesday of each month, these organizations come together at the Centers for Addiction and Mental Health Programs (CAMP) on Orange Blossom Trail to provide HIV and Hepatitis-C testing, connections to affordable or free primary care providers, mental health resources and case management services.
NAIRR Science Program Reshapes Scientific Research, Powered by NVIDIA AI Infrastructure
The U.S. National Science Foundation’s NAIRR pilot program has driven innovative research across the U.S. for over 700 projects — spanning protein prediction and infectious disease outbreak management.
Former recruiter shares advice on résumés and networking strategies
A former recruiter turned content creator offers insights on job market navigation, including résumé crafting, networking, and LinkedIn engagement.
Milan make decisions on new CEO and sporting director roles
Reports in Italy claim that Milan have finally come to a decision over their next permanent CEO and sporting director after going almost a full month without a senior management structure in place.Mil...
Technological Decolonization in the Shadow of Algorithmic Hegemony
With every crisis originating from a tech company, we see a fresh batch of dirty laundry aired & we fail to grasp the scale of the issue.
ESPN Fan House Opening As Engagement Hub For College Sports Fanatics
ESPN is bringing the fans home. The Disney-owned sports network has launched ESPN Fan House, a “fan-centric engagement hub” that will “connect fans more deeply with ESPN’s coverage of college sports, brands and moments” ahead of the 2026 season. The hub, powered by Flowcode, is being framed as an interactive space existing across live and …
Honkai: Nexus Anima ‘Evolution Test’ begins July 9
miHoYo will host the “Evolution Test” for creature-collector adventure strategy game Honkai: Nexus Anima beginning July 9 across PC, iOS, and Android, the company announced. An end date…
Blue Reflection Quartet second trailer, pre-orders now available
Publisher Koei Tecmo and developer Gust have released the second official trailer and opened digital pre-orders for heroic RPG collection Blue Reflection Quartet.
Infringement risks of AIGC in entertainment industry (Part 2)
From talent contracts to AI tool whitelists, AIGC compliance is no longer just risk control but a core issue for financing, listing and digital asset operations
Rose & Camellia Collection ‘Online Battle Mode’ update launches June 22
The online battle mode update for slap battle action game Rose & Camellia Collection will launch on June 22, publisher PLAYISM and developer Nigoro announced.
This Week’s Japanese Game Releases: Star Fox, Villion: Code, more
Star Fox for Switch 2, and Villion: Code for PlayStation 5, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, and Switch are the highlight of this week’s Japanese video game releases.
Opinion: Is the role of the Alaska Board of Fisheries sustainability or politics?
The recent decision by the Alaska attorney general’s office to overturn several Area M management proposals raises serious concerns about the state’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management.
Book lovers rejoice! “The Five Star Weekend” gets companion podcast with author Elin Hilderbrand (exclusive)
Jennifer Garner, D'Arcy Carden, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, and Gemma Chan star in Peacock's adaptation of the best-selling novel.
Google's Gemini Partially Figures Out A Lengthy Linux Boot Time On Modern ASUS Laptop
Google Antigravity with the Gemini 3.5 Flash model helped a Linux user sort out a situation where his laptop was taking around 36 seconds to boot the kernel, which shouldn't be the case for the high-end laptop with AMD Ryzen 9 processor and 32GB of RAM
Here's to dad jokes and the hilarious Tennessee fathers who tell them
We had a great time this month talking to some outstanding Tennessee comedians, but the real gems were submitted by these local readers.
Does Advertising Business Growth Assert AppLovin Corporation (APP) as a High-Growth Large-Cap Stock to Buy?
AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) is one of the high-growth large-cap stocks to invest in now. On June 10, Benchmark reiterated a Buy rating on AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP)and a $775 price target. The research firm remains bullish on the stock, impressed by the company’s prospects in its consumer advertising business. A recent investor presentation affirmed management’s confidence […]
Colorado Politics Calendar June 22-28
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances, water meetings, book signings, county commission hearings, city council meetings and more. As a subscriber, […]
Ancient Gem Popular With Romans And Victoria's Elite Found In New Martian Rock
An international team of scientists has discovered a completely new type of rock and the mineral garnet in a Martian meteorite fragment, unlocking fresh secrets about the geological evolution of Mars.
Kennedy Center says it isn’t required to reschedule shows after judge blocks 2-year closure
The Kennedy Center's management isn't committing to new shows or staff expansion, even as it considers options short of a full two-year closure that a federal judge blocked last month.
Dodgers on Deck: Saturday, June 20 vs. Orioles
The Dodgers turn to their ace on Saturday night against the Baltimore Orioles, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto coming off two gems in a row. Yamamoto retired his final 22 batters faced to beat the Angels on June 6 at Dodger Stadium, then retired his first 23 in a row against the White Sox in Chicago, taking […]
Wealth management firm is the latest to announce a new Towne Center location
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, a Bank of America company, plans to open a new location in Towne Center. Media reports surfaced early Friday that Bank of America would open its first Louisiana bra… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Teti identified as Milan’s latest option for sporting director
Milan’s hunt for a senior management team continues and the latest reports claim that Domenico Teti is the latest name under consideration for the role of sporting director in San Siro.Teti the late...
Two Point Museum x DAVE THE DIVER collaboration update now available
Publisher SEGA and developer Two Point Studios have released the version 10.0 update for Two Point Museum, which brings MINTROCKET’s DAVE THE DIVER to the museum’s Digiverse, the compan…
EA Sports UFC 6: Seven fighters you have to try out to get the full 'as real as it gets' experience
Picking up EA Sports UFC 6 on release day? Make sure you check out some of the game's best shining stars and hidden gems.
The Ancient Egyptians loved this rare gem – scientists just found it in a cracked meteorite that fell from Mars | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Astronomers analysing a piece of Martian meteorite NWA 8171 have found garnet, a dark-red gem that could reveal the secrets of Mars's past.
Canisius University sports management students getting industry crash course at this year's NHL Draft
Around 20 students from Canisius University's sports management program will get hands-on experience in their field during next weekend's NHL Draft at KeyBank Center. | WGR Sports Radio Buffalo
Persona 4 Revival Broadcast
ATLUS has released a 22-minute “Persona 4 Revival Broadcast” offering a deep dive into the game’s story, characters, battle system, and more.
Gemini Live can now access your past chats Memory, Connected Apps info
Following the big Neural Expressive redesign and new voices last month, Google has updated Gemini Live with Memory access.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance coming to Switch 2 on September 24
Publisher SEGA and developer Lizardcube will release a Switch 2 version of SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance on September 24, the companies announced. Pre-orders are available now via Nintendo eShop.
NIH Chief Defends His Management of the Agency
National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya hit back Thursday at critics of funding cuts and other shifts at the agency, accusing them of resisting the kind of “fundamental change” he believes is necessary for modernizing the NIH and improving scientific research. Bhattacharya said that ...
Most TikTok sunscreen content is accurate but misinformation goes viral, study finds
A study found that videos promoting misinformation about sunscreen got more engagement on the platform, despite making up a fraction of the most popular posts on the topic.
Minnesota can retain business headquarters, but is it attracting new ones?
A new University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management examines the Twin Cities "headquarters economy" and why it is struggling to attract new businesses.
Android 17 update deletes homescreen widgets for some Google Pixel owners
Widgets have long been a useful part of the Android homescreen and, for many, they’ve solidified their spot and functionality...
David Nail Signs With 117 Entertainment, Carnival Music & New Frontier Touring
David Nail has signed with 117 Entertainment for management and public relations, New [...]
Digimon Story: Time Stranger free update launches July 9, adds Terriermon Assistant, Graphics Mode options, more
Publisher Bandai Namco and developer Media.Vision will release a free update for Digimon Story: Time Stranger on July 9 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, and at launch for Switch 2 and Switch…
My Hero Academia: All’s Justice coming to Switch 2 on September 3 in Japan, September 4 worldwide
Publisher Bandai Namco and developer Byking will release My Hero Academia: All’s Justice for Switch 2 on September 3 in Japan and September 4 worldwide, the companies announced. The physical …
The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Switch, and PC
Publisher Outright Games and developer Casual Brothers, in cooperation with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, have announced adventure game sequel The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas. It will launch for PlayStatio…
UConn Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy Recognizes Faculty Excellence
InCHIP Excellence Awards recognize faculty achievements in research, mentoring, and community engagement.
Analyst Perspectives on Oracle’s Strategy to Help Customers Secure Business Data against AI Threats
Oracle today announced its AI security strategy based on three principles: secure at source, secure at speed, and secure through resilience. To help customers accelerate and strengthen their security posture Oracle is making several of its most widely deployed and battle-tested database security, patching, testing, and lifecycle management tools available at no cost for a limited time, or at a 90% discount on one-year term licenses. This move has been positively received by leading industry analysts and reaffirms Oracle’s leadership in equipping enterprises to maximize their resilience in the face of increasing AI-era security threats.
Sports team values keep climbing as media rights fuel growth
Chris Marangi, Co-CIO at Gabelli Funds, and Mike Ozanian, CNBC Senior Sports Reporter, say sports franchises remain scarce, growing assets supported by media rights, betting and rising fan engagement.
French Twist: Trump Upends GOP Plans | WSJ Politics Newsletter for June 18
Plus, Kevin Warsh makes his debut as Fed chairman and Trump offers encouragement to Anthropic over access to its powerful AI models
Vote in our L.A. Sports Hall of Fame (other colleges edition)
Introducing the L.A. Times Sports Report Hall of Fame, where readers vote for Hall of Famers in various categories.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok demo now available
A demo for Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok is now available for PlayStation 5, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam, publisher Cygames and developer Cygames Osaka announced.
A Google veteran who founded character.AI is jumping to OpenAI
Noam Shazeer, a co-lead at Gemini and the founder of Character.AI is leaving Google to join OpenAI in the latest AI talent war move.
Gemini for Android using Bubbles to let you multitask & continue chats
After adding Dynamic Color earlier this month, the Gemini overlay on Android is now using Bubbles to help keep track of conversations.
How to turn off AI in your Google Docs
Here's what you need to do to get those pesky "write with Gemini" pop-ups to go away.
Street Fighter 6 DLC character Yasmine launches August 3
Street Fighter 6 Year 4 downloadable content character Yasmine will launch on August 3, Capcom announced.
IT Experts: Brandy Semore, Pinnacle Business Systems
Brandy Semore serves as Vice President of Professional Services at Pinnacle Business Systems, where she leads engineering and project management teams delivering technology solutions across multiple industries.
Cedarville University to launch online sports business management degree program
The new online degree will expand access to the university’s sports business management program
Cedarville University to launch online sports business management degree program
The new online degree will expand access to the university’s sports business management program
Google Releases Free Android Upgrade To Millions: Samsung Galaxy Next
Samsung's Android 17 upgrade is coming to Galaxy phones via One UI 9. But the biggest feature, Gemini Intelligence, raises serious security questions. Here's what to know
Why best place in Florida to visit is 30A, according to locals
Florida locals swear 30A is the best gem to visit in the state. Here's why I agree after one trip to great places like Rosemary Beach and Seaside.
JUST IN: Tucker Wetmore Inks With Sandbox Entertainment
MusicRow has confirmed Tucker Wetmore has signed with Sandbox Entertainment for management, as [...]
Samsung phones are getting a new feature for checking the health of your pets.
During the VivaTech 2026 conference in Paris, Samsung announced a new feature for its mobile devices created through a collaboration with the pet health management platform, Lifet. You’ll be able to snap a photo of your dog or cat which will be analyzed by AI to alert you to conditions like periodontal disease and obesity. [Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/samsung.jpg?quality=90&strip=all]
Google bets on Gemini to reinvent the smart home speaker
Google is betting generative AI can breathe new life into the smart speaker. The company's new $99.99 Google Home Speaker replaces the rigid commands of the Google Assistant era with more conversational Gemini interactions.
The Gemini-powered Google Home Speaker arrives on June 25 for $100
Google's new smart speaker is more about Gemini than audio quality.
Google’s first smart speaker in six years arrives next week
The Google Home Speaker is designed for Gemini for Home and its more conversational smart home assistant.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management: Science, Stewardship, and Shared Successes
One of the most innovative aspects of the Magnuson-Stevens Act was the establishment of eight regional councils to manage fisheries. Across the country, regional councils are tackling their own unique challenges, each shaped by their local coastal communities and united under a shared framework.
WHO issues comprehensive guidelines on filovirus disease, including Ebola and Marburg disease
As the Democratic Republic of the Congo is battling an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first comprehensive guidelines for the clinical management of filovirus disease which include all types of Ebola and Marburg viruses.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles version 1.5.0 ‘Enhanced’ update now available, adds New Game+ and more
Square Enix has released the version 1.5.0 “Enhanced” update for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, which adds “New Game+,” the “Zodiac Compatibility”…
Latvia pilots citizen engagement in research grant evaluations
Latvia has introduced an element of citizen engagement to the evaluation of nationally funded research grants. The aim is to both create more connections between science and society, and to improve the quality of its evaluations. The move comes as research funders across Europe are experimenting with ways to improve evaluation processes in the face of a sharpened focus on science’s impact on society. Evaluators of grant applications submitted to Latvia’s Fundamental and Applied Research Programme (FLPP), the country’s main research funder, will this year have the option of consulting citizen feedback on challenges the public thinks science should focus on to inform their decisions. “In recent years, both public discussions and policy-level debates in Latvia have highlighted the importance of demonstrating how publicly funded research contributes to society, the economy and the resolution of real-world challenges,” said a source at the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), which manages the FLPP. “At the same time, research institutions themselves expressed interest in improving the project evaluation framework while continuing to ensure that funding is awarded to the highest-quality projects,” the source added. The citizen input comes from a survey that was conducted between 25 February and 16 March 2025, to which 1,737 people responded. It gathered information on what the public views as problem areas for Latvia, and the role of science and technology in providing solutions to these problems. A summary of these responses has been included as an annex to the FLPP 2026 call for proposals that evaluators can refer to, purely in an advisory manner, when judging proposals. Results from the survey show that the main problem areas identified by the public were in healthcare and public health, followed by the development of new treatment methods and medicines, and then digital technology, data security and cyber security. At the bottom of the list was research aimed at acquiring new knowledge about the universe, matter and the laws of nature. Further analysis looked at the public view of the possible role of science in solving these problems. The survey charted 4,167 individual responses based on open-ended questions that were derived from the participants’ answers. The analysis again found that medical and health sciences topped the scoring, with 788 responses referring to the field. Humanities and the arts were bottom of the list, with 625. Digging further into the details, the survey suggests citizens are aware of and concerned about a number of research areas. This includes technologies and innovation to improve the environment or reduce pollution, the development of modern military technologies and cybersecurity tools, and the development and application of artificial intelligence, among others. “We hope this initiative will help strengthen public trust in science and create a more meaningful dialogue between researchers and society,” the LCS source said, adding that it offers benefits to researchers, evaluators and to the general public. More space for citizen engagement in evaluationsThere is a gradual but increasing use of citizen engagement in research evaluation processes around Europe, especially in healthcare, but it remains relatively rare, said Henry Sauermann, a professor at the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin and an expert in citizen science.“Given that we are at a point where citizen involvement is extremely limited, there is presumably space for more, but it's not that we should do it just because we want to do it,” he told Science|Business. He said some research lends itself better to having citizen input, and this usually tends to be on the applied end of the science spectrum where the public can offer useful feedback based on their experiences. He added that advising scientists on certain topics to study is also a useful approach, in the way that Latvia is doing. “The public does fund a lot of science, there's a lot of tax money going into this. We of course do want to preserve academic freedom, but it's also not unreasonable to incorporate more feedback or input from citizens where possible,” he said. Related articlesCitizen science: where, when, and how to let the public contribute to researchHow can Europe cope with a flood of AI-assisted research grant proposals?Data Corner: Horizon Europe’s AI, digital and data call success rate is 5.2%There are several ways of involving citizens in science funding. The most minimal way is having a few representatives on a panel, such as members of a patient group or union. The most direct way is crowdsourcing funding for specific projects. There is an increasing number of online platforms that allow the public to chip in to support scientific proposals.Sauermann studied this in a recent paper and found that it can have its uses, but it still is not clear if there are benefits to it. There are various assumptions linked to citizen engagement, for example that it increases public trust in science, or that it provides a representative view of what the public thinks about science. These are not necessarily true, Sauermann found. People who participate in engagement activities tend to already be very trusting of science, and, on the whole, it is generally the well-off and well educated who contribute, giving a narrow view of public opinion. On whether citizen input can help manage the increasing number of proposals that are being submitted due to assistance from AI, Sauermann is more sceptical. “The obvious answer to the flood of AI-written proposals is AI-driven evaluation,” he said, adding that it doesn’t mean citizen engagement shouldn’t be a part of evaluations in a well thought-out manner. Southern Denmark’s successful approachOne successful example of citizen engagement in science evaluations was implemented in southern Denmark. Between 2019 and 2025, citizens in the region were invited to vote to fund one of five pre-selected projects in the field of healthcare. The project, called A Healthier Southern Denmark, was a collaboration between regional authorities, the University of Southern Denmark, and two media partners. Over the seven years, there were 75,000 votes and significant public engagement online and on social media. “It was a bit of a wild project, we’d never done something like that before and we were a bit nervous about what would be said in the media about it. But actually, people were very positive,” said Anne Kathrine Overgaard, one of the main organisers of the project from the University of Southern Denmark. The university and its researchers have learned a lot from the experience, particularly about engaging with society and shaping their research to match real-world needs. This is important with Europe’s increasing focus on competitiveness and bringing innovations to market faster, Overgaard said. She hopes to see more citizen engagement in evaluation processes and in science more broadly. “For many years, citizen engagement has been a bit of an add-on to proposals, just to check a box. But I think things are changing,” she said. It’s less about citizens just gathering data and more “about the dialogue between the public and the scientists,” she said. The initiative ended last year as the team wanted to regroup to find fresh momentum. The development of AI and AI-written proposals has made Overgaard reflect on how the project could be reworked to help evaluators. She hopes to bring it back in the future. “It could be a good idea to try this initiative again in a slightly re-worked format,” she said.
NFL, NBA unions applaud efforts on bill designed to fix college sports in letter obtained by the AP
The NFL Players Association and National Basketball Players Association teamed up on letter to leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee, applauding their efforts on a recently introduced Senate bill designed to fix college sports. The unions wrote that they support the bill for provisions that guarantee NIL rights and provide medical and healthcare benefits. “We encourage continued meaningful stakeholder engagement and negotiations to further strengthen the bill as it moves through Congress to ensure college athletes are protected and empowered,” read the letter addressed to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.
“The Five Star Weekend” boss on which role was 'hardest' to cast
Peacock's upcoming adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand's best-selling novel stars Jennifer Garner, D'Arcy Carden, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, and Gemma Chan.
Palmetto Sports Shorts: Buckner Family Legacy
WATCH: Palmetto Sports Director Carmine Gemei speaks with Clemson guard Ace Buckner about his relationship with his Tigers Hall of Fame father Greg Buckner and making his own name.
The Yankees Reliever Confidence Index: June Edition
David Bednar returns to form as Yanks’ relief unit remains surprisingly elite.
Politics and the FIFA World Cup
Dr. Michael Goldman, Professor of Sports Management at the University of San Francisco, joins Fox Local San Francisco to discuss politics and the FIFA World Cup