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Rochester Regional Health data breach: Letters sent to 18,600 patients after third-party vendor Xsolis hack
Rochester Regional Health patients received letters about a data breach, but the letters themselves looked like scams. The letters were sent by a third-party vendor and incorrectly identified the hospital system as "Rochester Regional Medical Center," which doesn't exist. Hospital officials confirmed to News10NBC the letters are legitimate despite the error.
Saudi Arabia sports minister vows affordable and safe World Cup in 2034
Saudi Arabia's Sports Minister says the kingdom will work with FIFA to ensure ticket affordability and fan safety for the 2034 World Cup, amid regional instability and lessons from this year's finals in North America where costs have been a concern.
Regional Economic Development Inc. announces 2026 Small Business Grants
Regional Economic Development Inc. announced the recipients of the 2026 Small Business Grants on Monday.
New Monroe County mental health office director appointed
Melissa Armstrong was previously program director of Rochester Regional Health's Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Center.
UCLA's John Savage named national baseball coach of year
John Savage, whose UCLA team was ranked No. 1 the entire regular season and won the Big Ten tournament before the Bruins were bounced in the regional round of the NCAA tournament, was named coach of the year by the College Baseball Foundation on Saturday.
20 Nations Strengthen Regional Crisis Response at Indo-Pacific Health Security Summit in Malaysia
Military, civilian, and non-governmental leaders from 20 countries gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 7–8, 2026, for the 3rd Summit of the Indo-Pacific Health Alliance for Security (IPhas). Hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces ahead of the Global Health Security Conference (GHSC), the summit strengthened regional collaboration and advanced shared approaches to health security under the theme, “Civil-Military Collaboration for Whole-of-Society Resilience.”
What new audit shows about Parkview Health finances
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — An independent audit of Parkview Health and its subsidiaries showed strong 2025 financial growth at a time many Indiana hospitals struggled, but did little to quiet …
William Floyd High School Science Students Win Second Consecutive LI Water Quality Challenge
For the second consecutive year, a team of William Floyd High School science students under the direction of Christopher Orlando were selected as winners in the Long Island Regional Planning Council’s (LIRPC) annual Long Island Water Quality Challenge. The team received a $2,500 grant to implement its proposal at the school, and earned WFHS the recognition of being the first school to earn back-to-back victories in the competition!
New Jersey ranks last in regional business climate report for 8th straight year, while Pennsylvania scores best
The analysis looked at six factors, including a range of taxes and the minimum wage in seven northeastern and mid-Atlantic states.
Washtenaw Business Lens: When homelessness and mental health challenges collide with local businesses
Ann Arbor businesses are feeling the impact of people suffering homelessness and mental health challenges. For this month's "Washtenaw Business Lens," WEMU's Caroline MacGregor and Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Executive Vice President and Director of Government Relations, Andy LaBarre discussed these economic impacts with the Executive Director of Washtenaw County Community Mental Health, Trish Cortes.
An Emmy, a world championship and the business of Idaho whitewater
Visit Idaho won a Northwest Regional Emmy for its whitewater documentary series, highlighting the economic impact of river tourism in Idaho.
New Jersey business climate still worst in region, according to NJBIA analysis
NJBIA’s 2026 Regional Business Climate Analysis shows N.J. continues to rank last in the region in cost competitiveness and business taxes.
WHO urges targeted action to strengthen emergency workforce capacities for shared health risks across the Asia-Pacific region
At a time when the world is more interconnected than ever, the World Health Organization (WHO) is disseminating a comprehensive regional analysis of shared health risks across Asia and the Pacific, urging Member States to invest in enhancing workforce capacities regionwide to mitigate these risks and ensure health systems are better prepared to anticipate, tackle and withstand a range of crises and shocks. Over 100 delegates from 49 countries and areas in the Asia-Pacific region reviewed results from the regional risk analysis during the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) Stakeholders Meeting in Malaysia. Synthesizing insights from 21 strategic risk assessments and more than 800 multisectoral experts, the regional analysis highlighted an urgent imperative: countries must proactively invest in emergency workforce preparedness to navigate a landscape where climate hazards, disease outbreaks and geophysical events increasingly overlap. These complex converging crises create devastating, compounding impacts on health systems and communities – reiterating the need for investing in a fit-for-purpose regional health workforce and multisectoral action.Key findings: an evolving risk landscape More than half of the participating countries ranked flooding, cyclones, dengue and pandemic-potential respiratory pathogens as being of high or very high risk, while antimicrobial resistance, landslides and gastroenteritis remain widespread concerns as well. “Given that 51% – over half – of these assessed hazards are deeply interconnected, isolated health interventions are no longer sufficient,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Extreme weather events like cyclones and floods directly trigger subsequent disease outbreaks, while environmental degradation – driven by sea-level rise, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion – fuels health risks across the Pacific. Mitigating these cascading risks requires unified, cross-sectoral action linking environmental, agricultural and public health policies to build true regional resilience.” Priority recommendations for action To address critical vulnerabilities, WHO calls on Member States in the Asia-Pacific region to urgently prioritize the following strategic actions: Bridge workforce capacity gaps. Embed and standardize emergency preparedness within academia to promote regional workforce interoperability. Foster multisectoral coordination. Address ad-hoc taskforce responses and fragmented surge support through formalized contingency plans and standard operating procedures that are frequently updated and tested. Secure sustainable financing for emergencies. Overcome systemic barriers to access dedicated funding for both immediate anticipatory actions and long-term emergency preparedness initiatives. Enable emergency-ready primary health care. Embed emergency management into public health workforce readiness planning. Ensure that emergency planning is inclusive. Establish clear pathways for inclusive emergency planning that actively involves communities most at risk and other vulnerable groups. Optimize communication. Update risk communication and community engagement strategies, aligning them with seasonal risk calendars. Elevating workforce readiness to meet regional health risks While the gaps identified are significant, the Asia-Pacific region possesses solid foundational pillars, including dedicated clinicians, laboratory staff, rapid response teams, emergency medical teams and extensive community networks. However, to adequately address the compounding nature of modern crises, the various components of the emergency workforce must collaborate cohesively. True resilience depends entirely on transforming this currently fragmented workforce into a highly trained, interconnected and rapidly deployable asset. To achieve this, WHO is actively advancing regional workforce capacities through the Global Health Emergency Corps initiative. This initiative – supported by the Gates Foundation and the Institute of Philanthropy – seeks to build a seamless network of emergency workforce across borders and sectors, ensuring that when a crisis strikes, a standardized, well-coordinated and trained workforce is immediately ready to respond. “Scaling up emergency workforce readiness is no longer optional,” said Dr Gina Samaan, Regional Emergency Director for WHO in the Western Pacific. “It is the definitive factor that will determine how effectively the Asia-Pacific region safeguards health and protects lives in an increasingly unpredictable future.” ____________________For more information, or to arrange media interviews, contact: Ara Johannes, WHO Western Pacific Health Emergencies Division: johannesa@who.int WHO Western Pacific Communications: wprocom@who.int
Kentucky leaders in Des Moines this week for intercity visit
A delegation of more than 150 business, education, government and nonprofit leaders from Commerce Lexington in Lexington, Kentucky, are in Des Moines today through Friday for its annual Leadership Visit, a long-running intercity program aimed at fostering regional development ideas. The agenda includes sessions on regional collaboration, talent development, agricultural innovation, executive leadership continuity and…
Lucent Health Group Acquires Chambers Home Health & Hospice
Texas-based Lucent Health Group has acquired Chambers Home Health & Hospice. Financial terms were undisclosed. Chambers is a regional home health and
Johnson Continues American College Health Association Service
Meredith College's Director of Student Health and Wellness, Mary Johnson, DNP, FNP-BC, CWP, continues to serve in leadership roles within the Southern College Health Association (SCHA), the regional affiliate of the American College Health Association (ACHA).
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Events aim to boost visitors to Seabright amid latest Murray Street Bridge closure; air corridor project underway; Joby-Archer lawsuit developments
With the Murray Street Bridge set to be closed through September, business owners and community leaders have plans to bring visitors to the neighborhoods around the Santa Cruz Harbor this summer. Jessica M. Pasko's weekly look at local business also includes updates on a project to connect four regional airports, including Watsonville's; legal jabs between air mobility rivals; and plenty more names, numbers and dates to know.
NJBIA’s 2026 Regional Business Climate Analysis Shows NJ Still Worst in Region
NJBIA’s 2026 Regional Business Climate Analysis, released today, shows New Jersey continues to rank last in the region in cost competitiveness and business taxes for an eighth consecutive year. The analysis, found here, shows New Jersey remains a regional outlier with the top corporate tax rate (11.5%) and highest property tax paid as a percentage of personal income (4.38%). Additionally, New Jersey[...]
New entertainment center being developed in Maricopa
MARICOPA — Plans for new entertainment options in Maricopa are progressing, as developer Scott Bartle is reportedly bringing a new indoor-outdoor entertainment center to the city near Copper Sky Regional
Measles outbreak in Sacramento, Placer counties declared over after 42 days
Nineteen cases were tied to the regional outbreak. Health officials said one key factor helped stop transmission.
Redding nurses, health care workers to hold strike vote and picket for safe staffing
Registered nurses and caregivers at Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding, Calif., will hold a strike vote and picket on Thursday, June 11, to protest management’s refusal to address patient care and safe staffing issues. Nurses and health care workers at Shasta Regional, a Prime Healthcare facility.
Business Leaders Gather to Hear Economic and Business Outlooks at the 16th Annual DuPage County Regional Business Outlook Event
/PRNewswire/ -- More than 600 of the region's top business and civic leaders gathered Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the 16th Annual DuPage County Regional...
Public Health to Host Field Fest to Celebrate Inaugural MeckMoves Fitness Challenge
Mecklenburg County Public Health is celebrating the end of the inaugural MeckMoves fitness challenge with MeckMoves Field Fest – a wellness festival and experience that will take place June 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the field at Eastway Regional Recreation Center. The free, family-friendly event is open to the public, not just MeckMoves participants, and will have resources and activities to promote health and physical activity.
open 42-bed medical rehabilitation hospital in South Point, Ohio
PAM Health, a leading national healthcare provider, in partnership with regional healthcare leader Marshall Health Network, announced plans to open a 42-bed physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital in South Point, Ohio. This location will be PAM Health’s third hospital in Ohio, joining PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Miamisburg and PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Miamisburg. Located at 510 Commerce Lane in South Point, Ohio, the hospital is expected to open in October […]
USC's College World Series hopes come to an end
Just two outs away from reaching the College World Series for the first time since 2001, USC suffered a devastating 4-3 loss.
India Opposition Leaders Meet to Project Unity After Poll Losses
Leaders of India’s top opposition parties met in New Delhi in an effort to project unity, their first major gathering since the May state elections, which dealt significant blows to several regional parties.
Tar Heels defeat USC 4-3 with ninth-inning rally, heading to College World Series
The North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team defeated the USC Trojans 4-3 on Sunday in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional, giving the Tar Heels their 13th appearance in the College World Series.
Elevate Rapid City to honor Black Hills business leaders June 9 at The Monument
Business and community leaders will gather June 9 at The Monument for Elevate Rapid City’s 2026 Elevate Business Awards Night honoring regional impact.
How Six Flags’ Expanded Membership Model At Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) Has Changed Its Investment Story
In recent weeks, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation expanded its flexible Membership program to six additional parks, introducing year-round, multi-park access with regional tiered options and low monthly payments to strengthen guest loyalty and recurring revenue. This shift toward a subscription-style model is material because it increases revenue predictability, deepens customer engagement, and may reshape how investors assess the resilience of Six Flags’ business. We’ll now examine how...
IN SERVICE | Ellen and Serena Harmon on entrepreneurship, community and building for the future
After launching a business with their siblings on the Rosebud Reservation, Ellen and Serena Harmon built an award-winning company serving tribal, federal and regional customers.
5 people injured at West Virginia NCAA super regionals game due to high winds and severe thunderstorms
"Unfinished Business" | Dayton Tockey's Mom Talks Sooners' Omaha Dream
After Dayton Tockey's dramatic game-winning home run helped send Oklahoma to the Super Regionals, his mother, Kristi Gilpin, sat down with Evan Kamikow to discuss the unforgettable moment, the emotional roller coaster of the season, and the Sooners' quest for Omaha.
"Unfinished Business" | Dayton Tockey's Mom Talks Sooners' Omaha Dream
After Dayton Tockey's dramatic game-winning home run helped send Oklahoma to the Super Regionals, his mother, Kristi Gilpin, sat down with Evan Kamikow to discuss the unforgettable moment, the emotional roller coaster of the season, and the Sooners' quest for Omaha.
Menopause event aims to go ‘beyond the scale’
The event is part of the center’s ongoing “Beyond the Scale” series and will feature two regional medical experts specializing in menopause care.
Future-proofing the Asia-Pacific region: risk mapping exercise yields insights on preparing for future health crises
In this age of seeming permacrisis, how might countries across Asia and the Pacific collectively anticipate, prepare for and respond to public health emergencies – including possible pandemics – that lie ahead? Key answers could be found from the outcomes of a regional mapping exercise launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific during the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) Stakeholders Meeting held on 11 June 2026 in Malaysia. For the exercise, WHO mobilized an extensive network of contributors, synthesizing 228 distinct inputs from 11 Member States - including Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Viet Nam from the Western Pacific Region - alongside leading academic institutions and regional partner organizations, as well as WHO regional and country offices. The exercise identified a diverse range of opportunities to boost regional operational readiness, transitioning the focus on health security investment in individual countries to a unified, interoperable health security collective for the entire Asia-Pacific region.
WHO urges targeted action to strengthen emergency workforce capacities for shared health risks across the Asia-Pacific region
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11 June 2026 – At a time when the world is more interconnected than ever, the World Health Organization (WHO) is disseminating a comprehensive regional analysis of shared health risks across Asia and the Pacific, urging Member States to invest in enhancing workforce capacities regionwide to mitigate these risks and ensure health systems are better prepared to anticipate, tackle and withstand a range of crises and shocks. Over 100 delegates from 49 countries and areas in the Asia-Pacific region reviewed results from the regional risk analysis during the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APSHAF) Stakeholders Meeting in Malaysia. Synthesizing insights from 21 strategic risk assessments and more than 800 multisectoral experts, the regional analysis highlighted an urgent imperative: countries must proactively invest in emergency workforce preparedness to navigate a landscape where climate hazards, disease outbreaks and geophysical events increasingly overlap. These complex converging crises create devastating, compounding impacts on health systems and communities - reiterating the need for investing in a fit-for-purpose regional health workforce and multisectoral action. Key findings: an evolving risk landscape More than half of the participating countries ranked flooding, cyclones, dengue and pandemic-potential respiratory pathogens as being of high or very high risk, while antimicrobial resistance, landslides and gastroenteritis remain widespread concerns as well. “Given that 51% - over half - of these assessed hazards are deeply interconnected, isolated health interventions are no longer sufficient,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Extreme weather events like cyclones and floods directly trigger subsequent disease outbreaks, while environmental degradation - driven by sea-level rise, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion - fuels health risks across the Pacific. Mitigating these cascading risks requires unified, cross-sectoral action linking environmental, agricultural and public health policies to build true regional resilience.” Priority recommendations for action To address critical vulnerabilities, WHO calls on Member States in the Asia-Pacific region to urgently prioritize the following strategic actions: Bridge workforce capacity gaps. Embed and standardize emergency preparedness within academia to promote regional workforce interoperability. Foster multisectoral coordination. Address ad-hoc taskforce responses and fragmented surge support through formalized contingency plans and standard operating procedures that are frequently updated and tested. Secure sustainable financing for emergencies. Overcome systemic barriers to access dedicated funding for both immediate anticipatory actions and long-term emergency preparedness initiatives. Enable emergency-ready primary health care. Embed emergency management into public health workforce readiness planning. Ensure that emergency planning is inclusive. Establish clear pathways for inclusive emergency planning that actively involves communities most at risk and other vulnerable groups. Optimize communication. Update risk communication and community engagement strategies, aligning them with seasonal risk calendars. Elevating workforce readiness to meet regional health risks While the gaps identified are significant, the Asia-Pacific region possesses solid foundational pillars, including dedicated clinicians, laboratory staff, rapid response teams, emergency medical teams and extensive community networks. However, to adequately address the compounding nature of modern crises, the various components of the emergency workforce must collaborate cohesively. True resilience depends entirely on transforming this currently fragmented workforce into a highly trained, interconnected and rapidly deployable asset. To achieve this, WHO is actively advancing regional workforce capacities through the Global Health Emergency Corps initiative. This initiative - supported by the Gates Foundation and Institute of Philanthropy - seeks to build a seamless network of emergency workforce across borders and sectors, ensuring that when a crisis strikes, a standardized, well-coordinated and trained workforce is immediately ready to respond. “Scaling up emergency workforce readiness is no longer optional,” said Dr Gina Samaan, Regional Emergency Director for WHO in the Western Pacific. “It is the definitive factor that will determine how effectively the Asia-Pacific region safeguards health and protects lives in an increasingly unpredictable future.” For more information, or to arrange media interviews, contact: Ara Johannes, WHO Western Pacific Health Emergencies Division: johannesa@who.int WHO Western Pacific Communications: wprocom@who.int
As Iran threatens regional fuel shipping, Azerbaijan becomes Israel’s gas buffer
Backup supplies from SOCAR are giving Egypt and Jordan alternatives when Israeli gas exports are disrupted, while keeping Israel linked to regional customers that may avoid direct purchases.
Fans injured as storm hits West Virginia Super Regional game
Several fans at West Virginia's Super Regional game were injured Saturday when heavy winds blew over an event tent next to Kendrick Family Ballpark, the university said.
Fans injured at WVU baseball game after heavy winds blow over event tent
Multiple fans at Saturday's West Virginia vs. Cal Poly NCAA baseball super regional were injured after heavy winds blew over an event tent.
Ole Miss vs. Auburn baseball box score: Live stats from NCAA Baseball Championship Game
The Rebels and Tigers battle in the Auburn Super Regional.
Tide Statistics Entering Super Regional Play
The stat bro’s don’t love this team, but Al Davis would, “Just win baby!”
Greater Des Moines Partnership brings Iowa business leaders to D.C.
More than 100 business and community leaders from Central Iowa are in Washington, D.C., advocating for regional priorities and economic development projects during the Greater Des Moines Partnership's annual trip.
Scott Forbes names game one starter for super regional
UNC baseball manager Scott Forbes has named Ryan Lynch the game one starter vs. USC.
SGMC Health EMS Receives Service of the Year Award for Region 8
SGMC Health's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was recently recognized as the Region 8 EMS Service of the Year at the Georgia EMS regional awards banquet.
Baton Rouge’s economy is booming, report says
Baton Rouge is outperforming many of its regional competitors on several key economic measures, from job growth and pay to housing affordability and worker productivity. That’s according to the G… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Meet DFP Spring Fellow, Emily Martinez, University of Wisconsin-Madison -
Emily R. Martinez is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, specializing in comparative politics with a regional focus on Western Europe. Her research sits at the [...]
Investing in health will spur D-FW economy, healthcare leaders say
At a Wednesday Dallas Regional Chamber Summit, healthcare leaders discussed pathways to closing a stark gap in health outcomes across Dallas, which they say would also boost the economy.
Novant Health restructures leadership with focus on regional growth
The president of Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center is taking on a larger regional role as Novant Health reshapes leadership across North Carolina.
UNC vs. USC: Biggest strengths, weaknesses and players to watch
The Diamond Heels host USC in a best-of-three super regional with a trip to Omaha on the line. Here are USC’s players to watch and key strengths.
Novant Health restructures leadership with focus on regional growth
The president of Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center is taking on a larger regional role as Novant Health reshapes leadership across North Carolina.
Regional health agency issues measles alert for World Cup
As World Cup fever rises in the Americas, countries are urged to strengthen measles surveillance and vaccination amid ongoing outbreaks across the region.
US Ignite Launches SURGE, a National Science Foundation-Supported Initiative to Empower Regional Innovation Coalitions Nationwide
“SURGE provides regional coalitions with structure, guidance, and connections in a peer learning environment. This new program is meant for both existing regional coalitions and leaders who are building new cross-sector partnerships.” -L.Arias, US Ignite Supporting U.S. Regional Growth & Entrepreneurship (SURGE) Convert regional momentum into results! WASHINGTON, June 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US Ignite officially launched the Supporting U.S. Regional Growth & Entrepreneurship (SURGE) Program
May's top PlayStation games by copies sold
Yesterday’s State of Play gave us an idea of where PlayStation’s heading next. But we’ve had our May estimates for a couple of days now (we always update our data daily for clients), so it’s time to look at what performed best on PlayStation last month. We’ve got a new IP at the top, two evergreens doing their evergreen thing, FC26 smashing it ahead of the World Cup Plus pivot, and a quiet but promising result for Lego Batman. Let’s have a look at the state of Play…Station’s top games for May. 007 takes #001 007 First Light sold 1M copies on PS5 in May, easily making it the month’s top PS5 game by copies sold. Over 80% of those May copies were digital, which is broadly in line with where PlayStation’s digital share has settled for new releases this year. To date, 007 First Light has sold through 2.2M copies across platforms (so no unsold retail copies in that figure). The platform split is 55.1% PS5, 33.1% Steam, and 11.8% Xbox (console, Windows, and cloud combined). In gross revenue terms, 007 First Light has generated $150M. Owing to regional pricing and audience composition differences, the consoles make up a higher share of revenue than they do copies. Of the $150M, 60.5% came via PlayStation, 27.6% via Steam, and 12.9% via Xbox. Part of this is because over two-thirds of 007 First Light‘s PlayStation audience is in North America (43.4%) or Western Europe (23.2%), where local currency means the game generates more revenue per player. On Steam, under half of First Light‘s audience is from those same regions (31.8% North America, 15.1% Western Europe). As we covered in last week’s 007 Steam piece, the Steam version is pulling in higher-than-expected numbers in China, which now accounts for 17.3% of First Light‘s Steam audience. 007 is the equivalent of $44 USD in China, which is roughly 37% cheaper than the US price and about 44% cheaper than Western Europe. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe The crossover data backs up what we’ve seen all year about launch-window cohorts. 11% of PS5 players who played 007 First Light in May also played Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, which launched just a few days before. Last month was a great month for Denmark! IO Interactive is Copenhagen-based, and Lego Group is headquartered in Billund (TT Games is UK-based but produces work under Lego Group licence and direction). Speaking of which… A very blocky #2 and #3 Minecraft sold another 788K copies on PlayStation consoles last month. Business as usual, since Minecraft hasn’t sold fewer than 760K copies in a single month all year. With over 350M copies sold across all platforms, Minecraft is the best-selling game in history and one of the strongest brands in the world. Every month, a new cohort of children reaches Minecraft age, which guarantees a constant volume of new sales regardless of what the broader market is up to. The demographic refresh rate is truly impressive, with the audience renewing itself faster than it’s churning. Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight shifted 757K copies on PS5 last month, bringing its lifetime total on the platform to over 800K. Across all platforms, Legacy of the Dark Knight has now passed 1.5M sold through, so PlayStation accounts for over half of the game’s players. The May crossover data for Legacy of the Dark Knight on PS5 is also useful. 27% of those players also played Fortnite, 16% Roblox, 16% FC 26, and 14% NBA 2K. That’s the household-and-family cohort showing up, plus the launch-window cohort of core gamers who buy practically everything. FC 26 gets players through the door ahead of the World Cup FC 26 sold 411K copies on PlayStation last month (90% via PS5), the fewest copies FC 26 has sold all year and down heavily from April’s 700K. Part of this dropoff is because FC 26 has been available as a PlayStation Plus monthly game since 6 May, cannibalising premium sales. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe The strategic logic is straightforward for EA, which is sacrificing premium unit sales in May to build up the player base ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on 11 June. Obviously, a bigger player pool going into the tournament means a bigger pool of potential Ultimate Team spenders during the period when football attention is at its peak. The early returns are around what you’d expect, with 4.4M new players accessing FC 26 via PS Plus last month – a substantial new spender pool. Anecdotally, a few of my mates who were ‘’skipping FIFA and Ultimate Team this year’’, were drawn back in via PS Plus. Lo and behold, one of them is buying packs like it’s going out of fashion. Whether this is all a smart trade for EA depends entirely on the Ultimate Team conversion rate over the next six weeks. Either way, the short-term engagement impact on the game as a whole is evident. FC 26‘s MAUs hit a record 24M on PlayStation in May, up 30% from the previous record set in April. GTA V does what GTA V always does Rounding out the top five is another evergreen title. Grand Theft Auto V shifted another 387K copies on PlayStation last month. No matter what else is happening in the industry, GTA V keeps pulling players in. It’s sold another 1.8M copies on PS5 in the first half of this year alone, helping the franchise pass the 230M-sold milestone across all platforms. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe I have a theory that Minecraft and GTA V are doing the same thing at different demographic levels. Both are functioning as generational gateway games that the audience ages into faster than it ages out of. Minecraft captures kids around age 6-10, GTA V captures much of the same audience around age 12-15 (unofficially, of course). The crossover data suggests this: 40% of GTA V‘s monthly PlayStation players typically play Fortnite in any given month, while 30% play Roblox. Household accounts aside, that’s not the original GTA V audience from 2013. Of course, the under-12 audience would love to get their hands on GTA, too. It’s always been the way of things, and some parents are happy to oblige. Mine did too back in the day, and I turned out just fine. Right? Right!? Want to get your hands on our data for yourself – for free? We’re offering a free trial of our platform for games companies. Send us a message here, or reply to this email, and we’ll set you up. The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
Rewriting the Narrative: Jewish Voices in the Entertainment Industry | AJC Global Forum 2026
At AJC Global Forum 2026, writer, producer, actor, and comedian Jamie Denbo joins Grammy-nominated songwriter, music publisher, and entrepreneur Billy Mann; Deborah Marcus; and Lori York for a conversation moderated by Dov Wilker, AJC Vice President, Advocacy and Innovation; Regional Director, AJC Atlanta.
USDA Cuts Dismantled a Program Helping Local Food Economies
Without federal support, a nascent regional network that was building businesses and consumer support has collapsed.
Defense, clutch homer lift Corning in Class AAA softball subregional
Sophie Schoonover hit a go-ahead home run to highlight top-ranked Corning's victory in a NYSPHSAA Class AAA subregional.
Chapel Hill Super Regional schedule officially announced for UNC, USC
The UNC baseball squad advanced to their third-straight Super Regional with Sunday's win. They now know their game times vs. the USC Trojans.
West Virginia's epic walk-off sparks emotional 'Country Roads' celebration that defines college sports
West Virginia's Armani Guzman delivered a walk-off single to advance to the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals, igniting a celebration in Morgantown.
Lancaster students receive superior, perfect science fair ratings
Seven students and a graduate of Lancaster St. Mary School attended Regional Science Day at Columbus State University earlier this year. Logan Hillyard received a superior rating and will move on to the state competition with a score of 37 out of 40. He also received several awards including the PPG of Circleville Award that […]
Towards a responsive health system and equitable access to quality RMNCAH services
Indonesia’s vast geography and sociocultural diversity shape the delivery of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services in ways that are both enabling and challenging. Across provinces, significant variation has been observed in how services are planned, resourced, and delivered. These variations in service standards and quality are felt daily in the lives of women, newborns and adolescents. Despite these challenges, progress is visible. National estimates show a drop in maternal mortality ratio, from 331 to 140 per 100 000 live births since 2000, signaling improvements in care quality and access. Fertility has stabilised and contraceptive use has grown, yet unmet reproductive health needs persist, and adolescent pregnancies continue to reflect early marriage and limited access to youth-friendly services.To better understand how Indonesia’s health system has evolved under decentralisation, the Ministry of Health, supported by World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), IPAS and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), conducted a joint external review of RMNCAH programmes. This review draws on multiple sources of evidence, including existing literature, policy documents, national health system data, as well as field visits to six selected provinces to represent Indonesia’s geographic and administrative diversity. During the field visits, review teams observed service delivery in health facilities, spoke with health workers and local leaders and met mothers and families to understand how RMNCAH policies are operationalised. One of the challenges identified was the management of low birthweight (LBW) infants, a major contributor to neonatal deaths, under resource constraints. One midwife described a severe case of extremely LBW twins, one stillborn and the other died after three days of care. She recalled how the surviving infant struggled to swallow and may not have received breast milk, while simultaneous emergencies required the team’s attention, affecting the care provided to the infant.A subsequent review of the case by the district health office revealed insufficient antenatal care, fragmented maternal medical history due to population mobility, referral delays, limited provider capacity in neonatal intravenous access and a heavy workload that constrained proper newborn monitoring. These insights informed recommendations to strengthen both system-wide and service-level responses. Since the early 2000s, Indonesia’s decentralisation initiative has given much of the responsibility for funding, staffing and managing health services to regional governments. While the Ministry of Health sets national clinical standards, daily management of public health facilities falls under regional authorities through the Ministry of Internal Affairs. While this arrangement allows services to be tailored to local needs, it also depends heavily on local capacity for planning, budgeting and management. Health facilities and district health offices are better positioned to translate national priorities into local action when they have access to consistent technical support, helping health workers manage resource constraints and infrastructure gaps.The complexity of Indonesia’s health system governance is no easy feat to navigate. Understanding these dynamics is essential to strengthening policy, improving coordination and ensuring more equitable access to services across Indonesia. Under the leadership of Ministry of Health, recommendations from this exercise will be key in guiding the nation’s roadmap to an equitable and quality health system for RMNCAH.Written by Edit Oktavia Manuama, National Professional Officer (Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health), and Jessie Yunus, National Professional Officer (Gender, Rights, Equity, and Disability Inclusion)
No. 1 UCLA's stunning exit headlines chaotic baseball regional weekend
It's been a wild weekend to begin the NCAA baseball tournament, and the regional round could get even wilder on Monday.
Sound Royalties Strengthens International Presence With Appointment of Music and Entertainment Veteran Melanie Cameron, as Regional Director of Business Development for the United Kingdom
/PRNewswire/ -- Sound Royalties (the "Company"), the pioneering provider of creator-friendly financing for music and entertainment professionals, announces the...
D-FW business datebook: Earnings, Beige Book and a Shakespeare preview
The Dallas-Fort Worth business datebook for the week of May 31 includes the Dallas Regional Chamber's Opportunity Summit, the April Beige Book and a Shakespearean preview at a local bookseller.
Launch of new WHO Heat–Health Action Plans Guidance
On 11 June 2026, WHO/Europe will launch the new WHO Heat–Health Action Plans Guidance, an international point of reference for systematic, evidence-based health action in preparation for and response to extreme heat. The launch of the new Guidance will take place in Berlin, at a joint hybrid press conference hosted by the Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, together with the WHO Regional Director for Europe, the Senator for Science, Health and Care of the State of Berlin, and a senior representative from the European Commission Directorate-General for Climate Action.
Tallahassee native Brady Neal powers Alabama into NCAA Super Regional
Tallahassee native Brady Neal hit a three-run homer to send Alabama to the NCAA baseball Super Regionals.
Kansas takes care of business in Lawrence, advances to supers
Kansas wins a regional for the first time since 1993 and advance to the super regional round for the first time in program history with a 13-10 victory against Arkansas on Sunday.
After Years Of Mockery, Sunderland Finally Taste Regional Glory!
“Two games. Two wins. Six points. One memorable campaign and one thoroughly underwhelming one,” writes Phil West.
BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Railroad St. Collective in Great Barrington
The collaboratively run marketplace connects regional artisans directly with shoppers seeking distinctive, handcrafted work.
Pirates drop Regional Final to Tar Heels 9-3
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCT) — After handling VCU 10-0 earlier in the day, ECU was looking to keep that momentum going into the Regional Final against UNC, but a couple of early errors lead to the Tar Heels plating eights runs in three innings as they win over the Pirates 9-3, advancing to the Super […]
O'Sullivan breaks down Florida's Gainesville Regional loss to Troy
Kevin O'Sullivan has seen his team go up and down all year. On Monday, Florida has no choice but to great if it wants to win the Gainesville Regional.
No. 1 overall seed UCLA eliminated in baseball regionals after Saint Mary's walks it off in extras
For the second time this weekend, the Bruins fell to the Gaels by one run; this time, it ended their season.
Oregon vs. Oregon State baseball: Live updates from Eugene Regional final
Follow live updates from PK Park as the Ducks and Beavers play in the Eugene Regional final
NCAA baseball tournament 2026: Tracking the Super Regional teams
What teams are moving on to the Super Regionals at the NCAA baseball tournament?
Ministry of Public Health, WHO Thailand and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand launch initiative to strengthen Thailand’s public health workforce
28 May 2026 | Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in ThailandA skilled and coordinated public health workforce is essential for protecting population health and responding to public health emergencies. Strengthening these capacities was the focus of a meeting held on 28 May 2026 at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand.Dr Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand, together with Dr Watcharanan Tinnaitorn, Deputy Director of the Division of Public Health Emergency Management, Ministry of Public Health, and officials from WHO and the Ministry of Public Health, met with Counselor Zhang Xiaoxiao from the Economic & Commercial Counsellor's Office, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand to mark the launch of collaboration under the WHO Roadmap to strengthen the public health workforce.The initiative supports Thailand in strengthening its public health workforce across both health and non-health sectors. Public health emergencies require coordinated action across a wide range of professions and institutions, including health workers, border control officers, water safety specialists, communication professionals and local government authorities. Through the project, partners will work together to assess workforce capacities, strengthen competencies and promote coordination across sectors to support preparedness and response efforts.The discussion highlighted opportunities to enhance cross-country collaboration through knowledge exchange, communication activities and engagement at key project milestones, supporting workforce development and emergency preparedness efforts.Beyond its immediate objectives, the initiative also reflects Thailand’s contributions to public health at regional and global levels. The exchange highlighted the importance of sharing experiences, lessons learned and good practices through international cooperation to strengthen public health capacity and preparedness.WHO expressed appreciation to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand for supporting the project and recognizing the importance of investing in public health workforce development, preparedness and health security through partnership and multilateral cooperation. WHO also commended Thailand’s continued leadership and commitment to strengthening public health systems and emergency preparedness, including through cross-sector collaboration and workforce development.WHO remains committed to supporting Thailand and partners in advancing resilient and people-centred public health systems and strengthening preparedness for future health challengesAbout the EPHF Roadmap ProjectThailand is one of four countries selected in 2026 to initiate implementation of the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) Roadmap, alongside Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. The initiative is funded by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). The project is led by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, with WHO Thailand serving as a co-implementing partner. Other partners include the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), the Global Network for Academic Public Health/Public Health Interprofessional Leadership Alliance (GNAPH/PHILA) and the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA).
Redefining the Stopover: How Modern Travel Hubs Leverage Digital Entertainment
The traditional travel hub is undergoing a quiet revolution. For decades, airports, transit hubs, and regional tourism gateways relied on duty-free shops, fast-food chains, and rows of plastic seat…
UCLA Baseball Hits Back-to-Back Homers in Crucial Walk-Off Win
After St. Mary’s shockingly upset No. 1 overall seed UCLA baseball in the regional opener on Saturday, the Bruins needed a win on Sunday to keep their season alive. Going into the bottom of the ninth, UCLA was down by two runs against Virginia Tech. That’s when first baseman Mulivai Levu, who was named the […] The post UCLA Baseball Hits Back-to-Back Homers in Crucial Walk-Off Win appeared first on LA Sports Report.
NCAA baseball tournament: Milwaukee drills UCF in Auburn Regional
The UCF Knights fell into a 9-0 hole after three innings against Milwaukee and never recovered in their Auburn Regional matchup.
NCAA baseball: OU fails to keep up with Georgia Tech's hitting
No. 2 OU (33-22) fell to No. 1 Georgia Tech (50-9) 9-3 in the Atlanta Regional, as the Yellow Jackets outlasted the Sooners in a back-and-forth affair at Russ Chandler
UCLA Stuns Virginia Tech With Ninth-Inning Rally
UCLA erased a late deficit with three runs in the bottom of the ninth, walking off Virginia Tech to keep its postseason hopes alive in the Los Angeles Regional.
Rahe continues to come through for KU in regional play
Even before Kansas kicked off the first-ever Lawrence Regional, pitcher Boede Rahe promised that KU was going to play the exact same way it had all season — which would in turn mean that Rahe himself would bring the same level of fire to his closer role. Through two days of the regional, Rahe’s emotions […]
Vols fall 5-4 in season-ending loss to VCU
And that’ll do it for your Tennessee Volunteers in 2026. For the first time in program history, the Vols go winless in a regional, getting shown the door by Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill 5-4. Tegan Kuhns took the mound for Tennessee, and as it turns out, that was a herculean effort […]
NCAA baseball: OU defeats The Citadel in regionals behind pitching, hitting depth
No. 2 seed OU baseball (33-21) won 8-3 against No. 3 seed The Citadel (35-25) in the Atlanta Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
CCC and AT&T Partner to Bridge Divide
Coahoma Community College collaborated with AT&T Mississippi and Digitunity on Wednesday, April 29, to distribute free laptops to students and residents during a launch event at Safe House on CCC’s campus, working to close the regional digital divide. The distribution program targets technology gaps across the college’s five-county service area, which includes Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, […]
DrPH graduate focuses on digital innovation for diabetes prevention | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Qais Dirar, DrPH '26, plans to return home to Saudi Arabia to help lead the regional expansion of a digital health company.
RWJBarnabas Health Launches NJ’s First Ever Street Medicine Program
RWJBarnabas Health has launched New Jersey’s first Street Medicine Program at Trinitas Regional Medical Center to bring essential care and services directly to unhoused individuals across the City of Elizabeth with the goal of expanding to other areas in the state to improve access to care among a particularly vulnerable population.
Ozarks Sports Zone Digital Extra: Spring high school sports ending; MSU vs. Arkansas baseball preview
High school spring sports are coming to an end in the Ozarks. Also, Missouri State University baseball plays rival Arkansas in the Kansas baseball NCAA Regional.
Palidye Holdings Initiates PENN Entertainment Position, According to Recent SEC Filing
PENN Entertainment pairs regional casinos with a digital wagering business now centered on iCasino and theScore Bet. The stock becomes much more interesting if digital keeps improving without weighing on the casino's cash-flow base.
Palidye Holdings Initiates PENN Entertainment Position, According to Recent SEC Filing
PENN Entertainment pairs regional casinos with a digital wagering business now centered on iCasino and theScore Bet. The stock becomes much more interesting if digital keeps improving without weighing on the casino's cash-flow base.
Mayor Sheffield sends bold message to Business & Political Leaders on Mackinac Island: Poverty Elimination is a Growth Strategy
Detroit's first woman Mayor doesn't play it safe in her first keynote address at Regional Policy Conference
Mayor Sheffield sends bold message to Business & Political Leaders on Mackinac Island: Poverty Elimination is a Growth Strategy
Detroit's first woman Mayor doesn't play it safe in her first keynote address at Regional Policy Conference
EU co-funded project UNITE announces first digital health winners, as remote care and data-sharing push gains ground
The UNITE initiative has selected its first three joint interregional projects, marking a significant milestone in building a borderless European digital health ecosystem
Traffic and safety upgrades coming to Philadelphia Sports Complex
PHILADELPHIA (WPHL) — On Thursday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, and regional stakeholders announced a nearly $30 million investment in and around th…
A new way of celebrating Midcoast businesses
The Bath-Brunswick-Topsham Regional Chamber of Commerce is revamping its Annual Awards Night, which is on June 18 this year.
Chef J. Kenji López-Alt Talks Curiosity, Cuisine, and Science
IFT FIRST keynoter shares the importance of connecting culinary creativity with scientific inquiry, curiosity, and regional flavors to inform the future of food.
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for 3% funding target
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for better conditions
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
St. Louis business leaders seek to shake up the data center narrative
Data centers are the topic that just won’t go away, and given the public acrimony surrounding them, local business leaders and other supporters are keen on reframing the conversation. Case-in-point was the panel convened yesterday by the regional business association Greater St. Louis Inc. featuring representatives from the data center industry, labor unions, building trades, […]
While Brighton looms, South Lyon Unified girls lacrosse keeps thriving
South Lyon Unified extends winning streak to 46 games but faces No. 3 Brighton in regional championship.
Ken Welch qualifies for high-stakes St. Pete Mayor’s race
Welch has leaned into the power of incumbency and a growing coalition of local and regional supporters that say he is still the best candidate for the job.
Colorado Gov. Polis signs RTD overhaul bill aimed at rebuilding transit ridership
Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday approved a sweeping overhaul of the Regional Transportation District, signing a bill that reshapes the agency’s leadership and seeks to reverse years of stagnant ridership and eroding public trust in metro Denver’s transit system. Senate Bill 150 — sponsored by Sens. Iman Jodeh of Aurora and Matt Ball of Denver, […]