SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " OSI " 12,909 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
L7 bassist Jennifer Finch dies after aggressive brain cancer diagnosis
Jennifer Finch, bassist for the rock band L7, has died after a battle with brain cancer. She was 59. The band confirmed Finch's death in an Instagram post on Saturday,
In Maine Senate Race, Jackson Sprints Ahead of Pack, as Bellows Drops Out
Troy Jackson, a progressive, solidified his edge over his rivals in an abbreviated nominating contest to replace Graham Platner. Shenna Bellows, another candidate, bowed out.
In Maine, Bellows Ends Senate Bid as Jackson Builds Momentum
The Maine secretary of state ended her run in a crowded race to replace Graham Platner as the Democratic Senate nominee.
California voters to decide on Prop 5 changes to recall election process
Proposition proposes removing the second question from recall ballots and altering how successors are chosen in California.
Sen. Fetterman on Democrats’ position on Israel: It’s getting ‘more incredibly hostile towards Israel.’
Yankees Get Notable Max Fried Update After First Rehab Start
The New York Yankees have spent the last two months watching their team get picked apart by injuries. Max Fried has not pitched in a major league game since May 13. Carlos Rodón has been dealing with left elbow inflammation. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton remain sidelined on the position player side.The Yankees have stayed […] The post Yankees Get Notable Max Fried Update After First Rehab Start appeared first on HEAVY.
AIPAC Has Spent a Record Amount on Michigan's Senate Primary, the Biggest Test of Its Influence Yet
SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (AP) — Senate candidate Haley Stevens talks often about manufacturing, taking on President Donald Trump and why she’s the Democrat best positioned to win Michigan. The congresswoman has far less to say about the pro-Israel group that has spent millions trying to get her elected.
Platner-ally Troy Jackson closing in on Democratic Senate nod in key race to face Collins
Troy Jackson's delegates won over 90% of slots Saturday as the progressive logger races to secure Maine's Democratic Senate nomination vs. Susan Collins.
Boris Nadezhdin faces pressure ahead of Russian election
Russian opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin has been fined for displaying a photo of late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Nadezhdin said authorities are trying to hinder his anti-war campaign.
Rock star dies just days after aggressive brain cancer news, leaving fans devastated
The 59-year-old star revealed her diagnosis earlier in the week.
Trump immigration officials seek to mend frayed ties with business as arrests spike
Under new DHS chief Markwayne Mullin, officials met for the first time with trade groups concerned about losing workers to the president’s deportation campaign.
‘Our last hope’: Federal bill hopes to stabilize college sports — if it can survive opposition
Commanders 2026 training camp preview: Quarterback
Previewing the Washington Commanders quarterback position ahead of training camp.
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. $LYV Shares Acquired by Fifth Third Bancorp
Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its position in shares of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:LYV - Free Report) by 336.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 28,209 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 21,744 shares during
Before Lettuce Felled Thousands, a Cilantro-Linked Cyclospora Outbreak Sickened New Yorkers
New York City health officials shared details of how they traced a much smaller cyclosporiasis outbreak, showing the difficulty of tracing contamination.
Denny Sanford, philanthropist who gave nearly $2 billion to Sanford Health, dies at 90
Thomas “Denny” Sanford, the Sioux Falls philanthropist whose generosity transformed a regional hospital system into one of the largest rural health networks in the country, died Saturday.
In Maine, Troy Jackson Gains Momentum in Bid to Replace Platner
Troy Jackson, a progressive former State Senate president, showed signs of significant strength, as half the state’s counties picked delegates to a convention where they will choose Graham Platner’s replacement.
Taylor Farms lettuce sample tests positive for Cyclospora as recall expands
A shredded iceberg lettuce sample from Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for the cyclospora parasite as the company expanded its nationwide recall.
Saints urged to sign 6-time Pro Bowl weapon for Tyler Shough in 2026
The Saints saw some positive developments from Tyler Shough in 2025, so the team should surround him with as many weapons as possible in 2026.
Troy Jackson, a former Graham Platner ally, well-positioned to win Maine Democrats’ nomination against Sen. Susan Collins
Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson has built an overwhelming advantage in the short and unusual contest to replace Graham Platner and take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a must-win race for Democrats in their bid for control of the US Senate.
Mason McCormick expected to play new position in 2026
The Steelers have a potential All-Pro center in Zach Frazier and two young rising offensive linemen in guard Mason McCormick and tackle Troy Fautanu.
Health officials demand access to Aurora ICE facility over tuberculosis case
ICE did not directly answer whether public health officials have been allowed inside, State and county health leaders also did not respond to FOX31’s questions on Saturday.
Madison Square Garden Sues Wired Magazine Over L.G.B.T.Q. Tracking Report
The Manhattan venue claims a July article from the technology magazine falsely implied that it tracked information about some celebrities’ sexual orientation for “discriminatory purposes.”
YouTube picture-in-picture (PiP) mode is broken on iPhone, Android
YouTube is aware of an issue on Android and iPhone where picture-in-picture (PiP) mode does not activate when closing the app.
Nebraska’s Democratic Senate Nominee Files to Withdraw From Race
The move by Cindy Burbank could clear a path for Dan Osborn, an independent candidate backed by her party’s leadership. But Republicans have cried foul, and her effort could face obstacles.
Asking Eric: College freshman’s G.I. issue is no one’s business, but how does she explain private dorm room?
She may also learn that most people’s curiosity is idle at best.
Bay Area political consultant comments on state of race to succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi
Mid-Season State of the Position, 2026: Second Base
The back-to-back All-Star has shined bright so far in 2026
Surrogacy Scandal Upends German Politics
Jens Spahn, a top leader of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s party, resigned his post after announcing having had a baby by surrogate, which is outlawed in Germany
These 16 Democrats Voted to Stop Israel Aid. AIPAC Took Action.
After 103 Democrats voted to eliminate aid to Israel, the lobbying group closed off online donations for more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers it had endorsed.
I rented out my pool on Swimply to earn money after losing my business
Portland homeowner Rick Neuhoff is making money by renting out his indoor pool through the app Swimply after losing his business.
Now or never: Spending exceeds fundraising in race for GOP gubernatorial nomination
Closing arguments are being made and reserves are being tapped.
'A dangerous proposition': How AI is warping the social fabric and the ways we collectively imagine the future
In this excerpt from "Predicted: How AI Is Restructuring Social Life," author Mona Sloane examines how artificial intelligence is reconfiguring our understanding of the world and how we imagine the future.
Colts training camp battle early preview: Kicker
This is arguably the closest and most interesting Colts training camp positional battle.
Inside Sean Sweeney's Thoughts on New Job With Magic
New Orlando Magic coach Sean Sweeney joined Ryen Russillo to talk about his position with the team.
Opinion | The ‘Devil’s Bargain’ at the Heart of American Politics Now
This week: the Todd Blanche hearing, Lindsey Graham’s legacy and progressive infighting.
Video: Opinion | The ‘Devil’s Bargain’ at the Heart of American Politics Now
This week: the Todd Blanche hearing, Lindsey Graham’s legacy and progressive infighting.
Mamdani Says He May Still Order Netanyahu’s Arrest in ‘The Interview’
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was in “an active conversation” with New York City’s Law Department on whether he had the authority to arrest the Israeli leader.
He was 400 pounds, ridiculed and a revered Wisconsin leader
Ex-circus performer Krueger was a curiosity in 1947 when he arrived in Wisconsin Senate. His bipartisan approach to governance made him a legend.
Marco Bassetti on why global entertainment still depends on local culture
In an age when viewers can drift from TikTok to Netflix to YouTube within minutes, the World Cup remains a rare thing: a live event that can capture the attention of a huge, simultaneous worldwide audience. Banijay Live, part of Banijay Entertainment that is behind hit TV franchises including "MasterChef," "Big Brother," and "The Traitors," is producing the tournament's closing ceremony on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Marco Bassetti, its chief executive, says earning that kind of global attention is harder than ever — and keeping it depends on understanding local culture.
This is how Tennessee is courting Paramount and other companies to leave California
Tennessee is hoping to persuade Paramount to exit California and join the growing number of businesses choosing the Volunteer State over California
Colorado health officials are tracking toxic algae blooms with warnings of health impacts
Not all blooms produce toxins, but with warm temperatures and shallow reservoirs, conditions are primed for algae to grow explosively.
Zohran Mamdani Knows He Has Political Capital. And He Intends to Spend It.
Lulu Garcia-Navarro sits down for an interview with the mayor of New York City.
Without Platner, Maine Democrats Scramble to Keep Grassroots Energy Alive
Graham Platner’s campaign for Senate imploded last week. The activists who backed him are seeking a candidate to carry his populist message in the race against Republican Susan Collins.
Robinhood’s Chief on Trump Accounts and Why Trading Isn’t Necessarily Gambling
Vlad Tenev, the chief executive of the digital brokerage Robinhood, is trying to win over the next generation of Americans with Trump accounts.
Hsbc Holdings PLC Trims Position in Sphere Entertainment Co. $SPHR
Hsbc Holdings PLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE:SPHR - Free Report) by 84.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,495 shares of the company's stock after selling 18
NFL Legend Reveals What Kyler Murray Would Finally Give Vikings
Minnesota Vikings legend Cris Carter is buying stock in quarterback Kyler Murray for one specific reason. He spoke highly of the quarterback in a recent television appearance earlier this week.Murray was one of the crown jewel moves of the offseason for the Vikings. At the very least, he will bring experience to the quarterback position. […] The post NFL Legend Reveals What Kyler Murray Would Finally Give Vikings appeared first on HEAVY.
Paul Pelosi charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run over collision with parked car
Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was charged Friday with a misdemeanor hit-and-run over a collision with a parked car earlier this month.
First Patient Dies of Legionnaires’ Disease After New York Outbreak
New York City’s Health Department is still seeking to identify the source of an outbreak on the Upper East Side that has infected 67 people.
Bangkok voters reward performance over party politics
Neither Thailand's ruling coalition nor its leading opposition party was a match for an independent Bangkok governor with a proven track record of delivery.
Indiana Finally Gets Anticipated Final Answer on 5-Star Recruit
After months of battling to land one of the best players in the nation, Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti comes through again with an incredible achievement.The Hoosiers have been in a recruiting battle for five-star standout wide receiver Monshun Sales. Indiana was going up against schools like Alabama, Texas, LSU, and Ohio State.Ultimately, at […] The post Indiana Finally Gets Anticipated Final Answer on 5-Star Recruit appeared first on HEAVY.
Health officials investigate foods potentially linked to cyclosporiasis in North Carolina
North Carolina health officials continue to investigate amid a surge in cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that can cause "explosive" diarrhea.
Health officials investigate foods potentially linked to cyclosporiasis in North Carolina
North Carolina health officials continue to investigate amid a surge in cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that can cause "explosive" diarrhea.
Ohio City Inc. urges Cleveland to create a relief fund for businesses hit with 50+ hour power outage
At least 19 businesses sat in the dark over the Fourth of July weekend due to a 50+ hour long power outage, losing thousands of dollars in inventory and revenue. The costly situation now has Ohio City Inc. asking for change.
Ranking Member Markey, Senator Hirono Reject Trump’s SBA Policy Proposal that Harms Underserved Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Letter (PDF) (Washington, July 17) – Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) submitted a comment letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) opposing a proposed rule change by Trump’s SBA to the 8(a) Business Development Program that would harm underserved small business owners and entrepreneurs. The 8(a) Business Development Program was created by Congress more than 50 years ago to level the playing field for small business owners and entrepreneurs who have faced discrimination in starting and operating their businesses. The SBA’s proposed change ignores the existence of historic discrimination that minority and underserved small businesses have faced and continue to face. In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “SBA’s proposed rule ignores present-day barriers that entrepreneurs from minority and underserved communities face. Discrimination is not dead; minority entrepreneurs continue to face reduced access to contracting opportunities and capital, as well as racial threats and targeting, including unequal treatment, refusal by others to work with minority-owned firms, being called racial slurs, and bias in the workplace. These barriers lead to wide underutilization of, and less revenue for, minority-owned businesses compared to majority-owned businesses, as supported by decades of disparity studies. The proposed rule diminishes the history of systemic racial and ethnic discrimination in the United States by claiming that remedies for discrimination create discrimination in and of themselves.” The lawmakers continued, “The program has always been open to anyone who can prove they have experienced prejudice or cultural bias in education, employment, entrepreneurship, and other facets of our society. Nonetheless SBA has moved forward with the proposed rule. It lacks a reasoned basis, purporting that the federal government has discriminated against White Americans, but offering no substantive qualitative or quantitative data or research in support. If the examples provided in the proposed rule are the only basis for what constitutes discrimination to the agency, they are woefully insufficient. The final rule must provide strong evidence that there is discrimination against White individuals and show how the rule is narrowly tailored to address it. The record remains devoid of evidence of discrimination against White individuals on the basis of race.” Ranking Member Markey is fighting to protect federal programs that address historic discrimination against small business owners from minority and underserved communities, and for a small business agenda that ensures economic opportunity for all. In June, Ranking Member Markey released a statement condemning the SBA’s proposed changes to the 8(a) Business Development Program. Also in June, Ranking Markey released a new report highlighting Trump’s drastic reduction in federal contracting dollars awarded to American small businesses, including minority-owned small businesses. In February, Ranking Member Markey, alongside Senators Hirono and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), introduced the Strengthening Place-based Access, Resources, and Knowledge (SPARK) Act to spur entrepreneurship and increase access to capital and resources for underserved entrepreneurs nationwide. Ranking Member Markey previously held a field hearing in Roxbury, Massachusetts, to discuss how government and the private sector can come together to make entrepreneurship more accessible for underserved communities. Earlier in February, Ranking Member Markey secured funding with the Appropriations Committee for Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE Chapters, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers and provisions to rein in the Administration’s attempts to eliminate programs that support women, veterans, and underserved entrepreneurs. In January, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to oppose rule changes that would gut protections against discriminatory lending practices that harm small businesses. In December 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler expressing significant concerns with the SBA’s overly burdensome request and unclear guidance for extensive financial documentation over the holidays, as a part of their sweeping attempts to dismantle the 8(a) Business Development Program. In July and December 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent letters to the SBA Administrator demanding answers about the Trump administration’s efforts to limit economic opportunity for American entrepreneurs, including immigrants. In May 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to the SBA Administrator rejecting President Trump’s FY 2026 budget proposal and calling on SBA to immediately release funding for the entrepreneurial development programs, which include programs like the Women’s Business Centers and the Veteran’s Business Development Centers that support underserved small business owners. In April 2025, Ranking Member Markey introduced the New Start Act of 2025 to establish a five-year pilot program providing grants to support entrepreneurial development training for currently or formerly incarcerated individuals. In February 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent letters to the SBA Administrator and Government Accountability Office (GAO) condemning President Trump’s war on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies and asking how the SBA intends to implement Trump’s anti-DEIA executive orders. ###
Commentary: Charleston didn’t just lose a store; it lost a leader
When news broke that Sechey was closing its King Street location, many saw it as just a retail story. It’s not. Charleston didn’t simply lose a storefront. It lost one of its entrepreneurial leaders.
Meet the billionaires behind $336M ‘explosion’ of money in California politics, per new report
San Francisco is no stranger to concentrated wealth shaping City Hall, and big-money spenders did well here during the last primary.
Meet the billionaires behind $336M ‘explosion’ of money in California politics, per new report
San Francisco is no stranger to concentrated wealth shaping City Hall, and big-money spenders did well here during the last primary.
As AI spending surges, return-on-investment questions mount
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is creating major opportunities while also exposing companies to significant financial risks, The New York Times reports. Larry Ellison and his son are using Oracle-generated wealth to expand into media, with control of Paramount and a potential takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Meanwhile, Oracle is facing financial pressure […]
Israeli Strike in Gaza Kills Seven People, Health Officials Say
The Israeli military said the attack targeted members of the second-biggest militant group in Gaza. It also said it was “aware of the claims that several uninvolved individuals” had been harmed.
‘I am closing the door’: Katie Porter to leave politics, become a book influencer
The former Democratic U.S. representative is pivoting to her rediscovered passion for reading and books.
Airlines warn changing daylight saving time would disrupt scheduling
Airlines for America warns that permanent daylight saving time would disrupt crew scheduling, aircraft positioning, and global connectivity networks.
Rudolph Marcus, Who Illuminated Electrochemical Processes, Dies at 102
He received a 1992 Nobel Prize for developing a theory that explained fundamental processes behind photosynthesis, respiration, oxidation and even how fireflies produce light.
Watch: Why Health Insurers Are Winning, But Hospitals Are Losing
Live updates on markets and the top finance, economics and business stories. Plus the latest on oil prices, the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
Wildfire smoke creates health concerns across Michigan, resulting in closures and cancellations
As a sepia-toned haze continues to blanket communities throughout Michigan, some government offices, local businesses and event hosts are closing up shop, as state officials urge residents to limit their time outdoors due to hazardous air quality.
No. 2 WR Monshun Sales commits to Indiana over Texas
The Horns missed out on the consensus five-star prospect to the home-state Hoosiers.
As a PC Gamer Who Hasn’t Bought a Disc in a Decade, I Think PlayStation All-Digital Future Was a Long Time Coming – but There Are Still Reasons To Be Wary
PC gaming has been all-digital for years, but while Steam proves it can work, PlayStation owners should still be wary of losing physical discs.
The Bull Case For Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) Could Change Following Its TMElive Awards Push Into Hong Kong
CTF Life recently announced a long-term partnership with Tencent Music Entertainment Group to bring the TMElive International Music Awards to Hong Kong for the first time in August 2026, with CTF Life as exclusive title sponsor. This collaboration positions Tencent Music to extend its brand beyond online platforms into a large-scale international live festival, deepening its presence in the fan-driven music ecosystem. We’ll now examine how hosting the TMElive International Music Awards in...
Opinion | What Trump’s Charisma Has Wrought
What will the Republican Party look like after 2028?
Iowa health insurers propose premium increases for ACA customers
Iowa health insurance companies are proposing another round of premium increases for Affordable Care Act customers in 2027.
America’s Enterprising Spirit Is Booming After Decades-Long Slump
Hundreds of thousands of people are creating companies each year, ending a decades-long drought.
U.S. Forest Policy: A Path Forward for Healthy Forests and Communities
Executive Summary America’s forests are facing three interconnected challenges: While the conditions for policy to address these challenges are ripe, current legislative and funding proposals fall short of the scale required. Closing the gap will demand greater ambition, coordination, and resources from across the forestry community. Introduction America’s forests are at a critical inflection point. … Continued
Taco Bell has a diarrhea problem
Taco Bell has been the shining star of the fast-food business for several years. But now the company is contending with a restaurant’s worst nightmare: an explosive diarrhea outbreak.
Stocks Sink on Anxiety About Tech and A.I. Spending
A sell-off in Asia led by chipmakers spilled into Europe and U.S. markets on Friday.
Positive outlook for cattle business
Policy discussions at the gathering focused on emerging challenges like conservation programs and disease prevention measures.
2026 FSU Position Previews: Special teams
Look for FSU’s special teams to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season
New Study Assesses ALS Patient Perspectives and Health-Related Quality of Life Related to PEG
These findings indicate that patients with ALS have generally positive perspectives on PEG positioning and that PEG improves health-related quality of life overall.
How do the Eagles keep winning year after year despite losing star players?
Every year, the Eagles lose star players. Yet, every year, they just keep winning. How does Howie Roseman do it?
Miami Ohio football commit Giorgio Jackson Jr. recruiting profile
A look at Massillon Washington High School football star Giorgio Jackson Jr., a Miami (Ohio) commit, including his stats and other recruiting offers.
UK Politics Live Updates: Andy Burnham to Replace Starmer as Labour Party Leader
Mr. Burnham is expected to promise in a speech more public control of essential services, a shift of power toward local governments and a push for economic growth.
In pictures: How forensic science is helping tackle wildlife poaching
Advances in forensic science are disrupting the illegal wildlife trade – and are documented in a new photo series
Rare Pair of Improbably Light ‘Super-Puff’ Planets Is Discovered
They’re less dense than cotton candy, and they will help astrophysicists better understand the most unusual ways giant planets can form.
Has the World Cup Turned Me Into … a Sports Guy?
The pleasures of watching the TV show of the summer as a bandwagon fan.
To Win Their Races, Black Politicians Confront a New Landscape
With the Voting Rights Act weakened, Black representation will depend less on Black voters and more on broad, multiracial appeal or on ideological outsider campaigns.
How Andy Burnham, ‘King of the North,’ Conquered U.K. Politics
A plain-spoken politician from a modest background in northwest England, Mr. Burnham is set to be named Labour leader — and prime minister apparent — on Friday.
A Trump Obsession That Carries a Cost for Democracy
In demanding steps to address the integrity of voting, President Trump persisted in relitigating his 2020 election defeat while finding ways to cast doubt on the 2026 outcome.
He Was a Russian Political Survivor, Until the Masked Men Appeared
Boris B. Nadezhdin, an outspoken opponent of the war in Ukraine, says he knows why he was detained: “Among our leadership, there is panic and chaos.”
Bleacher Report believes Emeka Egbuka is primed for a breakout
Bleacher Report believes Emeka Egbuka is positioned to become the Buccaneers' top receiving threat in 2026.
Trump Released Documents on China and the 2020 Election. Here’s What We Know.
President Trump claimed that China had tried to acquire American voter data. Possessing such information would not allow votes to be manipulated.
Sports without politics is a fantasy and the World Cup proves it
From ancient Greece to Nazi Germany, sport and politics have long been intertwined. Nevertheless, we still imagine that international sport can be kept above the fray and serve as a neutral arena where nations compete on merit alone. In this article, diplomacy scholar Geoffrey Allen Pigman argues the 2026 FIFA World Cup shows this is a dangerous illusion. When international sport is left entirely to revenue-maximizing private bodies like FIFA, it doesn't escape politics, but rather surrenders to its worst expressions. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics fast approaching, the IOC must decide whether to learn that lesson or repeat the same mistakes. The largest and most lucrative FIFA World Cup ever draws toward its climactic conclusion amidst a swirl of controversy. Team members, staff, fans, and spectators have been denied their right to enter the United States to participate, and US President Donald Trump intervened with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to overturn a referee’s call that Trump believed disadvantaged the US national team. It is a moment to step back and reflect on what the purposes of international sport mega-events like the World Cup, and international sport more broadly, are, and what they should be. Does international sport serve public purposes? Is there a public interest? Or is it primarily a private endeavor organized by commercial enterprises to entertain the global public (and generate profit in the process), which is occasionally used by governments and leaders for raisons d’etat? Central to the idea of sport is the principle of fair play, which in the international context demands that games be free from political interference. However, it is impossible to separate sport from politics, all claims to the contrary notwithstanding. The most positive political use of international sport through the millennia has been to facilitate diplomacy. The use of international sport for diplomatic objectives has existed since at least the time of the ancient Olympic Games, around which was instituted the custom of the Ekecheiria, or Olympic Truce, between participating states to facilitate fair competition and diplomatic achievements by ensuring that participants could travel safely to the Olympiad. In his seminal work On Diplomacy (1987), diplomacy scholar James Der Derian characterized the objectives of diplomacy as overcoming alienation and mediating estrangement between governments and between peoples. One increasingly important diplomatic tool in the technology-infused media environment over the past century has been public diplomacy, under which governments and non-state diplomatic actors (e.g. transnational corporations) communicate to global publics about their international policy objectives and to shape their global brand image. Political scientist Michał Kobierecki, in his important book Sports Diplomacy (2020), views sports diplomacy as falling broadly within the ambit of public diplomacy, as international sport intimately involves the participation of global publics as spectators and consumers of global media. Diplomacy scholar Stuart Murray and this author, in a 2013 article, distinguish between international sport used for diplomatic purposes and international sport-as-diplomacy, which encompasses the range of diplomacy that occurs as teams and competitors, spectators and fans, and government officials all converge for international sporting events like the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. Diplomacy scholar H.E. Chehabi, in a 2001 article on US-Iran sports diplomacy, describes the interaction between spectators and fans at international sporting events as “people-to-people diplomacy,” in which relationships develop independently of governments and their objectives. Diplomacy by the aforementioned definitions is often unsuccessful. Moreover, all too often the tools of diplomacy may be employed by governments and other actors to thwart or oppose the objectives of diplomacy as characterized by Der Derian. Governments routinely use the tools of public diplomacy to disseminate propaganda, spreading misinformation in the attempt to deceive global publics about their objectives and to create misleading impressions about their brand identity. Within sports diplomacy, the term “sportswashing” has been coined recently to describe how governments invest in and promote international sport to create positive global public impressions of their nations and, in doing so, to distract the global public from their deficient records in areas such as human rights and democratic governance. Murray, in his 2018 book Sports Diplomacy: Origins, Theory and Practice, introduces the concept of sports anti-diplomacy, wherein governments intentionally use international sport to advance aggressive and nationalistic objectives. Obvious historical examples include Hitler’s use of the 1936 Berlin Olympics to glorify his Third Reich and the 1969 El Salvador-Honduras football “war.” SUGGESTED READING The beautiful game made ugly By Emily Ryall FIFA argues that it is and seeks to be apolitical in its stewardship of international Association Football (soccer). FIFA policies governing bids to host the World Cup require uninhibited and non-discriminatory access for players, team staff, and spectators of all participating countries to host nations and venues. It became clear soon after Trump returned to power in the United States in January 2025 that Trump’s political intentions and objectives to limit non-US citizens from living and working in the United States and, in numerous cases, even visiting the country, would collide with FIFA’s host nation policies. Beginning soon after the start of the second Trump administration, US federal authorities imposed restrictions on entry to the United States of citizens of between 20 and 40 countries for any purpose, with only limited exceptions. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began arresting non-US citizens in the United States, including persons with and without legal status, holding them in jails, concentration camps, and other detention facilities until they were deported to their home or third countries, where they faced substantive risks to their personal safety. FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, in an effort to ensure the most successful and lucrative World Cup in history, engaged diplomatically with President Trump in an attempt to facilitate entry to the US for World Cup participants. Infantino did all in his power to ingratiate himself with Trump, to the extent of creating a FIFA “Peace Prize,” which he awarded to Trump in December 2025 at a ceremony in the then Trump-controlled John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on the occasion of the World Cup draw. The prize was an ersatz consolation for someone who aspired in vain to win the rather more prestigious and well-known Nobel Peace Prize. And in the run-up to the World Cup, conditions became worse. In February 2026, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a war of aggression against Iran, illegal under international law, under the false pretence that Iran’s government was preparing to attack the United States and Israel. During the US aerial bombardment of Iran, US planes bombed Azadi Stadium, the facility where Iran’s national football team trained. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup began, it was clear that Infantino’s efforts had been for naught: the Trump administration would not adhere to FIFA policies governing access to World Cup host nations. World Cup referee Omar Artan, a citizen of Somalia, was denied a US visa to enter the United States to participate in the World Cup. Trump’s government only granted US visas to Iran’s football team ten days before they were scheduled to arrive for the tournament. Numerous members of the support staff for Iran’s team were denied US visas. Iran’s team, which had been scheduled to train in Arizona, was directed to shift its training site to Tijuana, Mexico, notwithstanding that all three of their group stage matches took place at US venues. The US Department of Homeland Security only permitted the Iranian team to enter the US on the day before each scheduled match and then to return to Mexico immediately after playing. Members of Iraq’s and Switzerland’s football teams were delayed for hours by US officials at the US border, and an Iraqi team photographer was refused entry. Spectators and fans from Haïti and Iran were denied entry to the United States altogether. A large number of fans from a range of countries had their applications for US visas rejected. There were multiple off-ramps through which participants could have avoided the negative consequences of Trump’s decisions for the 2026 World Cup. Once it was clear that the Trump government intended to violate the established expectations for World Cup hosts, FIFA could have shifted the matches scheduled to take place in the United States to Mexico and Canada. The three nations were already designated as co-hosts, and host cities and venues had been selected. Once it was clear that FIFA, governed by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino’s dependent and dysfunctional relationship with Trump, would never consider this option on its own, it fell to the national football federations to act. The national federations, particularly some combination of federations of the leading contenders (France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Morocco, England, Germany, etc.), could have refused to participate under the US-imposed conditions or, at the least, demanded an ironclad agreement with the Trump government that FIFA policies on access would be respected. ___ International sport is inextricably entangled with diplomacy of different sorts, for good or ill, it cannot be considered to be in the purely private realm and left to revenue-maximizing private actors. ___ Why did neither FIFA nor the national football federations act to protect the interests of players, team staff, referees, fans, and spectators? In essence, the relentless engines of capitalism prevailed over norm observance, ethics, and fair play. The revenue interests of FIFA, sponsors, global media, and host cities won out. FIFA’s managers viewed hosting another World Cup principally in the United States as a veritable pot of gold for FIFA and its collaborators. FIFA has estimated its own revenue over the 2023-26 budget cycle, which includes the 2026 World Cup, at $13 billion, revised up from an initial projection of $11 billion, and 72% higher than the previous revenue cycle. Of that total, FIFA is estimated to have generated $8.9 billion from the Cup itself in revenue from TV rights ($3.92 billion), sponsorships ($2.69 billion), ticket sales ($3.1 billion), licensing rights, and other sources. A joint study by FIFA and the World Trade Organization estimates that the World Cup will contribute over $40 billion to global GDP, including nearly $14 billion in direct visitor spending in the three host countries (but principally in the United States, which hosted the lion’s share of the matches). The FIFA World Cup is now reportedly “the single most lucrative recurring commercial property in global sport.” And yet, notwithstanding the Trump government’s uses of the World Cup for sports anti-diplomacy, and the climate of anxiety that this created for participants and spectators, diplomacy that did not depend upon governments was able to thrive at the World Cup. Examples of successful people-to-people diplomacy were legion, as citizens of towns and cities across the States, as well as in Mexico and Canada, welcomed team members, their families and supporters, to training sites across North America. Fans of different teams joined together in person in stadiums for matches, at watch parties and bars, and at welcome events sponsored by host cities. The joy and camaraderie shared between the citizenry of Boston and Scotland’s “Tartan Army” of fans is but one example of how the “Beautiful Game” brings people together. Friendships forged across continents are likely to endure well beyond the Cup final. Even those achievements cannot be seen as unalloyed, however. As South African football fan Byron Pillay commented to Al Jazeera, “Football is called the Beautiful Game for a reason, for its ability to unite people. But it’s hard to believe in that magic with the politics and war rhetoric off the field of play, especially when one of the tournament hosts is central to that.” Ultimately, the experience of the 2026 FIFA World Cup illustrates that, as international sport is inextricably entangled with diplomacy of different sorts, for good or ill, it cannot be considered to be in the purely private realm and left to revenue-maximizing private actors. As long as there is the possibility of diplomatic progress in mediating estrangement between governments or between peoples, there is a broad and overarching public interest in international sport. Likewise, as it would be difficult to put on an international sport mega-event without international sporting organizations like FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), global media firms, and companies purchasing sponsorships, public and private interests in international sport must coexist, most likely somewhere on a shifting spectrum between partnership and rivalry or cross purposes. As the World Cup wraps up, the IOC needs to consider its lessons before the scheduled 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if they want to avoid a media-hyped Trump version of the 1936 Berlin Olympiad. The IOC and the National Olympic Committees need to set conditions on and make demands of Trump’s government with clearly articulated consequences for non-compliance, up to and including cancellation of the Games. Time is running out for the IOC, as unlike with the FIFA World Cup, there is no at-the-ready alternate venue for Los Angeles.
Rosie O’Donnell says Michelle Trachtenberg ‘was in pretty bad shape’ before her death
Rosie O’Donnell wishes she ‘could have done more’ for her ‘Harriet the Spy’ costar Michelle Trachtenberg who died at 39 in 2025, but says she was ‘inaccessible’ in her final years.
Matt Damon calls Ben Affleck ‘one of the great loves of my life’
Matt Damon said that his BFF Affleck — whom he called ‘one of the great loves of my life’ — had an overwhelmingly positive reaction to ‘The Odyssey’: ‘He didn’t stop talking for an hour.’
Ukraine Was on a Roll. Then a Clash Over War Strategy Exploded Into View.
From an underground parking garage, Ukraine’s newly dismissed defense minister aired the most dramatic, public critique of the military command to emerge during the war.
Raccoon in Whitesboro tests positive for rabies, health officials warn
A raccoon in Whitesboro has tested positive for rabies, and county health officials say it's a good reminder to know the warning signs of rabies.
Astronomers Find an Atmosphere on a Nearby Earthlike Planet
It’s the first potentially habitable world known to host an atmosphere, making it a lead contender in the search for life beyond our solar system.
Trump immediately fires the new court-appointed top prosecutor in Seattle
President Donald Trump fired the new top U.S. prosecutor in Seattle on Wednesday less than an hour after the attorney was unanimously appointed by the federal judges in the district, highlighting tensions between the courts and the president over the powerful positions.
Air Quality is at ‘Hazardous’ Levels. What Does That Mean for Health?
People exposed to smoke spreading from Canadian wildfires are at risk of a wide range of health problems.
White House Faces Stiff Pushback on Subjecting Grants to Political Review
Academics, city leaders and congressional lawmakers number among the thousands to urge the Trump administration to reconsider a plan to assert more control over grants.
National Academies Report Backs Climate Change Attribution Science
Attribution science is advancing quickly, researchers said. That could support lawsuits seeking damages for severe events worsened by global warming.
Maker of Drone Boats Used in Iran War to Open New Texas Shipyard
Saronic Technologies will make naval and commercial vessels at the facility. The company’s naval drone helped rescue the crew of a downed Apache helicopter last month.