SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " BET " 11,077 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Oklahoma lawmakers, tribes and OKC Thunder agree on sports betting bill
Oklahoma lawmakers, tribes, and the Thunder reached an agreement to legalize sports betting. Here's what it says and what's next.
Oklahoma lawmakers file amendment to allow sports betting after support from tribes, Thunder
Lawmakers announced on Tuesday that they are moving forward with a new version of a bill that could legalize sports betting in Oklahoma.
OpenAI Beefs Up ChatGPT's Image Generation Model
The ChatGPT Images 2.0 model is here. Our testing shows it's better at creating more detailed images and rendering text, but it still struggles with languages other than English.
Revitalizing Primary Care: Health Plan of San Mateo’s Investment Strategy
Abstract Health systems that invest in primary care have better and more equitable health outcomes. Yet primary care faces a crisis (characterized by
Framework’s New Ultra-Repairable 'Pro' Laptop Lets You Ditch Windows Entirely
The Framework Laptop 13 Pro comes with better battery life, a better chip, and—finally—a touchscreen.
Framework is building a better couch keyboard because everyone hates the Logitech one
Logitech K400 must die, it seems.
Warsh vows to keep monetary policy independent of politics
STORY: :: Fed chief nominee Warsh vows to keep monetary policy independent of politics:: Washington, D.C. / April 21, 2026:: Kevin Warsh, Federal Reserve chief nominee“Monetary policy independence is essential. Monetary policymakers must act in the nation's interest. Their decision is the product of rigor, deliberation and unclouded decision-making. And as Senator Warren said, I do not believe that independence of monetary policy is threatened when elected officials state their views on rates. Fed independence is up to the Fed." // :: Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Democrat on Senate Banking Committee“So, independence takes courage. Let's check out your independence and your courage. We'll start easy. Mr. Warsh, did Donald Trump lose the 2020 election?”WARSH: “Um, we try to keep politics, if I’m confirmed, out of the Federal Reserve.”WARREN: “I’m just asking you a factual question. I need to know. I need to measure your independence and your courage.”WARSH: “Senator, I believe that this body certified that election many years ago.”WARREN: “That’s not the question I’m asking. I’m asking did Donald Trump lose in 2020?”WARSH: “And I’m suggesting to you in 2020…”WARREN: “I’m suggesting you can’t answer that.”WARSH: “… the Fed had a huge inflation problem, and you certified the election…[crosstalk]… let’s keep the politics out of monetary policy.” //WARREN: "Just one little place where you disagree with Donald Trump.”WARSH: “Well, I do have a disagreement actually, Senator, with the president. I think even this morning, he said that he thought I was out of central casting. I think central casting, I'd look older, grayer, maybe show up here with a cigar of sorts.”WARREN: “Quite adorable. But, you know, we need a Fed chair who is independent. That's the only way we preserve the independence of the Federal Reserve. If you can't answer these questions, you don't have the courage and you don't have the independence.”In a confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee that quickly hinted at major changes to come at a Warsh-led Fed, the 56-year-old lawyer and financier blamed the central bank for an inflation surge in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to hurt U.S. households.Warsh's hearing quickly turned contentious. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed Warsh on his independence and "courage", saying President Donald Trump had made clear Warsh would be his "sock puppet".
'Sports come second': Student-athletes work to balance between classroom, competition
For many college athletes, balancing academics and athletics isn’t achieved through last-minute emails or excuses about missed assignments.
Beyond DTC: Finding the Best Business Model for Your Brand with Molly Sims and Randy Goldberg
The best brands aren’t choosing between online and in person retail—they’re doing both, intentionally. Bombas co-founder Randy Goldberg and YSE Beauty founder Molly Sims break down how to expand your model without diluting your brand.
Entertainment’s Battle Between Scale and Originality
Scale is not the enemy. The real danger is forgetting why people cared in the first place.
Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Best Bet, Prediction for NFL Draft Round 1
Chris "The Bear" Fallica is back with a best bet for the Over/Under of wide receivers to get selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Warren grills Warsh on whether he's Trump's 'sock puppet'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren grilled Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
The World’s Forests Won’t Be Saved by Science Alone: We Need Better Communication
Research tells us that we need sustainable forest practices. But how does this knowledge lead to action?
Proposed ban on sports prop bets dies amid state budget woes
But a ban on using credit cards to sports gamble remains in the bill. A proposed ban on "prop bets" was removed from a proposed gambling bill.
Mississippi Better Business Bureau warns of travel scam surge ahead of Memorial Day weekend
Officials said crooks are using fake travel sites and social media listings to steal money from people looking for travel deals.
FBI investigating possible links between deaths and disappearances of at least 10 scientists
The law enforcement agency’s announcement came after President Donald Trump highlighted the recent deaths of several scientists and government workers who may have had access to sensitive information
Shaky political science: using "simulated" elections over real-world elections
[Dear DSOS readers – this article is the latest in our “Shaky Political Science” series. In our 38 page report, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting,” released in early December, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting. We found that many of these studies suffered from puzzling research methodologies, poorly constructed surveys, unrealistic simulated elections, cherry picked data, and faulty analyses that often were contradicted by results from real-world elections (a link to our full paper is here). Here are links to the first three articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report, the second one analyzing a study co-authored by University of Minnesota academic Larry Jacobs, which was one of the most error-prone of all the research we reviewed in our report, and a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research]. In this fourth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we shine a spotlight on seven studies that were web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group (the ERRG is an ad hoc committee headed by New America’s Political Reform Program and joined by the American Enterprise Institute, the Unite America Institute and Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law). This research consortium has been led by Lee Drutman, senior fellow with New America’s Political Reform Program. These seven studies are simply not credible from any objective standard about how political “science” is supposed to illuminate our understanding of either ranked choice voting or politics in general. The feature that six of these seven studies have in common is that they all used surveys – artificial, simulated elections -- to attempt to say something cogent or interesting about ranked choice voting (RCV) elections. None of them used real world data from actual RCV elections – either the 1000+ elections in the US or the many thousands of elections from places like Australia, Ireland and elsewhere where RCV has been used for 100 years. While a few of these studies conclude with some mixed positives about RCV, our analysis here is content neutral. The idea that, with a political reform like RCV, you can ask respondents in a mock, artificial election to vote with that method, with only the barest of explanation about how RCV works or its likely impacts (i.e. no spoiler candidates, majority winners, voters liberated to pick their favorite candidates, coalition-building), and then ask them their thoughts/reactions about voting in that system, with fake candidates and no real campaigning, no real exposure to an actual election or actual candidates, rests on some very puzzling assumptions. The findings of these seven studies actually are contradicted by the findings from many other studies based on real-world RCV elections. These New America studies also failed to list the real-world RCV studies in their own citations, instead including those studies that reinforced their conclusions. The seven studies featured in this article were chosen because they form a cohesive cohort which precisely illustrates one of the main points of our research paper, namely that using surveys, i.e. artificial elections, or mathematical/theoretical models, instead of real-world data, is in fact “shaky political science.” Below are summaries of our analysis of five of the seven New America studies. You can read our complete analysis of all seven studies at our paper, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting.” Choosing to “Vote As Usual” by Andre Blais, Carolina Plescia, and Semra Sevi. New America. (Blais et al., 2021). This study, web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group, used two surveys in which respondents completed ballots for simulated elections using plurality, approval, RCV and point (Score) voting. In both cases the authors provided the respondents with only minimal explanation of each method. For example, the entire explanation for RCV was “For this vote, rank the candidates from your first to your last choice (you do not need to rank them all). This is called the ranked vote.” That’s it. The study did not provide any context or explanation to survey respondents about why she/he might want to rank multiple candidates. Participants were not even told that ballots would be tabulated using an “instant” runoff, not to mention any description of RCVs ability to eliminate the spoiler effect or liberate voters to rank their favorite candidates without fear of helping the “greater evil” candidate to win. That’s like taking an iPhone back in time to 1970 and asking someone if they like it better than their rotary phone without explaining how it works. Their first survey targeted states that held 2020 Super Tuesday Democratic primaries and used the real candidates’ names in the survey; the second survey used fictitious candidates. In other words, they surveyed respondents who had only ever participated in plurality elections, had no history or background with using RCV or any of the other methods, had no clue about its likely impacts, and did not communicate how the alternative methods would be counted, and then asked them: “How satisfied are you with using each system?” Predictably, the winner was plurality elections, the system used for president, Congress, gubernatorial and state legislative elections – in other words, the method they have been using, year after year, all their voting lives. With so little explanation of RCV and its impacts, this study is simply not credible in discovering anything useful about real-world RCV elections. It merely shows that a basic voter education campaign is needed when adopting a new election system. Additionally, the result contradicts many other post-election surveys following real RCV elections, asking opinions from voters who had just participated in a RCV election, that showed a great deal of satisfaction with RCV (see details on that in Studies 22-25 in our paper, as well as the four studies cited in the review for Study 28). Share Other studies on “satisfaction” and “understanding” make similar mistakes, in terms of basing their surveys on inadequate explanation to respondents and lack of education about context. How could any survey ever hope to measure accurately, in essence simulate a real-world election, without actual campaigning candidates, the media writing about those candidates, organizations endorsing candidates and voters being inundated with crucial information? More than anything, what these “studies” based on surveys show is that if you ask voters about something they don’t know very much about, and fail to adequately educate them, their responses will unsurprisingly reflect their confusion. Equally puzzling is that New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group, headed by political scientist Lee Drutman, found this to be a credible enough study that they not only published it but highlighted it in Drutman’s own discussion of research related to ranked choice voting. This pattern was repeated in study after study featured by New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group. For example in Ranked-Choice Voting and Political Expression: Voter Guides Narrow the Gap between Informed and Uninformed Citizens by Cheryl Boudreau, Jonathan Colner, and Scott MacKenzie, the researchers based their analysis on a survey which found that respondents who were asked to vote in a simulated RCV election, with minimal explanation of RCV or how it works, displayed less evidence of being informed about how to use RCV effectively, with the least informed voters ranking fewer candidates. As pointed out under the study above, in a real election voters are informed by a wide variety of methods, including public education by the election administration, by interested political groups, the media, and the candidates themselves who benefit from voters being aware of how to vote in the new system. In Support for Ranked-Choice Voting across Race and Partisanship by Joseph Anthony, David C. Kimball, Jack Santucci and Jamil Scott, the researchers used respondents from different parties and races voting in simulated plurality and RCV elections, who indicated their satisfaction with each voting method. Instead of using real world election results, the authors fell back on the easy, armchair and less reliable academic research methodology of making up mock elections. As with the other studies, little explanation was given of how RCV works or what its implications might be (electing majority winners or eliminating spoilers, for example). Unsurprisingly, this study found that respondents were not very satisfied with RCV. However, when the authors added an explanation that RCV has a tendency to elect more women and people of color, they found that this greater explanation increased the preference for RCV. The more voters were familiar with it, and the more they understood potential positive impacts – surprise! -- the more they were open to switching away from the status quo. Of note, the results from this study are thoroughly contradicted by a number of other studies whose data was obtained from real RCV elections with real voters. Those studies show a great deal of satisfaction with RCV. More “fake election” research An interesting wrinkle on this “research by fake elections” approach, which only served to illustrate how unreliable such “research” can become, was taken in Ranked-Choice Voting, Runoff, and Democracy: Insights from Maine and Other U.S. States by Joseph Cerrone and Cynthia McClintock_,_ also web-hosted and funded by New America’s ERRG. It gets high marks for creativity, but an eye-roll for thinking this could possibly add anything meaningful to our understanding of real world RCV elections. This study tried to determine whether RCV, plurality or two-round runoff elections provided greater voter satisfaction and acceptance of election results. To determine that, the authors conducted a survey asking if voters were satisfied with a fictional newspaper report of an election, with three different versions given to respondents – plurality, runoff and RCV, with variations of Republican/Democrat winners and variations of “come-from-behind” winners,” i.e. candidates not initially in first place but who win the “runoff.” Again, a minimal explanation of RCV or how it works was given, and the survey showed that respondents had the greatest unfamiliarity with RCV than the other methods. The unsurprising result? Respondents were much more satisfied with “come-from-behind” victories in a traditional two-round runoff election than in RCV, even though RCV is also a runoff system but with a single round of counting. Interestingly, the dissatisfaction with RCV disappeared for those who were more familiar with RCV. In fact, among those respondents who were “very familiar” with RCV, they were equally satisfied with RCV, runoff and plurality. Surprise, surprise. Again, what this study revealed, more than anything, is not only the inadequacy of the explanation for RCV given by the authors of this study, but the failure of the research format itself, thinking that such an artificial mock election could somehow simulate what actually happens in the real world in a real RCV election. Those four studies reviewed above are fitting examples of inadequate and shaky political “science.” Other studies reviewed in our paper from the New America/Electoral Reform Research Group cohort which also used mock elections included: Ranked-Choice Voting is an Acquired Taste by Joseph Anthony and David C. Kimball. New America. (Anthony et al., 2021). Ranked-Choice Voting is No Refuge for Extreme Candidates by Melissa Baker. New America. (Baker, 2021). Also included in this New America cohort is Does Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Racial Polarization? by Yuki Atsusaka and Theodore Landsman, which actually did use real-world election results data but applied an odd and unconventional methodology to the data which relied on shaky assumptions and non-real-world scenarios that were too divorced from reality. To determine levels of “racially polarized voting,” the researchers imagined “ethnic parties,” by which they mean political parties for each ethnic group, which was especially odd since the election data they were using came from nonpartisan RCV races. But then they made an even odder assumption, namely that since race and ethnic characteristics of studied voters were not available, the authors tried to infer that information based on who voters selected and the racial make-up of voters in each district. This amounted to little more than vague and ambiguous guesswork dressed up with a bunch of mathematical equations used to give it a veneer of scientific appearance. Indeed, it seemed to assume racial polarization in order to prove racial polarization. Based on this questionable methodology, the authors concluded that RCV doesn’t reduce racial polarization. But the premise of this study missed an obvious reality: since RCV incentivizes more candidates to run and can result in more diverse fields of candidates, one would expect more racially-polarized voting in voters’ top rankings, not less, because more voters would have someone on that ballot who represents their racial or ethnic identity and more freedom to vote for their real first choice. By encouraging more diverse candidates and eliminating the spoiler effect, RCV facilitates voting for a favorite candidate of your own race and then selecting a second choice with the best likelihood of winning. The real measure is what voters do with their additional rankings – do they consider other candidates and vote “for the best of the rest”? This study didn’t tell us anything useful about that. But readily available data shows this is common in real RCV elections, and candidates act on this knowledge by engaging with voters outside their racial group. So the authors of this study failed to consider or account for what actually happens in real-world elections, and their conclusions are tainted by this failure. New America has contributed a great deal over the past 2.5 decades to our understanding of many policy areas, including politics and political reform (full disclosure: Steven Hill, one of the authors of this article and of the “Shaky Political Science” research paper and series, is a former senior fellow and former director of New America’s political reform program, 2005-2010). So it was especially disappointing that New America funded and published such a large batch of dubious studies about ranked choice voting. The stated praiseworthy goal of its Electoral Reform Research Group was to inspire new academic research about ranked choice voting that would shed light and help the public better understand the impacts of RCV. Instead, the ERRG research did just the opposite. It produced dubious research that created more confusion and misinformation. In so doing, New America’s political reform program contributed to “shaky political science.” Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS, a reader-supported digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe
WhatsApp Testing Paid 'Plus' Subscription Tier
WhatsApp has started testing a paid subscription tier called WhatsApp Plus, which adds a set of personalization options on top of the standard messaging experience, according to WABetaInfo.
They Built a Legendary Privacy Tool. Now They’re Sworn Enemies
There’s a lot of love all over the world for GrapheneOS, the gold standard of mobile security. There’s very little love between the two guys at the center of its history.
Pens Points: Another No Show
Maybe Pens Points can help make you feel better after last night.
J.P. Morgan lifts S&P 500 year-end target to 7,600 on AI-driven earnings
J.P. Morgan on Tuesday raised its year-end target for the S&P 500 index to 7,600, citing AI and tech-driven earnings, just weeks after lowering its forecast, with a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran aiding sentiment.
Between Providence And Boston Is A Vibrant Massachusetts Town Bursting With Diverse Entertainment
Foxborough, known as "Foxboro," is a lively Massachusetts town that's home to the Patriots, Gillette Stadium, and a diverse selection of local entertainment.
FSU's "Art in STEM" exhibition shows the beauty of science
The exhibition helps the FSU community "bridge the gap between scientific discovery and popular interest." Neighbors can view the exhibition at FSU's Dirac Science Library through the summer.
India’s Decades-Long Political Truce Is Over
India’s five-decade-long political compromise between an overpopulated, impoverished north and more successful, faster-growing south has just imploded.
Carderock Scientists Inspire Future Innovators at Calvert County MESA
HUNTINGTOWN, Md. (April 9, 2026) – To bridge the distance between a national naval research center and students in rural communities, representatives from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock
Drama between software engineer and Google heats up
Computer programmer and ex-Googler Steve Yegge said he had heard AI use within the the company varies widely, sparking a firestorm of public pushback.
Drama between software engineer and Google heats up
Computer programmer and ex-Googler Steve Yegge said he had heard AI use within the the company varies widely, sparking a firestorm of public pushback.
‘WhatsApp Plus’ subscription launching soon with new features
WhatsApp is planning a new ‘WhatsApp Plus’ paid subscription, and it just went live in the app’s Android beta ahead of an iOS launch.
Disallowance of COVID-19 Leave Credits: A Review of Substantiation and Trade or Business Requirements — Current Federal Tax Developments
Marie M. Kanda v. Commissioner, T.C. Summary Opinion 2026-3 (Docket No. 3772-24S. Filed April 20, 2026) Between 2015 and 2023, Marie M. Kanda suffered from several serious health conditions, including breast cancer and severe osteoarthritis, which led to her doctor determining she was disabled and
Democrat Betty Yee exits California governor’s race
Betty Yee — a former state controller — announced Monday she was suspending her campaign, just over a week after fellow Democrat and former US Rep. Eric Swalwell left the race following sexual assault allegations that he denies.
'Electric': Bills QB Josh Allen buys into Sabres buzz around Buffalo
The NFL star says Buffalo is a better place when the Sabres are playing well.
Is Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez off to better start?
Julio Rodríguez isn't tearing the cover off of the ball, but there is a difference to his early production for the Seattle Mariners this season.
Former state Controller Betty Yee drops out of the governor's race
Yee, lacking financial resources and voter recognition despite being elected to statewide office twice, dropped out of the 2026 governor's race.
Lagging in polls and fundraising, Betty Yee drops out of California governor’s race
Yee's departure from the race for governor leaves six leading Democrats in the running with two leading Republicans.
Sen. Mark Warner's daughter dies of juvenile diabetes and other health issues at 36
The death of Madison Warner, 36, rendered lawmaker and wife "heartbroken beyond words."
Franciscan Health blesses new St Elizabeth Garden
Built on a former school site, the St. Elizabeth Garden offers a new educational and reflective space at Franciscan Health.
Graham Platner nets another endorsement in high-interest Maine Senate race
Sen. Elizabeth Warren calls Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner "a real fighter" who's ready shake things up and make changes in DC.
Apple releases iOS 26.5 beta 3 for iPhone
Apple has released the second iOS 26.5 beta for developers. The previous beta introduced a new splash screen that signaled the...
Lily Allen’s ‘West End Girl’ tour is a brutal, brilliant look at romantic betrayal
"Lily Allen Presents West End Girl" is a fearless display from a woman reclaiming her dignity. Here's how the concert show unfolds.
Missouri sports betting is now live: Get the best sports betting apps to scoop over $3,000 in launch promos
Missouri sports betting is now live, and the top Missouri sportsbooks are offering Missouri sports betting promos
The Conversation: As Renaissance Fairs Become Big Business, Can They Retain Their Counterculture Roots?
Renaissance festivals now sit at an uneasy crossroads between countercultural expression and commercial spectacle.
Leaked Memos Reveal Just How Much the Supreme Court Has Betrayed the Constitution
All in service of its corporate patrons.
Deezer says 44% of songs uploaded to its platform daily are AI-generated
Deezer says consumption of AI-generated music on the platform is still very low, between 1-3% of the total streams, and that 85% of these streams are detected as fraudulent and are demonetized.
Is stevia actually healthy? What to know when cutting back on sugar
Research has shown diets high in added sugar can be linked to several health issues, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner’s daughter dies after decades-long health battle
The 36-year-old daughter of U.S. Senator Mark Warner has died after experiencing a decades-long battle with juvenile diabetes, the Warner family said Monday.
A game of split-second decisions: Putting health and human performance to the test
When athletes step onto the field, reacting a fraction of a second too late can be the difference between making a play and sustaining an injury. At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, faculty in the Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP) are studying what drives those split-second decisions and how sleep, mental health and cognitive processing affect performance and injury risk.
Elon students inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Society
“What’s so brave about being sick?” It’s a question Prosanta Chakrabarty often asked himself in the early days of his ongoing fight against cancer. It wasn’t until initial treatment...
NZXT AIO leak damages RTX 5090 ROG Astral, company offers $2,855 but user says it is not enough to replace the card
Leaking Kraken AIO damages RTX 5090 ROG Astral A Reddit post details a long-running dispute between an NZXT customer and the company after an NZXT Kraken
Galaxy S24 and Fold 7 get Galaxy S26 AI features with latest One UI 8.5 beta
Samsung is making good on its promise to bring new Galaxy AI features from the Galaxy S26 lineup to existing devices. It has released new One UI 8.5 beta updates today that include these features for several devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy S24 series. The Galaxy S25 series has also […]
The pope's English fuels a Trump feud
No translation, no buffer: A pope Americans hear directly.
Nike's comeback attempt: better shoes, more retail sales, sports focus
The sportswear giant got lapped by competitors like New Balance, On, and Hoka. Now Nike is racing to catch up.
Galaxy S25’s ninth One UI 8.5 beta update now available in India
Samsung has released the One UI 8.5 Beta 9 update for the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra in India.
Kalshi’s fight over sports betting is hurtling towards the Supreme Court—and the future of gambling is at stake
Kalshi is in a make-or-break fight to preserve a lucrative new prediction-markets industry expected to grow to over $200 billion this year.
Ecommerce Views Launches as the Go-To Resource for Practical, Research-Backed Ecommerce Intelligence
The new digital publication fills the gap between surface-level news and real-world understanding for merchants, operators, and builders of e-co...
Despite tribal boundary disagreement, lawmakers try to tee up a sports betting deal
Whether the Oklahoma Legislature can strike and pass a sports betting deal in 2026 is one of the largest lingering questions of the session.
Blockbuster GLP-1 Diabetes and Weight Loss Drugs Fails in Alzheimer’s Trial
Researchers are exploring whether GLP-1 medications used for diabetes and weight loss could treat Alzheimer’s and addiction.
Robert Massimi on Three Shifts Reshaping the Relationship Between Business and the Arts
Robert Massimi, CEO of RM Global Advisors in Saddle River, New Jersey, outlines how the boundary between commerce and
Advancing epidemic and pandemic preparedness through research readiness: SEAR Unity Studies Network Sites chart the way forward in 2026
On 25 March 2026, WHO Regional Office for the South‑East Asia Region (SEARO) convened the first meeting of the SEAR Chapter of the Unity Studies Network Meeting in 2026 to take stock of progress and plan next steps for strengthening epidemic and pandemic preparedness across the Region. The meeting focused on reviewing the ongoing adaptation of selected, standard Unity Study methodologies, sharing field implementation experiences from 2025, and identifying key priorities to guide collaborative work in 2026.Held virtually, the meeting brought together representatives from six Unity Studies network sites across five countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) as well as participants from all three levels of WHO.The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing regional efforts in South‑East Asia to strengthen early investigations and studies for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, with a focus on pandemic influenza and other emerging respiratory pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential. In this context, and as part of preparedness for the rapid generation of evidence, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme in SEAR (WHE/SEAR) encourages Unity Studies sites to adapt prioritized, standardized Unity Study protocols to their national contexts. This approach supports the generation of timely and reliable evidence to inform public health decision‑making during epidemics and pandemics.These efforts are supported through a combination of experience sharing, participation in the global Unity Studies network webinars, capacity‑building of the national public health workforce, and regional collaboration that promotes inter‑country, inter‑agency, and inter‑ministerial action. In parallel, sites are encouraged to explore diversified funding sources to help sustain research preparedness over the long term.Discussions highlighted the importance of WHO’s catalytic financial support through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contributions (PIP‑PC). When combined with national and institutional resources, this support enables countries and sites to maintain continuity of activities at a core level and remain prepared to respond rapidly and effectively to future epidemics and pandemics.Regional and Global Updates: Opening the session, Dr Pushpa Ranjan Wijesinghe, Programme Area Manager, Pandemic and Epidemic Management (PEM) Unit, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, highlighted the progress made in operationalizing the Unity Studies Network across the Region and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of WHO at all three levels, together with country unity studies sites. He emphasized the availability of limited but catalytic funding through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PIP‑PC) workplan at SEARO to sustain network activities in 2026, while encouraging sites to leverage additional funding sources to expand implementation.Representing SEARO, Dr Ashok Basnet, consultant, Pandemic Influenza Preparedness reported that, at the regional level, the Unity Studies Network currently includes six sites across five countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. He noted that in 2025, catalytic funding supported protocol adaptation, training, and pilot implementation. In addition, a regional Unity Studies symposium held during the Global Public Health Summit in Sri Lanka strengthened and advocated collaboration between the Unity Studies site, national decision‑making forum, relevant technical units of the ministry of health, WHO and other partners.The symposium also highlighted the role of early investigations and studies as a key component of a multi‑source surveillance system needed at country level to generate a broad range of evidence. It underscored the critical role of country Unity Studies sites and similar research entities in generating evidence to support public health decision‑making during epidemics and pandemics.Participants of the WHO GISRS Unity Studies Sites Network- SEAR Chapter Meeting 2026 (Photo credit- PEM/WHE/SEARO). SEARO also updated participants on ongoing efforts to develop a regional Unity Studies webpage and to promote participation in global knowledge‑sharing platforms, including webinars and the WHO Community of Practice. Priorities for 2026 include supporting the implementation of Unity protocols, strengthening collaboration and experience sharing across sites, documenting and publishing findings, integrating Unity Studies activities as a component of multi-source national surveillance systems, and building workforce capacity.Dr Nickle Boddington of the Global Influenza Programme (GIP) at WHO Headquarters, which coordinates the Unity Studies Network globally, provided updates on global Unity Studies activities, noting that the network has expanded to 16 sites worldwide. New and updated protocols, including rapid clinical severity assessment tools and standardized data platforms, are being developed to support implementation. The global Community of Practice has also been launched to facilitate technical exchange, and continued support will be provided to sites for protocol adaptation, ethical approvals, and readiness for early investigation during outbreaks. Updates from Unity Studies sites in SEAR in 2025Unity Studies sites shared progress and experiences in implementing protocols across diverse country contexts. Sites initiated activities in 2025 using catalytic funding from SEARO, complemented by the mobilization of internal national resources. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Bangladesh, reported the adoption and piloting of investigation protocols on non‑seasonal influenza and emerging respiratory diseases during recent avian influenza outbreaks, demonstrating a multi‑source funding approach involving government, WHO and One Health partners.The Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR), New Delhi, India, highlighted the piloting of household transmission investigation studies, the expansion of the national Unity Studies network, and the contribution of study findings to global evidence through published outputs. The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India, shared experiences from large‑scale seroprevalence studies conducted during the COVID‑19 pandemic, recent efforts to strengthen national Unity network sites through training activities, and plans to initiate multi‑centre studies on respiratory viruses.Similarly, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, highlighted its experience in developing integrated surveillance and diagnostic protocols for multiple respiratory pathogens, enhancing readiness for targeted investigations of emerging threats. The University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, reported ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Health and exploration of additional funding sources to initiate studies. Meanwhile, the National Public Health Laboratory, Nepal, provided updates on continued coordination with national stakeholders to initiate implementation, despite delays related to the country context.Across sites, shared experiences underscored the importance of protocol adaptation, multisectoral collaboration, and sustainable funding to operationalize Unity Studies and generate evidence for public health action.Discussions and Way ForwardThe meeting reinforced key priorities for 2026, including strengthening unity studies protocol implementation, enhancing collaboration, knowledge sharing, integrating research as a component of national multi-source surveillance systems, and ensuring that generated evidence informs public health decision‑making. Participants also emphasized the importance of documentation, visibility, and leveraging multiple funding sources, and agreed on the following action points.Unity Studies Sites and WHO Country Offices:Advance adoption and implementation of at least one Unity protocol, continuing activities initiated in 2025 with catalytic funding, supplemented with other sources of funding where feasible.Document site-specific experiences, outcomes, and lessons learned; participate in regional and global knowledge-sharing platforms including WHO webinars and the Community of Practice.Work closely with ministries of health to establish unified national platforms for translating generated evidence into national public health decision-making. WHO Country Offices may facilitate technical support and complementary, synergistic funding opportunities where feasible. WHO Regional OfficeCoordinate with WHO Country Offices to support implementation of core unity studies activities by network sites through catalytic funding and provide technical guidance and virtual engagement opportunities throughout 2026.Facilitate the participation of all Unity Studies sites in the regional meeting on Unity Studies implementation in October 2026, to be held back‑to‑back with the Annual SEAR Regional PIP‑PC Meeting; develop and host a SEAR Unity Studies website; and mobilize support from academic institutions within the SEAR Unity Studies Network to support the development of regional manuscripts that showcase Unity Studies activities to scientific audiences and promote knowledge‑sharing.Explore complementary funding opportunities and partnerships to sustain and expand network activities across the Region.WHO HeadquartersProvide global technical guidance, updated protocols, and toolkits to support the implementation of Unity Studies in SEAR.Facilitate engagement of SEAR sites in global webinars, the Community of Practice, and opportunities to showcase their work.Support joint publications, inclusion of SEAR experiences in global outputs, and identification of additional funding and collaborative opportunities to strengthen Unity Studies activities.
Oil prices rise anew after a US-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz strands tankers
Oil prices are rising in early trading as a standoff between Iran and the U.S. prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz.
6 ways your smartwatch is lying to you, according to science
Smartwatches aren’t always as accurate as you might think. In some cases, you’d be better off listening to your body.
Game #21 GameThread: Jays @ Diamondbacks
Game three of three with the Diamondbacks. I’m putting the GameThreads together before leaving on holiday, which seemed like a better idea before I started doing it. Normally, a GameThread is pretty quick and easy, but when you are doing 20-some in a row, it loses some of the fun. Thankfully, I’m near the end. […]
4.5mm iPhone Ultra/Fold cases and "final design" renders leak; big MagSafe mystery
Leaked iPhone Ultra/Fold cases confirm a wider book-style foldable design for Apple’s 2026 flagship. However, the leaked images suggest a conflict between the device's ultra-thin 4.5mm chassis and MagSafe compatibility, as dummy units lack magnets while cases include them. Known iPhone Ultra/Fold features include a 7.8-inch display, A20 Pro chip, and a late 2026 release date.
Haaland ends PL goal drought at the perfect time 🤖
Sunday's title contest between Manchester City and Arsenal has delivered the drama as expected. And we also have Erling Haaland scoring, as expected! The Norwegian snapped his Premier League goal drou...
Loneliness may contribute to memory issues, but not dementia — they are 'not the same thing'
A researcher explains what we know — and what we don't — about the link between loneliness and memory problems.
High School Roundup: Kearney, Secor lead Londonderry softball team
Elisabeth Kearney pitched a one-hitter and Paige Secor cracked two homers for all three RBIs in Londonderry's 3-1 victory over Portsmouth in Division I softball on Friday.
Gaming Commission Chair Maynard goes 'On the Record' about sports betting, prediction markets
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard joined WCVB's "On the Record" to discuss sports betting licenses, online casino gaming and the growing debate over prediction markets.
Liverpool beat Everton ahead of City-Arsenal showdown
Virgil van Dijk scored a last-gasp winner against Everton on Sunday as Liverpool strengthened their push for a Champions League spot next season ahead of a Premier League summit meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal.Manchester City host long-time leaders Arsenal at the Etihad in the late afternoon Sunday kick-off.
Lurie’s Asia trip targets tourism rebound, new cultural exchanges with San Francisco
Daniel Lurie kicked off his delegation to Shanghai by signing a partnership between the SF Conservatory of Music and its counterpart 6,000 miles away.
10 best cities for college graduates in 2026
This year's college grads are up against a lot. These 10 cities may offer them a better shot at the American dream, with more jobs and affordable housing.
14 defaults I think are worth changing: Windows 11 feels modern, but many out‑of‑box settings push services, tracking, and clutter.
Windows 11 ships ready for cloud and recommendations; this guide shows the 14 default settings to change for better privacy, performance, and clarity.
NBA playoff simulation: Thunder favored, but will they win it all?
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are good bets to repeat, but we ran 100 different simulations to find out what other teams could pull the upset.
This is the decades-old Gmail trick I still use every day
This small change completely cleans up your inbox
2026 AdventHealth 400 predictions, odds, start time: NASCAR at Kansas picks, best bets by advanced model
Best bets for NASCAR at Kansas as the AdventHealth 400 unfolds on Sunday with Tyler Reddick atop the Cup Series standings
Disturbing Experiment Bolsters The Case Lobsters Feel Pain After All
We need to do better.
Marathon battery life makes Keychron’s Ultra 8K keyboards its best yet
Two great keyboards, now even better.
Pope Leo’s target is bigger than Trump. He’s rebuking the ‘MAGA Jesus’
If you think the clash between Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump is just a war of words that will pass when the news cycle moves on, you are most likely mistaken.
Serie A: Cremonese vs. Torino – Confirmed line-ups and updates
Cremonese and Torino have made just one personnel change between them as the two sides prepare to do battle at the Stadio Zini in Serie A’s early Sunday kick-off.Hosts Cremonese currency find themse...
Luxury Brands Bet on the Middle East. War Has Damaged Their Plans.
High-end brands such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès are looking to other regions as sales in Persian Gulf nations plummet.
Can Claude Write Z80 Assembly Code?
Betteridge’s law applies, but with help and guidance by a human who knows his stuff, [Ready Z80] was able to get a functioning game of Wordle out of the French-named LLM, which is more than w…
FanDuel wants to carve a sports niche in the controversial prediction market business
FanDuel has built a large and growing business with its sports betting app, becoming the largest online sportsbook in the United States. But online sports gambling remains illegal in many states, which is why it’s getting into the booming — and controversial — prediction market business.
FanDuel wants to carve a sports niche in the controversial prediction market business
FanDuel has built a large and growing business with its sports betting app, becoming the largest online sportsbook in the United States. But online sports gambling remains illegal in many states, which is why it’s getting into the booming — and controversial — prediction market business.
Michigan betting that space is next frontier to create jobs
Michigan is playing a key role in the US space industry, contributing to the Artemis II rocket mission. Products from Michigan-based companies, like Moeller Aerospace and Elmet Technologies, were part
$3 million prize goes to duo whose research led to first sickle cell CRISPR therapy
Dr. Swee Lay Thein and Dr. Stuart Orkin won the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for their work toward a functional cure for the deadly blood disorders sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.
$3 million prize goes to duo whose research led to first sickle cell CRISPR therapy
Dr. Swee Lay Thein and Dr. Stuart Orkin won the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for their work toward a functional cure for the deadly blood disorders sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.
U.S. Installs a Trump Loyalist to Lead ‘Grand Conspiracy’ Case Into Trump Foes
A former lawyer for President Trump’s campaign, Joseph diGenova, is said to be planning to split time between Miami and Fort Pierce, where a grand jury overseen by a Trump-favored judge sits.
Reebok announces the signing of UCLA star Lauren Betts
Following her NCAA championship earlier this month, Lauren Betts has announced an endorsement deal with Reebok.
A packed postseason for Boston fans
Who has it better than us?
This week in politics: How Schuylkill County’s legislators voted
Between ongoing budget stalemates and severe partisan divides, it can be easy to feel like nothing is getting done in government. But every week is a busy week in politics, and important developments are happening at both the state and…
Memphis Tigers hope to inspire next generation with Power of Girls in Sports
Hundreds of elementary school-aged girls took part in the Power of Girls in Sports clinic, a joint venture between FedEx and the University of Memphis.
🚨 XIs confirmed: crisis clash at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge becomes the stage this Saturday (20:00 BST) for a clash between two sides under pressure. Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea are going through a deep crisis after three straight defeats without...
No one predicted this: a human-made giant is shifting Earth’s poles - Futura-Sciences
Dams: Humanity’s Giant Footprint on Earth There are so many ways that human activity shapes our environment—sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. Today, scientists are adding yet another surprising chapter to that story. Between 1835 and 2011, humanity built close to 7,000 dams worldwide. These structures are so massive, they...
Super Niño 2026: Between science and sensationalism
Amid headlines warning about a possible “super El Niño” in 2026, the scientific community is urging caution.
2026 NBA bracket odds, predictions, best bets: NBA playoff picks by expert on 101-60 run
SportsLine's Mike Barner reveals his NBA bracket picks and series predictions for the 2026 NBA playoffs
Mike Sullivan feels with some tweaks, better health Rangers can be ‘competitive team’
With better luck with the injury bug and a couple of additions, head coach Mike Sullivan thinks that the Rangers can take some immediate strides forward.
macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available in beta starting in June, and the update will likely be widely released in September.
NBA player prop picks, odds, free best bets: Model includes LeBron James for NBA Playoffs on April 18
The SportsLine model and team of experts reveal top NBA props picks and NBA predictions for the NBA Playoffs on Saturday
Moved kids from US to Spain; going better than expected, surprises
My two sons, ages 10 and 7, didn't speak Spanish when they moved to Spain from the US, but they adapted to life here better than I could've expected.
Catholics in Trump Administration Are Stuck Amid Pope Leo XIV Attacks
Donald Trump's attacks on Pope Leo XIV are making J.D. Vance and Catholics choose between their religion and their fealty to the president.
Stop asking AI for life advice
Recent studies confirm that you're better off finding a human therapist.