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The Iran War Is Changing How Middle East Countries Spend on Sports
The Iran War is changing how Middle Eastern sovereign funds, like Saudi Arabia's PIF and Qatar's QIA, approach sports. LIV Golf may be the latest.
LIV Golf to shut down? Saudi Arabia financiers may pull support, leaving PGA Tour rival at crossroads
Four years after its dramatic launch, LIV Golf may be going out with a whimper
The Science of Seeing Differently Through Virtual Reality
Virtual reality reveals how bias feels from the inside, and why changing minds is harder than it seems.
Matt Crocker’s abrupt U.S. Soccer departure brings many questions. Here are the answers.
U.S. Soccer's sporting director is headed for Saudi Arabia. This is what it means for the federation – and what comes next at a pivotal time
I went from 6' to 2'8" when I was amputated below the belly button — I only cried about one thing
The World Cup isn’t where Matt Crocker’s sudden exit will impact U.S. Soccer most
The federation sporting director's sudden defection to Saudi Arabia comes with bad optics on the cusp of a home World Cup
Atelerix Forms Strategic Partnership With JH Health Ltd to Expand Non-Cryogenic Cell Preservation Capabilities in the Middle East
NEWCASTLE, England, April 15, 2026--Atelerix, a biotech company revolutionising cell preservation and biological transport with its pioneering hydrogel encapsulation technology, today announced it has established a strategic partnership with JH Health Ltd, a Saudi Arabian company focused on medical and health-related technology. The partnership grants JH Health exclusive rights to use and distribute Atelerix’s hydrogel-based cell and tissue preservation solutions in the Middle East, significantl
Mid-Michigan Matters: Celebrating science and improving scientific literacy
Throughout April, Michigan State University will be holding its Science Festival.
DOJ moves to erase seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers, Proud Boys in Jan. 6 cases
In court filings, prosecutors asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to vacate the convictions so that the government can permanently dismiss the indictments.
Showcase shines spotlight on students in School of Arts & Sciences
Columbia College celebrated students in the School of Arts & Sciences during a vibrant and dynamic week‑long series of events from April 7-10.
CBIA slams Appropriations Committee for rejecting small business health care bill
The state’s largest business organization is taking Connecticut legislators to task after the Appropriations Committee failed Monday to approve a bill that aims to help small businesses with their health care costs.
CBIA slams Appropriations Committee for rejecting small business health care bill
The state’s largest business organization is taking Connecticut legislators to task after the Appropriations Committee failed Monday to approve a bill that aims to help small businesses with their health care costs.
Trump Administration Accuses Biden DOJ of Unfairly Prosecuting Anti-Abortion Activists
The report is part of the president’s effort to claim anti-conservative and anti-Christian biases in federal law enforcement, even as he pushes to wield the legal system against his political enemies.
Lawmakers Fail to Address Small Business Healthcare Costs » CBIA
CBIA issued the following response to Monday's Appropriations Committee vote rejecting a transformative small business healthcare bill.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker quits to take role in Saudi Arabia
Matt Crocker quit as sporting director of the U.S. Soccer Federation on Tuesday, just two months ahead of the World Cup, to take a new job in Saudi Arabia.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker to leave role, set to join Saudi Arabian Football Federation
The 51-year-old is set to take a up a new role with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
Ecuador and Saudi Arabia Will Face Off at Sports Illustrated Stadium in May During Final Preparations for the World Cup
MIAMI, FL (April 10, 2026) - Utilizing the last FIFA match window prior to the World Cup, Ecuador and Saudi Arabia will face off at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ on May 30th at 7:30 pm (ET). Both teams are laser focused on getting out of the Group Stage
Artur Jorge backs Villarreal to improve at Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro’s victory over Bragantino in the Brazilian Championship had Colombian Néiser Villarreal as one of its main standouts.Chosen by coach Artur Jorge to replace the injured Kaio Jorge, the forw...
DOJ ‘weaponization’ report accuses Biden administration of biased prosecutions against anti-abortion protesters
The Trump Justice Department released a new report Tuesday accusing the Biden administration of unfairly using a federal law meant to protect access to abortion clinics to go after anti-abortion protesters.
USC Brain Health Center could be hub for Alzheimer’s treatment, new tech for mental health
A new $30 million Brain Health Center at USC in Columbia will be a magnet for advanced diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia but also deploy new technology for mental health.
In VfB masterclass: why Mittelstädt just let fly
In VfB Stuttgart’s impressive performance against Hamburger SV, Maximilian Mittelstädt was especially in the spotlight. The left-back not only delivered a flawless defensive display in the Swabians...
Black Maternal Health Week: The impact of racism and how patients can advocate for themselves
It’s Black Maternal Health Week. Storm Team4’s Jessica Faith spoke with Dr. Tamika Auguste about the impact of implicit bias and structural racism on outcomes for Black mothers and how patients can advocate for themselves.
California Republicans deadlocked on endorsing governor candidate
Neither Fox News commentator Steve Hilton nor Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco received the required delegate support at the state convention, which ended Sunday.
Sports Roundup: Girls Tennis Wins At Home, Baseball & Boys Lax Win…
Nantucket Current is the island's leading online news source. We deliver the news, stories, and people of Nantucket, unbiased and unfiltered.
Things to do in Pensacola: Mullet Man Triathlon; Earth Day Pensacola
Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week.
South Carolina sweeps Mizzou in battle of SEC bottom dwellers
The Tigers put up a two-out ninth inning rally, but they fell short in their 6-4 loss to the Gamecocks on Saturday.
“AI polls” are fake polls
A few weeks after Donald Trump’s second presidential win, I took the train up from London (where I was living at the time) to Oxford to attend a conference on polls and forecasts of the 2024 election. Most of the attendees were pollsters or academics, but I also watched presentations from Aaru and Electric Twin, two companies that do what is interchangeably called synthetic sampling, silicon sampling, or synthetic audiences. Stripped of startup jargon, that means they use large language models (LLMs) to simulate responses to public opinion polls by having AI agents take on the role of survey respondents. I had already heard of Aaru thanks to some articles with eye-catching headlines like “No people, no problem: AI chatbots predict elections better than humans” in the months leading up to Election Day. The founders were making some big, some might even say far-fetched claims, such as: “within two years, we will simulate the entire globe — from the way crops are grown in Ukraine to how that impacts production of oil in Iraq, trade through the strait of Malacca, and elections for the mayor of Baltimore.” When Semafor asked Aaru’s cofounders — Cameron Fink and Ned Koh — about my boss, they said “we respect all those who came before us.” Nate (as he so often does) shared his thoughts on Twitter: Fink and Koh were relatively good-natured about this back-and-forth when we spoke at Oxford. They even offered to mail me one of the t-shirts featuring Nate’s quote they apparently had made. I never took them up on the offer, which I now somewhat regret. These synthetic sampling companies fell off my radar for a while, but they do still exist. In fact, Aaru recently received a $1 billion valuation. Is what they’re doing anywhere close to the most important frontier in AI development? Not by a longshot, especially when Anthropic just developed a model so adept at exploiting software vulnerabilities that it’s only being released to 40 companies. Still, silicon sampling is increasingly finding its way into public polling. Axios reported in March that “a majority of people trust their own doctors and nurses” based on findings from Aaru — without mentioning that the “people” in that sentence were actually LLMs. Around the same time, the Public Sentiment Institute “boosted” their online sample of 373 real survey respondents with 114 AI agents.1 (Spoiler alert: even the co-founder of Electric Twin doesn’t think that’s a particularly defensible approach.) Polling companies like Qualtrics and Ipsos are also developing synthetic data panels. So, what should we make of these … “polls”? Let’s get one thing out of the way: whatever they are, they’re not polls in the way that term is usually defined. Subscribe You can’t replace polls with AI On one hand, using LLMs to essentially make up fake survey respondents sort of sounds like the dumbest idea ever, one that will at best imperfectly replicate real polls while introducing all sorts of biases. On the other hand, with LLMs improving at a remarkable, perhaps even alarming rate, maybe that means I’m a dinosaur at the ripe old age of 24 because I still want to rely on polls that talk to actual people. I’m not going to argue that synthetic samples are completely useless. In fact, as I’ll return to later, there is evidence that some techniques can replicate topline survey results quickly and cheaply. But the marketing from certain companies can be slightly optimistic. “No traditional poll will exist by the time the next general election occurs,” said Fink in 2024. We’re just 206 days away from the midterms, and based on the fact that I still have to collect a bunch of polls every day, I’d say he should have run that prediction by a sample of AI agents before the interview.2 To see why synthetic samples can’t replace polls, here’s a quick primer on how they work. The simplest version of these models involves taking a LLM (like ChatGPT or Claude), giving it a demographic profile (e.g., a white, college-educated woman who lives in Utah and makes $70k a year), and then asking it to respond to a survey question. You repeat that process a few thousand times using different demographic profiles and end up with a sample of synthetic survey responses. The actual models used by private companies are more sophisticated than this, usually because they incorporate more hypothesized demographic characteristics for each agent and provide them with extra information. Aaru, for example, feeds agents a diet of news and information they’d be likely to consume, while Electric Twin incorporates their customers’ proprietary data about the audience they’re trying to replicate. The way Ben Warner, the co-founder of Electric Twin, explained it to me was “we have a large amount of data on […] for instance, 5,000 people. Can we make an accurate prediction of how they would respond to another question?” Still, it should be obvious why synthetic samples can’t replace polls. Polling is fundamentally a data collection process. We might use surveys to make predictions by feeding them into election forecasts, but the main purpose of a poll isn’t prediction, it’s gathering new data about what people think and how they feel. Silicon sampling, on the other hand, produces no new data. It’s simply a model: you input LLM training data, demographic prompts, and a bunch of other information, and it spits out a prediction for what a poll would say. We love models here, but models aren’t polls. That difference is an important philosophical sticking point for most pollsters I talk to. “I think politics should stay away from [synthetic sampling], because we’re trying to […] represent the voice of the people,” said Natalie Jackson, a vice president at GQR Insights. Democratic pollster John Hagner told me: “I think I’m just incredibly skeptical of this idea. I don’t think it’s research. At that point, you’re asking the machine to tell you what you already believe.” Hagner has seen some presentations of early synthetic sampling experiments, but so far, “if it’s being used in a campaign, people are keeping it incredibly quiet.”3 But Eli, I hear you saying, aren’t polls themselves increasingly governed by modeling decisions? Indeed they are: pollsters’ choices on which sampling method to use, how to define their likely voter models, and how to weight their samples can and do lead to dramatic differences in the results they publish. Aaru even referenced these limitations in the methodology statement included with that maternal mortality “poll” — although I’m using the term “methodology statement” loosely here, because it doesn’t really explain how the model works at all. We can ignore the (frankly preposterous) implication that synthetic sampling isn’t subject to a separate set of biases. The important point is that there’s still a meaningful difference between using weighting and other statistical techniques on actual polling data and using a model to predict what a poll would say. The latter is far closer to election forecasts or techniques like MRP — potentially useful models, but not a replacement for polls.4 To be fair, other synthetic sampling companies are perfectly happy with the distinction between polls and models. Warner compared polling and synthetic sampling to different tools in a toolbox. “The mistake I think we make is we think that these new tools should either work in exactly the same way or somehow replace these old tools,” he said. “Rather than thinking of it as, okay, so we’ve always had the hammer, we’ve always had the screwdriver, now we’ve got a saw. But don’t use a saw to try [to] do the job of a hammer.” A quick comment from Nate Eli didn’t ask me for a comment — rather rude of him, don’t you think? But since I’m editing this story, I figured I’d add a few quick thoughts rather than putting words in his mouth. Beyond the frequently misleading marketing, what bothers me about the AI “poll” hype is that as AI tools make statistical inference cheaper and/or better (note that these are not synonyms) that actually increases the comparative value of collecting original data. You might be able to train a model to make a reasonable estimate of what some hard-to-reach poll respondent would say — say, a young Black man who voted for Trump. (Such a person checks a number of boxes for a voter who is usually hard to reach in surveys.) Indeed, this is closely related to what models like the Silver Bulletin forecast already do. They essentially smooth out the kinks in noisy survey data by making inferences based on past voting patterns or national polls or surveys of other states. But you don’t actually know what these voters think unless you’re reaching them directly. If there’s a shift in opinion among this subgroup, you’re not going to detect it. So if I were running a campaign, I’d invest more in going the extra mile to find a representative sample of those voters. And then I’d hire some smart quants — or Claude? — to figure out the implications for campaign strategy based on proprietary data that my competitors didn’t have access to. -Nate Silver Are these models any good? If synthetic surveys are just a new type of model, the next obvious question is whether the models are at least accurate. The answer very much depends on who you ask. On one end of the spectrum, you have the maximalist argument that synthetic sampling is more accurate than actual polls. “It’s an incredibly challenging problem to go to someone and say ‘hey, we’re going to be more accurate at predicting human behavior than you, even when you talk to your customers directly’,” Koh recently told CNBC. In his view, synthetic sampling isn’t a saw to polling’s hammer, it’s “magic.” There’s certainly evidence that synthetic samples can replicate certain survey toplines. But if Aaru does have any examples of their approach outperforming the polls, they’re keeping those to themselves.5 Aaru’s 2024 election model, for example, had Kamala Harris leading in Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin on November 4th. And although they’ve since taken down their forecast page, they gave Harris a 50.5 percent chance of winning the race on November 2nd.6 After the election, Fink told Semafor he was happy enough with those results because they were “within margin of error,” a term that is completely meaningless when applied to a “sample” of AI agents. And of course, Aaru says their models have improved since 2024, so supposedly now they’d be more accurate than the polls? Still, their stronger argument is on cost: “We are significantly faster and cheaper than traditional polling, and still more accurate,” said Fink. The first two claims are undeniably true, but the third brings us to the opposite end of the spectrum. Both Jackson and Hagner are skeptical that these models are reliable for anything beyond replicating common survey toplines. “I just […] don’t think the machines are what we want when we’re looking for nuanced views. My example on this is people in Arizona and Nevada in 2024 who voted for Trump and voted for expanding abortion in their states on ballot initiatives,” said Jackson. Hagner identified another issue. Maybe the synthetic respondents, like sycophantic LLMs, are inhuman in one important way: they’re too nice. “The reports that have come through at the meetings that I’ve been at are that the early experiments on this, they cannot get respondents to be as racist or sexist or, frankly, as negative as human respondents,” he said. Academic research mostly agrees on this point. While there are some papers that show promising results when using LLMs to replicate polling data, most show that LLMs suffer from various quirks like producing too few “don’t know” responses and can seriously overpredict the favorability of politicians like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. They also seem to struggle with too little variation between demographic subgroups, so the difference in predicted opinion between Democrats and Republicans, for example, is too small. When I asked Warner about these studies, his response to these papers was that just because academics can’t get synthetic sampling to work doesn’t mean that the technique doesn’t work in general. “Actually, the argument is, okay, yours does not [work]. That does not mean […] for this complex set of machinery, which uses a lot of investment, a lot of time, a lot of money, you can’t get it to work.” Cards on the table, I’m somewhat sympathetic to this argument because academics aren’t exactly great at making election forecasts. Usually, the people with skin in the game are the most accurate. Warner’s argument is that the approach Electric Twin takes — which includes, for example, making multiple predictions for each synthetic respondent using different models and prompts and subsequently averaging those to get a final prediction in a sort of ensemble forecast — produces better results than the simpler academic models. Warner shared a comparison between his method and the method from a recent academic paper with me, and Electric Twin was indeed able to get more accurate replication. But even still, he acknowledged that synthetic sampling “is not a crystal ball.” “If you asked me, do I think using other data sources will be more accurate than asking somebody who they will vote for, I would probably say no. But if you asked me ‘would your system be useful for our turnout modeling today?’ I would say yes.” For better or worse, it looks like the method is already getting more popular in the market research world. Most of the clients Aaru touts these days are businesses like EY and McDonald’s. And AI will probably begin to pop up in other parts of the political polling process. Pollsters are already using it to code open-ended survey responses, and some firms, like YouGov, are testing using LLMs to ask survey respondents questions. More worryingly, one danger to actual polls is that AI agents can be used to infiltrate online surveys. Most online polls use various checks to prevent that from happening, but there’s conflicting evidence on how effective those filters are and how prevalent AI agents currently are in online panels. If those agents ever become impossible to detect, it might spell the end of online polling, but the solution isn’t to replace all of your respondents with ChatGPT. Silver Bulletin is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a subscriber. Subscribe 1 That particular poll obviously doesn’t meet Silver Bulletin standards for aggregation. But we exclude all Public Sentiment Institute polls from our averages because we classify them as an amateur polling firm. 2 You could argue that Fink meant the next presidential election, but (a) I’m also confident we’ll still have real polls in 2028 and (b) in that case he should have asked an LLM to define “general election.” 3 Quick caveat: that’s reporting from a Democratic pollster. It’s possible that Republicans are more willing to use AI in political campaigns. 4 Indeed, Silver Bulletin does not include “polls” produced by MRP in our forecasts or averages, and we think it’s extremely misleading when their practitioners describe them in a way that suggests original data had been collected among a large number of states or Congressional districts. 5 A recent report from Aaru and EY did show two examples of a synthetic estimate being closer than a survey to a real-world benchmark — but I’d take those findings with a grain of salt because the report reads more like an ad and didn’t involve any sort of prediction being made ahead of time. 6 For comparison, our odds for Harris on the same day were 48.2 percent.
Microbial hockey: Scientists discover how bacteria rotate tiny pucks
At the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Jérémie Palacci's research group is venturing into metallurgy—albeit with a twist. Instead of traditional tools, the scientists use E. coli bacteria, ...
BIA Business Perspective: Legislative crossover brings business priorities into focus
By Natch Greyes
Palmetto Sports & Entertainment to broadcast 31 Columbia Fireflies regular-season games
Palmetto Sports & Entertainment is once again partnering with the Columbia Fireflies to air over 30 regular-season games this season.
Trump’s divisive role in California politics is on display as GOP prepares election endorsements
Trump's endorsement of Steve Hilton for governor over Chad Bianco has upended the California GOP's strategy, forcing the party to refocus on other races.
New Research Shows Many Social-Science Papers Lean Left. Does That Mean Bias?
A study used AI to analyze hundreds of thousands of abstracts published over the past 64 years.
Trump's divisive role in California politics is on display as GOP prepares election endorsements
Trump's endorsement of Steve Hilton for governor over Chad Bianco has upended the California GOP's strategy, forcing the party to refocus on other races.
Palmetto Sports & Entertainment to broadcast 31 Columbia Fireflies regular-season games
Palmetto Sports & Entertainment is once again partnering with the Columbia Fireflies to air over 30 regular-season games this season.
Palmetto Sports & Entertainment to broadcast 31 Columbia Fireflies regular-season games
Palmetto Sports & Entertainment is once again partnering with the Columbia Fireflies to air over 30 regular-season games this season.
‘Showing the upside to Down syndrome’: Columbia woman’s business giving back and inspiring others
Jewelry can hold meaning far beyond what meets the eye. For Columbia creator Lucy Graham, each bracelet and necklace is made with a purpose: showing “the upside to Down Syndrome.”
Immigration board denies Mahmoud Khalil's appeal
Khalil said he was not surprised by the ruling, which he called “biased and politically motivated.”
Max Verstappen's Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase set to join McLaren in 2028 in shock move having turned down Aston Martin
Max Verstappens engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to leave Red Bull and join McLaren in a shock move; Sky Sports News understands Lambiase will become head of race engineering at McLaren, having previously turned down an offer from Aston Martin
Hasan Piker accuses Bill Maher of being an 'Islamophobe' and demonstrating 'anti-Blackness'
Twitch streamer Hasan Piker slams Democrats for refusing his show while appearing with Bill Maher, alleging a double standard on Islamophobia.
Ishbia family taking swing at youth sports facility for vacant Office Depot
(Editor’s Note: Alex Harrison Perry reported this story for Evanston RoundTable, a neighboring independent newsroom. It was shared with The Record as part of an ongoing collaborative effort.) The vacant Office Depot building at 2722 Green Bay Road — just a block south of Wilmette — could become a year-round site for youth sports, as a North Shore family […]
California Supreme Court orders GOP sheriff to pause election probe and preserve seized ballots
The dispute started earlier this year when Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized 1,000 boxes of election materials to investigate a complaint from a local citizens group about the ballot count from a November 2025 special election on redistricting.
🤔 Last season plagued by injuries: VfB star's future still unclear
His contract with VfB Stuttgart only runs until the summer. For many, it was surprising anyway that midfielder Nikolas Nartey had been given another contract by the Swabians last year. Above all, num...
Antibacterial products may contribute to dangerous superbug crisis, study suggests
Antibacterial soaps and cleaning wipes may contribute to antimicrobial resistance, a new study suggests, with experts recommending plain soap and water instead.
Senior Quinton Brown celebrates after scoring a run
Senior Quinton Brown celebrates after scoring a run late in the game against Camdenton on Tuesday in Columbia. The Kewpies got their second win this month after a 10-0 victory
Hickman infielder Kai Stubbs (10) waits to field ball
Hickman infielder Kai Stubbs (10) waits to field ball in a game against Camdenton on Tuesday at Hickman High School in Columbia. The Kewpies will play the Lakers again at
‘A blatant political ploy’: California sheriff’s seizure of referendum ballots sets off alarm bells
Chad Bianco of Riverside county obtained warrants to seize ballots cast for state’s successful redistricting referendum
Bluefish Bistro closes in latest business shakeup along Columbia Pike
A well-loved sushi restaurant on Columbia Pike has closed after less than three years in business. Bluefish Bistro is no longer in business at 950 S. George Mason Drive, owner Andy Park told ARLnow. The eatery, which offered a variety of sushi rolls and sashimi, opened in November 2023 at the mixed-use Centro Arlington development
This GOP candidate seized a half-million ballots and says he may do it again
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is running for California governor as a Republican, tried to review ballots despite election officials reaffirming the results.
Columbia stands to lose tens of millions as White House reopens push to cut science funding
Columbia stands to lose tens of millions in federal funding for fiscal year 2027 if Congress accepts a new budget request from President Donald Trump, released on Friday, which seeks to cut over $15 billion from federal science agencies.
CNN will televise California gubernatorial primary debate in May
Elex Michaelson and Kaitlan Collins will moderate the event to be held in Los Angeles and airing across CNN's cable channels and streaming platform.
What a Decades-long Study of Arsenic Poisoning Can Tell Us About Human Health
Columbia researchers have spent over twenty-five years promoting access to clean water in Bangladesh — and investigating the impacts of contaminated aquifers.
The Alarming Consequences of Legal Sports Gambling
In his first book, "Everybody Loses," journalist Danny Funt ’15JRN explores the astronomical rise of a high-risk vice.
The Science Behind Fish Markets And DNA Tracking In The Arabian Gulf
Scientists in Bahrain are building the country’s first DNA reference library for sharks and rays using fish market samples, unlocking the full potential of environmental DNA to identify species in one of the hottest and most understudied seas on Earth.
Photo Gallery: Busy Weekend For Whaler Sports Against Martha's…
Nantucket Current is the island's leading online news source. We deliver the news, stories, and people of Nantucket, unbiased and unfiltered.
Longtime supervisor sues Cardinal Health over age and gender bias
The complaints that allegedly led to his firing included saying "good morning"
With eye on long-term health, D-backs tab Kelly for 2nd rehab start
PHOENIX -- It’s not a setback, but Merrill Kelly's 2026 season debut for the D-backs has once again been pushed back. After being announced as the club’s Opening Day starter on Feb. 14 before having the proverbial rug pulled from out under him due to intercostal nerve irritation a week
He quit tech and started homesteading. AI brought him back online.
Ryan Courtnage quit the tech company he cofounded and bought 22 acres of land in Creston, British Columbia.
Things to do in Pensacola: Navy Federal 5K; Bands on the Beach returns
Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Saudi Arabia's non-oil business activity shrinks in March amid conflict, PMI shows
Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector activity contracted in March for the first time since August 2020, as the war in the Middle East snarled up supply chains, a business survey showed on Sunday.
Claire Calahan (8) runs to first base
Claire Calahan (8) runs to first base at Mizzou softball’s game against LSU on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Mizzou Softball Stadium in Columbia. Mizzou scored 1-0, winning one out
Italian PM in United Arab Emirates on final leg of Gulf trip
She also visited Qatar and Saudi Arabia
Mizzou is open for business as transfer portal season begins
The process of assembling a new roster begins on Tuesday for coach Dennis Gates with the opening of the transfer portal.
1000 new African genomes added to global science
Wits-led AGenDA project sequenced 1,000+ African genomes, uncovering vast genetic diversity and novel variants. This helps correct Eurocentric bias in global datasets, improving disease prediction, treatment design, and ensuring African populations benefit from genomic medicine.
2026 NFL Draft Profile: Michigan edge rusher Jaishawn Barham
Michigan standout Jaishawn Barham would be an intriguing draft day addition for the Denver Broncos.
AVAC: Global Health Watch
AVAC Global Health Watch: Zambia’s bilateral MoU, NIH budget cut, LEN pricing & access, new HIV Prevention Access Framework
Injury strikes Tobias Harris but Daniss Jenkins delivers for Pistons
Detroit Pistons score: Tobias Harris left in the 1st half with a knee injury, but Jalen Duren had a double-double in the Pistons' win over Minnesota.
Tobias Harris injury update; Forward exits Pistons game vs Minnesota
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris was ruled out in the second quarter after injuring his knee against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Three Mizzou researchers named AAAS Fellows for science impact
The American Association for the Advancement of Science honors three MU faculty for breakthroughs in genomics, microbiology and disease research.
Neta’s research points to brain-based clues for mental health
In a split second, the brain determines whether an ambiguous situation is good or bad — and those snap judgments can reveal important information about a person. A new article by Husker psychologist Maital Neta suggests that these responses, known as valence bias, could help identify risk factors for depression, anxiety and other stress-related conditions.
Boehringer Partners on Connecticut Science Center STEM Lab » CBIA
Boehringer Ingelheim and the Connecticut Science Center launched an Innovation Lab to advance STEM education in Connecticut.
Minerals for aid: Are new US health deals ‘exploiting’ African countries?
Zimbabwe and Zambia have pushed back against 'lopsided' agreements after US asks for health data and minerals.
SBA Names Connecticut’s Small Business Person of the Year » CBIA
The SBA named Derek Ezovski, president of Outsourced Risk Management Solutions, Connecticut’s 2026 Small Business Person of the Year.
Most Californians still disapprove of immigration crackdown, poll says
Two-thirds of California voters disapprove of Trump's immigration policies and a majority believe those policies are biased against Latinos, a new poll finds.
Where do Newcastle need to strengthen this summer?
Take a long-serving player like Fabian Schar. Newcastle are going to have to be smart with their trading to generate the sorts of funds to enable the club to strengthen the spine of the team, which has to be the priority. Ed and Lara both asked: How likely is it that Sandro Tonali will leave?
Freshmen highlight near-comeback for Mizzou baseball in Border War
In front of a record-breaking sell-out crowd, the Tigers gave up a late lead in loss to Kansas. Mizzou had an eight-run fourth, but didn't score runs outside of that
Argentina vs. Zambia: Time, date, TV channel and how to watch today
World champion Argentina hosts Zambia in Buenos Aires in an international friendly on Tuesday.
Slashing gas taxes is good politics but bad policy
Pausing the gas tax subsidizes demand during a supply shock. And it deprives governments of revenue they depend on.
Shakira says she feels like she's just getting started. A Rock Hall nomination begs to differ
Shakira says her new world tour is turning lifelong dreams into reality as she sets attendance records and earns major recognition. The boundary-breaking Colombian performer told The Associated Press she
Parents fear their children born in the US could become ‘stateless’ if Trump wins birthright case
In the 26 years since she fled Colombia for the United States, “Pilar” has received her working papers, graduated high school, established a career as a paralegal and purchased a home in Florida.
Amahdrion Bradshaw hits the ball to North Kansas City’s side
Amahdrion Bradshaw hits the ball to North Kansas City’s side after being set up by his teammate on Monday at Battle High School in Columbia. The Spartans defeated the Hornets
Tapping, twirling and "T" signs: Sports replays have a language all their own
Every moment of any major sporting event can be dissected in high-definition these days, meaning officials and umpires sometimes seem to be staring at a TV screen to review close
How to Watch Messi and Argentina vs Zambia Live on beIN SPORTS
The Argentina National Team heads into its second match of this FIFA international window with a clear objective: fine-tune details and continue building its foundation ahead of the 2026 World Cup. After facing Mauritania, the team led by Lionel Scaloni now takes on Zambia in what serves as a final test before key decisions are made.
Boone Health sues cardiology group; coverage change to affect over 20K patients
Boone Health filed a lawsuit against Missouri Heart Center, alleging the cardiology group is trying to open a new clinic in Columbia.
Missouri bill to cut off recurring political donations moves toward state Senate debate
A Missouri Senate committee gave a warm reception to a bill to bar candidates from raising money with automatically recurring donations.
Columbia University protester says year in ICE custody ‘destroyed’ her physical health
A 33-year-old Palestinian woman said she was “chained” to a hospital bed for three days after suffering from a seizure in ICE custody.
Emigholz: FY27 Budget Needs Less Spending, Fewer Business Taxes
NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Christopher Emigholz told the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today that New Jersey is at “an inflection
Delaware Judge reassigns Musk cases following allegations of bias over LinkedIn-emoji claims
Musk's lawyers accused a Delaware judge of bias over a LinkedIn post, but she denied the claim and reassigned his lawsuits to avoid media disruption.
NJ WasteWise Business Network to Meet May 5
Businesses and other organizations interested in learning more about how reducing waste, recycling, and buying recycled products can help their bottom
Concrete’s distinct microbial zones could change how building health is assessed
Concrete harbors distinct microbial zones whose signatures survive the heat of routine core sampling, a discovery researchers say could one day put structural health diagnostics within reach of general maintenance staff and even residents.
From strength training to crepes, check out these new NJ businesses
Mr. Waffles is open in Hackensack. Discover Strength is in Parsippany. Columbia Bank has a new branch in Rutherford.
Serbia local elections marred by claims of violence
The student movement said some of their observers were threatened and in one incident sprayed with pepper spray
FIRST ON MS NOW: Pro-Palestinian protester discusses seizure in ICE custody: “my physical health is destroyed”
Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian woman who was detained by ICE last March after participating in pro-Palestinian protests near Columbia University, was released this month after more than a year in custody. She joins The Weekend: Primetime for her first TV interview since her release to discuss her treatment and conditions inside a Texas ICE detention center.
Navigating the social media minefield
Scientists and researchers seeking to announce promising findings, exchange ideas or contribute to policy discussions outside of academic circles may find social media an expedient tool.But increasingly, scientists and other professionals are discovering that online platforms can be a double-edged sword: while sharing their work and expertise is crucial for visibility and meeting funder expectations, it also exposes them to baseless criticism and even accusations of spreading false information."It is getting harder and harder for scientists, and researchers in general, to convey their findings without facing attacks on their legitimacy and accuracy of their research," says Valère Ndior, a professor of public law at the University of Western Brittany in Brest, France, who has spent more than a decade studying misinformation on social media. Researchers attempting to challenge deceptive online information may themselves be accused of political bias or not being objective in their research, he explains, adding that some scientists disengage because they feel overwhelmed and unable to sustain meaningful dialogue. "It is quite sad to see in some instances that researchers end up leaving social media altogether because they feel like the pressure is getting too intense or feel threatened," he says.Ndior, a past president of the Francophone Network of International Law, is also involved in European efforts to make science and research findings more accessible to the public. As an ambassador for the Science Comes to Town (SCTT) project, he has participated in recent discussions on public perceptions of science and online misinformation. The European Commission-funded initiative connects Brest and two other cities — Kiel in Germany and Split in Croatia — and aims to strengthen ties between communities, universities and research institutions to promote science awareness and cooperation across Europe.Coordinated campaigns around contentious topicsNdior draws a clear distinction between critical thinking and thoughtless criticism. Yet he sees online discussions being increasingly shaped by suspicious behaviour and coordinated information campaigns — including "raids" aimed at dominating discussions and "astroturfing," where small groups act as larger movements to sway debates. Tracking these patterns has become harder because some platforms have restricted data or charge for it, despite provisions of the European Union's Digital Securities Act aimed at ensuring researchers can have access to such data. According to Ndior, "platforms became more reluctant from the moment access to data became a legal requirement rather than a voluntary initiative."Unfounded claims and scepticism about science existed long before Internet chat groups. But the noticeable rise in online hostility has intensified around contentious topics, such as the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, alongside the weakening of gatekeepers to moderate content.For Ndior, dubious claims about pandemic countermeasures and vaccine safety highlighted the struggle between "balancing freedom of expression and the protection of public health and order." Efforts to remove social media content deemed false or risky for public health triggered accusations of censorship and the silencing of legitimate discussion, and in some cases, legal challenges.Concerns about attacks on the credibility of scientists and researchers have generated a flurry of academic papers in recent years and prompted professional communities to address ways to counter online attacks. Such unease extends to the generation that has grown up with digital media. Ndior points out that his students, some of whom research artificial intelligence regulation, hate speech, online surveillance and other controversial topics, hesitate to share their work or viewpoints online. "Many of them don't want to expose themselves too much because they don't feel ready to be faced with the backlash of other people criticising their research," he explains.Safer harbours for engagementLegal challenges against false or defamatory posts are not necessarily a solution — especially given the trans-jurisdictional nature of the Internet. Lawsuits also take time and money, and if they fail, can be counterproductive. Instead, Ndior advises scientists and researchers to be selective in how and where they communicate. Professional online platforms and moderated discussion spaces offer a better environment for engagement. He also highlights the value of more traditional formats, such as radio interviews and in-person discussions at schools, libraries and science fairs, which encourage dialogue with the public. "Personal contact makes a big difference," he says, while acknowledging that these approaches lack the global reach of social media.Ndior’s interest in digital law and online misinformation stems from his time as a doctoral student in international law in the early days of social media. He began analysing posts from governments and heads of state to determine if they could be considered official and thus used as evidence in litigation. His work attracted media attention and led to conference and speaking invitations. "This was not part of my plan," he says, "but this is what happens as a researcher — your interest is sparked by a certain event or phenomenon, and it suddenly becomes your focus."Ndior believes SCTT provides "a double benefit" for researchers, enabling them to connect with peers and interact with the public. "There is a wide community of people who are not in academia who are critical thinkers looking for opportunities to ask questions, to get information and contribute their ideas,” he says. "I really value that kind of feedback."Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Navigating the social media minefield
Scientists and researchers seeking to announce promising findings, exchange ideas or contribute to policy discussions outside of academic circles may find social media an expedient tool.But increasingly, scientists and other professionals are discovering that online platforms can be a double-edged sword: while sharing their work and expertise is crucial for visibility and meeting funder expectations, it also exposes them to baseless criticism and even accusations of spreading false information."It is getting harder and harder for scientists, and researchers in general, to convey their findings without facing attacks on their legitimacy and accuracy of their research," says Valère Ndior, a professor of public law at the University of Western Brittany in Brest, France, who has spent more than a decade studying misinformation on social media. Researchers attempting to challenge deceptive online information may themselves be accused of political bias or not being objective in their research, he explains, adding that some scientists disengage because they feel overwhelmed and unable to sustain meaningful dialogue. "It is quite sad to see in some instances that researchers end up leaving social media altogether because they feel like the pressure is getting too intense or feel threatened," he says.Ndior, a past president of the Francophone Network of International Law, is also involved in European efforts to make science and research findings more accessible to the public. As an ambassador for the Science Comes to Town (SCTT) project, he has participated in recent discussions on public perceptions of science and online misinformation. The European Commission-funded initiative connects Brest and two other cities — Kiel in Germany and Split in Croatia — and aims to strengthen ties between communities, universities and research institutions to promote science awareness and cooperation across Europe.Coordinated campaigns around contentious topicsNdior draws a clear distinction between critical thinking and thoughtless criticism. Yet he sees online discussions being increasingly shaped by suspicious behaviour and coordinated information campaigns — including "raids" aimed at dominating discussions and "astroturfing," where small groups act as larger movements to sway debates. Tracking these patterns has become harder because some platforms have restricted data or charge for it, despite provisions of the European Union's Digital Securities Act aimed at ensuring researchers can have access to such data. According to Ndior, "platforms became more reluctant from the moment access to data became a legal requirement rather than a voluntary initiative."Unfounded claims and scepticism about science existed long before Internet chat groups. But the noticeable rise in online hostility has intensified around contentious topics, such as the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, alongside the weakening of gatekeepers to moderate content.For Ndior, dubious claims about pandemic countermeasures and vaccine safety highlighted the struggle between "balancing freedom of expression and the protection of public health and order." Efforts to remove social media content deemed false or risky for public health triggered accusations of censorship and the silencing of legitimate discussion, and in some cases, legal challenges.Concerns about attacks on the credibility of scientists and researchers have generated a flurry of academic papers in recent years and prompted professional communities to address ways to counter online attacks. Such unease extends to the generation that has grown up with digital media. Ndior points out that his students, some of whom research artificial intelligence regulation, hate speech, online surveillance and other controversial topics, hesitate to share their work or viewpoints online. "Many of them don't want to expose themselves too much because they don't feel ready to be faced with the backlash of other people criticising their research," he explains.Safer harbours for engagementLegal challenges against false or defamatory posts are not necessarily a solution — especially given the trans-jurisdictional nature of the Internet. Lawsuits also take time and money, and if they fail, can be counterproductive. Instead, Ndior advises scientists and researchers to be selective in how and where they communicate. Professional online platforms and moderated discussion spaces offer a better environment for engagement. He also highlights the value of more traditional formats, such as radio interviews and in-person discussions at schools, libraries and science fairs, which encourage dialogue with the public. "Personal contact makes a big difference," he says, while acknowledging that these approaches lack the global reach of social media.Ndior’s interest in digital law and online misinformation stems from his time as a doctoral student in international law in the early days of social media. He began analysing posts from governments and heads of state to determine if they could be considered official and thus used as evidence in litigation. His work attracted media attention and led to conference and speaking invitations. "This was not part of my plan," he says, "but this is what happens as a researcher — your interest is sparked by a certain event or phenomenon, and it suddenly becomes your focus."Ndior believes SCTT provides "a double benefit" for researchers, enabling them to connect with peers and interact with the public. "There is a wide community of people who are not in academia who are critical thinkers looking for opportunities to ask questions, to get information and contribute their ideas,” he says. "I really value that kind of feedback."Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Blizzard Entertainment® and NEXON® Enter Publishing Agreement for Overwatch® in Korea
Operations are planned to b4egin later this year, more details around publishing to come.
Mizzou infielder Kam Durnin (27) swings for the ball
Mizzou infielder Kam Durnin (27) swings for the ball on Sunday at Taylor Stadium in Columbia. Mizzou lost to Texas A&M every game during their three-game series.
Mizzou pitcher Trey Lawrence (10) prepares to pitch
Mizzou pitcher Trey Lawrence (10) prepares to pitch on Sunday at Taylor Stadium in Columbia. Mizzou’s loss brings their season record to 17-12.
France beat Colombia with reserves, show strength in friendly
France beat Colombia 3-1 this Sunday (29) in an international friendly played at Northwest Stadium in the United States. The European side was more efficient and built the result with authority.Didier...
Warner farm’s lavender business flourishes, enabled by USDA value-added grant program
Growth is at the top of Missy Biagiotti’s mind. Already, she counts on the help of more than 20 employees during the busiest months of the year at Lavender Fields at Pumpkin Blossom Farm in Warner, while new horizons lie ahead for the business she co-owns with her husband, Mike. The couple is adding three […]