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Listening to this sound could help reverse Alzheimer’s | BBC Science Focus Magazine
The research is in its early stages but offers “encouraging” evidence of a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s
Florida’s mental health care reforms show the path forward
Treatment delays harm patients’ health.
‘Landman’ Fans Rage Over Cami’s ‘Mistake’ Decision to Fire Tommy
There are some major burning questions over that shocking twist.
Is the Sports World Finally Giving Up its Right to Remain Silent?
Last year, in the face of Trump’s authoritarianism, the sports industry remained quiet. Now with the killing Renee Good, it may be waking up to the dangers of this administration.
Maren Morris says she ‘lost a lot of fans’ because of her political views
Maren Morris reveals how her outspoken political views cost her fans, friends and financial standing in country music industry over the past decade.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 delay pushes release date to mid-March
According to a new report, Samsung’s delayed Galaxy S26 launch will result in a release date for the whole series...
Kamala Harris swears in Helena Moreno as New Orleans mayor: ‘She is talented. She is tough.’
“The future of America is being built in cities like this, and their leaders who honor the past, meet the present moment and invest in the future. And that is the kind of leadership Helena Moreno brings to this moment.”
Inside Democrats’ Brewing Debate Over Which States Should Vote First in 2028
Does Iowa deserve another shot? Is South Carolina too red? New Hampshire too white? Nevada too far-flung? Democrats are starting their calendar from scratch, and there’s a lot to consider.
Gaming After Ghosts: Bit Bar carves unique niche in Salem’s historic entertainment scene
The arcade bar on Derby Street undergoes a transformation each evening, shifting from a family-friendly environment to an adults-only experience.
‘One Battle After Another,’ shot in El Paso, dominates Golden Globes
The Paul Thomas Anderson film was shot in El Paso for 18 days between May and June 2024 and contributed nearly $6 million in direct spending.
Ray and Dana Chery ride booming sports and entertainment ‘boring business’ tide
At a time when high-flying businesses are grabbing attention, a number of people in the business world are leaving those positions for more "boring business" roles, as Ray and Dana Chery did when buying portable sink firm Monsam, a profitable company.
Broncos’ studs and duds from 2025 season
Which players stood out for the Broncos during the regular season?
Exactly What To Automate With AI In 2026 For Faster Business Growth
Stop doing tasks manually that should run on autopilot. Here’s what to automate in 2026 for faster business growth. What’s your excuse?
Republican senator vows to block all Fed nominations after DoJ investigates Powell
Thom Tillis says he would oppose any nominee, including upcoming chair vacancy, ‘until legal matter is fully resolved’
Uncorkt, a Racine wine and beer store, is for sale including inventory
“I’m looking for a person who wants to take it over and run it. It’d be best if it was a customer who had been here before,” Tony Bigonia, owner, said
The first political storm of 2026: Trump’s misadventure in Venezuela
The Trump administration’s invasion of Venezuela was based on false pretenses, and could lead to another costly and disastrous “forever” war.
US Med-Equip Recognized as One of Modern Healthcare’s Best in Business
Fast-Growing Rental Company Honored for Supply Chain Excellence Supporting Hospitals HOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire /
‘Wheel of Fortune’: Bigfoot Hunter Speaks Out After Monster $92,000 Loss
The Sasquatch obsessive struggled with a tricky Bonus Round puzzle.
Seattle’s appetite for new property taxes approaching its legal limit
State law limits Seattle’s ability to add new property taxes, even those approved by voters. Now, new priorities and bigger levies than ever before are competing.
For 80 years, Republicans have blocked us from fixing our health care system
Harry Truman’s plan would have covered medical, hospital and nursing care for everyone, and created a federal health insurance agency to pay the costs of care.
Women’s Health A $360B Market Vastly Undervalued By Investors
Women’s Health Investment Opportunity reveals a $360B global market as women drive healthcare demand, capital flows, and the next wave of health innovation
Alliance Entertainment Named Exclusive Physical Media Distribution Partner for Amazon MGM Studios in North America
Deal strengthens Alliance’s leadership in premium home entertainment distribution across major franchises and catalog titlesPLANTATION, Fla., Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: AENT), a premier distributor and omnichannel fulfillment partner to the entertainment and pop culture collectibles industry, supplying more than 340,000 unique SKUs across music, video, video games, licensed merchandise, and exclusive collectibles to over 35,000 retail an
Northwood University Launches New MBA in Health Leadership & Innovation
New Program Blends Northwood’s Free-Enterprise Emphasis with Specialized Coursework to Help Professionals Lead System-Level Change as Industry Faces
Tempus and NYU Langone Health Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance Precision Oncology
CHICAGO, January 12, 2026--Tempus, a leader in artificial intelligence and precision medicine, and NYU Langone Health, one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers, today announced a multi-year strategic collaboration aimed at transforming cancer care through advanced molecular profiling and data-driven insights. The collaboration will support NYU Langone Health’s Center for Molecular Oncology at the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, a comprehensive, pan-cancer initiative to more
Voices: A new rural health care grant isn’t enough. Utah’s children deserve better.
“Accepting deep Medicaid cuts while celebrating a limited rural grant sends the wrong message and puts families at risk,” writes Moe Hickey, Executive Director of Voices for Utah Children, in an op-ed.
PBS Fans React After ‘News Weekend’ Suddenly Gets Axed
The show ended its run after Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in public funding.
Former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola announces Senate bid in Alaska
Democrats are getting the news they’d been hoping for out of Alaska, with former US Rep. Mary Peltola launching a Senate campaign on Monday morning.
Mary Peltola Runs for Senate in Alaska, Lifting Democrats’ Hopes
The former congresswoman is the latest top-tier recruit for Democrats, who face a difficult Senate map this year as they try to retake control of the chamber.
Sports Betting Sites Make It All Too Easy to Lose Everything You’ve Got
DraftKings and PointsBet are thriving—but lax regulations, understaffed “responsible gambling” departments, and lack of resources for gambling addicts can make sports betting platforms uniquely insidious, author Danny Funt reveals in this excerpt from ‘Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling.’
Syracuse University’s ‘Shark Tank’ class aims to connect cash-hungry startups with investors
The class teaches students what investors are looking for and how to vet a new business.
Industrial parks: The County’s massive business park offers ‘promising’ outlook
Loring, which is on a former Air Force base, is Maine’s largest business park by size, with 8,700 acres, and is a key piece of Aroostook County’s place in the region’s larger economy.
Nintendo president on Nintendo Switch 2 price, franchise games and new titles, movies, anime streaming, more
Kyoto Shimbun has published a new interview with Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa. A wide range of topics were covered in the discussion, ranging from the topic of Nintendo Switch 2’s price, franchise games and new titles, movies, the possibility of anime streaming, and more. Nintendo Patents Watch was kind enough to summarize various points from the interview. You can find...
KUSTOM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. COMPLETES THE DIVESTITURE OF ITS NOBILITY HEALTHCARE SUBSIDIARY; SHARPENS ITS FOCUS ON $100 BILLION LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND ONLINE TICKETING MARKETS
OVERLAND PARK, KS, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kustom Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: KUST) (the “Company”), today announced that it has closed the sale of its 51% ownership interest in Nobility Healthcare, LLC, its healthcare billing and revenue cycle management subsidiary. This step is in conjunction with its previously announced major corporate rebranding, by changing its name to Kustom Entertainment, Inc. and its Nasdaq ticker symbol to “KUST”. The divestiture of the Company’s healthcare
Hamburg accuse former sporting director of not complying with investigation into sexual harassment allegations
Hamburg originally announced Kuntz’s departure on January 2, stating that he requested a release from his contract after Christmas.
New business-backed alliance supports Indiana bill to reshape civil lawsuits, limit jury awards
A lobbying group backed by Indiana’s major business organizations is pressing lawmakers to pass a new civil justice bill.
Going barefoot depends on personal health and well-being
Is it OK to go without shoes? I’ve heard conflicting information. I wear supportive shoes for exercise and in public, but I prefer bare feet at home. I stand about six hours a day, and I just find it much more comfortable without shoes. I am 65 and healthy, with no history of foot problems.
A hidden brain signal may reveal Alzheimer’s long before diagnosis
Researchers have discovered a brain activity pattern that can predict which people with mild cognitive impairment are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Using a noninvasive brain scanning technique and a custom analysis tool, they detected subtle changes in electrical signals tied to memory processing years before diagnosis. The findings point to a new way of spotting Alzheimer’s early—by listening directly to how neurons behave.
Jim Hunt’s Cross to Bear
The four-term governor and committed church-goer politicked with evangelical fervor. But Jim Hunt still struggled to sway the Religious Right.
Health Care Roundup: Market Talk
Find insight on China’s biopharmaceutical companies in the latest Market Talks covering the health care sector.
From Borges to Jennifer Aniston: Science begins to illuminate the mysteries of memory
How do cell phones affect our memories? What percentage of them are imagined? A group of neuroscientists is trying to unravel the secrets of one of the brain’s most common and least understood functions
‘Hundreds more’ ICE agents due in Minnesota after killing of Renee Good
Kristi Noem says that more officers are being deployed amid protests in several cities
Moderna chair warns of ‘dystopia’ amid US science pullback
“Corrosive doubt” has led to the return of measles in the US and elsewhere, Noubar Afeyan said.
New to state politics or need a refresher? Here’s our Idaho legislative session 101 guidebook.
The workings in the Idaho Capitol may seem confusing or removed from everyday life, but decisions made there have a real impact on Idahoans.
Funding “Rural Health Care Transformation” Without Shoring Up Failing Hospitals
The unusual policy symmetry involved in the Big Beautiful Bill’s Medicaid cuts and new rural health innovation initiative may not bode well for rural health care quality and outcomes.
‘We have a mission in the US’: France star Ousmane Dembélé tells CNN Sports he’s targeting World Cup glory after huge 2025
Winners in 2018, runners-up in 2022 – will 2026 be France’s year to once again rule the roost on soccer’s biggest stage? Les Bleus star Ousmane Dembélé hopes so.
Apple: You (Still) Don’t Understand the Vision Pro
The first live sporting event was broadcast in the Vision Pro, and it’s a big disappointment. The experience could be amazing, but Apple actively ruins it.
Name Dropping | ‘Names and faces changed, but it is the same entertainment’
If it involves the Virginia Theatre, the Champaign-Urbana native Mitch Marlow is likely associated with it, too.
Iga Świątek’s tennis quandary and the puzzle of being caught between two styles
The world No. 2 remains at the top of the sport, but her evolution as a player is complicated.
Hawaiʻi Needs Universal Health Care, Not Another Temporary Fix
Obamacare was never designed to fix what’s actually system failure.
‘An undoing of the scientific method’: Flagship CEO warns of government threats to US biotech industry
The Trump administration spent 2025 taking a sledgehammer to science, obliteratin | The Trump administration spent 2025 taking a sledgehammer to science, obliterating funding and reshaping agencies like the FDA and National Institutes of Health through layoffs and restrictive new policies. In a new letter, Noubar Afeyan, Ph.D., co-founder of Moderna and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, warns that these actions risk undermining the foundations of science itself to the ultimate detriment of health and biotech innovation in America.
Latino businesses in Rochester hurting as ICE ramps up presence in greater Minnesota
With an increased ICE presence in Rochester, a business owner who serves the city’s Latino community says many of his customers are afraid they’ll be detained, and are too scared to shop. In a social media post, he asked Rochester to step-up its support of businesses like his. And they have.
Flagship CEO Calls Out Attacks on Science, Warns of China Dominance
In his annual letter, Flagship Pioneering’s Noubar Afeyan lays out a choice between near-term “human-made miracles” and a reversion to the pain and suffering of past diseases due to “growing contempt” in the U.S. for the scientific method.
Investor behind Moderna says U.S. policy is ‘taking a sledgehammer to our miracle machine’
Noubar Afeyan, one of biotech’s top investors, says U.S. policy is "taking a sledgehammer to our miracle machine."
Minnesota state legislators go to rural communities to better understand healthcare needs
Rural Minnesotans face rising health care costs and clinic closures. Lawmakers are holding listening sessions to hear residents’ challenges and explore solutions.
7 winners and losers from Patriots’ playoff win over Chargers
Here is who caught our eye, for better or worse, in the Patriots’ wild card win in the NFL playoffs.
Tech secretary to make statement over X’s sexualised AI images
Liz Kendall had previously said that Ofcom must act ‘in days, not weeks’ after Grok merely made picture service available to paid subscribers
Legacy Business Models Break
“Your margin is my opportunity” was Jeff Bezos’s way of describing Amazon’s hunger for bloated profit pools. In 2026, the real question isn’t whether margins get attacked, but who gets to turn whose margin into whose opportunity as consumers, enterprises and their agents decide how they want interactions to work, what information they are willing to share and where costs ultimately land. From Bezos to agents: who owns the opportunity.
‘Completely bonkers.’ Trump’s Greenland mining dreams in Greenland collide with reality
Greenland’s untapped mineral wealth has landed the island at the top of President Donald Trump’s empire-building wish list.
Since the Supreme Court protected transgender people from discrimination, ‘The backlash has been brutal’
When the Supreme Court, led by Justice Neil Gorsuch, ruled in 2020 that federal law protected transgender workers from discrimination, the justices appeared to launch a new era of rights for a historically shunned group.
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics
Get up to speed fast — Sunburn and a cup of joe.
UK’s suite of student mental health resources includes new virtual therapy option
With the start of the new year and spring semester, Student Well-Being in the Office for Student Success is continuing its ongoing efforts to expand student access to a variety of mental health services.
BoA Parts Ways With SM Entertainment After 25 Years
Singer BoA is concluding her 25-year journey with her agency SM Entertainment. On January 12, SM Entertainment issued an official statement announcing, “After extensive and in-depth discussions with BoA, we have agreed to conclude our 25-year partnership as of December 31, 2025.” Read the full statement below: Hello, this is SM Entertainment. First, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Jumping BoA (BoA's official fan club) and everyone who has always loved and supported artist BoA. After extensive and in-depth discussions with BoA, we have agreed to conclude our 25-year journey together as of December 31, 2025. Debuting in 2000 at the age of 13, BoA has, now past the 25th anniversary of her debut, been beloved by global music fans as an “icon of global expansion” who pioneered the Korean Wave across Asia and as the “Star of Asia,” and she has become a role model for countless junior artists driving the K-pop boom. As a trailblazer and pioneer, BoA’s journey has shone thanks to her relentless effort and passion, leaving brilliant achievements and unparalleled records. From her extraordinary debut that wrote a new chapter in Korean popular music history to her present growth as a No.1 artist and producer, we remember every moment, and it has been a true honor for our company to walk alongside her every step of the way. For 25 years, BoA has been, without question, the pride, joy, and symbol of SM. Although our exclusive contract is coming to an end, we will continue to support BoA as she fully demonstrates her capabilities in the new activities and challenges ahead, and we hope she will shine even brighter as the “Star of Asia.” We ask for your continued love and support for BoA as she embarks on this new chapter. We also support the future of Kwon BoA the person, beyond the artist, and sincerely wish her happiness. Thank you. The agency also released a tribute video commemorating BoA's 25-year long journey with SM. Watch the full video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjLQFtT3dCk Following the announcement, BoA took to her Instagram to share her feelings as below: Having given and received without holding back, I leave without regrets.I’m grateful for the time we shared and will continue to support the ever-shining SM Entertainment. Thank you. https://www.instagram.com/p/DTZxmAeEk6f/?img_index=1 Wishing BoA all the best on her new journey! Source (1)
JD Sports plans to let shoppers buy through AI platforms
Retailer to allow ‘one-click purchases’ through assistants such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, beginning in US
Breaking Down Trump's $50 Billion Rural Health Fund
Rural health experts dig into the Trump administration’s effort to transform rural health care.
The sludge in your shower drain? That could be scientists’ next big find : Short Wave
Microbes are little alchemists that perform all manner of chemical reactions. A team of microbiologists co-founded a non-profit to try to harness those abilities to solve some of the world’s big problems — from carbon capture to helping coral reefs to cleaning up waste. Recently, the team turned their attention to the microbes living in people’s homes — on and in shower heads, drip pans, and hot water heaters. These rather extreme environments may have pressured microorganisms into surviving in ways that could be advantageous to humans. Science reporter Ari Daniel takes us on a treasure hunt in miniature.This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez.Interested in learning more about the weird and wonderful world of microbes? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Sustainability teams need to speak the language of business
Sustainability professionals have created their own ‘professional language’ that does not help drive impact. Learning the language of business can help.
The sludge in your shower drain? That could be scientists’ next big find : Short Wave
Microbes are little alchemists that perform all manner of chemical reactions. A team of microbiologists co-founded a non-profit to try to harness those abilities to solve some of the world’s big problems — from carbon capture to helping coral reefs to cleaning up waste. Recently, the team turned their attention to the microbes living in people’s homes — on and in shower heads, drip pans, and hot water heaters. These rather extreme environments may have pressured microorganisms into surviving in ways that could be advantageous to humans. Science reporter Ari Daniel takes us on a treasure hunt in miniature.This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez.Interested in learning more about the weird and wonderful world of microbes? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Trump joins Dems’ assault on rural Colorado
Ruling Colorado Democrats have assaulted rural Colorado for the past seven years under Gov. Jared Polis and the Democratic socialists who drive their massive legislative majorities. They are destroying mining and oil-and-gas jobs while imposing wolves on Colorado ranchers and communities. The First Gentleman tried to appoint a blatantly anti-livestock production activist onto the state veterinary […]
Mike Vrabel set elite goals for the Patriots a year ago. Little did we know they’d be achievable so soon.
As 49ers wreck Eagles’ chance at Super Bowl repeat, where does Philadelphia go from here?
League execs applaud Hawks’ recent moves
League execs applaud Hawks’ recent moves
Integration of armed factions remains one of Syria’s biggest challenges
It is also at the centre of the post-war state building project.
The Golden Globes ceremony ignored politics. But their big winner taps today’s unhappy turbulence
One Battle After Another engages with the tense climate of the second Trump administration unlike any other contender
Public health school promises loan program to offset federal cutback
With the federal government’s Grad PLUS loan program set to end, a Facebook post last month from the School of Public Health suggested that Yale would establish a new alternative.
Golden Globes 2026 winners: ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Adolescence’ lead the night
Timothée Chalamet and Owen Cooper continued their 2026 award season winning streaks
Eagles’ Jordan Mailata drops ‘unfair’ take on Kevin Patullo criticism
Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata came to the defense of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
Business briefs, Jan. 12
CMS expands ‘enhanced oversight’ to hospice providers in 2 new states … New rule allows early withdrawal from 401(k) funds without penalty to pay for long-term care … MA options, providers shrinking in 2026
Analysis: Trump purges ‘lame duck’ claims with brute force, retribution and play for global domination
So much for that lame duck in the White House.
Here’s How Golden Globes Host Nikki Glaser Paid Subtle Tribute to Rob Reiner
The host had previously teased her plans to pay tribute to the late great actor and director.
The Latest: Golden Globes kicks off Hollywood's 2026 awards season
Hollywood’s awards season is underway with the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, happening now. Comedian Nikki Glaser returns for a second year to host the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton in
Five MCPS Seniors Named Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars
Five Montgomery County Public Schools seniors have been named among the 300 scholars selected nationwide for the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the country’s most prestigious science and […]
Apple’s stock can climb 35% this year — if these four scenarios play out
The biggest bull on Apple’s stock is looking for the company to address its “invisible AI strategy’ and keep Tim Cook around as CEO for this transformative period.
Galaxy S26 with Exynos 2600 makes first Geekbench appearance
For the first time, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 has surfaced on Geekbench with the Exynos 2600 processor. The first listing alone revealed the phone’s graphics capabilities, backed by Samsung Xclipse 960 GPU. This listing is important because it’s the first time the company’s latest in-house AP is featured in a real device. The company has […]
Egan Maritime announces full slate of winter activities
(Jan. 11, 2026) The Egan Maritime Institute is launching its 2026 public programming with a winter lineup that brings Nantucket’s maritime history to life through reenactments, games, films and community
Democratic Party must grapple with ‘excesses of identity politics,’ Democrat consultant says
Democrat consultant Julian Epstein discusses how identity politics and anti-Western ideology are key issues harming the Democratic Party on ‘Life, Liberty & Levin.’
This Week’s Japanese Game Releases: Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, CASSETTE BOY, more
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is the highlight of this week’s Japanese game releases. It is the week’s only retail release.
Local sports bar stays busy even without Chiefs in NFL Playoffs
The NFL Playoffs are underway and for the first time since 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t competing.
As China’s companies expand overseas, entrepreneurs want the passports to match
Local residency is becoming an essential asset for China’s business owners as they go abroad, granting benefits and networking opportunities.
Roob's Observations after an excruciating Eagles loss to end season
The Eagles’ season is over thanks to an excruciating 23-19 loss to the underdog 49ers in a wild-card round game at the Linc.
49ers vs. Eagles: Brock Purdy, San Francisco dethrone Philly on late fourth-quarter TD drive
The Eagles’ season ends in a massive disappointment, but it couldn’t have been too surprising based on how inconsistent they had been.
Penguins/Bruins Recap: Pens shutout in Boston
Pregame Dan Muse hasn’t reacted via lineup changes to losses very frequently this season, however today changes on that front. All three of the top lines are mixed up a bit, Anthony Mantha moves up to the top line, Ben Kindel and Tommy Novak join Justin Brazeau on a new-look line, and perhaps most inexplicably […]
Conservation’s unfinished business
Conservation often presents itself as a technical enterprise: how much land to protect, which species to prioritize, what policies deliver results. A recent paper in Nature argues that this framing misses something fundamental. Many of the field’s most persistent failures, the authors contend, cannot be understood without confronting how race, power, and historical exclusion continue […]
Federal Prosecutors Are Said to Have Opened Inquiry Into Fed Chair Powell
The investigation, which centers on renovations of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters in Washington, signals an escalation in the long-running clash between President Trump and the chair.
U.S. Navy veteran and VA health care executive appointed as Department of War’s top medical leader
Keith Bass, a retired U.S. Navy commander and health care leader, was sworn in Jan. 12, 2026, as the assistant secretary of war for health affairs.
[CES 2026] An Entertainment Companion for Every Moment Seen & Heard
The Entertainment Companion zone at The First Look 2026 marked a new chapter in Samsung’s visual display evolution; building on nearly two decades as the
Decoding the perfect steak: The hidden DNA behind Wagyu’s legendary marbling
A groundbreaking cattle genome has given researchers their clearest look yet at what makes Wagyu beef so special. By uncovering hundreds of new genes and hidden genetic variations, scientists can now pinpoint traits linked to marbling, health, and productivity with far greater accuracy. The advance could boost profits for beef producers while improving breeding outcomes across many cattle breeds. It also sets the stage for even more comprehensive livestock genomes in the future.
Western Pacific Region achieves milestone: 19 countries complete comprehensive health information system assessments
The Health Information and Digital Health (HID) unit in the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has successfully supported 19 countries, covering 99% of the Region’s population, to conduct comprehensive health information system (HIS) assessments, surpassing the regional target of 15 set for 2025 and advancing efforts toward universal health coverage. Using SCORE, a technical package of essential interventions, recommended actions, tool and resources developed by WHO and partners to address challenges in meeting HIS needs, these assessments systematically assess health data availability and quality, enabling countries to monitor trends, identify and respond to emerging health challenges, and improve policies and programmes for healthier families, communities and societies. The first round of SCORE assessments were conducted between 2019-2021 in 14 countries in the Region and over 130 countries globally. The second round of SCORE assessments were conducted between 2024-2025.SCORE assessments are a key priority identified by Member States and WHO at all levels, including within WHO-Country/Multi-Country Cooperation Strategies, the Regional Vision Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025–2029), and the WHO Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14, 2025–2028). Within the Regional Vision, implementing SCORE assessments is a key action for technology and innovation to advance health equity (strand 5).The SCORE for Health Data technical package is based on five key interventions, represented by the acronym SCORE. Interventions S, C and O focus on strengthening core data sources. Survey (S) covers population-based health surveys, surveillance systems and censuses, including their capacity to monitor health-related SDGs. Count (C) focuses on birth, death and cause of death registration as parts of a functional CRVS system. Optimize (O) addresses routine health service data and key health service inputs such as health financing and health workforce.Interventions R and E focus on data use for action. Review (R) examines regular analytical reviews of health sector progress and performance, together with national analytical capacity. Enable (E) looks at the policy, governance, and digital foundations needed to support effective data use.The Western Pacific Region shows relatively strong performance in the Review (R) and Count (C) interventions. Most countries in the Region demonstrate good analytical reporting and institutional capacity for analysis and learning. More than two-thirds of countries show more mature CRVS systems, driven by improvements in birth and death registration. However, medical certification of cause-of-death remains a key gap, with limited or low coverage in over half of countries in the Region.Performance under the Survey (S) intervention is mixed. While surveillance systems are generally strong, several countries in the Region continue to face challenges in implementing their surveys and censuses. Monitoring health-related SDGs is still a challenge for more than a third of countries in the Region.The greatest challenges are observed in the Optimize (O) and Enable (E) interventions. More than half of countries have lower maturity levels in routine health service and resource systems. Two-thirds of countries also face challenges with effective use of data and evidence for policy and action, largely due to gaps in digital infrastructure, governance and legislation for health data systems, and especially in data and sharing.  As part of the SCORE methodology, multi-stakeholder consultations and validation workshops were conducted in many countries to review findings and plan strategies for HIS strengthening. The HID unit continues to provide targeted support to facilitate dialogue and assist countries in developing HIS improvement plans. These plans guide governments and partners to align investments and coordinate efforts for maximum impact.WHO also assists countries with tailored technical support to address key gaps as requested by countries/national health authorities. SCORE assessments should be conducted periodically to monitor progress in HIS strengthening, although progress across addressing gaps identified in SCORE should be continually tracked as countries implement improvements.Additional countries will be supported to implement SCORE in 2026. The Regional Vision delivery-for-impact target, endorsed by Member States, is for all countries and areas to have implemented SCORE assessments and have an increased SCORE index by 2029 while WHO is aiming for 80% of Member States in the Region to conduct round two assessments. Countries yet to complete assessments are therefore encouraged to contact the HID unit at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific for tailored support.The implementation of SCORE HIS assessments in the Western Pacific Region was supported by The Gates Family Foundation.
“The ultimate cheater of all time” – Former Bulls center recalls Michael Jordan cheating on Dunkin’ Donuts bets
Jordan’s obsession with winning showed up in places fans never noticed.
Codey, former governor who spent decades in NJ politics, dies at 79
Serving 50 years in NJ politics, Codey was the state’s longest-serving legislator