SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " ready " 4,357 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Manzambi's rapid rise a surprise to former coaches
Johan Manzambi is already in the discussion with fellow nominees Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, Real Madrid's Yan Diomande and new Manchester City midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for the best young player in the world award. It is a rapid rise for a player who used to return to Freiburg's academy to do his washing.
Proposal 2 targets political giving by businesses. A court fight is a sure bet.
With Proposal 2 polling strongly, attention is already shifting to an expected constitutional challenge from business interests if voters pass the measure on Nov. 3.
Proposal 2 targets political giving by businesses. A court fight is a sure bet.
With Proposal 2 polling strongly, attention is already shifting to an expected constitutional challenge from business interests if voters pass the measure on Nov. 3.
“His presence has been felt already,” forward Keldon …
“His presence has been felt already,” forward Keldon …
Marten De Roon ready to make first start for Roma
De Roon’s time is coming. The Dutch midfielder, nicknamed “the balancer” in Bergamo, has so far played little for Roma because he’s not yet at his best. He didn’t need much time to show what...
Asia’s boardrooms risk missing the biggest cost of climate change: human health
Extreme heat is already draining worker productivity across Asia.
iOS 26.7.1—Update Now Warning Issued To iPhone Users
Apple has released iOS 26.7.1, an emergency iPhone update fixing a vulnerability that has already been used in real-life attacks. Here's what you need to know.
El Niño is strengthening. Is your business ready?
Manual and Guideline in English on World about Climate Change and Environment and Disaster Management; published on 13 Aug 2026 by UNDRR
Juve change president, Laporta on Lautaro, Napoli latest ☀️
Serie A is on hold to make room for international fixtures, but the anticipation is building. The countdown has already begun for France vs Italy in the Nations League, a match set to capture attentio...
Celebrate PHS Homecoming Oct. 23
The Pleasanton Ex-Students Association is getting ready for the PHS Homecoming game to be held on Friday, Oct. 23, at Eagle Stadium. They will be honoring the years ending in
Luka Doncic Offers Massive Compliment To Stephen Curry
The questions on NBA media day often force superstars to show respect to others around the league. Luka Doncic received a question at the Los Angeles Lakers media day event about the toughest players to guard in the league. The Lakers superstar wasted no time and had Stephen Curry ready as his answer before the […] The post Luka Doncic Offers Massive Compliment To Stephen Curry appeared first on HEAVY.
Science begins for Smile
On 23 September, the European-Chinese Smile mission was declared ready to start revealing how Earth responds to the wind of charged particles from the Sun. This follows a busy in-space commissioning period since the spacecraft launched on 19 May and reached its target orbit for science operations on 20 June.
AI Has Already Impacted How Creatives Are Pitching Films, According to FoxNXT Head
Jon Flynn, EVP and head of FoxNXT, took the stage during TheWrap's first-ever AI Creator Day ahead of TheGrill.
The Streamers Tried To Conquer Labor Day…and Whiffed
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) What? Another Streaming Ratings Report already? You betcha. Nielsen has moved up the release of their Streaming Ratings data by two weeks, which means I’ve got two extra issues to get out. But I love this change because it will make this report more timely and easier to publish regularly. This week—with the viewership data for the week of 31-Aug—we’ve got some huge, huge topics to discuss. On the film side, two theatrical films (The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+ and Scary Movie on Paramount+) contend with two non-Netflix straight-to-streaming films (Mayday on Apple TV and The Runner on Prime Video). The streamers went all in to win Labor Day weekend in America. And we have a bunch of TV shows to analyze, both new shows (Netflix’s The Gentleman, Hulu’s Chad Powers, and an Alix Earle reality show) and weekly shows like Reacher, Ted Lasso, House of the Dragon and Lioness. All that, plus nepotism in Hollywood, some eye-popping fantasy football stats, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. Let’s dive right in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of August 31st to September 6th, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Film - A Slew of Labor Day Disappointments? A lot of streamers released big new films this week, why? My theory is that the streamers know that four-day weekends can propel streaming films to glory. But if you’ve been reading more over the last two years, you know that big holiday weekends aren’t driving big viewership numbers the way they did post-Covid. And interestingly enough, Netflix didn’t put out a big new film this week. But four other streamers did, trying to take advantage of the holiday with some (not cheap) swings, including… The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+ (a Star Wars film that cost $165 million and made $177 million at the US domestic box office) Mayday on Apple TV (rumored $100 million budget, no theatrical release) The Runner on Prime Video (at least a $40 million budget, but likely $50 to $80 million, no theatrical release). Scary Movie on Paramount+ ($30 million budget, made $108 million domestically). (Paramount+ also released a made-for-streaming film based on the Thundermans IP, and I’ll discuss that later.) So…how’d they do? The Mandalorian and Grogu Leads The Way (But That Isn’t Enough) Let’s start with The Mandalorian and Grogu (which I’ll abbreviate to Mando for most of this article). We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… How Mando, Mayday, The Runner and Scary Movie performed on streaming... How the powerhouse weekly released shows (Reacher, Ted Lasso and Lioness) have accumulate a LOT of viewership… How House of the Dragon finished its run… The latest Netflix show to have a sophomore slump… Whether top creators can drive viewers to their shows… Nepotism in Hollywood and the music business... All the flops, bombs and misses for the week… And more… ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. Coming Soon! Since Nielsen has accelerated their streaming data release schedule, I’ve got a lot of Streaming Ratings Reports coming your way! Next issue, I’ll be looking at the second season of Peacock’s The Paper, the latest season of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and a very, very expensive Daily Wire fantasy series that’s now on Prime Video. Plus Crew Girl and Dang! on Netflix, a new Tyler Perry film, and one of the biggest bombs of the summer, Supergirl. In the next two issues, I’ll take a look at the return of the NFL to streaming, Toy Story 5 on Disney+, Backrooms on HBO Max, and The Breadwinner on Netflix. On the TV side, we’ve got Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, Dancing with the Stars on Disney+, Apple TV’s Slow Horses, a Reacher spinoff on Prime Video, and Paramount+’s MobLand, a Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey comedy on Apple TV, a sequel to a Cosby Show spinoff on Netflix, The Great British Baking Show, and the Unabomber film. And while doing all that, I want to take a look at adult animated shows, Ride or Die’s cancellation, and Netflix’s summer films. So much great stuff! Long term, two bits of comic book news. The X-Men cast has been announced, and go ahead and color me bull-ish, if not very, very bull-ish on this bit of comic book IP. In weirder news, HBO Max ordered a “true crime” show by Jimmy Olsen about Gorilla Grodd being falsely convicted of murder. I mean, what? I don’t know, let’s see what happens.
You Can 'Get Ready' for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders on October 12
People who plan to purchase an iPhone Duo can go through the "Get Ready" process starting on Monday, October 12. The new detail was added to the iPhone Duo product page yesterday, according to Reddit. Get Ready lets users select a preferred color and capacity, confirm their carrier status, choose accessories, choose an AppleCare+ plan, select a trade-in, add a payment method, and set a shipping and billing address.
RWJBarnabas Health and NJ Department of Health Celebrate Success of “Stay Well, Learn Well” Initiative
RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), hosted a series of successful back-to-school events as part of their "Stay Well, Learn Well” initiative which provides childhood vaccinations, school physicals, and other wellness resources to help ensure children across New Jersey are healthy, protected and ready to learn.
Why Paolo Banchero is Ready to 'Dominate Every Single Night'
Armed with elite conditioning and a refined interior presence, Orlando’s cornerstone enters his third season hunting consistency and a superstar leap to lead the Magic through the East.
Valley West Mall sold; site plan to be finalized
Brian Martin likes to do “impactful” developments that will help transform the communities where he works. That’s why the president and CEO of Threshold Capital and Threshold Development decided to invest in the redevelopment of Valley West Mall. The $11 million deal closed on Monday, and as the new owner, he is ready to begin…
'We're rapidly running out of time': 7 of Earth's 9 life support systems already breached, and the situation is getting worse, report warns
Our planet has had its annual health check, and the prognosis is pretty grim. Despite breached planetary boundaries, however, scientists argue that Earth can still have a safe and sustainable future.
Miccosukee Arts & Science Symposium: Art, Culture & Protecting the Everglades
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... On this special episode of the Miccosukee Arts & Science Symposium, host Michael Mutt brings together Tatjana Kolpus, Visiting Artist; Houston R. Cypress of Love The Everglades Movement; and Jared Jacobs, AICP of Everglades Earth Cycle. The conversation explores the connection between art, culture, science, and the Everglades, highlighting […]
More than 1 million Florida mail ballots were sent out. Votes are trickling in
Supervisors of elections reported that more than 2,200 ballots have already been returned, mostly from voters in the military and overseas.
The Michael Miller Show: Greater Kendall Business Association & Upcoming Business Expo
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... On this episode of The Michael Miller Show, Michael Miller welcomes Carlos Ribeiro from the Greater Kendall Business Association (GKBA). They discuss how GKBA has connected local business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals through networking and relationship-building for nearly 20 years. 🤝 They also highlight the upcoming Greater Kendall Business […]
Belmont’s Mini Market Makers get down to business
Already a seasoned entrepreneur at age 10, Merri Suzuki’s daughter Emi is eager to bring her slime business, Gummy Drops, back to the Belmont Farmers’ Market on Oct. 1, for the second-annual Mini Market Makers (MMM) Day. Suzuki, the food assistance manager at the Belmont Farmers’ Market, said that 10 kid vendors (including her daughter) ages 8 through 12, will be selling their goods for the second year in a row as part of MMM. The goal of the program “is to help children learn what it’s like to be in business. They’ll develop an idea, decide what to charge,
Jayson Tatum ready to lead new-look Celtics
The Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown partnership ended this offseason when Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, was traded to Philadelphia in a cost-cutting move.
One Refreshing Early Storyline From the Boston Celtics
Hey, it's early, but this already has our attention.
Scientists Say Earth Needs to Shrink by Billions of People By 2200. But I Think We’re Already Screwed.
Fossil fuels have hidden the true cost of 8 billion people. Here’s what could happen when the illusion ends.
Yemen health system at 'breaking point': WHO
The escalating fighting in Yemen is pushing the country's health system to "breaking point", the World Health Organization said Tuesday, warning that diseases like cholera were already circulating widely.
High-Impact Experience: Getting Research Ready
With support from NC State's Packways High-Impact Experiences initiative, the Biochemistry Undergraduate Research and Training Program now offers students an experience with greater structure and intention.
Matt LaFleur addresses major Packers adjustment after Baker Mayfield injury
Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers were already facing plenty of questions after a rough Week 3 showing. Now, the coaching staff has another issue to navigate as the team gets ready for its trip to Tampa Bay. The Packers had been building their game plan around Baker Mayfield, but that preparation changed after [...]
Lesbian Bar Project Co-Founder: Purity Politics Could Destroy Our Remaining Spaces
Subscribe As a professional lesbian and Massachusetts native, I’ve recently been asked by a lot of folks what I think about the saga unfolding at Last Ditch. The now-viral story, first reported by The Boston Globe, centers on a Western Massachusetts lesbian bar that lifted its mask requirement for one night a week to help drum up business. The decision ignited an intra-queer controversy that has been feasted on by media outlets across the political spectrum—from the New York Post to LGBTQ Nation—and is even reportedly being eyed for a Hollywood adaptation. Apparently nothing is more entertaining than a bunch of lesbians and queers fighting with each other over KN-95s. What has been lost in all of the chatter and media coverage is the very real possibility that Last Ditch, which just opened in April 2025, will have to close its doors. The venue’s one remaining founder, Jackie Matellian, revealed in a community Zoom meeting that she’s working four jobs, is now solely responsible for the bar’s $50,000 business loan and is struggling to keep up with the bills. So as we laugh about the controversy’s similarity to a “Portlandia” skit and how one of the bar’s founders left to enroll in clown school, we forget that yet another lesbian bar is facing an existential crisis—and this time the call is coming from inside the house. In 2020, my friend Elina Street and I created The Lesbian Bar Project, an Emmy-, Webby- and GLAAD Media Award-winning docuseries and initiative that tells the stories of lesbian queer bars around the world. We were moved to act because at the time there were only an estimated 16 lesbian bars in the United States, and the pandemic threatened to bring that number down even further. There are now more sapphic bars than there were just before the pandemic—about 36 of them in total—but this is down from approximately 200 in 1980. Maybe that doesn’t mean much to you, but for the millions of sapphics living in the U.S., this number is calamitous. As the world laughs at lesbians and sapphics, I want to take a second and tell you what I feel when I walk into one of these bars, which are all unique and irreplaceable in their own way: I feel seen. Sometimes I think Cubbyhole in New York City’s West Village neighborhood knew I was gay before I did. When I walked in there for the first time, before I was even out, I was transfixed by the colorful array of tchotchkes hanging from the ceiling and how the women standing next to me were completely unafraid to express their desire for one another. I knew the minute I was ready to come out, I had a home. I also felt the joy of a new couple falling in love at Seattle’s Wildrose, the quiet confidence of a short king lining up her shot at the pool table at Ginger’s in Brooklyn and the kick of cayenne pepper in Julie Mabry’s crawfish at Houston’s Pearl Bar. Subscribe Lesbian bars don’t just serve lesbians; they serve queer folks across the spectrum, including bisexual, pansexual and trans people. As Elina and I traveled across the U.S. and Europe and to parts of Latin America to document the bar owners, staff and patrons that make up the ecosystems of these spaces, we also became uniquely acquainted with the factors that threaten their existence: gentrification, wage gaps, sexism, environmental disasters, gun violence, rising insurance premiums and political administrations working to annihilate queer people and their families. Lesbian bar owners, like all leaders and entrepreneurs, are imperfect. There have been significant issues over the years at lesbian bars: employee harassment, racism, lack of accessibility, sexual assault and transphobia. All bar owners should be held accountable and should listen to their communities to evolve into safer and more equitable spaces. I also acknowledge my privilege: I am able-bodied, white, cis and from a family system that loves me for who I am. Not everyone has that. Queer people, especially trans and bisexual people, are suffering from disproportionately high levels of depression, and our mental health system isn’t equipped to support them. Immunocompromised people and long COVID are real, and many of my friends are suffering to this day. The people with the least safety net are often the ones for whom a bar closing costs the most. And yet, as we’re seeing with Last Ditch, the queer community often lashes out at each other. It’s also the mainstream media taking the internal conflict and making a mockery out of it, distracting from the real possibility that this bar could close due to financial pressures. A bar that many people loved and needed is facing extinction. Perhaps it’s safer to dissent with one another than with the larger forces trying to eradicate us, but in doing so, we risk destroying the few spaces we have left. Due to the constraints of purity politics—some in good faith, some not so much—lesbian bar owners, almost all of whom are queer women themselves, are forced to be everything for everyone, similarly to how women are forced to be everything for everyone. By asking these bars to uphold impossible standards—standards very few other third spaces are asked to consider—we all end up losing. I want to move as a community toward dialogue, compassionate dissent and collaboration to make our spaces better with the goal of keeping them OPEN and thriving, rather than destroying them from the inside with expectations that are arguably unattainable. Subscribe While I have your attention—for this fleeting second of the news cycle—may I urge us to spearhead a way to keep these small businesses afloat without attacking our own community along the way? Bar owners are left with an impasse: They want to be community-centered, but they also have to make money to keep their doors open. Sometimes they might make business decisions that don’t work for everyone—and that’s partly because different patrons have different priorities and want different things—but these owners deserve the opportunity for productive dialogue**.** We have to work with them and with each other to keep our spaces open, to keep them growing. Lesbian bars raised me into the queer woman I am today. One thing I think about as I reflect on the six years of work we’ve done to document these spaces is that shared, unspoken language I have with a stranger the moment we both walk into one of these bars: the nod, the ease, the not having to explain ourselves. I don’t want to lose that, and neither should you. If objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism is important to you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, Resource Impact, by clicking this button: Donate
Tariff challengers take Trump back to court: ‘Rinse and repeat’
President Trump hopes the third time will be the charm as his latest round of tariffs heads to court this week. The Supreme Court already ruled Trump can’t invoke an emergency statute to impose his…
From England: Manchester United monitor Wesley
English sirens are calling for Wesley. Roma already rejected a significant offer from Chelsea for the Brazilian full-back this summer, but another English club could make a move in the near future. As...
Say What?! This business defied the odds and is managing to reopen on time.
The Say What?! improv group and Shoestring Theatre are ready to open in their new space at Northwest Centre at 13th and Tyler.
Meet the Minnesota legend in everything from ‘Chinatown’ to ‘Seinfeld’
MINNESOTA — James Hong isn’t ready to retire. The 97-year-old Minnesota native may not look as spry as he did in memorable moments from “Chinatown” and “Blade Runner,” but he
Galaxy S27 Ultra camera could solve two major issues seen on Samsung phones
The launch of the Galaxy S27 series is still four months away, but most details about the lineup's phones have already leaked. While the Galaxy S27 Ultra's basi
Pirates Are Looking Brilliant After Major Trade
Pittsburgh has often been sellers at the trade deadline due to a lack of relevance once July arrives. In these kinds of situations, the goal is always to dump off talent that may not be part of the future. In return, teams prefer to acquire young talent with loads of potential. Cherington did something in 2025 that is already looking like a home run. The post Pirates Are Looking Brilliant After Major Trade appeared first on HEAVY.
Steelers Take Shot at Browns Ahead of Primetime Clash
The Browns-Steelers rivalry is already heating up ahead of their primetime clash. The post Steelers Take Shot at Browns Ahead of Primetime Clash appeared first on HEAVY.
Lakers new players open up on significant of joining franchise
The expectations of being a Laker have already settled in for the team's newcomers.
Mann says voters are ready for a change from ‘Politics as it is’ during recent campaign fundraiser in Emporia Monday
It is the opinion of Democratic Candidate Chris Mann that voters are tired of "politics as it is" and ready fo...
Toledo summit will focus on women’s health issues including menopause and hormones
The Northwest Ohio Women’s Health Summit is described as a day of evidence-based answers for women who are ready to feel better, get well and take charge of their health.
PAHO marks 50 years of strengthening health emergency preparedness and response in the Americas
Washington, D.C., 28 September 2026 (PAHO) – When two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela in June 2026, health authorities and emergency responders faced an enormous test. Within hours, regional emergency coordination mechanisms were activated to support the national and international response. Almost immediately after, health facilities were being assessed, medical supplies were mobilized, and highly trained and self-sufficient Emergency Medical Teams from across the Region were ready to deploy.
Florida Basketball: 4 Stars Fuel a Powerful SEC Repeat Bid
The Florida Gators enter the 2026-27 season with a big advantage over other teams. The Gators return their already established core. With most of their frontcourt returning, the Florida basketball program has the size, physicality, and experience to finish at the top of the SEC. Continuity does not guarantee that Florida will win the conference. …
Spooky Science Nights
Science gets spooky this October at Spooky Science Nights, where we’ll give science a playful Halloween twist! Kids and families will enjoy Halloween-themed STEM activities, creative crafts, and a kid-friendly dance party. Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with spooky fun and scientific surprises for all ages at these not-too-scary events! Activities include: Dive into hands-on
ReadyKids says need for youth mental health services outpaces capacity
ReadyKids says the need for youth mental health services in the Charlottesville area is greater than its current capacity.
Vermont apple growers turn to precision science to combat orchard pests
Orchards across Vermont are reporting a strong apple crop this season, but growers say producing pie-ready fruit takes modern science and meticulous pest management alongside favorable weather.
Jackson business, political leaders call on feds to reject baseball park inside Grand Teton
Even a temporary field on already-disturbed land would do damage, letter says.
Jackson business, political leaders call on feds to reject baseball park inside Grand Teton
Even a temporary field on already-disturbed land would do damage, letter says.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Hosted Timely Community Preparedness Expo as Nor'easter Approached New York City
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens hosted the Get Ready, Stay Ready: Emergency Preparedness Expo on Friday, September 25, welcoming hundreds of participants
AI is fueling a new battle over health care costs
The growing adoption of artificial intelligence in the health care system is creating another source of pressure on costs that are already climbing.
AI is fueling a new battle over health care costs
The growing adoption of artificial intelligence in the health care system is creating another source of pressure on costs that are already climbing.
The Next Bioweapon Could Attack Our Genes Instead of Our Bodies. I Promise You We’re Not Ready for That.
The most devastating weapons conceived by humanity cause cellular damage as a side effect. What would happen if the genetic mutation itself were the nefarious goal?
Bobby Kotick’s lawyers sent me a bad email (and later apologized)
The message I had received was unsettling—for a moment. Then it was just really confusing. Back on January 20 of this year, at 5:15pm ET, I received an email with the subject line “Legal Correspondence re Bobby Kotick.” It was from the law firm Clare Locke, a firm I’d heard had been emailing reporters in recent years about their coverage of Kotick, the former, longtime CEO of Activision Blizzard. The letter was threatening. A lawyer from the firm introduced themselves as “defamation counsel to Bobby Kotick.” They issued a “demand” that I “correct” a Game File article I’d published a week prior. The article that had irked them had been a scoop of sorts. I’d written about a a 2022 lawsuit brought by a Swedish pension fund, AP7, over Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard. The suit wasn’t news, but I was first to review and report about Kotick’s extensive pushback to the fund’s claims. The pension fund’s core contention was that the sale had been rushed by Kotick to avoid the consequences of sexual misconduct scandals swirling around the company in 2021. (He’d not been accused of misconduct himself in those suits, to be clear.) As I wrote at the time, Kotick had denied the allegations of the rushed sale. Beyond that, Kotick used a December 2025 reply to the Swedish fund’s lawsuit to assign blame for those workplace scandals, the bad press and even for the AP7 lawsuit. I’d found Kotick’s arguments novel and newsworthy. Across nearly 3,000 words, I explained Kotick’s take: that a Swedish gaming company was behind the Swedish fund’s lawsuit (the Embracer group; they denied it); that the Microsoft-Activision deal was not rushed and was secured at what Kotick felt history had proven to be an optimal price for shareholders; that he believed a conspiracy of people at unions government agencies, PR firms and the media had spun up claims of widespread workplace misconduct at Activision Blizzard in 2021. The article gave context for all of this, letting readers assess the claims and weigh their credibility. As I’d later write to Kotick’s lawyers: I would be surprised if you could point to any news article about Bobby Kotick in the last five years that has spent more of its wordcount articulating his point of view. He is welcome to do an interview with Game File any time. Nonetheless, there they were in my inbox that Tuesday evening: Clare Locke, the law firm that secured a $787.5 million settlement from Fox News over false statements about voting machines. They were emailing me, threatening that failure to comply with their demand could support a claim of “actual malice,” a legal standard for libel. Unless… Unless, they said, I added a key paragraph to my article. This was a paragraph that I already knew Kotick’s lawyers had been emailing reporters about for at least a year, and it was a paragraph that was already in my article. The paragraph they wanted is from a 2023 settlement that California’s Civil Rights Department struck with Activision Blizzard. The settlement had closed a two-year-old lawsuit over alleged sexual discrimination at the game maker. The paragraph basically said that claims of systemic or widespread sexual harassment—or of execs like Kotick tolerating such behavior—had never been proven. I’d already seen proof that Kotick’s lawyers had pushed for the settlement’s language to be added to reports about 2021 sexual discrimination and misconduct lawsuits brought against Activision Blizzard by California and, separately, by the U.S. federal government (both suits were since settled). I knew that Kotick and his lawyers felt that the California settlement language should be mentioned in the same breath as references to an article he hated and denied, a November 2021 Wall Street Journal article claiming Kotick knew “for years” of sexual misconduct at Activision Blizzard. So, in the Game File article that Clare Locke emailed me about, in the interest of ensuring I was being fair and balanced regarding the person I was covering, I had already included the following excerpt from the California settlement [emphasis added in bold]: (Kotick has repeatedly pushed back against that November article in the Wall Street Journal, citing among other things, language from a court-approved consent decree as part of Activision’s 2023 $54 million settlement over the California suit. It states: “no court or any independent investigation has substantiated any allegations that: there has been systemic or widespread sexual harassment at Activision Blizzard [or] that Activision Blizzard senior executives ignored, condoned, or tolerated a culture of systemic harassment, retaliation, or discrimination.”) On the evening of January 20, I was incredulous. How do you write a four page legal threat about a week-old article and miss this? While scrambling to also make my kids dinner, I wrote a lengthy reply to Clare Locke’s lawyers, basically asking them to cool it with the threats and to start making sense. In part, I wrote: I hope you can understand why I am having trouble understanding what you’re asking for, when the statement you’re demanding to see in Game File’s article already appears in Game File’s article. Actual malice, as you know, refers to a reckless disregard for the truth. I’m not sure what your argument is when my article already states your client’s position. Here is where I should remind you, the reader, that I am an independent journalist. I publish on Substack, and have availed myself of the Substack Defender program that provides writers on the platform with legal support. But I’m no Wall Street Journal or New York Times, nor even IGN or GameSpot when it comes to such things as, well, having a legal department. There are more fun things for me to do as an independent journalist than writing back to a powerful law firm representing a very rich person. On the evening of January 20th, I was just trying to cook some pasta, broccoli and chicken nuggets for hungry twins. Nevertheless, I wrote back to them. Two hours later, I got a reply. Summarizing: A lawyer for Clare Locke said they’d “reviewed an incomplete version” of my article and they “apologize for the confusion.” (My guess: Someone didn’t read past the piece’s paywall, even though they’d had a full week to scrounge up the funds to do so. What I’d published above the paywall was balanced, as was what came after.)1 That was almost that, but something about the situation bothered me. The letter had been marked “confidential.” I hadn’t agreed to that, and I disliked the idea that powerful people on the beat that I cover would act like they could unilaterally control what I might tell my readers about. On the morning of the 21st, having already gotten the powerful law firm to back off, I oh-so-wisely re-approached them with just one more thing. I thanked them for clearing things up the night before but noted that I’d never agreed to keep their letter confidential. I’m all for agreeing with a source to keep things off the record, but that’s the thing. We have to agree. You can’t just declare it. I’m not bound by that. I wrote to Clare Locke’s lawyer and said, in part: I trust the matter is resolved. It was disappointing to have to spend less time with my kids last night in order to address your legal letter. Family time’s precious. I will add, for clarity’s sake, that, while your letter stipulated that it was confidential, I did not agree to those terms. In the future, should you wish to communicate with me confidentially, I am happy to agree to classifying our communication as “off the record” prior to the actual communication—as is standard with any professional journalist. The firm’s lawyer replied, not directly addressing the confidentiality issue but asserting that the matter was resolved. Why I didn’t write about this until now In May, I told this story on an episode of Simon Parkin’s podcast My Perfect Console, but I held off on sharing it directly with Game File readers. I held off to avoid stepping on the toes of another reporter, the journalist Mikhail Klimentov. He’d interviewed me in the spring of 2025 about an investigation he was working on regarding Bobby Kotick lawyers pressing the media to add the California settlement language to stories referencing the 2021 lawsuits. And about how some outlets had changed their stories and how some simply deleted them. Initially, I was a third-party source for Klimentov’s reporting, providing on-the-record context about the state of the games media. I’d heard about the letters but hadn’t put the time into pursuing the story. I thought it was interesting, and I was glad he was covering it. When the outlet that Klimentov was going to run his reporting in dropped the story, I began talking to him about potentially publishing his reporting on Game File. This was tentative. Then, in January, when I got my own Clare Locke letter, I told Klimentov that I didn’t think it would make sense for me to publish him, not with me now being part of the story. I had my own version of this situation to tell. But I wished him well and said I’d refrain from telling my tale until he could get his reporting out there. Last Friday, Klimentov finally ran his investigation, in a nearly 48-minute video report for People Make Games. It covers various Clare Locke letters, how media outlets reacted to them and what to make of all this. His video weighs the merits of Kotick’s request and looks at some of the articles that were changed (one of which had a glaring error). I highly recommend watching it: (Note, I did some editorial consulting for a People Make Games video last year but nothing to do with this report.) While many outlets haven’t left any public evidence that they updated their Kotick coverage at Kotick’s counsel’s request, at least one has. Back in October 2025, the mainstream outlet Reuters applied the most transparent article update I’ve seen. On the 3rd of the month, they published an article about the state of the Swedish pension fund’s lawsuit. Days later, they added this: In an October 7 letter sent after publication of this article, Kotick’s defamation counsel disputed claims of widespread harassment at Activision. “Not a single investigation, court finding, verdict, or ruling ever concluded that there was any merit” to the allegations of widespread harassment at Activision, Tom Clare and Nick Brechbill of Clare Locke wrote. I’ve never added a statement to my article on Game File, because none was needed. Not for fairness’ sake, nor to meet any demands of Kotick’s lawyers. I’ve nevertheless wanted to be transparent with Game File readers. If someone powerful is questioning my reporting, is threatening a lawsuit over it… if that threat is part of a pattern involving other games media outlets and if, in my case, the whole thing ran into a ridiculous ditch, I want you to know about it. I also share this as a real example of how I handle threats to Game File. I stand up for my own reporting, even when it’s not comfortable to do so. (In that same category of standing up for the work I do, I’ll point to an incident in late August. Asocial media post I published to X/Twitter regarding reporting I did about Take Two and GTA VI was hit by bogus copyright claim by a firm working for the publisher. I pushed back and got it reversed; even while a bigger games media outlet let themselves be censored. This is the other reason I’m sharing this story: To emphasize that dealing with threats from powerful people is one of the costs of covering the video game industry independently and as fearlessly as possible. This is where you come in. Your support, through free and paid subscriptions (sign up here!), can help me keep doing that. It can ensure that I’ve got the back-up I need. And it can help make fiascoes like this even less of a worry, so I can spend my evenings dealing with more important things, such as making sure I steam the kids’ broccoli just right. 1 That pension fund lawsuit I wrote about in January has all but gone away. In May, the fund and Activision Blizzard owner Microsoft agreed to settle. Lawyers for the fund brokered a $250 million settlement for former Activision Blizzard shareholders. In the settlement, the fund’s lawyers changed their rhetoric. Where once they’d questioned the meaning of the California settlement language, they adopted a version of it for themselves. Several weeks ago, while seeking to get a court to sign off on the terms of the settlement, they proposed their fee for their work in the case: $60 million.
Google Messages is closing in on RCS video call support
It's still not quite ready to go, but Google Messages is showing further evidence of development work towards supporting RCS video calls.
Behind the Science with Paleontologist and Curator of Dinosauria Dr. Matthew Carrano
Is the 21st Century the real Age of Dinosaurs? Today, more paleontologists are discovering more dinosaur fossils from more places in the world than ever before. Our understanding of these amazing creatures has leapt forward while their popularity has surged. Museums sit at the junction of these phenomena. The Smithsonian has been a center for dinosaur research for more than a century, and its collections include many iconic and scientifically important specimens. Today, Smithsonian researchers continue to discover new dinosaurs, but they are also uncovering more information about the ones we already know and love. New techniques and approaches allow them to investigate aspects of dinosaur biology, ecology, and evolution in ways that would have been inconceivable to early paleontologists. The result is an ever-improving understanding of dinosaurs as living, breathing, and thriving animals. This month, go behind the science with paleontologist Dr. Matthew Carrano, Curator of Dinosauria at the National Museum of Natural History as he discusses new discoveries at home and abroad, in the field and in the museum. Registration is encouraged. Space is filled on a first come first served basis. ---------------- About the Series: Behind the Science A monthly after-hours series featuring NMNH scientists and researchers Each month, join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. Come learn what’s happening behind the scenes and how science shapes our understanding of the natural world. Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Topics and speakers announced on a rolling basis, but save the dates now!
iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?
It's been a little over a week since the iPhone 18 Pro models launched, and we want to hear from MacRumors readers. What do you think of Apple's newest iPhones? If you upgraded from an older phone, was it worth it? What about upgrading from an iPhone 17 Pro? What problems are you running into? Anything you love so far? MacRumors readers have already been sharing early opinions on the MacRumors forums, and there are interesting discussion threads to read through.
Fantasy football buy, sell: 10 trade candidates for Week 4
Whether you're already looking solid for a playoff berth or trying to save your fantasy football season, there are plenty of trades to make in Week 4.
Warriors Announce Concerning Kristaps Porzingis Update Before Season
Warriors' training camp is set to begin Tuesday, but roster depth issues are already arising, with Kristaps Porzingis set to miss time.
Rams’ Super Bowl hopes might already be in jeopardy
Three games in and LA has yet to play like the contender they were expected to be
Zhen Xu Receives Golden Goose Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science
This award recognizes transformative work enabled by federal funding, which was crucial to advancing the tumor-destroying soundwaves until they were ready for the clinic.
Bears Make Risky QB Decision Ahead of Eagles Matchup
The Chicago Bears are turning to their third quarterback for a difficult Monday night matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Veteran Case Keenum is expected to start for Chicago on Monday Night Football , NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning. The move comes with Caleb Williams already ruled out because of a hamstring injury…
After summer of adoration, Knicks get back to business of title defense
At media day, the Knicks are celebrating their title, but players say the focus is already on winning another championship.
🚨XIs ready: Italy seek a revival against Turkey
Bursa’s Timsah Arena stages a heavyweight clash in UEFA Nations League Group 1, as Türkiye host Italy. The home side arrive with defensive concerns after conceding the opening goal in each of their...
The 3 most disappointing college football teams this season
A month into the 2026 college football season, the preseason polls are already starting to look like works of fiction. For every team exceeding expectations, there’s another whose fan base is wondering what went wrong, and in some cases, whether the head coach will make it to November. Nearly every team entered the 2026 season…
Kristaps Porzingis not ready to start training camp due to a health issue
Kristaps Porzingis not ready to start training camp due to a health issue
Scanning the waiver wire for intriguing options
The Penguins would probably figure to not use waivers to boost their lineup, given all the depth they already have. However with four players placed on IR yesterday plus the statuses of Bryan Rust (injured) and Andrei Kuzmenko (personal) still up in the air for the start of the season, the waiver wire could hold […]
PS5-exclusive Marvel’s Wolverine now boots on PC, Demon’s Souls reaches 40–50 FPS
KyTyPS5 development has produced two new demonstrations covering both compatibility and performance. Marvel's Wolverine can already reach its menu, while Demon's Souls now runs at up to around 50 FPS.
Rob Dillingham's Hornets Future Already Looks Uncertain After Trade
Rob Dillingham will miss Hornets media day, and Jeff Peterson reportedly gave little indication that the newly acquired guard will remain in Charlotte long term.
Falcons division rival falling apart already after 3 games
Baker Mayfield injury compounds problems for Buccaneers
The Everglades matter: Miccosukee Arts & Science Symposium takes place October 2
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Free interactive event includes presentations, workshops, field trips, film festival, and more, including Spanish-language programming at the Miccosukee Casino and Resort The Miccosukee Arts & Science Symposium (MASS) is a biennial collaborative event between the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the South-Florida based arts and conservation organization, […]
Business Beyond the Beach: David Sexton| President, Normandy Fountain Business Assoc.
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... 🎙 Welcome to the Business Beyond the Beach Talk Show! The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to present Business Beyond the Beach, the exclusive Chamber talk show created in partnership with Miami’s Community Newspapers. This series highlights the stories of Miami Beach Chamber members making an impact […]
The Aral Sea, Once the World's Fourth-Largest Inland Lake, Was Drained Dry. Now It's a Ticking Carbon Bomb
Most of this inland sea is a dry lakebed the size of Ireland, and it has already released 748 million metric tons of CO2. But scientists say there's still time to reverse course.
Luc Holtz set to leave Ligue 2 side FC Metz
Luc Holtz, who only arrived at FC Metz this summer, replacing Benoit Tavenot, is set to be sacked, as per a report from L’Équipe. The Ligue 2 club are already working on nominating a replacement fo...
White House cancels health, education funds approved by Congress
The Trump administration announced plans Friday night to cancel $810 million in funding for health, education and other programs just days before the end of the current fiscal year, triggering another fight with Congress over the power of the purse. The so-called pocket rescission claws back money already appropriated by Congress, with little time for […]
World's first Formula E karting experience in Abha fuels Saudi Arabia's motorsport future
The pioneering indoor attraction at SEVEN Abha has already seen thousands of guests as visitors experience the world's only Formula E karting destination.
Harriet Slater ready to fight in ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ S2
Playing a passionate woman in 18th century Scotland in the hit prequel “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” has certainly changed Harriet Slater’s career.
Iran Ready to Resist Any Aggression, Even ‘Apocalyptic War’: Araghchi
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran is fully prepared to confront any aggression and stands firm even if the confrontation escalates into an “apocalyptic war”, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said, stressing that Tehran keeps the door open to diplomacy and a proposed seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
What Sarah makes before Burundi wakes: the business of cassava leaves | D+C
Every morning before dawn, Sarah is already carrying into Bujumbura cassava leaves she can process and sell. Her small business shows how informal work provides women with not only income they can control themselves, but also greater independence.
Alessandro
Composure, confidence and vision. At just 20 years old, Alessandro Bastoni already looked rock-solid. It was the start of the 2019/20 season and Inter were facing back-to-back away fixtures, with a tr...
Roma to activate Balerdi’s buy option
Three appearances against Atalanta, Torino, and Inter have already been enough to leave a strong impression. Leonardo Balerdi arrived at Roma on loan from Marseille, but everything suggests his experi...
Navigating the American Dream: How Integrated Financial Tools, Credit and Rewards Can Help Small Businesses Succeed
(Feature Impact) Owning a small business has been a cornerstone of the “American Dream” for generations. It represents the chance to transform a passion into a livelihood and legacy. However, turning dreams into reality is rarely a smooth or easy process and requires more than ambition alone. Today’s business owners need support and access to tools that enable them to overcome challenges and keep growing.#placement_678081_0_i{width:100%;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid678081 = window.pid678081 || rnd;var plc678081 = window.plc678081 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=678081;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid678081+';place='+(plc678081++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');Recent research conducted by the Capital One Insights Center shows 75% of more than 1,000 surveyed small business owners with more than one employee and annual revenues of up to $20 million are confident about the future, and 69% believe their business is actively primed for growth.While this optimism is promising, 47% of business owners still said their operations either stayed the same or became less efficient over the past year, citing issues like back-office friction and fragmented financial systems that make it difficult to get a clear picture of the health of their businesses.If you’re a small business owner eager to grow but not sure how to get there, start with this advice from real small business owners and experts at Capital One.Identify Sources of FrictionBefore you can pour effort into growth, you must understand what barriers are holding you back. Take time to look under the hood of your business to identify where time and energy is being lost.For example, you may be among the 78% of small business owners who feel stressed and uncertain about expense management – think hours spent hunting for receipts, manually entering numbers into software and reconciling accounts. Operational challenges aren’t just a hassle; they also pull attention away from important priorities like serving your customers and planning for growth. “We were focused on making as many candles as possible, especially during the busy season,” said Katie Roering, co-owner of Fontana Candle Co. “A lot of the back-office tasks like procurement, raw material purchasing, forecasting – all the really important things – were done at 3 a.m., 8 p.m. or on Saturday and Sunday, and there really just was not enough time in the day to get everything done that we needed to. We just knew as we continued to grow, we needed to streamline our processes, build out our team and keep moving forward.”Use Integrated Tools to Manage FinancesInstead of balancing 10 different tracking and analysis tools, you can turn to one-stop solutions to improve efficiency. Time gets lost when you’re forced to manually gather and interpret relevant data before you’re able to act. You need a platform that handles the busywork for you.Integrated, or “all-in-one,” financial tools – like accounting and bookkeeping platforms with automation capabilities or business credit cards featuring built-in analytical tools – allow you to easily stay on top of cash flow and day-to-day operations. For small businesses where every hour and dollar makes a difference, consolidating and automating systems can have an immediate impact. In fact, 51% of survey respondents said integrated tools have already fueled their growth.Leverage Credit Access and Rewards WiselyGrowth requires capital, so access to credit is a game-changer for many business owners, with 77% describing it as a key factor in achieving business resilience. Having funds accessible when you need them makes your business more capable of weathering storms such as equipment failures and seasonal slowdowns. It also puts the power in your hands to act when an exciting opportunity presents itself, like an inventory flash sale or the chance to advertise in a new market.Access to credit comes with another advantage: rewards. By using credit cards for your daily business expenses, you can earn cash back, points or travel rewards. Whether you redeem these to cover everyday expenses, book business trips or reinvest in the business, they can act as a bonus source of income. Learn to maximize rewards like the 84% of small business cardholders surveyed so you aren’t leaving money on the table.To learn more about how small business owners can identify obstacles, employ integrated financial tools and use credit as a tool for growth, read the full report at capitalone.com/about/insights-center.Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
12-year-old entrepreneur starts seed business
MARQUETTE — Ondine Bonk, a 12-year-old resident of Marquette, has started a business selling native clover seeds. Her business, Clover Lover, was started both as a way of making some money and as a way of helping the environment. “Clover has a ton of benefits for the earth, and people already know what it is,” […]
WHO recognizes healthy, innovative cities across the Western Pacific Region
Nine Healthy City champions from across the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region received special recognition at an awarding ceremony during the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities in Sydney, Australia.The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has presented the Healthy Cities Recognition Awards every two years since 2004 to celebrate innovative and impactful city-led initiatives that improve the health and well-being of urban populations.Eight cities received awards for their best practices, and one National Forum received the WHO Regional Director’s Special Award in recognition of its long-standing leadership in advancing the Healthy Cities movement.Awardees were selected through a rigorous evaluation process and recognized for demonstrating measurable, innovative and sustainable approaches to health challenges faced by cities.Remarking on the significance of the awards, Dr Huong Tran, Director of the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control at the Regional Office, said that, “There is no single blueprint for a healthy city. What works in one context may need to be adapted to another. But by sharing our experiences, including what worked, what was challenging, and what we learnt along the way, we can help one another move faster and further.”Award-winning cities and initiativesThis year's awards recognize outstanding city-led initiatives that have demonstrated measurable impact, innovation and sustainability in advancing health initiatives for urban populations.Baguio City (Philippines) – Data for equity: informing action, improving healthDr Donnabel Tubera-Panes, City Epidemiologist – Medical Officer IV of the Health Services Office accepted the award on behalf of Baguio City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisBaguio City was recognized for developing a pioneering Livability Index that provides village-level data across all 128 barangays (villages), enabling evidence-based planning and more equitable allocation of resources. By integrating community participation and institutionalizing the index within city planning and budgeting processes, the city has demonstrated how data can drive action to reduce health and social inequities.Eunpyeong-gu (Seoul, Republic of Korea) – Communities living in vulnerable situations: advancing health equity through community engagementVice Mayor Honourable Ahn Hyoung Jun accepted the award on behalf of Eunpyeong-gu. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisEunpyeong-gu was recognized for its inclusive health equity programme supporting vulnerable populations, including isolated older adults and LGBTQI+ communities. Through peer-led community networks, social cooperatives and inclusive service design, the district has strengthened access to care, promoted social inclusion and advanced community ownership of health initiatives.Madiun City (Indonesia) – Adapting and mitigating climate-related crises: building heat resilience and preventing flood-related health risksMs Yuni Dwi Purwani, Secretary General of the National Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies, accepted the award on behalf of Madiun City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisMadiun City was recognized for its SUPERMIE (Sustainable Public Environmental Management Initiative) – a community-based environmental governance model that addresses urban flooding, climate resilience and environmental sustainability. The initiative contributed to reductions in flood-prone areas, greenhouse gas emissions, diarrhoeal disease and dengue fever, while at the same time improving food security through neighbourhood food gardens. The programme has already been replicated in 15 cities and regencies across Indonesia.Macao Special Administrative Region (China) – Protecting communities from tobacco and alcohol-related harms: tackling commercial drivers of riskDr LO Iek Long, Director of the Health Bureau, Macao SAR, China accepted the award on behalf of Macao. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisMacao SAR was recognized for implementing a comprehensive and integrated approach to tobacco and alcohol control. Through legislation, monitoring systems, enforcement, public awareness campaigns and multisectoral partnerships, the programme has strengthened protection against major risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and established a model that is highly transferable to other urban settings.Phnom Penh Capital City (Cambodia) – Safe, active and health-enabling transport: advancing health and reducing inequities in urban mobilityH.E. Khoung Sreng, Governor of Phnom Penh Capital City accepted the award on behalf of Phnom Penh Capital City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisPhnom Penh received the award for its Safe School Zone Project, which combines infrastructure improvements, speed management, enforcement, education and stakeholder engagement to protect children and communities. The initiative has demonstrated measurable reductions in crashes and vehicle speeds while providing a scalable model for safer urban mobility across the country.Quezon City (Philippines) – Transforming food environments: addressing policy, market and urban design drivers of health and nutritionMs Jirah Asa M. Sideco, Chief of the Nutrition Section of the Quezon City Health Department accepted the award on behalf of Quezon City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisQuezon City was recognized for its public food procurement policy that promotes healthier diets through government-run institutions and feeding programmes. Supported by strong policy frameworks and monitoring systems, the initiative improves access to nutritious food for vulnerable populations while serving as a benchmark for other local governments.Samarinda City (Indonesia) – Preventing violence and promoting gender equality: transforming urban systems, norms and spaces Mrs Rinda Wahyuni, Chairperson of Samarinda Healthy City Forum accepted the award on behalf of Samarinda City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisSamarinda City was recognized for its multisectoral approach to preventing violence and advancing gender equality. Responding to local evidence on violence against women and children, the city has positioned violence prevention as a public health priority, bringing together health services, schools, social welfare institutions, law enforcement, civil society and community leaders to strengthen prevention, reporting, survivor-centred support and legal protection. Through inclusive policies, community engagement and sustainable city financing, Samarinda has developed a locally owned and scalable model for creating safer, more equitable and inclusive urban communities.Singapore – Age-friendly cities: transforming systems to bridge generations for a healthier tomorrowDr Tan Weng Mooi, Director, Integrated Health Promotion, accepted the award on behalf of Singapore. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisSingapore received recognition for its Healthy Precinct Framework, which translates national healthy ageing priorities into neighbourhood-level action. The initiative integrates preventive care, social support, service coordination and age-friendly environments while actively engaging older persons, caregivers and community organizations. Its expansion across multiple precincts demonstrates its scalability and long-term sustainability.WHO Regional Director’s Special AwardNational Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies (Indonesia)Ms Yuni Dwi Purwani, Secretary General of the National Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies, accepted the award on behalf of the National Forum. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisThe WHO Regional Director's Special Award was presented to the National Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies (FKKSI) in recognition of its long-standing leadership in advancing the Healthy Cities movement across Indonesia. As a national platform bringing together local governments, communities, academia and civil society, FKKSI has played a critical role in promoting collaboration, capacity-building, knowledge exchange and advocacy. Its efforts have strengthened and institutionalized healthy urban development nationwide and established a model for multisectoral engagement in the Region. Healthy Cities for allThe 2026 Healthy Cities Recognition Awards highlight how cities can lead transformative action on health by addressing climate change, inequity, ageing, nutrition, mobility, social inclusion, violence prevention and the commercial determinants of health. The recognized initiatives demonstrate that local governments, communities and partners can work together to create healthier, safer and more resilient urban environments for everyone. As urban populations continue to grow across the Western Pacific Region, WHO remains committed to supporting cities in advancing health, equity and sustainable development through the Healthy Cities approach and the Alliance for Healthy Cities. ###Note to editorsSince 2004, the WHO Healthy Cities Recognition Awards have provided a platform for cities to share innovative and effective approaches to improving health and well-being. The awards recognize achievements in areas including climate resilience, healthy ageing, health equity, gender equality, tobacco and alcohol control, urban mobility, nutrition and data-driven governance. In 2026, more than 150 submissions were received from cities and local governments across the Western Pacific Region. The titles and affiliations of awardees are presented as they were at the time the photo was taken.______________For more information, or to arrange media interviews, contact: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific: wprocom@who.int
Art that serves others: How a Harnett County muralist is making a lasting mark in her community
Van Goat Studios, which has been operating since 2019, has allowed Johnson to express herself and reflect the spirit of local communities through murals. Photo provided by Elyse Johnson.Elyse Johnson of Van Goat Studios in Dunn wants to spread her artistry and make a lasting mark in her community. Van Goat, which has been operating since 2019, has allowed Johnson to express herself through murals and decorating electrical boxes in the urban landscapes of North Carolina. On top of traditional mural painting, Johnson offers what she calls “portable murals,” an option tailor-made for structure owners who do not want to commit to a design for their wall.“A contractor builds a framed piece of wood, and then they can frame the ‘mural’ onto the wood, whether it’s into their building, whether it’s interior or exterior,” Johnson said. The beginnings of Johnson’s journey into establishing Van Goat Studios reflect the teachings she wants artists to take away today: everything is a learning opportunity. When she started Van Goat, she shared it was a joint venture with a business partner. “I mainly did that because I didn’t feel like I was ready to go and do this on my own,” Johnson said. Her business partner eventually dropped out of the project, deciding she wanted to pursue other forms of art. That is when Johnson was thrust into growing her business on her own during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I had built up my confidence enough to go out and reach new heights,” she said. “And I was probably one of the few that benefited from COVID.”The moment presented a silver lining for Johnson. One of her first projects was a Farmers Day mural for the town of Coats. “When COVID-19 hit, Coats was not able to hold their annual festival, so they had a little bit of savings. They decided they wanted to do something for their community without getting anyone sick,” Johnson said.From there, word of mouth spread. Now, Johnson has an organic way of approaching projects. “Like a lot of muralists, if I feel inspired by a building, I will just go up and talk to that building owner and tell them a mural is something they should consider,” Johnson said. But above all, Johnson says she wants art to be accessible to everyone. Johnson said she is trying to stick to projects that benefit “the little guys.” “I’m not trying to go for a project in downtown Raleigh to get the eight-foot-tall building,” Johnson said. “I’m not trying to go to those major cities and get those huge buildings for two reasons: one, I don’t want to go that high; two, my passion really lies with the small guys.” But due to financial constraints and the material reality of art commerce, that requires open communication, she added. “I don’t want to just snowball you with this huge price, and then you just shut me down because it wasn’t what you were thinking,” Johnson said. “At the same time, I am an advocate for the arts, so I’m not going to give you a $10,000 mural when you’re only going to pay $5,000.” There is a healthy balance in explaining the artistic process and working with clients and the surrounding community, Johnson said.“Your municipality invested this, and this is why they invested this, and this is how it’s going to help and improve your community,” she noted. “Same thing when I’m talking to a small business. You asked for me to come at you with this that is outside your budget. How do we make this still your same exact goal, but within your budget lines?” Johnson also provides lessons to aspiring artists. She does so with a mission: how do you master the balance between being a great artist and a competent business owner? “We still do art lessons, but I’m also going to give you business scenarios,” she noted.One of the scenarios she has come up with for her students is a T-shirt competition. “The kids have to think about ‘okay, I can’t just draw whatever I want on a T-shirt. I need to think about what colors Miss Elyse likes. What does Miss Elyse’s logo look like? What would Miss Elyse like?’” Johnson said. “So the design needs to be around that kind of concept.” As Johnson looks toward the future of Van Goat Studios, she is thinking of time, longevity and succession. Johnson is a new mom, which she said has shaped how she sees the future of the studio.“I still want my name and my business out there continuing, so that when my daughter is of age and she can be more independent, then I can be out there doing more and more,” Johnson said. “I would love to get a student to pass this on to, or an intern. I would love for this business to be passed on to the next generation and let them go.”
What role does high school play in mental health? Feeling connected to other students and staff is key
By the time an Australian student is 15, they will have already spent as many as 11,000 hours at school. What happens here matters for their wellbeing.
South Texas Health System (@stxhealthsystem)
0 likes, 1 comments - stxhealthsystem on September 27, 2026: "Support Recovery, Strengthen Your Future: South Texas Health System, the Rio Grande Valley's largest integrated healthcare network, is seeking passionate physical therapy professionals to join its nationally recognized inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation teams at STHS McAllen, STHS Edinburg and STHS Heart. Physical therapists play a vital role in helping patients regain strength, mobility and independence following illness, injury or surgery. If you're passionate about empowering patients on their road to recovery, STHS offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact every day. Join a collaborative team dedicated to exceptional patient care and helping individuals return to the activities and quality of life they value most. Ready to move your career forward? View current openings and apply today at the link in our bio.".
First Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra cases reveal new details of the revamped camera design
Leaked CAD models have already provided a rough idea of what the Galaxy S27 Ultra and Galaxy S27 Pro will look like. The first real-world photos of very early protective cases now offer more details, particularly about the new and somewhat controversial camera design, suggesting that previous renders may not be entirely accurate.
Early October Prime Day tech deals: Big savings on Anker chargers, Apple AirPods, Bose headphones and more
Amazon is already discounting some of our recommended tech ahead of its Oct. 6-7 bargain bonanza.
First Month in Review: Leonardo Balerdi Already Exceding Expectations
Balerdi came in as a Plan D after several other moves fell through. You can’t tell from his play in a Roma kit.
Nintendo Switch emulator now runs natively on jailbroken PS5, Cuphead reaches 60 FPS
ProsperoEden is an experimental native PS5 port of the Eden Nintendo Switch emulator, with several games already reaching gameplay on jailbroken consoles.
Report – Juventus Open Contract Extension Talks with Quicksilver Forward
Record-time Italian champions Juventus are reportedly hellbent on tying Francisco Conceicao down to a new long-term contract. According to Tuttosport via Calciomercato, the Turin giants have already i...
Rogers Tries to Make El-Sayed’s Health Care Plan Scary
_Taylor, Michigan_HERE’S HOW YOU CAN TELL Mike Rogers is anxious to make up ground in the Michigan Senate race: He held a press conference on health care last weekend. Health care is usually a rough issue for Republicans, because voters associate the GOP with attacking cherished programs like Medicare and Medicaid that Democrats have historically supported. It’s a particularly difficult issue in this campaign, because a few months ago Donald Trump and the Republicans refused to extend temporary financial assistance in the Affordable Care Act. As a result of that decision, more than 20 million Americans faced higher insurance prices this year. That’s not a policy choice you want to be defending at a time when voters frequently cite the cost of health care as a top concern. Throw in the fact that Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed can draw on his credibility as a doctor and former public health director in Detroit, and it might seem like Rogers’s best bet would be to avoid health care altogether. But Rogers had his reasons to spotlight health care last Saturday. And they became apparent a few minutes before he spoke, when members of his campaign staff There’s a lot happening. Too much, some days. We can’t promise to have all the answers. But we can promise to keep asking the questions, following the facts, and figuring things out alongside people who care about where this country is headed. Read with us. Learn with us. And when it matters, stand with us. Join the side you’re already on. Join Bulwark+
An iconic country music group eyes retirement: 7 more acts doing the same in 2026
Some of these acts have already stepped away while others have teased the move.
An iconic country music group eyes retirement: 7 more acts doing the same in 2026
Some of these acts have already stepped away while others have teased the move.
Video: Neto lands in Turin to complete Juventus transfer
Brazilian goalkeeper Neto has arrived in Turin and is now ready to sign a contract until the end of the season.Neto is ready to join Juventus for the second time in his career. The 37-year-old Brazili...
Titans vs. Giants preview with Big Blue View
Ed Valentine helps ups get ready for the Titans Week 3 game against the Giants.
BioMedizone opens doors to science for underserved students
Before Anvi Palav was even old enough to carry a driver's license, she already had her sights set on changing the world – and a plan for how to do it.
Democratic attorneys general work to Trump-proof election
Stepping in for a complacent Congress, Democratic attorneys general are ready to fight efforts to undermine or overturn the Nov. 3 election. "We need to stay vigilant," says Colorado's Phil Weiser.
Arsenal star takes aim at Havertz-less Germany
Christos Tzolis helped Greece to a comeback win over Serbia and now turns his attention to Germany, who will be without Kai Havertz.Photo by Clive Rose/Getty ImagesChristos Tzolis is ready for Germany...