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India's HDFC Bank finds employees' conduct in deposit pricing matter was business overreach, not misconduct
India's HDFC Bank said on Monday its board concluded employees involved in the deposit pricing of an Indian state agency had engaged in business overreach, rather than acting for personal gains or with any improper motive.
New ChatGPT Training For Small Businesses And Other Technology News This Week For Your Business
OpenAI launched AI training for small businesses, Microsoft upgraded Excel with AI, Intuit debuted a QuickBooks card, Claude learns workflows, and AI-ready websites are now essential.
Your Next Business Advantage—Lifetime Access to 1,000+ Courses for Just $20
Fresh courses added every month.
Businesses step up as Akawa Butte Fire grows in central Oregon
Akawa Butte Fire grows past 26,000 acres, 3% contained, as shifting winds spur expanded evacuations near Sisters.
NSF will support effort to build “self-driving” chemistry laboratories - College of Arts and Sciences
NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will work together as part of a new National Science Foundation-funded effort to establish a nationwide network of artificial-intelligence-enabled automated laboratories across the United States.
Shaky political "science": breakdown of the peer review process
[This article is the latest in our “Shaky Political Science” series. In our 38 page report, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting,” released in December 2025, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting (RCV). Many of these studies suffered from puzzling research methodologies, poorly constructed surveys, unrealistic simulated elections, cherry picked data and faulty analyses that often were contradicted by results from real-world elections (a link to our full paper is here). Here are links to the first four articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report; the second one analyzed a study co-authored by University of Minnesota academic Larry Jacobs, which was one of the most error-prone of all the research we reviewed in our report; a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research; and a fourth article that analyzed seven studies sponsored by New America’s political reform program that deployed flawed methodology based on “simulated” elections instead of real-world elections, which when combined with some basic misunderstandings of RCV, produced odd and misleading results]. In this fifth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we examine two flawed studies on the impact of RCV on voter turnout authored by San Francisco State University professor Jason McDaniel. McDaniel’s research in these two papers stands out for its puzzling methodology, inadequate and cherry-picked data, and faulty analyses that not only misunderstands ranked choice voting but reflects a basic misunderstanding of politics in general. The first of the McDaniel studies actually passed through a peer review process and then was subsequently published by the Journal of Urban Affairs, despite its obvious errors. It is perplexing that a jury of peer political scientists did not catch the errors and send it back to McDaniel for a rewrite or outright rejection. This calls into question the credibility of the peer review process itself. The peer review process is supposed to represent the intellectual pinnacle of the profession – a way for academics to certify the quality of each other’s work, and to act as a check against sloppy research. In the case of the McDaniel study, the peer review process failed. Yet his flawed study has been cited dozens of times by other political scientists in their own flawed works — an unvirtuous circle of academic research. Here is the first Jason McDaniel study that we analyzed: “Writing the Rules to Rank the Candidates: Examining the Impact of Instant-Runoff Voting on Racial Group Turnout in San Francisco Mayoral Elections,” by Jason McDaniel, 2016, Journal of Urban Affairs. This study covered San Francisco’s use of ranked choice voting (RCV) in mayoral elections, purporting to show that RCV reduces voter turnout overall, increases voter errors, and has a negative impact on “marginal populations,” i.e. racial minorities, mainly as the result of the alleged complexity of RCV asking voters to rank candidates and having to be familiar with multiple candidates and related dynamics. McDaniel reached these conclusions by examining five San Francisco mayoral elections taking place in odd years (i.e. where there are no federal or state races on the ballot) from 1995 to 2011, comparing three earlier non-RCV races (in 1995, 1999 and 2003) with the later two RCV races (in 2007 and 2011). Only two RCV races were studied, and as McDaniel acknowledged, only the contest in 2011 was “competitive” (that contest in 2007 was the first mayoral election using RCV, and incumbent mayor Gavin Newsom won easily in the first round of counting, earning 74% of first choices and far ahead of the second place candidate who had just 6.3% of first choices). Yet even the allegedly competitive contest in 2011was won by an incumbent with a landslide margin of nearly 20 points. No other elections were studied by McDaniel, even though San Francisco elects 17 other offices besides mayor with RCV, including the 11 seats on the Board of Supervisors (the name for the city council) in even years, and six other citywide offices in odd years. Previous academic research has found that competitive elections can stimulate greater voter involvement and higher turnout. For unexplained reasons, this study ignored at least 34 other RCV races between the years 2004 to 2011, many of which were very competitive and had high voter turnout. Instead, McDaniel’s analysis based its conclusions on data from only a single, marginally-competitive mayor’s race using RCV. These 2007 and 2011 mayoral elections were the only two RCV elections that McDaniel used as the sole basis for his small data set to determine the impact of RCV on voter turnout. Despite having no meaningful data to inform his study, McDaniel nonetheless concluded that RCV lowered turnout when compared to the previous three mayoral non-RCV elections using two-round runoffs. Then, using the same inadequate database of San Francisco elections, McDaniel also found that “Instant-runoff voting is associated with a significant decline in Black voter turnout and White voter turnout…On average, Black voter turnout decreases by 18 points and White voter turnout decreases by 16 points …” But how could he credibly arrive at that conclusion when his study was based on voter turnout in two RCV contests that were not even remotely competitive? Beyond that, McDaniel tacitly admits that the key determining factor driving Black voter turnout was not RCV vs non-RCV elections, but the presence of a viable Black candidate. McDaniel wrote, “Black voter turnout was about 17 percentage points higher for the two elections that featured an African American candidate compared to the three elections that did not” — but one of those three elections did not use RCV. The same dynamic was present for White voter turnout, in which higher turnout was not correlated with RCV vs non-RCV elections, but the presence of a viable White candidate. Beyond that, McDaniel’s voter turnout results, whether correlated with the race of the candidates or RCV vs non-RCV elections, showed no clear patterns. In his Figure 1, he shows low Asian voter turnout in the non-RCV elections in 1999 and 2003 when there was no viable Asian candidate running, but in the 2007 mayoral election using RCV, there is still no viable Asian candidate, yet Asian turnout increases dramatically. For Latinos, voter turnout is virtually the same in 1999 (no viable Latino candidate, non-RCV elections), 2003 (leading Latino candidate, non-RCV elections), 2007 (no viable Latino candidate, RCV elections) and 2011 (leading Latino candidate, RCV elections). Meanwhile White voter turnout increased dramatically from a low in the 2007 mayoral election, in which the leading candidate was a white incumbent, to the 2011 election in which there were no leading white candidates that finished any higher than sixth place with 5.6% of the vote. Clearly other factors were determining voter turnout than either the race of the candidates or RCV vs non-RCV elections. Despite these inconsistent findings, McDaniel boldly marches forth to render conclusions about the impact of RCV on different groups of racial voters, even though his conclusions are not remotely supported by his data. This looks like the worst kind of “data cherry picking” to cover up a puzzling conclusion based on a poor data set involving only two RCV elections, neither of which were remotely competitive. McDaniel’s cherry picking didn’t stop there. In calculating voter turnout for the three non-RCV mayoral elections in 1995, 1999 and 2003, he failed to mention that in each of these years there was a two-round runoff election, with a first round election in November in which no candidate garnered a winning majority of the vote, followed by the decisive runoff in December. So there were two non-RCV elections in each election year. But McDaniel only decided to include one of the two elections in his data set, apparently the December runoff in each year (which had higher turnout in two out of the three mayor’s races, and lower turnout in the third). So he ignored the November 1995 election, the November 1999 election when turnout was only 45 percent, and the November 2003 election when turnout was only 45.7 percent. This is flawed methodology based on blatant cherry picking, since McDaniel simply omitted three elections worth of data that did not fit within his frame. His study should never have made it through a peer review process, and it is an embarrassment to political science that not only was it approved for publication, but it has been uncritically cited by dozens of other political scientists. Share A “study” without wider context or credible data Lacking a data set that included even a single competitive RCV mayoral race, McDaniel declared that RCV lowered voter turnout in 2011, when turnout was 42.5 percent. But he also ignored -- or did not realize -- that voter turnout in mayoral elections during 2011 had sharply declined in all big cities, including far more steeply in nearby Los Angeles and other cities. In fact, San Francisco’s election in 2011 had the second highest turnout of any mayoral election in the nation’s 22 largest cities from 2008-2011. Was 2011 just a particularly low turnout year all across the country, perhaps because the country was still reeling from the aftermath of the housing market collapse in 2008-2010? McDaniel ignored this factor and did not search for alternative explanations beyond his flawed thesis. Furthermore, while McDaniel suggested that RCV leads to more “overvotes” – which is an invalidated ballot in which a voter, in either a non-RCV or RCV race, makes a mistake and selects two candidates for a single choice – he failed to address that in the June 2012 US Senate primary contest, which used the typical “one-choice” plurality method and did not use RCV, there was more than five times as many overvotes in San Francisco and Oakland than in the RCV mayoral elections in those cities. Additionally, turnout had been significantly higher and more representative in RCV elections for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors races -- that McDaniel didn’t even bother to study -- as compared to previous “delayed two-round runoffs” for those offices, often higher by as much as 40% in the RCV races. Perhaps the most surprising irony was that an earlier study co-authored by McDaniel (Overvoting and the Equality of Voice under Instant-Runoff Voting in San Francisco by Francis Neely and Jason McDaniel, 2015, California Journal of Politics and Policy) found that overvotes are often more common in lower-income precincts, but that the pattern of overvoting is similar in both RCV and non-RCV contests. Wrote Neely and McDaniel: “[Overvote] errors appear to be a function of complexity in general and not IRV per se…. the pattern of overvoting is similar in both IRV and non-IRV contests…Even among votes cast in a top-of-the-ticket race like U.S. Senate, overvoting occurs in an uneven fashion” (IRV, or ‘instant runoff voting,’ is another name for ranked choice voting in single-winner contests). So McDaniel not only contradicted his own conclusion in his earlier study with Neely, but the earlier study had been an important corrective for one of the most frequently made mistakes made by anti-RCV political scientists – a continual failure to provide crucial context by pairing a comparative analysis of real world RCV elections with an analysis of real world plurality or other electoral methods. Unfortunately McDaniel’s earlier study does not get cited much by other researchers, and McDaniel did not even cite it in his own flawed study analyzed above. Incredibly, McDaniel cherrypicked McDaniel, even as his flawed study has been cited dozens of times. Despite being a textbook example of poor political “science,” featuring both inadequate as well as cherrypicked data, the shelf life of McDaniel’s study has been extended endlessly by other political scientists and media outlets who have cited it uncritically. Equally troubling, the Journal of Urban Affairs put this paper through its peer review process and published it despite its numerous flaws. McDaniel gets it wrong, Part II Not content with producing one shoddy, confused paper, McDaniel produced another one a few years later, here is the link: Electoral Rules and Voter Turnout in Mayoral Elections: An Analysis of Ranked-Choice Voting by Jason McDaniel. San Francisco State Univ. (McDaniel, 2019). In this paper, McDaniel extended his previous flawed research focused on San Francisco, about voter turnout and voter impact, to multiple RCV cities through the 2018 elections. In his data set he included San Francisco, Minneapolis, St Paul, Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro and Santa Fe. He then compared their turnout in mayoral elections to non-RCV cities, and to mayoral elections in those cities held before first RCV usage, and concluded “a significant decrease in voter turnout of approximately 3–5 percentage points in RCV cities after the implementation of RCV.” But he replicated many of the same mistakes as his first study presented above. While in this study McDaniel attempted to distinguish between various factors, such as odd year vs. even year elections, competitive races vs. noncompetitive, contests with open seats and other factors, the analysis is superficial and inadequate. He attempts to incorporate so many often-conflicting variables that his conclusions are once again unsupported by the actual data, and ultimately unconvincing (this second study never underwent a peer review process). For example, McDaniel declared that for RCV cities “in elections that are more competitive than average (margin of victory less than 20%), there is no significant RCV effect on voter turnout.” Yet McDaniel is a professor in a city, San Francisco, in which the 2018 special election using RCV to fill a mayoral vacancy was exceedingly close, decided by a margin of only one percentage point, and resulted in the second highest turnout in San Francisco history for a mayoral election. Illustrating the complexity involved in assessing the critical factors in turnout, that special election was held on the same election day as federal and state offices, which tends to boost turnout. Yet more voters participated in that RCV mayoral election than voted on the same day in the non-RCV primary for governor in which former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom was running. Even more puzzling, in this study McDaniel inaccurately cited his own previous study from 2015 with Neely. McDaniel wrote, “Neely and McDaniel (2015) examine individual ballot image files within a natural experiment, and find higher rates of ballot errors in RCV elections compared to non-RCV elections” (emphasis added). However, we quoted from that 2015 study several paragraphs above, and in actual fact Neely and McDaniel actually concluded the opposite -- that the pattern of overvoting – which is the most common form of ballot error – is similar in both RCV and non-RCV contests. McDaniel also ignored the fact that in Bay Area RCV elections held in even years – at the same time as federal and state elections, when turnout is highest -- the “undervote” (that is, the dropoff in ballots cast for governor or mayor) has declined, which contradicts his thesis that the act of ranking ballots in RCV elections is too complex and presents a barrier for certain demographics of voters. To his credit, McDaniel actually acknowledged another contradiction in his own paper, which found a negative RCV turnout effect in some odd-year elections but not others, admitting that “may present a challenge to the theory that increased complexity [from RCV] will have a marginal negative effect on voter turnout.” But he tried to wallpaper over that contradiction by blaming it on an unlikely source -- bad election administration. McDaniels wrote, “This would suggest that the negative impact of RCV on voter participation may be alleviated by high quality election administration,” without presenting any data or even anecdotes to support such an unfounded theory. While competent election administration of any election, whether RCV or non-RCV, is crucially important, there is no credible research that supports the far-fetched notion that the quality of election administration has much of an impact on voter turnout in US elections, whether using RCV or otherwise. Upgrade to a $5 subscription The unvirtuous circle of academic research It is puzzling how McDaniel’s first study could have survived the peer review process for the Journal of Urban Affairs. The mistakes in McDaniel’s first study above should have been obvious to anyone with a basic understanding of ranked choice voting as well as elections in general, and elections in San Francisco specifically. It undermines faith in the credibility of the peer review process to think that a jury of peer political scientists did not catch the egregious errors and reject McDaniel’s sloppy research and paper. And it remains a black mark on political science that this thoroughly discredited study has been cited dozens of times by other researchers. Indeed, in our research paper it became apparent that many political scientists cite each other’s flawed research to pad their list of citations and to legitimize their own flawed research, creating an unvirtuous circle of political science. More broadly, McDaniel’s voter turnout studies, like other studies evaluating RCV’s impact on turnout, lacked a recognition that no credible opinion or research can claim that RCV increases voter turnout merely because so many voters are excited to vote for their favorite candidates instead of “lesser evil” candidates without worrying about spoilers. Instead, with respect to turnout, the advantage of RCV has always been that, in most places where it has been used, it has eliminated a pre-November primary or post-November runoff, which usually saw about half the turnout of the November general election. This is especially true during even years when there are state and federal elections on the ballot which substantially drive turnout more than local contests. Any study that does not adequately account for this non-November primary/runoff vs November general election dynamic, or odd year vs even year election factors, is simply not credible. Both of McDaniel’s studies largely failed on those grounds. Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to a $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS…your digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe
An asteroid shattered near Jupiter’s gravitational gateway 800 million years ago; scientists say the debris may have bombarded Earth for 150 million years
A massive asteroid that broke apart around 800 million years ago may have sent a huge number of rocky fragments towards Earth, the Moon and Mars, according to a new study led by researchers at the Southwest Research Institute.
Loaded entertainment lineup set for Cole County Fair
Live music, barbecue, go-kart racing, rodeo, and truck and tractor pulls are some of the highlights attendees can expect at the 76th annual Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair.
Sources: Silver persuaded Engelbert to suspend Thomas after Clark incident
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was not going to suspend Alyssa Thomas for burying a fist onto Caitlin Clark’s throat three weeks ago until NBA Commissioner Adam Silver implored her to reverse course and issue a suspension, multiple sources told SBJ Tuesday.
Sources: Silver persuaded Engelbert to suspend Thomas after Clark incident
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was not going to suspend Alyssa Thomas for burying a fist onto Caitlin Clark’s throat three weeks ago until NBA Commissioner Adam Silver implored her to reverse course and issue a suspension, multiple sources told SBJ Tuesday.
Alley Night Market returns to downtown De Pere on July 17 with new locations and expanded entertainment
Free event runs 5 to 10 p.m.; final summer installment set for August 21
World Cup 2026: Julián Álvarez's extra-time golazo powers Argentina's 3-1 quarterfinal win over 10-man Switzerland
Argentina needed extra time (again) to get to the semifinals.
NAVER D2SF Invests in 23i, a Virtual Entertainment Startup
NAVER D2SF, the corporate venture capital arm of NAVER, has made a new investment in 23i (CEO, Hyungmin Kim), a virtual entertainment startup. As the global virtual entertainment market continues to grow rapidly, particularly in Korea and Japan, NAVER D2SF decided to invest in the team based on its ability to create expanded entertainment IP through strong content production capabilities and an in-house technology pipeline designed to maximize the strengths of virtual artists.
Washington County Fair announces 2026 entertainment lineup
BRENHAM — The historic Washington County Fair, proudly known as "The Oldest County Fair in Texas", has officially announced its star-studded entertainment lineup for its 158th annual run from Sept.
2026 World Cup: Short-handed England holds off Mexico at home behind 2-minute Jude Bellingham brace
GentleBrook to operate mobile Snapology franchise
GentleBrook has entered a franchise agreement with Unleased Brands to launch a mobile, Snapology-branded education program.
GentleBrook to operate mobile Snapology franchise
GentleBrook has entered a franchise agreement with Unleased Brands to launch a mobile, Snapology-branded education program.
Best and worst long-haul airlines, from someone who only flies economy
I've tested a dozen different airlines to find the best for long-haul travel. Etihad Airways exceeded expectations, while China Eastern wasn't for me.
Who's attending Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding: A guide to the guest list
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding at Madison Square Garden is shaping up to be a star-studded extravaganza. Here's your guide to the celebrities on the guest list.
New England Patriots 2026 NFL Season Preview
It’s no secret that the New England Patriots exceeded expectations last season. While many of their top players will be returning, they also lost some key talent during free agency as well as adding some additional depth. The Patriots dealt with a lot of talk about strength of schedule last year, and that will once again be a part of the conversation, but this time it’s at the opposite end of the difficulty spectrum.
Lexus expands its MSG presence across arenas, theaters and Knicks games
Lexus gains entitlement rights at Chase Square entrances and more signage across MSG venues, plus expanded exposure during Knicks and Rangers games.
Round table: Manufacturing Revoultion
••• SPONSORED SECTION ••• Manufacturing historically has conjured a certain perception, one of low skills, low pay and low advancement. But times are changing, and they’re changing fast. Spurred by North Carolina’s often lauded economic environment, manufacturers from a variety of sectors are advancing, investing and expanding across the state. But those moves come with […]
Comcast to Spin Off NBCUniversal Into Standalone Entertainment Company
Comcast announced today that it plans to separate NBCUniversal into its own publicly traded entertainment company, marking one of the biggest corporate restructurings in the company's history. Under the proposed split, NBCUniversal will become an independent entertainment company, separating from C
Faculty in Politics, Chemistry, Biology and English Appointed to Endowed Professorships | Pomona College in Claremont, California
Four faculty members have been awarded endowed professorship positions. The Pomona College Board of Trustees voted to support these appointments during their meeting in May.
Supreme Court rules mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day can be counted
A decision against such ballots could have upended election procedures in states across the country ahead of the midterm elections.
How Brexit broke British politics
Brexit has had a lasting impact on British politics, causing a decade of turmoil and division, and resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer after two years of economic stagnation and a divided electorate.
Bose Launches Bose Studios, Sets Steven Soderbergh Project (EXCLUSIVE)
Bose, the consumer audio company, has announced the launch of branded entertainment company Bose Studios, unveiling details on its slate.
iOS 27 Beta 2 Adds Inline Replies to iPhone-to-Android RCS Chats
With the second beta of iOS 27, Apple added support for replying to a specific message in an RCS conversation with an Android user. You can now long press on a message to get to the option to reply, and it works the same way that it does with iMessage. Apple added support for RCS in iOS 18, and has been improving it since then. iOS 26.5 added encryption for RCS messages sent between iPhone and Android users, and now more of the RCS features are being implemented.
Cannes Lions 2026 unveils the Entertainment Lions for Music shortlist, featuring 34 finalists that show how music has become a key territory for creativity, branded entertainment and culture
Cannes Lions 2026 has released the shortlist for the Entertainment Lions for Music category, one of the Festival’s key competitions
Obama Presidential Center dedication: A nod to a past era in politics and future hopes
All living former presidents gathered for the dedication of the Obama presidential center in Chicago. It was a star studded event that harkened back to a more-optimistic era in American politics.
Albertsons Media Collective unveils industry-first branded entertainment model
The Minivela drama Rico’s Tacos launches June 23
Albertsons launches branded entertainment series with P&G
Albertsons launches branded entertainment series with P&G
Albertsons Media Collective Unveils Industry-First Branded Entertainment Model, Co-Developed with Procter & Gamble
Albertsons Media Collective, the retail media arm for Albertsons® Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI), today opened a new lane for brands inside its retail media netw...
COL Group, Virtue Asia Team for Southeast Asia Microdrama Brand Push
V47 Entertainment’s specialist agency Virtue Asia has struck a deal with China-listed microdrama company COL Group to develop and distribute brand-funded entertainment across Southeast Asia, the compa...
Minerva Homecoming 2026 brings parade, entertainment and family events to Municipal Park
The June 10-13 festival at Municipal Park included entertainment, food, family activities and parade award winners.
Community Days returns with expanded entertainment, parade and biggest fireworks show yet
DuBOIS — For 33 years, DuBois Community Days has brought residents together for a weekend of entertainment, food, family activities and hometown pride.
England's Ollie Watkins scores header, extending lead over Costa Rica
Ollie Watkins scored a header that extended England's lead to 3-0 over Costa Rica.
Large language model helps radiology department boost patients’ report comprehension
Emory University has utilized OpenAI’s GPT-5 to create LLM-produced radiology report summaries, clickable terms with embedded educational content, and AI-generated videos.
Why Graham Platner’s margin matters in the Maine: From the Politics Desk
Plus, how California emerged as a target for unfounded election fraud claims.
Primary ballots hit mailboxes in high-stakes election year in Colorado
County clerks began mailing primary ballots to voters on Monday, as Colorado wades deeper into a crowded election year. Voters will face a long list of choices in both the June 30 primary and the November general election. Every major state‑level office — the governor’s seat, notably — is on the ballot, while Colorado’s 8th […]
Why Oscar Health (OSCR) Is Up 10.3% After Leadership Shift And Analyst Upgrade
Oscar Health, Inc. recently amended and restated its employment agreement with co-founder Mario Schlosser as he moved from President of Technology and Chief Technology Officer to Co-Founder & Advisor to the CEO, effective June 1, 2026, while he continues to support the company’s artificial intelligence and digital health agenda and remains on the Board. At the same time, a major Wall Street firm upgraded its view on Oscar Health after Q1 2026 results exceeded expectations and reinforced...
Shokz upgraded its open earbuds with better sound and a lighter design
Upgraded earbuds that don’t completely block the world around you.
Bayern Munich reach agreement with Ismaël Saibari
Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with PSV Eindhoven attacker Ismaël Saibari (25), according to a report by Foot Mercato.Saibari, who scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 27 Eredivisie...
Stateside Live! opens expanded entertainment complex in South Philly
Stateside Live! in South Philly completed a $20 million expansion featuring multiple stages, concerts and event space ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Scene Calendar: ArtWalk, live music, local theater
ArtWalk will return from 7 to 10 p.m. May 29 with a self-guided evening of art galleries, studios, live performances and more.
ZCG-Backed VENU+ Expands Global Footprint Through Strategic Partnership with Merlin Entertainments
ORLANDO, Fla., May 27, 2026--VENU+, a leading global provider of tech-enabled guest mobility, storage, and entertainment solutions and a portfolio company of Z Capital Group ("ZCG"), today announced a strategic partnership with Merlin Entertainments, a global leader in branded entertainment destinations, to enhance and expand photo capture experiences across Merlin’s international portfolio.
Humanity has already exceeded Earth’s limits, study warns
Humanity may already be living far beyond what Earth can sustainably support, according to a sweeping new study analyzing more than 200 years of population and environmental data. Researchers found that while population growth once fueled innovation and expansion, the trend shifted decades ago as the planet’s resources became increasingly strained.
Followers of Bible-based diet say scripture-guided eating transformed their health
Some Christians are turning to the Bible for dietary guidance, following a healthy nutrition plan that eliminates processed food and prioritizes whole foods.
Enhanced Ebola Airport Screening Begins at Washington-Dulles International Airport
Suspended entrance to US for foreign nationals who were in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan
This Moon of Neptune Might Have Survived a Wrecking-Ball Event
Neptune’s moons have long provided evidence of a cataclysm four billion years ago. A new study suggests one moon may have made it through.
A key science publishing platform is cracking down on AI slop
The pre-print website arXiv has announced that researchers who put their names to papers which included errors clearly generated by artificial intelligence (AI) will face a year-long ban and ongoing restrictions.
A free concert, bigger parade and expanded entertainment: Buckhannon's investment helps Strawberry Festival festival reach new heights
Buckhannon boosted its support for the West Virginia Strawberry Festival with a record $50,000 contribution, helping fund a free Main Street concert headlined by Parmalee and expanded entertainment.
Strawberry Festival nears with fiesta theme and expanded entertainment lineup
The 2026 Strawberry Festival is just days away, and organizers say excitement and registrations are at record highs. New entertainment has been added on Main Street and at Jawbone Park, alongside a bigger parade and expanded family fun night.
Bayern Munich are not done yet
Failing to make the Champions League final will sting but Vincent Kompany's side have exceeded expectations and the future looks bright
MSC World Asia unveils entertainment and attractions
New cruise ship is launching this year with expanded entertainment
Roku and TCL accused of 'bricking' TVs with poor software updates in new class action lawsuit
Degraded experiences caused problems
How US equipment ended up in the hands of Iran’s allies in Yemen as USAID was disbanded
The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen seized US funded equipment, including vehicles, after the Trump administration suspended and slashed humanitarian funding around the world and began dismantling the US Agency of International Development.
Hollywood and Science unite at the 2026 Breakthrough Prize
The star-studded event celebrated achievements by the world’s top scientists in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics.
Hollywood and Science Unite at the 2026 Breakthrough Prize
The star-studded event celebrated achievements by the world’s top scientists in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics.
Research commissioner pitches EU to US scientists and investors
Research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva is just back from a two-day trip to San Francisco, where she pitched the EU as the place to be for US researchers looking to move and US venture capitalists looking to invest. A Commission spokesperson told Science|Business that Zaharieva used the trip to “promote Europe as a stable, rule-based and vibrant innovation destination.” She emphasised Europe’s excellent infrastructure and predictable funding, particularly through the European Research Council (ERC) and Europe Innovation Council.These are already proving tempting, with applications from US-based researchers to ERC and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) calls increasing substantially over the past few years. According to the Commission, the number of US-based applicants for the annual ERC Consolidator Grant call rose from 19 in 2025 to 64 in 2026, while US bids to the ERC Advanced Grant call rose from 23 in 2024 to 114 in 2025. Meanwhile, US applications to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme rose from 352 in 2024 to 998 in 2025.Pressure on US scientists to seek alternative employment has increased since Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Jobs at federal science agencies have been slashed, funding cut in some research areas and international scientific partnerships turned upside down. He has also made unprecedented attempts to control university affairs.During her trip, Zaharieva made a point of highlighting the protection of academic freedom in Europe, “especially in areas like climate change, renewable energy, and health, where US funding has faced cuts,” the spokesperson said.She also underlined the EU’s “attractive long-term career opportunities and relocation support for top researchers from anywhere in the world,” especially through its new Choose Europe for Science initiative.“Transatlantic cooperation remains essential to tackle global challenges while safeguarding shared values such as academic freedom and openness,” Zaharieva wrote on social media ahead of her visit.Related articlesERC walks back stricter resubmission rules for 2027Don’t feel guilty about poaching scientists fleeing Trump, US science body tells EuropeHer itinerary took in Stanford University’s business school and school of medicine, where topics for discussion included entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary collaboration. She also met with venture capital firms, including Playground Global, Forgepoint Capital and Akkadian Venture Capital, as well as the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the largest public pension fund in the US.Other meetings included Jensen Huang, the chief executive of AI chip manufacturer Nvidia, and local business associations such as the Bay Area Council and EuroCham. European delegations in the area also received visits, including Advantage Austria and France’s La French Tech, and the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco.
Merman and the New Rules of Branded Entertainment
Little Black Book, With roots in premium TV and a foothold in advertising, Merman is redefining branded entertainment. LBB’s Olivia Atkins examines how the production company blends storytelling, talent and craft to create work that earns attention, travels across platforms and delivers long-term brand value
USA TODAY graded every NFL Draft pick. How did Iowa, Iowa State rank?
USA TODAY Sports graded all 257 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s how every Iowa and Iowa State selection was evaluated.
LIA Expands Entertainment & Content Jury to Reflect Culture as Creative Force
Little Black Book, Geoff Edwards, managing director, creative at GALE, will serve as jury president for the newly expanded Entertainment & Content and Cultural Catalyst categories, as LIA introduces a broader focus on work shaping culture
Lloyd Blankfein on WHCD shooting: 'No one was killed, and ended early'
The former Goldman Sachs CEO wrote on X that on the 'positive side,' the press dinner was 'exciting'
Gunman at White House Correspondents’ Dinner raises questions about event’s security protocol
The suspected gunman who charged past a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday has renewed questions about Secret Service protocols and whether there should be changes to the already tight cordon at the annual star-studded event.
AquaGlow Returns to Aquatica Orlando with New Nighttime Experiences, Entertainment, and Expanded Entry
Aquatica Orlando is set to light up summer nights once again as its popular AquaGlow event returns for a third year, featuring all-new experiences, enhanced entertainment, and expanded access for guests beginning May 16!
How Investors Are Reacting To Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) Upgraded Earnings Momentum And Analyst Sentiment
Sphere Entertainment recently attracted attention after Zacks assigned it a Momentum Style Score of A and a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), reflecting improved analyst sentiment and positive earnings estimate revisions in the period leading up to today. This shift in sentiment highlights how changing expectations for Sphere’s earnings power and momentum profile can influence how investors view its longer-term prospects. Next, we’ll examine how this stronger earnings momentum, highlighted by upgraded...
Brewers top prospect Luis Peña leaves minor-league game in ambulance
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game April 22 ended early after a medical emergency for top prospect Luis Peña, though he's reportedly doing better.
A Look At Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) Valuation As Upgraded Earnings Outlook Lifts Momentum
Momentum shift puts Sphere Entertainment in focus Recent favorable revisions to earnings estimates and a strong momentum score have pushed Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) onto more investors’ radars, as the stock’s performance has differed from both the broader market and its media peers. See our latest analysis for Sphere Entertainment. Despite a 2.8% decline in the latest session and a 4.4% 7 day share price pullback, Sphere Entertainment’s 30 day share price return of 18.8% and very large 1...
L’Oréal film reclaims ‘Because I’m Worth It’ for Ilon Specht and raises bar for branded content
“The Final Copy of Ilon Specht” for L'Oréal Paris wins Branded Entertainment/Content Campaign of the Year at the 2026 Creativity Awards.
Political tolerance on campus is lacking
Drake University prides itself on its diversity initiatives. Liberal arts emphasize well-rounded education, including exposure to multiple perspectives. Students are often part of several organizations, attend classes with people from...
U.S. Delivers Maternal Health Equipment Across Madagascar - U.S. Embassy in Madagascar
U.S. Delivers Maternal Health Equipment Across Madagascar U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Arnold today provided critical maternal and newborn health equipment that will reach healthcare facilities across Madagascar, demonstrating how U.S. foreign assistance builds a safer, healthier world by helping recipient countries build self-reliant health systems in line with the America First Global Health Strategy. Under President Trump’s America First foreign assistance policy and the America First Global Health Policy, U.S. support serves as a tool of strategic engagement – not global charity. Every U.S. taxpayer dollar is subject to rigorous oversight to ensure measurable results, maximum efficiency, and accountability, with zero tolerance for fraud, waste, or abuse. Through the bilateral Global Health Memorandum of Understanding with Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health, both governments agreed on shared priorities and responsibilities, including a strong focus on maternal and newborn health and Madagascar’s increasing co-investment in its own health system. Madagascar continues to face major challenges in maternal and newborn health, including high maternal mortality rates and significant gaps in access to quality delivery care. In rural regions, many women still give birth at home or in facilities without adequate infection-prevention supplies. Through the U.S.-funded Momentum Country and Global Leadership Project, the United States is providing essential equipment to healthcare facilities nationwide: calibrated reusable drapes for infection prevention in approximately 1,000 community health centers (CSBs), single-use calibrated drapes for 35 hospitals, and management tools for health workers to improve data collection and care coordination. “U.S. foreign assistance makes America safer by preventing instability and strengthening health systems that can detect and contain infectious diseases before they cross borders,” said Chargé d’Affaires Arnold during the handover ceremony. “Our support is temporary and targeted, designed to help Madagascar build greater self-reliance and reduce long-term dependence on U.S. taxpayer resources.” This U.S. support will help standardize safe delivery practices, strengthen infection prevention, and improve data management systems. Used effectively, these materials will contribute directly to reducing maternal and newborn deaths, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas where access to quality delivery care remains limited. From major hospitals to remote health centers, U.S.-funded equipment is already delivering results. The nationwide scope of this support ensures that women and newborns across Madagascar benefit from improved infection prevention and safer delivery practices. This targeted assistance helps save lives today while supporting Madagascar’s transition toward a self-sufficient health system, ensuring that today’s U.S. support leads to Madagascar’s future independence from foreign assistance.
When former friends conclude we are the problem, we have a problem
April arrived in Colorado this year displaying the Janus-like dual visages that characterize MAGA America. The ecstatic, giddy enthusiasm of the Artemis crew which just circled the moon before returning to a near perfect splashdown off San Diego reminded each of us why we are so proud of our country — its daring, its commitment […]
Interpro against Leinster 'a spicy one'
Ulster back Zac Ward says there is an added edge to home Irish interprovincial derbies, especially against Leinster.
This simple change stops robot swarms from getting stuck
In crowded environments, more robots don’t always mean faster results—in fact, too many can bring everything to a standstill. Harvard researchers discovered a surprising fix: adding a bit of randomness to how robots move can actually prevent gridlock and boost efficiency. By allowing robots to “wiggle” slightly instead of marching in straight lines, they can slip past each other and keep tasks flowing smoothly.
Trump Family Deal Spree Could Open Door for Future Presidents to Profit From Office
NEW YORK (AP) — For decades, presidents avoided even the appearance of profiting from their office. Harry Truman refused to lend his name to any business, even in retirement. Richard Nixon so feared a brother might profit off their ties, he had his phone tapped. And George W. Bush dumped his ...
He recorded 10,000 concerts on tape, now they’re streaming for free
The music collection of a 59-year-old Chicago man who attended more than 10,000 concerts and recorded each one on cassette tape is slowly being digitized and released online for free. Like many Gen…
Iowa State Fair hints at expanded entertainment lineup ahead of reveal
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Fair is not just another summer tradition this year. It is shaping up to feel bigger, louder, and more unpredictable as it ties into the nationwide America 2…
Iowa State Fair hints at expanded entertainment lineup ahead of reveal
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Fair is not just another summer tradition this year. It is shaping up to feel bigger, louder, and more unpredictable as it ties into the nationwide America 250 celebr...
This accessory lets you play Switch 2 games on your iPad or iMac display at 4K resolution
Apple has included excellent display panels on iMacs for years, but for the longest time, there hasn’t really been a...
Science of seismic proportions
Arizona’s deserts might not be situated on a tectonic plate boundary where geographical activity can cause earthquakes, but that doesn’t make the state immune from the disturbance of tremors.It has been 139 years since Arizona’s strongest recorded earthquake on the Pitaycachi fault struck in 1887. The 7.5 magnitude event, known as the Sonoran Earthquake, took place near the southeastern Arizona-Mexico border.
Panama Trip Helps Propel Soon-to-Be Grads to Health Careers
For Allied Health students, an internship provided experiences 'that just can't be taught'
Ford, Nissan and State Farm are embedding their brands in sports as they chase fandoms
Advertisers like Ford are rewriting the branded entertainment playbook for a sports-focused media landscape.
Secretly Distribution acquires music data and analytics firms Entertainment Intelligence and Babel Ops
Babel Ops was founded in 2020 by Erik Gilbert and Greg Delaney, who previously co-founded Entertainment Intelligence in 2014.
Where Kansas basketball ranks in final USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Kansas basketball’s season ended early on in the NCAA tournament, but what is its final ranking in the top 25 of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll?
What OpenAI’s TBPN deal reveals about branded entertainment’s limits
Brands like OpenAI are building in-house entertainment studios on the promise that great content earns the audiences advertising can’t buy.
Manchester City are utilizing a French international to devastating effect
Rayan Cherki has had an impressive debut season for Manchester City. The French international has scored nine goals and added eleven assists in 42 appearances so far this season. Outside of his goals ...
A Look At BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG) Valuation After Strong Revenue Growth And Upgraded EBITDA Guidance
BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG) is drawing attention after reporting a quarter with 16.3% year on year revenue growth and full year EBITDA guidance that exceeded analyst expectations. See our latest analysis for BrightSpring Health Services. The latest $43.10 share price comes after a 2.6% 1 day share price return and a 9.8% 90 day share price return. The 1 year total shareholder return of about 1.5x reflects how investors have reacted to the strong results and recent leadership...
Sports Illustrated is attempting a rebound after layoffs
One of the most respected brand names in journalism is now generating revenue through streaming TV, branded events, ticket services, and international editions.
Governor Hochul Signs Chapter Amendment to the New York FAIR Business Practices Act
Read how Governor Hochul has signed into law a chapter amendment to the New York FAIR Business Practices Act, implementing changes to the attorney general’s expanded enforcement authority.
Cunard Unveils Expanded Entertainment Program on 2026 Transatlantic Cruise Crossings
In 2026, Queen Mary 2’s transatlantic crossings will feature an expanded lineup of entertainment.
Building Brand Funded Entertainment in 2026
Little Black Book, Aardman, Somethin’ Else and Little Dot Studios spoke at Advertising Week Europe, sharing how brands can be a part of culture and storytelling in 2026, as reported by LBB’s Cathy Meyer-Funnell
OC Insider: Food, Sports & Entertainment - Orange County Business Journal
In a 2023 profile of TEI Entertainment, the Anaheim-based producer of celebrity-studded entertainment events, CEO and founder John McEntee was asked by Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Peter J. Brennan to name his favorite performer. His answer: Sugar Ray lead singer Mark McGrath.
Elegance and legacy meet at the Oroville Inn
If the walls at the Oroville Inn could talk, they’d regale listeners with stories of a booming hotel where locals and visitors attended elegant social events and the rich and famous — including former presidents Herbert Hoover and Ro…
Merlin joins forces with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Triotech to bring the world of Jumanji to life at Madame Tussauds
Merlin Entertainments – a world leader in branded entertainment destinations – today announces four new locations across its global estate where the World of Jumanjj is being crafted into…
Grub Lab: $6 Million Raised To Bring Sports And Entertainment IP To Independent Restaurants Nationwide
Grub Lab, an Australia-founded restaurant technology startup, announced it has raised $6 million in funding from Quantaco to accelerate its expansion across the United States and support a national rollout tied to major sports leagues and entertainment studios. The company is positioning itself as a modern solution to help independent restaurants compete for family dining traffic through interactive, branded experiences.
For decades, no one listened to him… today his theory about the origin of life is intriguing scientists - Futura-Sciences
When Tibor Gánti passed away at the age of 75 on April 15, 2009, he remained largely unknown. Much of his career unfolded behind the Iron Curtain, which divided Europe for decades and limited the exchange of scientific knowledge. While his theories gained some attention during the communist era, today...
Trump Rejects Deal With Iran on Current Terms as War Rages On
President Donald Trump said Iran is ready to make a deal to end the war but the US wants better terms, signaling no let up in a conflict that’s brought shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill and upended energy markets.
Will Illinois’ Democratic Primary for Senate Divide Black Voters?
Two Black female candidates may split Democratic primary voters, and anger is growing at well-funded efforts to widen the divide.
Grading Commanders' Day 3 free agency moves
Here's how we graded each of Washington's four free-agency moves on Wednesday.