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Texas Holds First Elections Since Starting the Gerrymandering War
The state’s congressional map looks much different, and so do those in other states across the country.
Cuba's president pushes for 'urgent' changes to island's economic and business model
HAVANA (AP) — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Monday that his government should “immediately” focus on implementing urgent transformations to the island’s economic and social model as oil reserves in the Caribbean country dwindle.
Cuba's president pushes for 'urgent' changes to island's economic and business model
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel says his government should “immediately” focus on implementing urgent transformations to the island’s economic and social model as oil reserves in the Caribbean country dwindle
Team USA stars ready to win WBC for the 'greatest country in the world'
The 2026 World Baseball Classic features. the USA's most loaded roster ever. Can they dethrone Japan
Trump Says Iran War Could Last Weeks and Gives Competing Visions of New Regime
In a brief interview, he said the country’s hardened military should simply surrender their weapons to the Iranian public.
Global webinar on core public health capacities to conduct ship inspections and issue ship sanitation certificates
Ships cross borders every day, connecting countries and serving as a backbone of the global economy. However, outbreaks onboard can disrupt maritime traffic, leading to significant economic and operational negative consequences. Without strong public health capacities to detect, prevent, and respond to public health risks on board ships, maritime travel can also become a pathway for the spread of infectious diseases. To support countries in strengthening these capacities, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a two-day webinar on 11–12 February, bringing together more than 700 ship inspectors, port health officers, and public health authorities, primarily from the African, Eastern Mediterranean, and European Regions. The webinar came at a pivotal time. With the amended International Health Regulations entering into force on 19 September 2025, the need to focus on public health preparedness has never been greater. Strengthening public health capacities at borders, including onboard conveyances, is a cornerstone of global health security and central to the amended IHR.“The high level of attendance and active participation throughout the two days of the webinar highlighted the growing demand for technical guidance and capacity-building support in ship inspection and issuance of ship sanitation certificates”, said Dr Ninglan Wang, Head of the Borders, Mass Gatherings and Health Protection Measures (BMM) Unit at the Health Emergency Preparedness Department at WHO headquarters. “The dynamic interactions among experts and countries underscored the value of continued cross-border collaboration in the maritime sector and knowledge exchange in this area”. Conducting regular public health inspections on board ships for the issuance of ship sanitation certificates (SSCs) in accordance with the IHR requirements is crucial for ensuring that ships meet specific health standards, thereby minimizing the risk of the international spread of diseases via maritime traffic. These certificates, mandated by the IHR, require ports to have trained personnel who can identify and control public health risks on board vessels and apply recommended control measures. This standardized global procedure not only ensures compliance with the IHR but also promotes consistency in health practices across ports worldwide. SSCs are the globally-recognized tool used to prevent and control known public health risks on ships, providing a common way to register and communicate public health events and measures taken on board between all stakeholders involved in this process, including public health authorities in ports and ship operators. Only SSCs issued by ports authorized by national authorities to issue such certificates are considered valid. As per the IHR, all States Parties are required to send to WHO their list of authorized ports (available here) and to keep it updated. However, many Member States continue to face practical challenges, such as limited resources, high staff turnover, and competing priorities. These realities underscore the value of platforms such as this webinar, which foster collective learning, peer-to-peer exchange, and practical solutions to help countries build and sustain the capacities required under the IHR.Over the two days, participants engaged in presentations and discussions covering a wide range of technical and operational topics, such as the overarching international legal framework governing ship sanitation; considerations for pre-inspection planning; risk assessment factors by type of vessel; the completion and issuance of SSCs and evidence report forms; or practical insights on the inspection of various technical areas, such as food safety, medical facilities, water systems, or vector control, among others. In addition, public health authorities from the Netherlands, Morocco, and Tanzania shared case studies to showcase their practical application of these IHR requirements in their respective countries. Given its success, WHO plans to replicate similar sessions in the future to reach additional time zones and regions and cover other pressing border health-related topics, ensuring that Member States can continue benefiting from these opportunities to share knowledge and expertise.
Nate Bargatze on comedy retirement, 'Big Dumb Eyes' tour and his surprising napkin phobia
The 46-year-old comedian and host opened up about his growing entertainment empire and plans for his future in stand-up comedy.
Do Americans support Iran strikes? Here's what new poll says
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds low levels of support for the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran that killed the country's supreme leader.
Opinion | The State of Our Union’s Political Dysfunction
We are fighting for the soul of the country, and nobody is going to be the first to stop shouting.
Country music deaths 2026: Remembering the legends gone too soon this year
It has been a rough start to the year for country music fans.
Trump Stays Out of Public View After U.S. Launches Military Assault on Iran
President Trump did not deliver a formal address to the American public to explain why the country was at war, a departure from his predecessors.
Saturday Sports: Section X girls’ basketball finals, plus college hoops and lacrosse
Here’s a recap of your North Country sports this Saturday.
Country music could see exit of several icons in 2026: Here’s who is eyeing retirement
Country music could be losing some serious talent in 2026.
Country music stars’ recent flight nightmares: Close calls and a tragic crash
Some of country music's biggest stars have had big-time scares in the air of late.
Trump deliberated on Iran for weeks. His ‘massive and ongoing’ operation comes with acknowledgment US lives could be lost
President Donald Trump’s announcement of a “massive and ongoing” US military campaign against Iran — and his explicit call for the country’s citizens to shake off their oppressive leadership — put on display his fresh appetite for geopolitical risk and thrust his presidency into a deeper period of uncertainty.
Is Greenland’s health system as bad as Donald Trump says it is?
Greenland’s government has reiterated the need for foreign healthcare staff and the strengthening of its health system following a US statement alleging patients are not properly treated in the country.
Pursuing Sustainable Health Outcomes Under the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy in the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Guinea, and the Republic of El Salvador - United States Department of State
Today, the United States signed bilateral health cooperation Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Guinea, and the Republic of El Salvador, advancing the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy across two continents. These MOUs establish frameworks for sustainable, country-led health systems while strengthening disease detection and response capabilities […]
RFK Jr. visits Austin ISD to learn about healthy school meals as parents protest
The health and human services secretary visited Cunningham Elementary on Friday, less than two months after his department introduced new dietary guidelines that impact school meals across the country.
Post-Gazette sports department wins 2nd consecutive Triple Crown at APSE awards
For the second year in a row, the Post-Gazette sports department was recognized as one of the country’s best at the annual Associated Press Sports...
Bolstering Infectious Disease Outbreak Prevention and Response in Niger and the Dominican Republic Through the America First Global Health Strategy - United States Department of State
On February 26, the United States signed bilateral health cooperation Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Niger, reinforcing U.S. leadership in global health while advancing country ownership under the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy. In the Dominican Republic, the United States signed a five-year bilateral health cooperation […]
Popular country artists set to perform at 2026 Colorado State Fair
Grab your cowboy boots, Pueblo. The first country music acts for the 2026 Colorado State Fair have been announced, and tickets go on sale next week.
Golfer William Hudson of St. John Bosco wins Servite Invitational
The latest top athlete from St. John Bosco shot a 71 at Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills to claim the title.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
China removes nine military officials ahead of key political meeting
No official reason for the removal was given, but it comes ahead of the country's key Two Sessions meeting.
Denmark becomes first country in the European Union to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis
The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Denmark for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis, recognizing the country's sustained commitment to ensuring every child is born free of these infections.
Denmark becomes first country in European Union to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis
WHO has certified Denmark for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis, recognizing the country’s sustained commitment to ensuring every child is born free of these infections.
Inviting pilgrims back is more than business, it's family history, Holy Land shop owners say
"I'm just very careful. We have to be realistic because we've learned that this country is never going to have a good, steady, peaceful time."
Can degrowth save the climate?
Madeleine Finlay hears from Nick Stern, professor of economics and government at the London School of Economics, and Jason Hickel, a political economist and professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, two economists arguing for a change in how we measure a country’s economic success.
SocGen Expands Japan Credit Business With Santander, UBS Hires
Societe Generale SA has hired two senior people for its business selling credit products in Japan, as opportunities in the country spur global banks to expand their local presence.
Trumbull health district recognized on a national level
Trumbull County Combined Health District was one of 19 health departments across the country recognized for high standards and services.
ICE won’t be at polling places for midterms, Trump appointee tells state election officials
A Donald Trump appointee at the Department of Homeland Security told state election officials from around the country Wednesday that federal immigration agents won’t be deployed to polling places during the 2026 midterms, according to multiple sources on the call.
Zambia pushed back on U.S. health funding deal to protect interests, government says
Zambia has pushed back on part of a deal worth more than $1 billion in global health aid from the United States because it does not align with the country’s interests, the government said on Wednesday, as health advocates warned the deal links the money to mining access and has data-sharing risks.
Soaring cost of food and other staples squeezes Iranians as threat of U.S. attack looms
The mounting costs only further strain the population as they fear a possible war with the U.S. and wrestle with the aftermath of protests that swept the country last month.
Strengthening Western Hemisphere Health Security Through the America First Global Health Strategy in Panama - United States Department of State
Today, the United States and the Republic of Panama signed a three-year bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that advances the America First Global Health Strategy while defending Americans against infectious disease threats and accelerating Panama’s progress toward sustainable, country-led health systems. This partnership between the United States and Panama is the first global […]
State Fair entertainment: Country music lineup
A country music lineup that features singer-songwriter Ian Munsick, multi-platinum artist Dylan Scott and country music icon Neal McCoy.
Country star Carly Pearce issues urgent health plea after being ignored by doctors: 'Please go get checked'
After years of health struggles, Carly Pearce now manages her heart inflammation condition pericarditis and encourages others to listen to their bodies.
US to end health aid to Zimbabwe after funding talks collapse
The U.S. is to wind down health assistance to Zimbabwe after the African country withdrew from talks on a proposed $367 million bilateral funding deal.
Zimbabwe exits health funding talks with US
The U.S. is to wind down health assistance to Zimbabwe after the African country withdrew from talks on a proposed $367 million bilateral funding deal.
FAU’s College of Business Named Top Business School in Latest Rankings
BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business was named among the top business schools in the country, ranked at No. 64 for MBA programs, according to Fortune. FAU’s College of Business also is ranked No. 30 among public universities and No. 2 among Florida universities, reinforcing its position as one of the state’s leading destinations for graduate business education. “This ranking underscores the tremendous momentum within the College of
68% of Americans Say Trump Has the Wrong Priorities
As Mr. Trump prepares for his State of the Union address, polls show that most Americans say he isn’t paying enough attention to the country’s biggest problems.
CABHI awards $2.6M to help healthcare organizations adopt innovative brain health solutions
The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), powered by Baycrest, is awarding $2.6 million to 26 Canadian healthcare and community-based organizations across the country, enabling them to embed leading-edge brain health innovations into their operations with the ultimate goal of providing better care for older persons—including those living with dementia.
Chris Powell aims to transform the health of the country and beyond with 'TransformNation'
Appropriately titled, "TransformNation," the free YouTube series debuted a few weeks ago and has already seen huge success.
FAU Business Named Among Top U.S. Business Schools
Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business was named among the top business schools in the country, ranked at No. 64 for MBA programs, according to Fortune.
Country music icon to play final show in 2026; retiring with $150 million fortune
The 66-year-old star has been planning on this day for a while.
University of Michigan Science Olympiad Invitational showcases innovative young scientists
Hundreds of middle and high schoolers from across the country participated in U-M Science Olympiad’s 10th annual invitational Feb. 14.
A cartel crackdown carries political risks for Trump
President Donald Trump had put Mexico on notice: Go after the country’s powerful drug lords, or he would.
Exclusive | Trump to Sell the Economy During State of the Union Address
The president is expected to argue that the country is “strong, prosperous and respected” as it enters its 250th year
This is Trump 2.0, bro. What do you bench?
Their policies divide the country, but on social media the president’s men are crushing it as influencers, bro.
‘Progressive membership’: Ukraine’s economic resilience shows future for EU business tie-ups
Joint ventures on defence, green energy and telecoms suggest how country could join bloc in stages rather than wait for full status
Country music singer battling incurable disease still performing despite rough 2025
The 56-year-old has been open with fans about his battle with the disease.
A new era for Dutch politics with Rob Jetten set to be sworn in as prime minister
The Netherlands is getting a new minority government led by Rob Jetten, the country’s youngest-ever prime minister
A new era for Dutch politics with Rob Jetten set to be sworn in as prime minister
The Netherlands is getting a new minority government led by Rob Jetten, the country’s youngest-ever prime minister.
Which EU country is best at digital health records?
Most European countries have made progress in access to electronic health records. Despite this progress, there is still room for improvement. Low levels of digital health literacy in some countries remain another key challenge.
Local health experts emphasize importance of American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month -- a time set aside each year to remind Americans that heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the country.Fortu
PRET for impact: Advancing pandemic preparedness in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
IN THE SPOTLIGHT PRET for impact: Advancing pandemic preparedness in the Democratic People’s Republic of KoreaThe Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea) is making significant progress in strengthening pandemic preparedness, with dedicated support from the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC).Aligned with the WHO Global Influenza Strategy and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution High‑Level Implementation Plan III (2024–2030), the country is strengthening its capacity to prepare for and respond to influenza and other respiratory threats. In early 2025, a core team from the Ministry of Public Health of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) participated in a two‑day virtual workshop, which included a mini‑simulation exercise. The workshop was organized by WHO SEARO in collaboration with the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) Secretariat at WHO headquarters and the WHO Country Office for the DPRK. Read more A REGIONAL CONSULTATION GUIDES WHO SEARO IN DEVELOPING A ROADMAP FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PREPPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE FOR EMERGING THREATS (PRET) INITIATIVE BASED RESPIRATORY PATHOGEN PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESSInfluenza and other respiratory pathogens with pandemic potential continue to pose major public health risks globally. To strengthen regional preparedness and response, Member States of the WHO South‑East Asia Region (SEAR) convened in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to review and provide input on the draft Roadmap and Action Framework for Broad Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Planning (2026–2031). Supported through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) funds, the proposed roadmap aims to advance robust, integrated preparedness and response capacities for influenza and other respiratory threats across SEAR. This work is aligned with the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative and the SEAR Strategic Roadmap on Health Security and Health System Resilience for Emergencies Read moreSRI LANKA’S USE OF ANTIVIRALS TO REDUCE THE SEASONAL INFLUENZA BURDEN Sri Lanka is strengthening its influenza response by placing greater emphasis on rapid testing, timely treatment, and integration with maternal health services. With support from WHO, the country is building a stronger evidence base on the burden of influenza and the value of vaccination, advancing a holistic approach to protect vulnerable populations and enhance pandemic preparedness. To reduce hospitalizations and deaths from seasonal influenza, Sri Lanka is taking proactive steps to expand access to rapid diagnostic testing and ensure prompt initiation of treatment. National clinical guidelines recommend the use of oseltamivir for individuals at high risk of complications, helping prevent severe illness and shorten the duration of infection. This strategy not only saves lives but also supports local pharmaceutical production, contributing to a reliable supply of antivirals for both seasonal outbreaks and future pandemics.Read moreBHUTAN BOOSTS PANDEMIC INFLUENZA READINESS WITH PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS FRAMEWORK PARTNERSHIP CONTRIBUTION SUPPORTED TRAINING AND SIMULATIONSOriginally developed in 2012, the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NIPPRP) has long served as Bhutan’s central framework for managing influenza threats. In 2024, the plan underwent a comprehensive update to reflect evolving global and regional guidance, lessons learned from the COVID‑19 pandemic, and new capacities developed under the PIP Framework. The revised NIPPRP is now more clearly aligned with Bhutan’s broader emergency and disaster risk management structures, ensuring a coordinated, whole‑of‑government approach to pandemic response. As part of efforts to strengthen national pandemic preparedness, Bhutan conducted three national‑level training sessions followed by simulation exercises on influenza pandemic preparedness and response at five sentinel hospitals between April and May 2025, with support from the PIP Partnership Contribution (PC). These activities brought together more than 140 health professionals and key partners from across the country, with a focus on operationalizing the updated NIPPRP and enhancing readiness at key frontline facilities. Read moreSTRENGTHENING INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE: WHO BRINGS TOGETHER INFLUENZA EXPERTS FROM SOUTH-EAST ASIA AND WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONSThe World Health Organization (WHO) convened the 18th Bi‑regional Meeting of National Influenza Centres (NICs) and Influenza Surveillance for the WHO South‑East Asia and Western Pacific Regions from 9–11 September 2025. Hosted by the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), the meeting brought together representatives from Member States, Territories, and Areas across both regions, alongside experts from the WHO Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research on Influenza in Australia and Japan, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals in the United States, quadripartite partners (WOAH and FAO), and other technical counterparts. The consultation provided a platform to review progress, share experiences, and outline priorities for strengthening influenza and respiratory pathogen surveillance across the two WHO regions.Read moreNETWORKS AND TECHNICAL PARTNERSHIPSSTRENGTHENING PANDEMIC READINES: SOUTH-EAST ASIA ADVANCES UNITY STUDIES UNDER THE PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVEThe WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) Investigations & Studies initiative, also known as Unity Studies, provides a standardized, globally coordinated framework to support these efforts. Originally developed for influenza and adapted during COVID-19, Unity Studies enable countries to conduct rapid, nationally led investigations and studies to assess transmissibility, severity, susceptibility, and intervention effectiveness. To better prepare for future influenza pandemics, WHO has recently launched a network of sites which will be ready to conduct these investigations and studies rapidly in the event of a pandemic, or epidemic of an emerging or re-emerging respiratory pathogen. The WHO South-East Asia Region now hosts six sites of WHO GISRS Unity Studies across the five countries including Sri Lanka, strengthening regional capacity for early pandemic investigations. From 13–16 July 2025 in Colombo, the Global Public Health Summit offered an opportunity to advance this agenda. Read moreSTRENGTHENING PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS THROUGH UNITY STUDIES: REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS FROM INDIA IN WHO’S SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION As countries continue to strengthen their pandemic preparedness through investments in resilient health systems during the interpandemic period, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) Investigations & Studies Global Initiative, Global Initiative, commonly known as Unity Studies, remains a vital framework for respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness. These standardized epidemiological protocols enable countries to rapidly generate high‑quality data on transmissibility, infection severity, population immunity, and the effectiveness of public health interventions. To highlight how Unity Studies protocols are being adapted and applied in national settings, WHO Headquarters, together with WHO Regional Offices, including the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), hosted a global webinar. The session showcased case studies from India and the United Kingdom (UK), demonstrating innovative approaches to respiratory virus surveillance and pandemic readiness. Read moreSTRENGTHENING REGIONAL INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE AND PREPAREDNESS: WHO SEARO HOSTS HIGH-LEVEL WEBINAR AMID RISING H5 THREATS In response to the increasing detection of avian influenza A(H5) cases in humans globally and within the WHO South‑East Asia Region, the WHO Regional Office for South‑East Asia (SEARO) convened a regional webinar on 25 July 2025 to review preparedness mechanisms, strengthen surveillance pathways, and promote timely reporting of unusual respiratory events. The virtual session brought together more than 50 participants from Ministries of Health, National Influenza Centres (NICs), National IHR Focal Points (NFPs), WHO Headquarters, WHO Country Offices across the Region, and WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) for influenza. The webinar provided an opportunity to share situational updates, discuss surveillance gaps, and reinforce coordination mechanisms critical for early detection and rapid response to avian influenza threats. Read moreOther Key PIP Updates (July-December 2025)MEMBER STATES:Bangladesh drafted and conducted a series of Core Group Meetings in 2025 to review and update the National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan for Respiratory Pathogens. In addition, the country carried out Rapid Response Team (RRT) trainings on seasonal and avian influenza and other re‑emerging infectious diseases. Bangladesh also updated its epidemiological data‑training programme for physicians at sentinel surveillance sites, using a revised epidemiological data‑collection tool.Bhutan revised and updated its National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NIPPRP) in 2025 and developed a national Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for influenza outbreak management. DPR Korea conducted a nationwide simulation exercise in July 2025 to support the update of its National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (2019). This followed a PRET‑based virtual orientation and mini‑simulation exercise held in May 2025 by SEARO and the WHO PRET Secretariat. The comprehensive exercise, conducted across central and provincial levels, assessed strengths and gaps in pandemic influenza preparedness and response. The feedback gathered has been incorporated into the revised draft plan to address identified weaknesses and strengthen overall readiness.India conducted a targeted nationwide online re‑orientation training on review and updates to the influenza portal for all State Surveillance Officers (SSOs) and relevant officials using the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). The training emphasized correct marking and reporting of influenza samples as “unsubtypable” or “not subtyped” where applicable, to ensure accurate national surveillance.Maldives conducted simulation exercises in three atolls based on its existing National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NPPRP). The country plans to conduct similar exercises in three additional atolls after updating the NPPRP in 2026. In addition, Maldives conducted training on FluID and FluMart as part of a broader data‑management training package for Ministry of Health and Health Protection Agency officials, aimed at improving routine reporting to WHO platforms and the DHIS2 system.In Myanmar, technical support was provided to the National Influenza Centre (NIC) through dedicated human‑resource support (January–December 2025) to sustain data management and laboratory detection capacity for influenza and other emerging and re‑emerging respiratory viruses. This support also included strengthening genomic sequencing capacity.Nepal conducted a consultative workshop on the National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NPPRP) in July 2025. The workshop engaged key stakeholders from multiple sectors to review lessons from past pandemic responses, assess current mechanisms, and gather critical inputs for strengthening national preparedness. Key recommendations included revising the 2019 NPPRP and developing an updated Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan aligned with emerging risks, national priorities, and relevant international frameworks. Nepal also held a two day workshop dedicated to advancing the National Action Plan for Genomic Surveillance, aimed at reinforcing the country’s capacities for early detection and monitoring of emerging respiratory pathogens.Sri Lanka received the final report from WHO on the feasibility assessment for conducting an Influenza Burden of Disease (BoD) study in the country. The assessment, conducted from 28 April to 9 May 2025, included a desk review of existing data sources, document review, visits to sentinel surveillance sites, and key informant interviews. The study identified critical data sources required for a future BoD assessment, as well as their availability and quality. Officials from the Epidemiology Unit, the National Influenza Centre (NIC), and SARI/ILI sentinel hospitals across the country participated in the assessment.Timor Leste conducted on‑the‑job training and monitoring activities at two sentinel surveillance sites to strengthen surveillance and laboratory capacity for the detection of SARI, ILI, ARI, and other respiratory infections. REGIONAL OFFICE:SEARO conducted a Member States Consultation on the first draft of the Regional Roadmap and Strategic Action Framework for implementing WHO’s PRET‑based broad respiratory pathogen pandemic planning for 2026–2031. The consultation took place on 29–30 October 2025 during the final two days of the Regional PIP PC Annual Review and PRET Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Participants included representatives from Member States, WHO Country Offices, WHO SEARO, WHO Headquarters, partner agencies, and invited multidisciplinary technical experts. They reviewed the draft and provided detailed feedback, which has since been incorporated into a revised version. The consultation helped shape a shared regional vision for robust, PRET‑aligned pandemic preparedness, building on country‑level progress, addressing existing gaps and challenges, and aligning with global and regional health security frameworks. The publication is planned for release during the SEAR regional committee in 2026.SEARO documented the evolution of the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning process in the Region, tracing its development from its origins as a planning tool for responding to avian influenza outbreaks in 2006, through the experiences of the 2009 and 2019 pandemics, to the current status. The document outlines the way forward for respiratory pathogen pandemic planning across all 10 SEAR countries, aligning future national plans with WHO’s PRET Framework for broad respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness.The Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) Unit has drafted the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Guidance on Influenza Prevention and Control, aligned with the Global Influenza Strategy and other regional initiatives. The draft is currently under review. Although this technical product was developed in response to a request from the Ministry of Public Health of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (MoPH‑DPRK), SEARO is finalizing it for use not only in DPRK but also across all Member States in the Region.The Immunization and Vaccine Development (IVD) Unit, in collaboration with WHE/SEARO, completed a regional landscape analysis on key barriers, challenges, and opportunities for the introduction of seasonal influenza vaccination in WHO South‑East Asia Regional (SEAR) countries.Additionally, the Immunization and Vaccine Development (IVD) Unit has completed a regional landscape analysis of influenza vaccine procurement systems across the WHO South‑East Asia Region (SEAR).KEY MEETINGS AND PUBLICATIONSMEETINGS:Six-month progress review of the implementation of the PIP-PC workplans in SEAR, focusing on Outputs 1 and 2 for the period January to June 2025, and held virtually across three sessions on 4, 8, and 10 July 2025. Read moreAnnual Regional Meeting (Hybrid) on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) and WHO’s Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) Implementation in SEAR in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 27 to 30 October 2025. Read more18th Bi-regional Meeting (Virtual) of National Influenza Centres (NICs) and influenza surveillance in WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions from 9 to 11 September 2025. Read morePUBLICATIONSImplications of influenza A virus surveillance in Southeast Asian Region countries: a scoping review of approaches for the surveillance of swine influenza viruses at human-swine interfaces. Read moreAnnual South-East Asia regional meeting on operational planning for implementation of global influenza strategy and preparedness for respiratory viruses in 2025 Report on annual review meeting of implementation of pandemic influenza preparedness (PIP) partnership Contribution (PC) Fund in South-East Asia Region and the simulation exercise on PRET Status of influenza in who south-East Asia Region
Dating has been hard as an American living in another country
Dating and finding love abroad has been hard as an American living in Paris. The language barrier and cultural differences are tough to navigate.
WTF? Is political discourse becoming coarser or par for the course?
The country's political debate is increasingly peppered with profanity but subjects such as immigration have been flashpoints for centuries.
Why Norway is dominating the Winter Olympics and what could US learn
Norway’s director of elite sport sounded a little hoarse when he answered the phone to CNN Sports. Tore Øvebrø said he had just caught a cold, but he admitted that his raspy voice might also have something to do with his cheering over the last two weeks.
U.S. breaks record for its most gold medals won at a Winter Olympics
The 11th gold breaks the country's mark set at the last Olympics on U.S. soil — in Salt Lake City in 2002.
Margo Price talks AI, bro-country and meeting Joan Baez at the circus
Ahead of her Boston show, the Grammy nominee discusses her inspirations — and reveals her unexpected Massachusetts connection.
Country music icon’s jet aborts takeoff due to mechanical failure. Here’s the latest
The country music legend had a frightening flight.
Country music star confirms he and girlfriend broke up: ‘Just didn’t work out’
The singer and his ex recently addressed the rumors.
Country music star revealed her reason for divorce: ‘It wasn’t love’
The singer has been open about her health and her love life.
Cuba says US oil blockades are pushing healthcare system to the brink
Cuba’s Health Minister says the country is headed to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, saying the US blockade of oil on his country is rendering hospitals helpless and puts thousands of lives at risk.
Country Day puts away Newman in boys basketball playoffs
When the teams returned from halftime, Cajuns coach Mike McGuire looked as though his team had just had a good chewing out.
Cuba’s health care system pushed to the brink by US fuel blockade, Cuban minister says
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s debilitated health care system has been pushed to the brink of collapse by the U.S. blockading the country’s oil supply, a Cuban official said Friday. The country’s medical sys…
Protesters say they were attacked by bodyguards for Azerbaijan president after Trump’s Board of Peace meeting
Protesters calling for the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan told CNN they were attacked by security guards protecting the country’s President Ilham Aliyev in Washington, DC on Thursday following President Donald Trumps’s inaugural Board of Peace meeting.
Trump warns he's considering limited strikes as Iranian diplomat says proposed deal is imminent
President Donald Trump has warned that limited strikes against Iran are possible even as the country’s top diplomat says Tehran expects to have a proposed deal ready in the next few days following nuclear talks with the U.S. Trump’s remarks Friday came a few hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said on MSNOW’s “Morning Joe” show that his country was planning to finalize a draft deal in “the next two to three days” to then send to Washington
MLS players balance club, country with 2026 World Cup looming
Saturday's MLS kickoff marks the start of a journey as players tackle the demands of a club season with the hopes of cracking a World Cup roster in several months' time
What I learned watching every sport at the Winter Olympics
Sit down with pop culture critic Linda Holmes as she watches the 2026 winter games. She is exhausted by cross-country, says "ow ow ow" during moguls, and makes the case, once and for all, for curling.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Fauci discusses HIV cure, renewed trust in medical research
"You know, an anti-science attitude together with an anti-vaccine attitude is not very good for the public health of the country or the world," Fauci said.
Video: Opinion | Three Words That Shape Our Politics
Is Donald Trump “country” or “cowboy”? The Times Opinion columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom breaks down a cultural trend she sees shaping politics today.
The Advanced Leadership Institute and Carnegie Mellon University Continue Advancing the Future of Business with the Launch the 2026 National Executive Leadership Academy
The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI), in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business (CMU), announces the launch of the 2026 National Executive Leadership Academy (NELA), TALI's flagship, cohort-based program designed to position Black senior leaders and their allies for executive advancement. The program convenes accomplished leaders from across the country and equips them with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to accelerate organizational impact.
How a snow drought helped set the stage for deadly California avalanche
Several feet of new snow did not have time to bond to the earlier layer before the avalanche near Lake Tahoe killed at least eight backcountry skiers, said Craig Clements, a meteorology professor at San Jose State University
Spanish Business Lobby Urges More Strategic Migration Policy
Spain needs to create a “true migration policy,” even as a government plan to legalize about half a million migrants “makes sense,” one of the country’s most influential business groups said in a report.
Data Science for Social Good Fellowship comes to Johns Hopkins
The Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence will host graduate students from across the country to deploy data science for social impact
COMMENTARY: Investment in child care makes good business sense
Local advocates say the North Country needs to invest in child care for the good of the economy as well as the community.
Country music world facing possibility that 3 iconic performers could retire in 2026
Country fans might only have a handful more chances to see these stars live.
Ousted Korean President Yoon Sentenced to Life Over Martial Law
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was found guilty of leading an insurrection and sentenced to life in prison over his 2024 martial law declaration that shocked the nation and triggered the country’s most severe political crisis in decades.
United States and Madagascar to Implement $175 Million Five-Year Health MOU - U.S. Embassy in Madagascar
United States and Madagascar to Implement $175 Million Five-Year Health MOU U.S. and Malagasy health officials are convening in Antananarivo for a two-day joint review process, marking the first major step in implementing the strategic health cooperation framework established in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in December 2025. The MoU outlines the structure and terms of U.S. support to Madagascar’s health sector from 2026 through 2030, with a total commitment of $134,305,000 from the U.S. Government and $41,216,252 from the Government of Madagascar working jointly to address malaria, maternal and child health, polio and global health security issues. This approach reflects the America First Global Health Strategy by prioritizing effective, results-driven cooperation that advances mutual health security and supports Madagascar’s progress toward self-reliance and independence from foreign assistance. The events bring together U.S. Government health experts and Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health leadership to conduct a comprehensive review of seven major health programs currently supported by United States funding, discussing current activities, and developing recommendations for programs to align with the signed Memorandum of Understanding, which advances both the America First Global Health Strategy and the Government of Madagascar’s goals. “This memorandum sets the course for U.S. strategic cooperation and support to Madagascar’s health sector over the next five years,” said Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Arnold at the workshop’s opening. This review will help determine how to maximize the effectiveness and impact of these programs, ensuring resources provided by U.S. taxpayer dollars are used wisely,” she added. “By working together to address global health challenges, we demonstrate America’s leadership and commitment to a safer, healthier world, making both the United States and Madagascar healthier and stronger.” Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is implementing a Global Health Strategy for foreign assistance that emphasizes increased host country ownership, resilient health systems and human resource capacity to reduce dependency, maintaining frontline support to reduce infectious disease threats, and strong performance monitoring systems for accountability and service delivery. “Diseases do not respect borders, and when we support Madagascar’s capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to infectious disease threats, we are contributing to global health security that benefits communities both here and in the United States,” Arnold emphasized, noting that “The MoU represents a commitment to transparency, accountability, and results.” The United States recognizes the commitment of Malagasy leadership in prioritizing investment of time and significant resources on the healthcare of their own citizens. With recent changes in leadership, Madagascar has an opportunity to strengthen governance, improve performance, and move forward toward greater self-reliance, particularly in the healthcare sector. Through strategic focus and thoughtful collaboration under this MoU, U.S. health programs in Madagascar will deliver meaningful results that advance both countries’ interests while supporting Madagascar’s journey toward greater self-reliance and a healthy future.
Peru congress elects Jose Balcazar as new interim president
Peruvian lawmakers on Wednesday elected Jose Balcazar as the country's new interim president ahead of general elections in April, making him the country's eighth president in as many years.
MIT nuclear science professor talks U.S. airlifting nuclear reactors
NBC News' Ellison Barber talks to MIT Professor of Nuclear Science Jacopo Buongiorno about the U.S. airlifting nuclear reactors and what that could mean for nuclear power in the country.
The Genesis Invitational Preview - The Genesis Invitational 2026
Preview, news, and information for the 2026 The Genesis Invitational, played at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA.
Five Berkeley Lab Scientists Receive DOE Early Career Research Awards
Five scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have received Early Career Research Program (ECRP) awards from the Department of Energy. The ECRP program, now in its 16th year, was established to bolster the nation’s scientific workforce by supporting exceptional researchers at the outset of their careers, when many scientists do their most formative work. Recipients use the funding to pursue projects that have the potential to solve scientific challenges and advance the country’s STEM capabilities. To be eligible for the program, a researcher must be an untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professor at a U.S. academic institution, or a full-time employee at a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility, who is within 10 years of having earned their doctorate. Awards to an institution of higher education will be approximately $875,000 over five years, and awards to a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility will be approximately $2,750,000 over five years. This year’s Berkeley Lab awardees and their projects are listed below: Timon Heim: Better detectors for more powerful particle colliders Timon Heim is a staff scientist in the Physics Division. His ECRP project will develop a new type of detector that can track the particles generated by collisions in particle colliders with high spatial and temporal resolution. Current detectors in use at high-energy colliders, like the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, can track the trajectory and measure momentum of particles, but they can’t track a particle’s time of arrival with sufficient precision to discern from which of the many particle interactions they originate. Heim’s proposed technology — called a 4D tracking detector, because it captures data about particles’ positions in space and time — aims to solve this challenge, allowing researchers to glean more precise data from collision experiments to uncover new insights into fundamental forces and potentially discover new particles. The enhanced capabilities of 4D detectors will be a necessity for experiments at future colliders, such as the Muon Collider or Future Circular Collider. The project will develop custom microelectronics that process the signal of a pixelated silicon sensor that can register charged particles passing through it in an extreme radiation environment that these colliders produce during operation. The goal is to measure individual particles’ position with 50-micro-meter spatial and 50 pico-second (one trillionth of a second) temporal precision, for an incoming flux of around 1 billion particles per second per square centimeter. Harrison Lisabeth: Studying underground processes to unleash abundant energy Harrison Lisabeth is a research scientist in the Energy Geoscience Division focused on combining real-world experiments and AI to guide development of geothermal energy systems. His project will explore how deep underground rock formations – where geothermal wells are dug – are stressed by chemical reactions of the minerals and mechanical strain from movements in the Earth. A better understanding of subsurface stresses is essential to engineer safe and reliable geothermal wells that access the heat of deep rocks to produce electricity. It is estimated that the U.S. could generate ten times the amount of energy needed to power the grid using geothermal sources. Lisabeth plans to simulate how minerals grow, dissolve, and influence the behavior of surrounding rock in geothermal reservoirs by tracking chemical changes in rock samples under pressure in the lab. The project will also develop machine learning models to predict geologic strain based on field measurements and refine existing models that describe how common rock types deform under stress. Combining these approaches, Lisabeth hopes to develop a framework to predict stress to improve stability and longevity of geothermal wells. Daniel Carney: Pushing the quantum boundaries of particle measurement Daniel Carney is a staff scientist in the Physics Division who uses quantum information science to study particle physics and gravity. At very small scales, “quantum noise” — random fluctuations from the act of measurement — can drown out faint signals from rare processes. Carney’s ECRP project, “Fundamental Physics at the Quantum Limits of Measurement,” aims to build a new mechanical quantum sensor that can measure extremely small particle interactions below the limits of that quantum noise. The approach uses lasers to hold a tiny bead containing radioactive atoms; when one decays, the system measures the bead’s motion and the energy of any particles emitted. The experiment’s initial goal is to search for heavy sterile neutrinos, hypothetical particles predicted by some extensions of the Standard Model. The system could also help measure the mass of the neutrino, study the way particles interact through the electromagnetic and weak forces, and hunt for low-mass dark matter — all unsolved mysteries in particle physics. Callum Wilkinson: Using machine learning to demystify neutrinos Callum Wilkinson is a staff scientist in the Physics Division and part of the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. DUNE will create an intense beam of neutrinos that interact in detectors in Illinois and, after an 800-mile journey through the earth, in massive detectors in South Dakota. By precisely measuring neutrinos and how they change, researchers will get a better understanding of their fundamental properties and whether they are responsible for why there is so much more matter than antimatter in our universe. Wilkinson’s ECRP project will apply two machine learning techniques to improve the analysis of DUNE’s data and enhance the experiment’s precision. One approach will look for hidden patterns in how neutrinos interact and produce low-energy particles, while the other will help correct for distortions in what the detectors record. The methods will be tested on one of DUNE’s prototype detectors and could be used in other neutrino experiments, improving their measurements and helping scientists build better models. Aditi Krishnapriyan: Machine learning methods that scale as datasets grow Aditi Krishnapriyan is a faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Applied Mathematics and Computational Research Division (AMCR) and assistant professor at UC Berkeley. Her project, awarded through UC Berkeley, will develop machine learning methods that scale with dataset size for modeling complex, multi-scale phenomena. The resulting tools can be applied in a wide range of research, including the study of new electrolytes for batteries or the examination of molecular interactions. ### Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
A Jesuit football and track standout ‘has a chance to be the best in the country’
Ja’ir Burks always had speed.
In Afrin, breathing easier again
18 February 2026, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic – On a cold January morning, Dr Dima Jaabar listened carefully to the uneven breathing of two young boys brought into the Rajo health centre in the rural countryside of...
Where in the world are people proud of their nation’s politics and economy, and why?
When people in 25 countries were asked what makes them proud of their country, at least some cited their political system and economy.
Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment set to open Category 10 in Orlando
Country star Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment Group are planning a third location of their concept restaurant and bar, Category 10 in Orlando.
Obama Took On Recession, Health Care and Iraq. What He Didn’t See Coming Was Trump.
A new set of oral history interviews documents how Barack Obama and his advisers missed the shifting mood of the country that would ultimately replace him with a successor they considered a “con man,” “clown” and “laughingstock.”
Obama Took On Recession, Health Care and Iraq. What He Didn’t See Coming Was Trump.
A new set of oral history interviews documents how Barack Obama and his advisers missed the shifting mood of the country that would ultimately replace him with a successor they considered a “con man,” “clown” and “laughingstock.”
Jesse Jackson: A Life in Pictures
The civil rights leader was one of the country’s most influential Black figures.
Virtual Health Care Not Just for Mental Health, Study Finds
A new study of Medicare patients across the country has found that nearly half of telehealth visits are for non-mental health conditions, often chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. The results provide a crucial foundation to help make quality care accessible to all.
Conflict and instability make pregnancy more dangerous
This brief aligns the latest maternal mortality estimates with whether a country is conflict-affected or considered institutionally fragile. Nearly two-thirds of all maternal deaths worldwide occur in countries marked by conflict or fragility. The risk of a woman who lives in a country affected by conflict dying due to maternal causes is around five times higher for each pregnancy she undergoes compared to her peers in stable countries. In 2023 alone, an estimated 160,000 women died from preventable maternal causes in fragile and conflict-affected settings, that is 6 in 10 maternal deaths worldwide, despite these countries accounting for only around one in ten of global live births.
Country music star shares the simple daily health practice she follows all day
Jessie James Decker reveals the wellness routine that keeps her feeling her best physically and mentally.
US increases military pressure on Iran ahead of high-stakes talks
The US military is continuing a significant buildup of air and naval assets in the Middle East ahead of planned talks with Iran in Geneva on Tuesday. The pieces are being moved into place both to intimidate Tehran and to have options to strike inside the country should negotiations over its nuclear program fail, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
Portland metro economy falling behind the rest of the country, business group says
The Portland metropolitan region is facing a “new reality” marked by job losses, a stalled housing market, and slowing population growth, according to a new analysis released by the Portland Metro Chamber.
'Leave the kids alone’: Norway explains formula behind Winter Olympics success
Norway’s remarkable consistency at the Winter Olympics stems from a decades‑old culture that puts children’s happiness, equal access to sport and shared expertise ahead of fast results, the country’s head of delegation Tore Oevreboe said.
How Lincoln would navigate today’s politics
“What would Lincoln do?” Author and historian Matthew Pinsker’s substack uses this question as a framework to explore modern politics. He talks with Geoff Bennett about his latest book, “Boss Lincoln,” which examines how Lincoln still shapes our country today.