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Nine mental-health tips for a happier 2026
Regardless of any resolutions you may have for 2026, one thing is for sure: Everyone wants to have a happy new year.While losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. A robust body of research shows that simple cognitive and behavioral strategies can reliably boost happiness and reduce stress – and they’re generally free and accessible to all.These strategies don’t have to be super time-consuming, but they do require intention: They only work if you do them.Here, psychologist Valentina Ogaryan, PhD, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, shares her top tips for cultivating more calm, centeredness and happiness in the new year (or anytime):Make time for playPlay isn’t just for kids, and it’s far from frivolous. The National Institute for Play says engaging in silliness, fun and just-for-pleasure activities reduces stress and increases optimism and resilience. A recent review also found that play improves mental health.“Adults can benefit from play as much as children,” Dr. Ogaryan says, “not just as a reward, but something that helps regulate.”So go ahead and dance with your dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke or do anything else that feels like fun. Don’t worry about being productive, just enjoy yourself. And, if you can, opt for more analog play, Dr. Ogaryan suggests, as a respite from our ever-more-digital world. Move your bodyWhether you dance, ski, do yoga, play pickleball, ride a bike, roller-skate, hike or lift weights, physical movement benefits overall happiness and well-being. A 2018 review study of more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. found that doing any kind of exercise was “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health.The sweet spot was 45 minutes of movement three to five times a week, but even short bursts of physical activity can boost brain health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Movement helps support mood and regulate the nervous system,” Dr. Ogaryan says.Plus: exercise can improve sleep quality, and sleep is essential for mental health.Prioritize sleep“Sleep plays a major role in managing stress,” Dr. Ogaryan says. Research shows that lack of sufficient sleep increases the risk of various diseases, including depression.While stress can interfere with sleep, practicing good sleep hygiene can make logging ZZ’s easier. That means maintaining a consistent bedtime; keeping the bedroom cool, dark and quiet; and avoiding social media, news and stimulating shows before bed.Consume lessWe live in a consumer culture, inundated by endless streams of content and advertising everywhere we go, which makes it easy to get overstimulated.“Something really helpful for stress reduction is to simply consume less,” Dr. Ogaryan says – less news, less social media, less information, less noise, less screen time. “It’s about reducing the input,” she says.Consider setting a maximum number of news articles per day, for example, or a time limit on scrolling. Maybe even go device free for an afternoon or a whole day.Practice present-moment awarenessWith so much coming at us all the time, focusing on the here and now can make life feel more manageable, Dr. Ogaryan says: “When everything feels super overwhelming, when everything feels larger than life, let’s make our world a little bit smaller for that moment in time.”She suggests taking things one day, or even one hour, at a time. Ask yourself: What’s my next right action? Release the need to know how everything turns out and liberate yourself from having to handle everything right now. Let the future take care of itself and just focus on the current moment. Then the next one. Have a daily anchorFrom work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, our days can feel jam-packed. Dr. Ogaryan recommends creating a centering daily anchor that can fit into even the busiest day.Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoying your coffee in the morning. Let your anchor adapt to your needs each day, she says, but be intentional about using that time to ground yourself and calm your nervous system. You might even say to yourself, “I choose this walk to help me become centered,” or “My day already feels stressful, so I’m going to take the next 10 minutes to enjoy this cup of coffee, feel the warm mug in my hand and just be present.” Having an anchor won’t erase the busy-ness from your day, but it will allow you to approach it more calmly.Be kind to yourselfMost of us have a harsh inner critic in our heads who works overtime. But that critical voice only increases our stress, triggering the same fight-or-flight response as caustic words from another person.To feel happier, we need to replace that inner critic with a kinder, more compassionate voice, Dr. Ogaryan says. Studies show that self-compassion is a source of eudaimonic happiness – the kind of happiness associated with purpose and meaning in life.While our knee-jerk reaction may be to self-criticize – “How could you let it get to this point? You didn’t manage your time well and now the project is going to be late. You’re so inept.” – we fare better mentally by treating ourselves with kindness, like we would a friend. That might sound like, “You’ve got a lot on your plate, but you are capable and you’ll get it done. I believe in you.”We may think that speaking kindly to ourselves means letting ourselves off the hook, so we end up becoming lazy do-nothings. But research shows the opposite: People who are self-compassionate are more likely to try harder in the face of failure and ultimately reach their goals.You can thank your inner critic for its good intentions, but resolve to talk to yourself in a kind, compassionate voice.Connect with othersHumans are social animals built for connection. Stress can be isolating and cause us to withdraw, but connecting with others is a salve for the psyche, Dr. Ogaryan says.“We know that not all relationships are always easy, but if we can think about intentional, nourishing connection – even in really small doses – it could really help center us,” she says.Take a moment to laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, have a conversation with a friend or smile at the barista making your coffee. A study found that even tiny interactions with casual acquaintances and strangers decreases loneliness and improves happiness and well-being.Seek supportIf you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist. Mental health conditions are among the most common health issues in the U.S. and around the world – more prevalent than diabetes or heart disease. One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, with depression and anxiety the most common, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.“We can all think about these tips,” Dr. Ogaryan says. “But it’s important to recognize if you’ve done everything you can and you’re still really struggling, it’s really important to seek help.”
The disunity of science is a feature, not a bug
Mathematical models wield miraculous power, but mistaking them for reality has trapped science in a destructive quest for a “Theory of Everything.” Physicist and philosopher Ragner Fjelland argues that this leads to bloated, Frankenstein theories kept alive by clumsy, ad-hoc amendments, which reduce rather than boost science’s power. Fjelland calls for a radical shift in our attitude: we must reorientate towards creating entirely new theories, celebrating rather than lamenting disunity and diversity in science. Science, from the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day, has more or less developed in a “reductionist” way. The fundamental assumption is that all sciences may be ordered in a hierarchy that can be represented as an upside-down pyramid. At the top we find the human sciences, and at the bottom physics. Strong (or “ontological”) reductionism maintains that all theories at one level can be completely reduced to the lower level, all the way down to theories of atoms and elementary particles, or whatever is “at the bottom.” In the end, all diversity in the world can be unified in one fundamental theory. Hence it is called a final theory, or a Theory of Everything.One of the central figures in developing the idea of a Theory of Everything is the Dutch theoretical physicist Gerard 't Hooft, who received a Nobel Prize in physics in 1999 for his work. He emphasizes the non-empirical status of the theory:There exists no closely resembling alternative theory. This means that any slight change brought about in the rules would make the theory unlikely or inelegant. The theory will be a "package deal": take it, or leave it. This should hold both for the local laws and for the boundary conditions.This endeavor is not new. On the contrary, it goes all the way back to the birth of Western philosophy 2,500 years ago. The Babylonians made regular astronomical observations during a period of 600 years, from 747 BCE until 150 ACE. They developed mathematical techniques to predict astronomical phenomena, but they made no attempts at explaining them. However, the Greeks developed models, both material and theoretical, to explain the observed phenomena.The best example is Plato’s late dialogue Timaeus. Here he introduces a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, who has constructed the universe according to an original plan. Plato seems to have thought that the original plan is what is actually real, while the material world is merely an imperfect realization of it. He therefore does not, in the Timaeus, reconstruct the material universe, but the original plan, which can then be used to explain the material universe.Plato’s aim in producing a theoretical model is to reconstruct the original plan. That is what he carries out in Timaeus—and some modern physicists have embarked on the same project. For example, Einstein’s basic attitude is reflected in the title of Abraham Pais’ biography: “Subtle is the Lord...,” echoing Einstein’s comment, “Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not.” In an interview Einstein compared our situation to a child who enters a huge library. The child knows that someone has written the books, but he does not know the languages in which they are written. He suspects that there is a mysterious order, but he does not know what it is.___“We have all been working in what Husserl called the Galilean style; that is, we have all been making abstract mathematical models of the universe to which at least the physicists give a higher degree of reality than they accord the ordinary world of sensation.”Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)___This Platonist view is contrary to a widespread impression of science, symbolized by the picture of the “father” of modern science, Galileo Galilei, with his telescope. According to this impression, Galileo liberated himself from the dominating metaphysics of his day—basically Aristotelian philosophy—and constructed a telescope that he directed towards the sky, showing that Jupiter has four moons. He also performed experiments with bronze balls rolling down inclined planes and found the law of freely falling bodies.However, in other cases Galileo emphasized the unreliability of our senses. It is easy to see why. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, we are not at rest at the center of the universe, but moving at a tremendous speed through space. Why don’t we observe this motion? Galileo praises Copernicus because “with reason as his guide he resolutely continued to affirm what sensible experience seemed to contradict.” In other places he directly refers to Plato. SUGGESTED VIEWING The quest for a final theory With Michio Kaku Galileo’s Platonism goes back to his early writings. In The Assayer, published as early as 1623, Galileo compared the universe to a grand book that is written in the language of mathematics, and “its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it.” Therefore, things that cannot be described by mathematics—for example, colors, smells and odors—are not real. They are merely subjective.This division into subjective and objective, advocated by Galileo and his younger contemporary René Descartes, is normally associated with a mechanistic world view, which is regarded as the opposite of Platonism. When we reduce something to, for example, molecules and atoms, we move “downwards.” In contrast, the Platonist moves “upwards,” to abstract entities. However, it only shows that when we address fundamental questions, we should be careful in applying everyday spatial metaphors like “up” and “down.”___Nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world.___The endeavor of finding a Theory of Everything has been heavily criticized. In 2006, the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin published “The Crisis in Fundamental Physics.” He argued that one of the most fundamental principles of science is that we should only regard theories as scientific if we have the possibility to show that they are false by experiments. Although he did not refer to Karl Popper, other critics have referred to Popper and argued that a theory is not scientific if it cannot be falsified (see for example Ellis & Silk 2014).These were not the first physicists to be anti-reductionists. In 1972, the journal Science published an article by the physicist Philip Anderson with the title “More Is Different.” This is the kind of article a scientist would normally write only after he has won a Nobel Prize. However, Anderson won the Nobel Prize for physics five years later, in 1977. The article is amazing, not primarily because it argues in favor of anti-reductionism in general, but because it argues for anti-reductionism within physics itself. Anderson’s conclusion was:At each stage entirely new laws, concepts, and generalizations are necessary, requiring inspiration and creativity to just as great a degree as in the previous one. Psychology is not applied biology, nor is biology applied chemistry.We may say that Plato started the “unity of science movement,” based on Euclidean geometry as the model of all knowledge. A distinguishing mark of geometry is that all possible constructions can be reduced to a few fundamental principles. We have to acknowledge that this approach has limitations. In general, we can easily model technological systems. In addition, we may construct simplified and idealized models that capture important aspects of systems, from various perspectives and for various purposes. But nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world. In a complex system, each level has its distinct, emergent, properties that are characteristic of this level. Therefore, a complex system should be investigated at different levels and from different perspectives. Instead of exclusively pursuing a scientific ideal based on the unity of science, we should acknowledge the diversity—or even the disunity—of science.
New Health Ministry guidelines: Sperm bank donations from one donor limited to 12 families
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Key Wisconsin motor sports events for the 2026 racing season
With IndyCar, IMSA, Outlaws and High Limit, ASA, dirt late models and specials, Wisconsin racing has plenty to offer in 2026. Still no NASCAR though.
Looking Back on 2025’s Most Memorable Political Style Moments
From our first glimpse at Rama Duwaji’s first-lady look to the stink over men in pink, fashion found its way into the political discourse in more ways than one this year.
Yale has a plan after Trump nixed a key student-loan program
Trump's student-loan repayment overhaul includes the elimination of the Grad PLUS program. Yale said it's putting out a "comparable" new plan.
The Best of BoF 2025: Fashion and Sports Forge a Powerful Alliance
As the fashion world navigated a tough year filled with macroeconomic headwinds and deep consumer pessimism in key marketplaces, the sports industry proved to be a bit of a guiding light.
Vogue Business’s Top 10 Words of the Year
The terms that influenced and defined culture in 2025 across fashion, beauty, sustainability and tech.
The Most-Read Vogue Business Stories of 2025
Labubus, AI slop, exciting M&A deals and more designer debuts than ever before. Here’s what Vogue Business readers clicked on this year.
ChatGPT Now Has a 2025 Year-End Summary Feature Like Spotify Wrapped
OpenAI added a year-end summary feature to ChatGPT, allowing users to get a personalized overview of their 2025 ChatGPT usage. The summary is similar to year-end wrap-ups from companies like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other services. ChatGPT offers up an overview of themes discussed and chat stats, such as busiest chatting day, number of overall chats, messages sent, and more.
New York Governor Vetoes Restrictive Health Privacy Law
On December 19, 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed the New York Health Information Privacy Act (“NYHIPA”). While NYHIPA bore similarities to
Gifting a smart watch to monitor heart health? Cardiologist weighs in
Smartwatches are great for noticing heart health trends, but a Maryland doctor says users need to understands the technology’s limits and shortfalls and when a visit to your doctor may be needed.
Elon Musk takes dig at Waymo after San Francisco blackout
Elon Musk mocks Waymo after rival's self-driving cars stopped at intersections during San Francisco power outage, while claiming Tesla's robotaxi remained unaffected.
Calls for penalties as outrage grows over limited release of Epstein files
Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie build bipartisan coalition to hold attorney general Pam Bondi in contempt of Congress
IAS APPOINTS MELISSA FURZE AS HEAD OF DATA SCIENCE
/PRNewswire/ -- Integral Ad Science (Nasdaq: IAS), a leading global media measurement and optimization platform, today announced that Melissa Furze joined the...
Louisiana politicians in 2025 rolled back public health and environmental efforts
There are a range of issues facing Louisiana residents as 2025 draws to a close, from skyrocketing insurance costs, stronger storms, uncertainty over healthcare and limited resources for working families and people experiencing poverty.
Louisiana politicians in 2025 rolled back public health and environmental efforts
There are a range of issues facing Louisiana residents as 2025 draws to a close, from skyrocketing insurance costs, stronger storms, uncertainty over healthcare and limited resources for working families and people experiencing poverty.
The best wedding gowns of 2025 revealed: from Eve Jobs to Hum Fleming
Whether it was English countryside elegance or all-out Italian glamour, this year's brides did not disappoint when it came to their wedding gowns
Politics Is Fandom; Fascism Is Fanfic
From Zohran Mamdani’s campaign to the US government’s “Halo” memes, fandom has become the defining language of US politics.
Politics Is Fandom; Fascism Is Fanfic
From Zohran Mamdani’s campaign to the US government’s “Halo” memes, fandom has become the defining language of US politics.
Sports brands and AI: A winning combination
Millions of sports fans are being brought ever closer to the live action from their home screens through the power of agentic and generative AI.
How systemic failures turn state mental hospitals into prisons
The share of people with severe mental illness in state psychiatric hospitals accused of serious crimes has risen steeply. The shift has all but halted the possibility of care before a catastrophic crisis.
Are Lions eliminated from playoffs? What loss vs. Steelers means
Are the Lions eliminated from the playoffs after falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday evening, 29-24?
With rate cut, inflation, how do NJ businesses feel about 2026?
Tariffs and high energy costs are giving NJ business leaders a less than optimistic outlook for 2026, though a new governor could have an impact
The new Pac-12 Conference partners with Playfly Sports for Sponsorship Development
The Pac-12 Conference and Playfly Sports today jointly announced a partnership that will see the sports industry’s leading revenue-maximization company serve as the new Pac-12’s partner for sponsorship development. The partnership begins immediately, ahead of the new league’s launch for the 2026-27 season. As part of the partnership, Playfly will assist the Pac-12 in building a centralized revenue engine powered by data, valuation expertise and scalable brand integrations. This model will focus on developing innovative partnerships that align with evolving fan behavior and brand objectives.
Studies focusing on deteriorating neighborhoods, electronic health records, and gun trafficking highlight this month's research roundup
December's Research Roundup highlights a new approach for improving genetic risk prediction using electronic health records, how interstate gun trafficking
New Virginia laws will enhance health screenings, limit kids' social media screen time
New York parents say kids 'freeze' on mandated electric school buses during brutal winter weather
Parents in western New York report heating problems with mandated electric school buses, claiming children come home cold after rides in freezing weather.
NFL DFS picks, Ravens vs. Patriots: Daily Fantasy lineup advice for 'Sunday Night Football'
Daily Fantasy multimillionaire Mike McClure reveals his daily Fantasy football picks for Baltimore vs. New England on 'SNF'
TN businesses among the most optimistic for hiring next year, new report says
Epic Games Store expands mystery free game lineup with an acclaimed hit
A new Epic Games store mystery free game is now live, and it's an acclaimed survival title with arcade-style gameplay. This freebie, Sorry We're Closed, will remain available to claim for a very limited time, expiring in 24 hours.
Only 25 People Can Own This Rolls-Royce, And That’s Probably Enough
Venuum’s limited-run tuning package turns the Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible into a rolling spectacle of plastic panels and orange leather
Strengthening U.S.-Nigerian Health Cooperation under the America First Global Health Strategy - U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria
Strengthening U.S.-Nigerian Health Cooperation under the America First Global Health Strategy The United States signed a five-year, $5.1 billion bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Republic of Nigeria December 19 to advance the America First Global Health Strategy, supporting resilient, self-reliant, and durable health systems while promoting accountability and shared responsibility. Under the five-year MOU, the United States intends to commit nearly $2.1 billion in health assistance, with nearly $3.0 billion in new domestic health expenditures by the Government of Nigeria over the same five-year period. This represents the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy and underscore Nigeria’s commitment to greater national ownership of its health system. Under the MOU, the United States will continue to support surveillance and outbreak response, laboratory systems, health commodities; frontline healthcare workers, and data systems. Nigeria faces significant health challenges, including one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates globally and approximately30 percent of the global malaria burden. U.S. assistance under the MOU will expand access to affordable, preventive and curative services for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, polio, and maternal and child health, strengthening health outcomes across Nigeria. The MOU places a strong emphasis on Christian faith-based healthcare providers, recognizing their indispensable role in delivering care to communities in need. Nigeria’s more than 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals serve more than 30 percent of the country’s 230 million people, often in areas where healthcare facilities are limited or absent. The MOU provides approximately $200 million in dedicated support to strengthen and support these Christian facilities, enhance workforce capacity, and expand access to integrated HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal child health services. Investments in Christian faith-based health institutions are uniquely positioned to complement public-sector facilities and reinforce Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure. The MOU was negotiated in connection with reforms undertaken by the Government of Nigeria to prioritize the protection of Christian populations from extremist violence. As with all U.S. foreign assistance, the President and Secretary of State retain the right to pause or terminate programs that do not align with U.S. national interests, and the United States expects Nigeria to continue making measurable progress in combating religiously motivated violence against Christian communities. This five-year MOU is the latest of several health cooperation MOUs signed in Africa this month. The United States will continue to sign multi-year Bilateral Agreements on Global Health Cooperation with countries receiving U.S. health assistance to advance the America First Global Health Strategy.
Countries across the world have faced this polarizing debate. Now it’s America’s turn
The Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices last year famously immunized President Donald Trump against criminal prosecution for his official actions. But the ruling did not extend the same protection to the people who work for him in government.
Commentary: She went to jail for Trump's Big Lie. He's trying to get her sprung
The president issued a symbolic and meaningless 'pardon' for Tina Peters, who was convicted on seven criminal counts tied to Trump's Big Lie about a stolen 2020 election. She remains unrepentant.
Algeria bill seeks to criminalise French colonial rule: What to know
Algerian parliament is set to vote on Wednesday on the draft law, which speaker calls a 'defining milestone'.
How Costco's membership fees are key to keeping the wholesale club profitable
The wholesale club's crackdown on non-members has drawn comparisons to the streaming giant, but the similarities between the two businesses run deep.
Hochul signs police mental health counseling law
NEW YORK – Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law the Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act, establishing formal and confidential peer-to-peer support counseling but sets exceptions for the disclosure of communications that contain a threat of suicidal or an expression of suicidal ideation, a threat of bodily harm or death, an admission of criminal conduct, […]
Eagles clinch repeat NFC East title with win over Commanders, eliminate Cowboys from playoffs
Scientists found climate change hidden in old military air samples
Old military air samples turned out to be a treasure trove of biological DNA, allowing scientists to track moss spores over 35 years. The results show mosses now release spores up to a month earlier than in the 1990s. Even more surprising, the timing depends more on last year’s climate than current spring conditions. It’s a striking example of how fast ecosystems are adjusting to a warming world.
Do it for Trump: Treasury pushes businesses, wealthy people to contribute to 'Trump Accounts'
A pair of major contributions from business titans recently is part of a strategy to pump money into the new savings plans for children.
This “mushroom” is not a fungus, it’s a bizarre plant that breaks all the rules
Balanophora is a plant that abandoned photosynthesis long ago and now lives entirely as a parasite on tree roots, hidden in dark forest undergrowth. Scientists surveying rare populations across East Asian islands uncovered how its cellular machinery shrank but didn’t disappear, revealing unexpected similarities to parasites like malaria. Some island species even reproduce without sex, cloning themselves to colonize new habitats. This strange survival strategy comes with risks, leaving the plant highly vulnerable to habitat loss.
Sugar-free sweeteners may still be harming your liver
Sorbitol, a popular sugar-free sweetener, may not be as harmless as its label suggests. Researchers found it can be turned into fructose in the liver, triggering effects similar to regular sugar. Gut bacteria can neutralize some of it—but too much sorbitol or glucose can overwhelm that defense. The result: yet another “healthy” sweetener that may stress the liver.
10 Foods To Eat for a Stronger Immune System
Optimizing immunity requires a holistic approach. A well-balanced diet that includes the best foods for immune system health can help.
Mesa 26.0 NVK Driver Lands Improvement For NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 "Turing" GPUs
In addition to the open-source NVIDIA 'NVK' Vulkan driver in Mesa merging compression support for big performance wins, another performance optimization was merged earlier in the week that stand to benefit GeForce RTX 20 'Turing' graphics processors.
3 New Free PC Games Include Certified Banger, 100% Steam Discount Confirmed
These three Steam freebies are up for grabs for a seemingly limited time, so grab them ASAP
Health and Health Care for American Indian or Alaska Native People: Key Issues
Due to a combination of lower coverage rates, additional access barriers, and historical and ongoing discrimination, AIAN people continue to face significant disparities in health and health care.
WIRED Roundup: The 5 Tech and Politics Trends That Shaped 2025
In today’s episode of “Uncanny Valley,” we dive into five stories—from AI to DOGE—that encapsulate the year and give us clues as to what might unfold in 2026.
Nurses condemn escalating attacks on transgender patients and their health care providers
Nurses across the country reject new Trump Department of Health and Human Services plans seeking to ban the provision of gender-affirming care and to intimidate health care workers who care for trans patients.
Raiders claim former 3rd round DT off waivers from Steelers
The Raiders added a big body to their defensive line today, claiming former third round DT Broderic Martin off waivers from the Steelers.
Vermont cannabis businesses react to Trump directive
Vermont cannabis business owners are cautiously optimistic about a new directive from President Trump that could change how the federal government classifies marijuana.
Some Valorant players need to update their PC BIOS to keep anti-cheat software happy
BIOS checks will only affect a limited subset of Valorant players for now.
Trump announces deals with nine drug companies, aiming to lower cost of medicine
In his latest effort to lower drug costs, President Donald Trump unveiled Friday “Most Favored Nation” pricing deals with nine more pharmaceutical companies.
Supreme Court revives free speech lawsuit from immigration judges in loss for Trump
The Supreme Court on Friday sided against the Trump administration, keeping alive a federal lawsuit from immigration judges who are attempting to challenge a policy that limits their ability to speak publicly.
This Windows feature secretly eats up RAM and slows your PC over time
If you never take advantage of Delivery Optimization, it might be a good idea to turn it off.
Another big Oregon clinic surprises patients by dropping women’s care services
Patients say the closure disrupts pregnancy care and limits local access to women’s health services in the Corvallis area.
RAM is getting too expensive to waste memory in Windows 11 — optimize your PC with my tips and keep it running smoothly
Practical tweaks to reclaim system memory, reduce background load, and make Windows 11 feel faster without upgrading hardware.
Lauryn Massic defines her future in public health science
UNR Med Ph.D. candidate, Lauryn Massic M.S., is engaged in work around antimicrobial resistance, genetics and infectious disease. She's also a student-athlete.
Evaluation of WHO’s coordination in health emergencies helps guide humanitarian reforms
The recent evaluation of the Global Health Cluster sheds new light on how WHO, in its unique role as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) for health, coordinates life-saving health responses in humanitarian crises. It highlights how WHO works through partnerships to reach the most vulnerable crisis-affected populations and strengthen collective action in increasingly complex emergencies. Serving both learning and accountability purposes, the evaluation provided timely and actionable recommendations that are helping to strategically position WHO during the ongoing IASC Humanitarian Reset and the broader UN 2.0 reforms, where prioritization and new ways of working are taking shape. The evaluation was conducted between 2024 and 2025, at a time when humanitarian action funding was plummeting by more than 50%, triggering the launch of the IASC Humanitarian Reset. While restructuring and prioritization across the humanitarian landscape were underway, the evaluation, through iterative feedback loops, shared emerging findings that helped identify the most crucial coordination functions needed. This was especially important at a time when humanitarian needs and health risks due to armed conflict and natural hazards were increasing, while the capacity of health partners to support Member States to equitably reach all populations affected by crises and deliver response was at risk. The evaluation found that the Global Health Cluster (GHC) remains a highly relevant mechanism for strengthening health coordination in crises and has delivered efficiently despite limited resources. It noted strong collaboration with partners and highlighted opportunities to deepen integration within WHO structures and further enhance inter-cluster cooperation. The evaluation also identified areas where greater emphasis on transition planning, national coordination capacity and linkages between humanitarian response and health system strengthening would bring added value. While the GHC has achieved many of its strategic objectives, improvements in monitoring systems would help better demonstrate collective impact. The recommendations will help strengthen the IASC CLA coordination function across WHO, at all levels, and with all partners. It is noted that going forward WHO needs to continue to support capacity to fulfil coordination functions, in line with the IASC Humanitarian Reset whilst ensuring collective prioritization of health cluster action and quality coverage of the health response. The evaluation will help WHO strengthen locally-led action, national ownership and leadership of the sector, and linkages between health system strengthening activities. Additionally, the evaluation evidence will be used to optimize resource mobilization for the GHC and strengthen WHO’s capacity to deliver, plan for and monitor and evaluate results across the Organization. Read the evaluation Global Health Cluster https://healthcluster.who.int/ WHO’s work in health emergencies https://www.who.int/emergencies/overview
The Avatar Game Is So Good, They Don’t Need to Make the Movies Anymore
See the new movie ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ if you’d like. But if you really want to experience the big blue world of Pandora, the video game is where it’s at.
Winners and losers are emerging in Trump's new H-1B visa landscape
New H-1B visa rules favor Big Tech's big salaries, limiting opportunities for startups and entry-level applicants in the job market.
New Zealand Consumer, Business Optimism to Stoke Economic Growth
New Zealand business confidence soared to a three-decade high in December and the mood of consumers also surged, adding to signs of further economic expansion in the fourth quarter and into 2026.
Langmuir’s pump and the optimism of science
Creativity nurtured by an explorative environment
NFL DFS picks, Seahawks vs. Rams: Daily Fantasy lineup advice for 'Thursday Night Football'
Daily Fantasy multimillionaire Mike McClure reveals his daily Fantasy football picks for Seattle vs. Los Angeles on 'TNF'
When we weaponize government to eliminate a political opponent, that's fascism: GOP lawmaker
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., discusses the Mar-a-Lago raid on 'The Evening Edit.'
Instagram wants to limit hashtag spam
Finally, an end to posts with a seemingly endless list of hashtags.
Falcons-Cardinals Preview
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Even on a pair of teams that have been eliminated from the NFL playoff race, there are standout performances to admire.
HR giant SHRM faces a new discrimination lawsuit
The plaintiff alleges SHRM, the nation's largest HR trade group, wrongly revoked a job offer over a service dog.
Isaac Chotiner Sums Up Politics in 2025
The idea that Donald Trump is acting from a governing strategy or a conception of national interest “seems completely disconnected from reality,” Chotiner says.
Kuo: iPhone Fold Production Challenges Could Limit Supply Next Year
Apple's highly anticipated foldable iPhone could face supply shortages into 2027 despite a planned launch next year, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo said in a new research note: "Development of the foldable iPhone is behind earlier expectations, but the product is still expected to [sic] announce in 2H26. Due to early-stage yield and ramp-up challenges, smooth shipments may not occur until 2027.
Famous Astrophysicist Defied The Odds To Become Science Star
Odds didn't favor a successful career in science for Neil deGrasse Tyson. But he had a key edge: parents who set no limits.
WHO validates Brazil for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Brazil for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, making it the most populous country in the Americas to achieve this historic milestone.
A Filmmaker Made a Sam Altman Deepfake—and Got Unexpectedly Attached
The director of “Deepfaking Sam Altman” created a “Sam Bot” when he couldn’t get an interview with the OpenAI CEO. Watch an exclusive trailer for the documentary, which comes out in January.
This new beer celebrates Philly as hub of women's sports
The limited-edition brew is available online and at participating bars and breweries.
Phone Updates Used to Be Annoying. The Latest iOS Is Awful
Is the latest iPhone operating system aesthetically appealing? No. But is it useful? Also no. At least I have company among the disgruntled.
High RAM & SSD Prices Make Larian Optimize Divinity Earlier
"We've never had it like this."
Trump tests the First Amendment: A timeline
Within weeks of retaking the White House, President Donald Trump boasted that he had “brought free speech back to America.” But since then, he has tested the limits of the First Amendment time and again.
ACLU Condemns House Passage of Bill to Criminalize Transgender Health Care | American Civil Liberties Union
WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives voted 216-211 to pass a bill sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene that would criminalize the...
Judge fines Goodlettsville ‘adult entertainment’ venue
Back in September, the Back Stage Venue was cited by the City of Goodlettsville, which claimed it was an adult entertainment business operating in a commercial services limited zone and not an indu…
Where’s the snow: Is weather affecting business in Big Sky?
Big Sky ski rental shops report slower business due to warm weather limiting terrain, though tourism officials remain optimistic about bookings.
Eliminated Bengals still focused on wins over final 3 games
For the first time since 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals are playing out the string in late December and are eliminated from postseason contention with multiple games left to play. The Bengals’ 4-10 record is a frustrating reality for a team that entered the year with playoff ambitions. “It comes down to being able to win when we need to and showing up in these big games and these big moments,” captain and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. said.
Judge blocks ICE policy restricting congressional oversight visits
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked US Immigration and Customs Enforcement from enforcing new rules limiting congressional oversight visits, finding that Democratic lawmakers are likely to succeed in their claim that the policy violates federal law governing congressional access to detention facilities.
Lufthansa’s Dreamliner Business-Class Limit to Last Longer, HB Reports
Deutsche Lufthansa AG will face several more months of flying its new Boeing Co. Dreamliner aircrafts with most business-class seats blocked as it waits for US approvals, Handelsblatt reported.
Heading into 2026, Commissioners reaffirm commitment to business community
Douglas County has a strong history of eliminating barriers for business investment, creating effective partnerships, and maintaining a low-tax environment. The Board of Douglas County Commissioners reaffirmed its commitment to…
Jack Smith tells Congress he could prove Trump engaged in a 'criminal scheme' to overturn 2020 election
Smith testified about his investigations into Trump during a closed-door hearing with members of the House Judiciary Committee.
The Most Powerful Politics Influencers Barely Post About Politics
New research shows that social media creators have enormous influence over their audiences' politics—especially those who don't normally share political content.
A new era for sports communication at UNC Hussman | UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
As director of UNC Hussman’s Sports Communication Focus Program, Distinguished Associate Professor of Sports Communication Livis Freeman is building on the work of the school’s legendary Distinguished Professor for Sports Communication John Sweeney. Sweeney, who retired last year, developed one of the most respected sports communication programs in the country. Freeman, now in his 12th year at the school, is launching an ambitious expansion of the program that is transforming how UNC prepares students for careers in sports media. The most visible change came this fall with a reimagining of “MEJO 377: Sports Communication.” Previously offered as two sections with 30 students each, the course expanded to 96 students and welcomed former UNC basketball star and NBA veteran Tyler Hansbrough as the co-instructor with Freeman, bringing real world professional experience directly into the classroom every week. The course has been a huge success. Students have participated in recording a podcast with Hansbrough and learned from an impressive lineup of guest speakers. Steve Kirschner, UNC’s senior associate director of athletics for communications, was the first in the course’s guest speaker series, followed by UNC Hussman alumni including Kaitlyn Schmidt ’23 from Bleacher Report, Deaton Bell ’90 from Turner Sports and Becca Royer ’19 from the Philadelphia 76ers. Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, also shared his insights with the class. The highlight of the semester came when Roy Williams, who coached Hansbrough and the Tar Heels to a national championship in 2009, visited the classroom. Former UNC men’s basketball players Luke Maye and Marcus Ginyard showed up to support their former coach and Hansbrough, creating an unforgettable experience as Williams entertained students with stories and insights that captivated the room. Student demand has been overwhelming. The course reached capacity within two days of registration opening, with more than 40 students on the waitlist. “Students want to learn from people who have actually lived these experiences,” Freeman said. “Tyler shares insights into media relations, broadcast production and athlete communications that you simply can’t get from a textbook.” The model proved so successful that the school secured funding to continue it for the next five years, with a different former professional athlete co-teaching each fall. The school’s curriculum committee approved a proposal to expand the course to 150 to 200 students starting in fall 2026. This change will make it an introductory course accessible to students from across the University, transforming it into a showcase course for the entire campus. The course redesign represents just one piece of a broader sports communication program overhaul. This fall, the curriculum committee approved “MEJO 390: Sports Play by Play,” the first course of its kind at UNC. Limited to 10 advanced students, the course will be taught by Matt Krause, the current voice of UNC women’s basketball and an ACC Network broadcaster. Students will call actual games across multiple sports including women’s softball, soccer, volleyball, field hockey and lacrosse, as well as men’s soccer and lacrosse. They will also shadow broadcasts of men’s and women’s basketball games. “The sports broadcasting industry is exploding with streaming platforms and conference networks creating unprecedented demand,” Freeman said. The course emerged directly from student advocacy, led by Anna Laible ’26 and others who pushed for hands-on broadcasting experience. Professional equipment has been acquired, partnerships with UNC Athletics are in place and a soft launch began this semester with three experienced students calling games to test the system. The program’s growth extends into other specialized areas as well. Last spring, Stembler Professor Charlie Tuggle launched a new sports event management and hospitality course in partnership with On Location, a company that manages major sporting event experiences. The course provided students with opportunities to travel to the Super Bowl and NFL Draft, and Tuggle plans to take a group to the 2026 Milan Olympics this spring. Looking ahead to spring 2026, Associate Professor Ryan Thornburg will debut a sports data visualization course, adding another dimension to the program’s skill-building offerings. The curriculum expansion reflects the increasingly diverse career paths available in sports media, from traditional journalism and broadcasting to digital analytics and strategic communication. The program is also diving into one of college athletics’ most transformative developments: Name, Image and Likeness rights. Freeman’s “MEJO 466: Sports Marketing” class collaborated last spring with Associate Professor Gary Kayye’s “MEJO 371: Advertising Creative” class on a project with UNC’s Carolina NIL group to help rebrand their organization. That same semester, Kayye’s class envisioned Chapel Thrill, UNC football’s new pregame concert and entertainment experience. And Shaun Anderson, the school’s Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media, continues to explore the broader implications of NIL through his research and teaching. These NIL-focused initiatives give students direct exposure to the business side of college athletics at a moment when the landscape is rapidly evolving. “Our students aren’t just learning about these changes,” Freeman said. “They’re actively helping shape how schools and athletes navigate them.” The transformation of UNC Hussman’s sports communication program reflects a broader philosophy about how to prepare students for careers in a rapidly changing industry. By bringing in professional practitioners like Hansbrough and Krause, partnering with industry leaders like On Location and ACC Network, and engaging with current issues like NIL, the program ensures students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. For alumni who remember the foundations John Sweeney built, the expansion represents an evolution rather than a departure. The program still emphasizes strong reporting, strategic communication, ethical communication and critical thinking. But now it also offers students the chance to call live games, work on real NIL campaigns and learn directly from former professional athletes. “We’re not just teaching students about sports media,” Freeman said. “We’re giving them the tools, experiences and connections to actually build careers in it.” With new courses launching, professional partnerships deepening and enrollment expanding, UNC Hussman’s sports communication program is positioning itself as a national leader in preparing the next generation of sports media professionals. For current students, the message is clear: if you’re interested in sports communication, there’s never been a better time to be at UNC Hussman. And for the hundreds of students trying to get off waitlists and into these new courses, the school is working to create more opportunities. The program John Sweeney built is growing in ways that honor his legacy while meeting the demands of a new era in sports media.
'Long term, Brighton are in a great place'
Former Brighton midfielder Dale Stephens believes the current group of players reflects a model the Seagulls have refined over a number of seasons, but stressed that potential alone is no longer enough once players step into the first team environment. Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Stephens believes Brighton's continued reliance on youth has once again put the spotlight on the balance between development and results. Long term, Brighton are in a great place.
Voters are mad about utility bills. Republicans are blaming some in their own party
A group of moderate Republicans have warned for months that their party’s plan to eliminate clean energy tax credits would contribute to utility bills skyrocketing.
Matches to Return Under New Ownership
The retailer, as well as its beloved in-house brand Raey, has been acquired by Mile founders Joe Wilkinson and Mario Maher, forming a new luxury group.
Trump adds 5 more countries to travel ban, imposes new limits on others
The Trump administration announced it was adding Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria to the list
In 2025, Trump Couldn’t Escape Questions About His Health
What’s going on with the president’s hands? Why can’t he stay awake during meetings? And why does he always seem to be taking cognitive tests? Let’s review.
The Party Politics of Sovereign House
Nick Allen’s venue in Dimes Square was a popular gathering spot for right-wing Zoomers. Now, he’s opening a new club called Reign, an attempt to build a lasting cultural institution.
Playoff Eliminations, Injuries Reshape NFL Futures Betting Markets
The Kansas City Chiefs had the third-highest handle percentage to win the Super Bowl, but their loss in Week 15 officially ended bettors' hopes.
Apple Aims to Boost Popularity of iPhone Air 2 in Two Ways
We have been covering iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 17e, and iPhone Fold details from The Information's report about future iPhone models, and next up is the iPhone Air 2. The report says that Apple aims to make the iPhone Air 2 more attractive in two ways. First, Apple is apparently considering adding a second rear camera to the device, which would resolve a key limitation.
iPhone 17e Will Reportedly Fix iPhone 16e's Biggest Limitation
In February, Apple discontinued the iPhone SE and released a new entry-level iPhone 16e. The device features a 6.1-inch OLED display, an A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, an Action button, a USB-C port, and more, but one capability that it lacks is MagSafe wireless charging. In a wide-ranging report today about future iPhone models, The Information's Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu said that the iPhone 17e will address this limitation.
iPhone 18 Pro Features Leaked in New Report, Including Under-Screen Face ID
Next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be equipped with under-screen Face ID, and the front camera will be moved to the top-left corner of the screen, according to a new report from The Information's Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu. As a result of these changes, the report said the iPhone 18 Pro models will not have a pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the screen. Nevertheless, the devices will look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, the report said.
Larian want to complete Divinity in "three to four years", and they're making limited use of generative AI
Larian are hoping to get their latest Divinity RPG out a lot faster than Baldur's Gate 3, care of a larger development team.
Public Health Wake-Up Call: Will the US Lose Measles Elimination Status?
Key Data on Health and Health Care by Race and Ethnicity
This analysis examines how people of color fare compared to White people across 64 measures of health, health care, and social determinants of health using the most recent data available from federal surveys and administrative sets as well as the 2023 KFF Survey on Racism, Discrimination, and Health.