SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " promise " 1,258 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Why the Hottest New Wearables Want to Be Ignored
Burnt out on wrist buzzes and notification overload? A new crop of minimalist wearables promises to collect your health data without demanding your attention.
Sony, Warner sue Anthropic, alleging "blatant theft" of intellectual property
The suit is likely the opening salvo in what promises to be a long battle over intellectual property.
Trump promises action to help local beef processing
President Donald Trump says he is taking steps to help farmers and ranchers process their own food.
How to Run a Chatbot on Your Own Computer
Installing a large language model on your personal computer gives you a handy digital assistant that won’t compromise your data privacy.
Trump election fraud crackdown lands first arrest, putting longtime critics in White House crosshairs
A Honduran national in Los Angeles faces felony charges and deportation after allegedly registering to vote, as officials promise more arrests to come.
AI Brings Scamming Against Businesses To A Whole New Level
AI supercharges existing scam categories like impersonation, phishing, and business email compromise, making them hyper-personalized and harder to detect.
The Literacy Crisis Reaches Dog-Bear Science
“New analysis of more than 300 bear encounters suggests our canine companions often increase odds of conflict and rarely serve as early warning systems many recreationists assume,” reads a subhead in Mountain Journal. The thing is, that study reaches no such conclusion. But you have to read beyond the abstract to understand that. Mountain Journal is not alone. Let’s look at a brief list of takeaways published elsewhere just to establish that none of them seem to know how to read science. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Here’s CBC: “A new peer-reviewed study, The Canine Conundrum: Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country?, dug into conflicts similar to what the video depicts, by analyzing 326 reported human-bear conflicts from 1901 to 2023 involving dogs.” “The study found 54 per cent of conflicts were started by dogs. In the encounters researchers included in the study, five people and 56 dogs were killed, and 170 people were injured.” “Lana Ciarniello, an independent researcher who co-authored the study, said researchers found when a person goes hiking with at least one other person, the odds of a negative bear encounter decrease by 50 per cent.” “However, when a dog is involved, the chances of a negative bear encounter increase because ‘a dog really adds a chaotic factor into the mix of recreation,’ said Ciarniello.” Again, the study finds no data supporting that conclusion. “Hiking with your pet dog may make you feel safer in bear country—but a hiker’s recent encounter and a new study prove that the numbers don’t add up,” writes Backpacker, which is now part of Outside. The numbers don’t add up to support this take. There’s plenty more examples, but all are equally dumb, so I’ll stop there. How did so many people get this so wrong? Three reasons: 1) the study is published behind a paywall, with only the abstract freely available. 2) the methodology sets out to create work relevant to a hyper-specific audience, not the public. And 3) the dataset studied is almost absurdly limited and doesn’t bear (get it?!) comparison to wider information. Let’s work through all three. The Problem is Money I understand the irony, since I’m writing about this on a subscription-model newsletter, but information wants to be free. The study is published by The Wildlife Society and costs $16 to access. Reprinting it is specifically prohibited by the terms of use, so I can only share snippets and my conclusions with you here. Having worked as a journalist for 24 years, I can report with some authority that journalists are both lazy and cheap. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that much of the material you’re seeing written about this study is drawn from the freely-available abstract (above) only, and not a deep dive into its methodology or data. And that’s a problem, because abstracts are where researchers are able to break from their numbers and editorialize their opinions about conclusions. So what’s getting reported isn’t based on numbers, it’s based on an opinion designed for a specific audience, not the general public. Hell yeah ladies, kick that bear’s ass. The Methodology is Designed to Support a Predetermined Conclusion One of the biggest issues with the science that everyone likes to cite about bear spray’s efficacy is that no one understands that study was designed for a specific audience, looking for a specific answer. And since that audience is not the public, and our safety was not the question being asked, its conclusion is rendered irrelevant to our needs. Yes, I’m talking about Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, which was created by Tom Smith and Stephen Herrero, two of the same scientists who put together this dog-bear conflict analysis. In the spray study, the purpose was to present relevant agencies with the information they needed to issue their field workers with bear spray. As such, incidents where people were unable to access the spray or similarly failed to get it deployed in time were excluded from the results, and only incidents they deemed successful were included. Could a ranger roll down their vehicle’s window and scare a bear away from a dumpster by spraying it? Turns out the answer was yes, and that was good enough for the purposes of that study. The sample size of actual bear attacks—the thing you and I would want bear spray to provide a solution to, was too small to draw conclusions from, and didn’t indicate success in that role. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? has similar limitations. “Insights provided here are intended to help wildlife managers create effective guidelines regarding the presence of domestic dogs in bear habitat,” is explained clearly by the study’s text. To conduct the study, Smith and Herrero went looking for publicly available reports of dog-bear conflicts: “All incidents included in our analysis involved at least one bear, one dog, and one person who was at immediate risk of injury (e.g., not in a protective structure such as a cabin or vehicle), injured, or killed,” explains the report’s methodology. Why is that a problem? “We recognize that data used in this study are biased in that people generally only report adverse interactions with bears, not benign ones. Consequently, we assume that for the most part, people and their dogs pass through bear country without incident.” As was the problem with the bear spray study, people are drawing conclusions here from a study that was never intended to be relevant to the general public. The Smith-Herrero database famously excludes Alaska’s Defense of Life and Property records, which are elsewhere considered the largest and most authoritative source on human-bear conflict. The Dataset is Absurdly Limited A 2009 study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates that each year there are at least 43,000 documented complaints of human-bear conflict across North America. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? Examined those reports for years ranging from 1901 to 2023, and only managed to find 326 such incidents that met the criteria explained above. Let’s do some quick math, poorly. 43,000 incidents x 122 years = 5,246,000 total incidents of documented human-bear conflict. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their criteria for dog+human+bear+risk or occurrence of injury. That means there’s a 0.006 percent chance that the study’s conclusion—that dogs make bear encounters more dangerous—even gets a chance of occurring. And remember, that’s only in documented conflicts. There’s no way to know how many people across North America run into a bear in any given year without any conflict, but it’s probably safe to assume that the total number is well in excess of 43,000. And, dig deeper into the study and you can find further restrictions that skew its conclusions even more. “While the people involved in these incidents did not report the level of training their dogs had received, it is our assumption that most were untrained companion dogs as opposed to well-trained bear dogs, such as Karelians and livestock guardian breeds that have proven to be significant aids in bear country,” the study’s methodology explains. And that’s a problem, because an ongoing study here in Montana is finding that the simple presence of a Kangal like our youngest dog Teddy can reduce visits to private property from grizzly bears by 87.8 percent. In addition to being a badass, Teddy is also a companion animal. And in my admittedly limited sample size of the three dogs currently present in our living room, she’s no more effective than her mutt brothers. Plenty of people own a dog capable of deterring bears, even if they didn’t set out to own a bear dog. The real purpose of this study appears to be a recommendation that leashes are mandated and recreationists pursue training in their deterrent of choice. But that doesn’t make for sensational headlines. Are There Any Real Takeaways Here? Let’s throw some numbers around, just to try and get our hands around what the larger picture might look like for bears and dogs here. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 42.6 percent of American households own a dog. The Canadian Animal Health Institute says roughly 35 percent of households in Canuckistan own a dog. In an attempt to create the worst possible result for dogs, let’s run with that 35 percent number. And given that outdoorsy and rural people are more likely to both own a dog, and have bear encounters, let’s just make a giant assumption and apply that number to those 43,000 conflicts documented annually. If 35 percent of 43,000 human-bear encounters involve a dog, then we can assume that at least 15,050 dog-bear conflicts are occurring annually in North America. 15,050 x 122 = 1,836,100. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their human, dog, chance or occurrence of injury criteria across 122 years. And only 170 documented human injuries. So, with all the obvious caveats about these numbers in no way describing reality beyond narrow study parameters, what they actually found is that your risk of injury if your dog tangles with a bear is only 0.009 percent. I’ll take those odds next time I’m hiking my dogs in bear country. Top photo: “Superintendent Horace Albright, eating pancakes with bears, at Lake Lodge, Yellowstone National Park.” NPS. A journalist with more than two decades of experience working around the world, Wes Siler is here to cut through the outrage and disinformation to bring you the factual, insightful, actionable reporting you need to understand what’s going on. Upgrading to a paid subscription supports this reporting, and buys personal access to Wes, who will help you save money on gear, plan outdoor adventures, and prepare for real life, and who promises he’s less salty in real life than he sometimes comes across as on the Internet. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Americans search for a nonpartisan politics
The two-party divide in the U.S. appears to be deepening. But the surge in independent candidates this year points to a deep desire for common ground and compromise in civic life.
Virginia governor promises change after accused murderer flees U.S. from mental health facility
Virginia Gov. Spanberger is promising changes after an accused killer fled the U.S. while on unsupervised release from a Fairfax County mental health facility.
Trump’s plan to import ground beef sparks backlash from ranchers, Republicans
Trump announced the plan last week, saying his administration has been promised the beef will be sold at 25% below current market prices
Trump’s plan to import ground beef sparks backlash from ranchers, Republicans
Trump announced the plan last week, saying his administration has been promised the beef will be sold at 25% below current market prices
ICE agent charged with shooting in Minnesota could be released from Texas jail
A judge has promised to announce Wednesday whether he would order Texas to extradite Castro or allow him to be released.
ICE agent charged with shooting in Minnesota could be released from Texas jail
A judge has promised to announce Wednesday whether he would order Texas to extradite Castro or allow him to be released.
Olympic champion Alysa Liu takes season off after Milan gold, promises return
Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu is taking the season off after her triumph in Milan
Santa Clarita promises to help business owners rebuild after destructive Old Town Newhall fire
Newsom promises new legal fight after Trump gets Supreme Court victory on mail-in voting
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state will sue again after the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling allowed Trump's mail-in voting restrictions.
Why business owners are suing Zohran Mamdani
The initiative is one of Mamdani's main promises, with its first store expected to open in 2027. But why are some business owners against the move?
gamescom Opening Night Live 2026: Everything Announced
Opening Night Live 2026 is upon us, and with it comes the promise of big new gameplay reveals, plenty of new trailers, and a long list of announcements. Check out IGN's live report, direct from gamescom.
FDA promises new AI guidance, and what happened at Epic's UGM
In this edition of STAT Health Tech: FDA's plans for regulating generative AI-powered devices, and updates from EPIC's UGM.
The Latest: Canada’s prime minister promises retaliatory tariffs as negotiations with the US falter
President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on scores of Canadian imports kicked in Saturday.
FDA digital health leader promises generative AI regulatory guidance is coming
FDA expects to issue guidance on policies regarding generative AI devices, according to Rick Abramson, the agency’s head of digital health policy.
How to decipher smells like a fruit fly
In the animal kingdom, energy conservation is essential for survival. That’s why our brains have evolved to be extremely energy and resource efficient at storing and processing information. Since the 1980s, computational scientists have tried to mimic brain structure and function, but have not yet succeeded in creating functional, low-memory solutions that work in real-world scenarios. Published in Neuromorphic Computing & Engineering, a new fly brain-inspired algorithm developed by researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) demonstrates promise for achieving practical applications under realistic constraints.
Newcastle and Liverpool crank up the entertainment for emotional send-off
While the teams produced more promise than polish, this thrilling encounter seemed fitting tribute to a true legend
Our Grandmothers Only Had 3 Products in Their Bathroom and Their Skin Was Better Than Ours, Here's What They Knew That We Forgot
You have probably spent more than you care to admit on serums, gadgets, and miracle creams that promised to change everything – only to end up back at square one. Meanwhile, the women who raised us seemed to manage effortlessly with a handful of drugstore staples and a few clever rituals they never bothered to...
Google's foldable strategy is broken, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold proves it
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is thinner, but its compromises are hard to ignore. With rivals moving faster, Google's Fold leaves me wanting more.
Post-Supercup Reactions: Sloppy, With Hints of Promise
The result wasn’t what we wanted, but there’s reason to be hopeful for the season.
Here’s what’s missing from The Duskblood network test
Miyazaki promises extensive customization and story for the final game…
Danielle Fishel says she was promised ‘Girl Meets World’ wouldn’t be a ‘Boy Meets World’ reboot: ‘Frustrated’
Danielle Fishel said she was ‘frustrated’ by ‘Girl Meets World’ writers ‘trying to shoehorn’ ‘Boy Meets World’ elements into the follow-up series: ‘It was going to be a whole new show.’
Kennedy Promised 'Radical Transparency' and 'Gold-Standard Science.' Trump's Vaccine Order Promotes Neither.
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
Marvel Tōkon And 2XKO Show Fighting Games Can’t Catch A Break In 2026
The year started off with a lot of promise for fighting games
Opinion: Lowering CTs electric bills takes more than political promises
CT should increase the percentage of renewables in our energy mix by switching to more stable, alternative power sources.
The Trump administration’s false promise of a scientific ‘golden age’
Opinion: The Trump administration’s proposal to shift research funding from universities to corporations may be good for short-term profits but not for groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs.
Xavier Becerra gets to play it safe in the race for governor, and he isn't making promises
The Democratic frontrunner is exceedingly cautious, preferring to study policy and avoid making promises he might not be able to keep
New CDC director acknowledges agency problems in first large staff meeting
In her first large staff meeting, the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promised Wednesday to advocate for the agency while acknowledging that congressionally funded programs lacked staff and employees were feeling burned out.
Moderna, Merck unveil mRNA-based cancer vaccine that cuts spread
Moderna's mRNA vaccine Intismeran shows promise, reducing melanoma recurrence and spread in late-stage trials.
Trust in science: A new STAT initiative
Dear Readers, When we launched STAT more than a decade ago, our mission statement promised that we would deliver "trusted, tough-minded journalism.''
Google Pixel 11 series review: Is the magic fading?
Google's new Pixels make some compromises but still manage to be good phones.
Real-world study of Oregon's nonmedical psilocybin program shows promise
Oregon was the first state to establish a legalized and regulated psilocybin industry. Since then, thousands have tried magic mushrooms. Here is the first data from the state's real life experiment.
Real-world study of Oregon's nonmedical psilocybin program shows promise
Oregon was the first state to establish a legalized and regulated psilocybin industry. Since then, thousands have tried magic mushrooms. Here is the first data from the state's real life experiment.
Backdoor deal or business as usual? An Ohio data center raises transparency concerns
In the southwest Ohio city of Trenton, officials are ushering in large-scale data centers that promise jobs and economic development. But, some residents aren’t sold, saying a lack of transparency is leaving them in the dark.
Dickenson County Fair announces four days of family fun, music and entertainment Sept. 16-19
by ROD MULLINSmedia.rodmullins@gmail.com HAYSI, Va. — The Dickenson County Fair is set to return to the Haysi Fairgrounds Sept. 16-19, bringing four days of family entertainment, live music, rides, community activities and outstanding regional talent to Southwest Virginia. This year’s fair promises something for every age group, from gospel music and bluegrass to country music, children’s activities and a showcase of local talent. The fair kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 16, with Dickenson Sings Gospel, a special evening celebrating faith, fellowship and music. Several gospel groups from throughout the region will take the stage, providing an evening of inspirational music and community worship. […]
Meta Ran Ads for an App That Promised to Nudify Female Politicians
One advertisement featured a pornographic video with a deepfake closely resembling a prominent US politician. Apple removed the app from the App Store after an inquiry from WIRED.
Firefox’s Smart Window promises a better AI browser
Can Mozilla build a better AI browser than Google, Microsoft, or OpenAI?
Zach Lahn is MAHA’s great farm country hope. Is he the populist hero he claims to be?
He’s running for Iowa governor on promises to bust up Big Ag. But some farmers are questioning his authenticity.
Rotating detonation engines: the science and the promises
Explore the science, advancements, and potential of rotating detonation engines, promising greater fuel efficiency for aerospace applications.
Science Night Live promises lasers, myth-debunking and engineer encounters at Orlando Science Center
This evening of adult edutainment at Orlando Science Center goes full Gen-X-tastic with a Laser X lightshow in the Dome with music from 1990s alt-rockstars like Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine
$1K laser mosquito zapper promises precision strikes as backers itch for answers
After raising $2.8M, the project has entered production, but company comms have done little to reassure buyers
Dario Amodei says AI needs to 'actually' cure cancer to win over public
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei acknowledged over the weekend that the public doesn't trust AI. He said AI companies have overpromised and undersold.
Oakland Catholic school navigates thorny politics of Pride flag
As students return to class, an Oakland Catholic high school has come up with a compromise on how to navigate the thorny politics of the Pride flag.
Castro-style capitalism: Havana promises economic changes without relinquishing political control
Economists and business leaders argue that Cuba cannot build a new economy without institutional reform, something the island’s government appears unwilling to negotiate
Selena Gomez sued for alleged fraud over mental health company
Investors say the actor and singer did not take an "active role" in the company as promised.
MAHA and insurance companies both want to treat human bodies like cars
“If the short history of telematics in the auto insurance taught us anything, it’s to be skeptical of any promises attached to shareable surveillance data.”
Selena Gomez Accused of Fraud by Mental-Health Startup Investors
Pop star Selena Gomez is being accused of fraud by investors who claim she failed to deliver on promises to leverage her global celebrity and social-media following to promote her mental-health startup, which collapsed last year.
Selena Gomez Accused of Fraud by Mental-Health Startup Investors
Pop star Selena Gomez is being accused of fraud by investors who claim she failed to deliver on promises to leverage her global celebrity and social-media following to promote her mental-health startup, which collapsed last year.
Music, magicians & more: 2026 Pierce County Fair entertainment
Northern Lights Drone Show Northern Lights Drone Show, scheduled for 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, promises an “unparalleled nighttime spectacle with synchronized drones precisely choreographed to …
Browns’ Deshaun Watson makes health promise that doesn’t seem to be adding up
Is Watson truly healthy?
Oblivion Remastered Could Finally Be Fixed on PS5 as Bethesda Promises 'Optimisations' Patch
Take your time
Was a champion powerlifter’s world-record attempt sabotaged by a racist ‘spotter’?
After Sonita Muluh's record lift was compromised, Ernestas Kusinas, a volunteer spotter, was banned from the sport for life
UK PM Burnham promises business help within 'difficult' financial outlook
Britain's government will do what it can to help lower costs for business but against the backdrop of a "difficult financial outlook", Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in an interview on Wednesday.
‘A mouse can’t tell us what works’: UK scientists to grow miniature human organs for drug testing
Organoids and tissues grown from human cells promise more accurate results, with £20m Cambridge project to create standardised models
Much-wishlisted 100-player shooter Wardogs gets an early access release date and promises refunds for anyone unhappy with the closed beta
Indie multiplayer shooter Wardogs will soon be available to anyone who doesn't want to wait around of a closed alpha invite.
Blending Fusion Science, AI to Predict DIII-D Tokamak Behavior
Data scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and partner institutions have developed a deployable machine learning (ML) framework that can adaptively predict changes in a magnetic confinement fusion research machine’s hardware. The innovative method, recently published in the journal Machine Learning with Applications, promises to help make the operation of fusion devices more stable and accelerate humanity’s pursuit of a superabundant
5 years after Cuomo resignation, what has changed under Hochul?
Two weeks after Cuomo’s announcement, then-Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul took the reins and promised a new era of transparency in Albany.
Clicks' Power Keyboard brings BlackBerry-style typing to any phone — with some compromises
Clicks’ $99 Power Keyboard brings a customizable, slide-out physical keyboard to MagSafe and Qi2 smartphones, but its added heft can make larger phones awkward to use
Steam hardware shipper breach leaks customer data, including names and addresses
Valve says customer data was “likely compromised.”
How to spot the Perseid meteor shower, a summer light show that promises to dazzle
The meteor shower's peak Wednesday night into Thursday morning coincides with a total solar eclipse across Spain, Iceland and Greenland and a six-planet parade — though the best time to view the fireballs will come after totality.
Fallout 76 Creative Director Promises 'Dark Content' Coming Soon
Jon Rush, the Creative Director on Fallout 76, has revealed that DARK CONTENT is coming soon to the post-apocalyptic MMORPG.
N.Y. state AG warns of 'gold bar scams'
The scams involve a fake cybersecurity message on victims' computers, claiming their financial accounts have been compromised or linked to some sort of crime.
FC Barcelona Coach Flick Makes Season Promise And Confirms Exits
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick made a promise to the team's fans and also confirmed the exits of a couple of players.
Selling the Dream of SpaceX Was the Easy Part. Now Elon Musk Has to Hang On.
SpaceX’s $300 billion swing in market value this past week put Musk back in grind mode, having to execute on highflying promises made in the lead-up to the biggest IPO ever.
How AI-Powered Business Email Compromise Scams Are Stealing Billions
Business Email Compromise scams cost companies billions. Criminals are use AI, deepfakes and voice cloning to commit fraud. Learn how businesses can protect themselves.
Senate adjourns without vote on college sports bill
The U.S. Senate took no action on the Protect College Sports Act, adjourning for summer recess early Saturday with a promise the Senate will consider the bill next month.
After a Poisonous Primary, Michigan Democrats Promise to Get Along
The party is racing to get behind Dr. Abdul El-Sayed after a Senate primary that was “spirited,” as Pete Buttigieg diplomatically put it at a unity rally on Friday night, but tensions remain.
Colombia's new president vows to remake the country — and challenge its fragile peace
A new political era for Colombia: a hard-right president promises order, growth and confrontation.
A deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz may require a compromise from Trump
Any concession would be tough for the Republican president
A deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz may require a compromise from Trump
Any concession would be tough for the Republican president
Trump’s Pick for Attorney General Just Made Terrifying Promises About Abortion
Todd Blanche wants to take fundamental rights away from millions of women.
US Stand Up for Science movement expands to Europe
A grassroots movement by scientists in the US pushing back against threats to academic freedom is setting up a Swiss outpost to take the movement global. Stand Up for Science started in February 2025 to protest against politically-motivated grant cancellations by the Trump administration. Since then, it has organised numerous rallies by scientists and turned into a broader campaigning organisation, supporting “pro-science” political candidates and attempting to impeach Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the health and human services secretary the group accuses of advancing “quack” science. Now, Stand Up for Science is establishing a Swiss office to take some of its campaigning beyond the US, and its leader is urging European academics to organise similar pro-science groups in case they face similar threats in Europe. There will likely be “spillover” to Europe from what the Trump administration is attempting in the US, said Colette Delawalla, chief executive of Stand Up for Science, who last month returned from a tour of Europe. “Are we going to see a Trump-style scientific [. . .] take over in the same way?” she asked.Delawalla, who is doing a PhD in clinical psychology, said she was driven to help found the organisation after the Trump administration started cancelling health research grants in politically taboo topics, such as transgender people, diversity and HIV, in early 2025. Since then, the administration has introduced several other measures that infringe academic and institutional autonomy.It threatened to cut Harvard University’s federal funding unless the university accepted a “critical mass” of new faculty and students to create “viewpoint diversity.” And this year, it proposed explosive new rules that would allow political appointees at research funders to screen grants to make sure they “advance the president's policy priorities.”US scientists have been at times stunned by the volume of announcements, and the country’s researchers were relatively unprepared. “We sit in front of the fire hose every day,” said Delawalla. For this reason, European scientists need to prepare now for similar assaults. “If you've got a little bit of extra time to start thinking through, and making those preparations and building community and solidarity,” then European researchers will “start five steps ahead of where we were.” She plans to return to Paris in September to share experiences with concerned French academics. Is Le Pen the same?During her European tour, Delawalla said that French academics were beginning to worry about a National Rally (RN) victory in presidential elections next year. She said there were “chilling similarities” between Trump and Marine Le Pen, the RN’s likely candidate. However, so far, the RN hasn’t proposed anything nearly as radical as the Trump administration has carried out. Its current manifesto is all but silent on university and research policy. Le Pen’s 2022 manifesto bemoaned a lack of French R&D spending, including in fundamental research, and promised to modernise labs and strip away grant bureaucracy. The party’s 2024 European election manifesto explicitly supported the Erasmus+ student exchange programme, scientific exchange and joint European technology projects. However, a Le Pen victory next year could see France drastically cut its contribution to the EU, which would hit the budget for science and innovation. Meanwhile, more restrictive immigration policies could hit university recruitment of faculty and students. Climate science denial?As heatwaves and wildfires have ravaged France, the RN has sought to distance itself from previous comments casting doubt on climate science.In the UK, the radical-right party Reform UK, now second in the polls, denied climate research in a draft of its 2024 election manifesto, but its leader, Nigel Farage, then appeared to quietly U-turn and said he was “not arguing the science.” By contrast, Trump has repeatedly and explicitly denied climate change science, in 2025 calling it “the greatest con job.” Like the RN, Reform UK has been light on research and university policy. However, it did say in its 2024 manifesto that universities should suffer “heavy financial penalties” for allowing “political bias or cancel culture” on campus, building on laws brought in by a previous Conservative government. Ahead of September state elections in Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, the poll-leading Alternative for Germany has proposed abolishing gender studies and postcolonial studies, and promised money for “critical” climate research and studies of Islam. Starts with rhetoricEven if European radical right parties aren’t currently planning the draconian policy measures of the Trump administration, Delawalla said that academics should not be complacent, and fight even small funding restrictions or anti-science talk from the start. “It starts off with sowing distrust about institutions,” she said. “It starts off with these small things, and then all of a sudden it's there.” There are other, more established science and university advocacy groups in the US aside from Stand Up for Science. But the group stands out because of Delawalla’s refusal to attempt to appear politically bipartisan or conciliatory. “I firmly believe that the US is experiencing fascism,” she said. “We’re not trying to win over the super Maga people,” she said, “and we never have been.” The lesson of the US is that even if universities or other institutions capitulate to government demands, this doesn’t save them from cuts and restrictions. “It doesn’t matter what people do,” she said. Global “pseudoscience”Another aim of Stand Up for Science’s push into Europe is to better coordinate a campaign to protect people in poorer countries from what the group describes as “pseudoscientific exploitation,” trials outside the US used to build a case against things like vaccines. Earlier this year, the group sent an investigator to Guinea-Bissau to investigate a controversial, Danish-run Hepatitis B vaccine project funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The study would have withheld a proven vaccine from newborns, Stand Up for Science argued in a briefing it presented to Congress, risking their health. Significantly, the research group based in Guinea-Bissau, known as Bandim, focuses on the “non-specific effects” of vaccines: impacts on health beyond preventing the target disease. Related articlesEuropean researchers sound the alarm that Trump rule changes will hit cooperationData corner: which fields of health science is the US curbing? The US ‘golden age’ science strategy: what Europeans need to know The suspicion is that the study was funded as part of an attempt to shop around for results that could help build a case against vaccines in the US, said Delawalla. “This is just code for vaccines cause autism,” she said.Bandim has put out a rebuttal of Stand Up for Science’s criticisms, arguing its work has uncovered a number of vaccine side effects, both positive and negative, which need to be taken into account in public health. However, Congressional Democrats took up the Stand Up for Science cause, and in February, Guinea-Bissau said it had permanently halted the study. WatchdogBut for Delawalla, this is not the end of the fight. Kennedy has made a number of health claims that scientists think lack evidence, such as the idea that seed oils cause inflammation, for example. Delawalla worries that more studies could be launched in poorer countries to fish around for evidence to support this agenda. Stand Up for Science is talking to African science organisations to create a kind of “watchdog” to scrutinise any further trials. “Outsourcing the investigation to some of the most vulnerable children in the world who are desperate [. . .] is fundamentally wrong,” she said.
Samsung QS90H soundbar review: An all-in-one promise fulfilled
The QS90H actually delivers on the all-in-one soundbar promise thanks to new woofers and a unique driver layout.
Congressional probe promised answers on Epstein. A year later, frustrations are mounting
Last summer, when lawmakers launched their Jeffrey Epstein investigation, it came with an ambitious promise: to pull back the curtain on decades of failed federal probes, secure the full release of long-withheld files and provide a public accounting of how the late pedophile evaded accountability for so long.
Apple's iCloud Private Relay is Leaking Users' Real IP Addresses
Apple's paid Safari protection feature that promises to keep your IP masked doesn't always work, according to security researchers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry. It turns out iCloud Private Relay can expose your real IP to websites that use or pretend to use passkeys. iCloud Private Relay is a service included with paid iCloud+ plans. It is supposed to hide your IP and DNS information when you browse the web using Safari, but it is not a VPN that masks all traffic from a device.
Here's Why Microsoft Is Encouraging Users to Stay Off Public Wifi Networks
A new hacking campaign is targeting wireless networks at hotels, conference centers, airports, and other hospitality venues in an attempt to steal credentials and compromise devices.
Pokémon Developer Game Freak Promises Fixes 'Within a Week' To Its Big Budget RPG Beast of Reincarnation, Following Mixed Response at Launch
Game Freak has promised a series of quick fixes after a mixed response to the launch of its big budget RPG Beast of Reincarnation.
"We take your feedback to heart" - Game Freak promises to improve Beast of Reincarnation following a divisive launch
Beast of Reincarnation has been described as unfinished by some players, and Game Freak is working on making things better.
Englewood Festival entertainment announced
ENGLEWOOD — Entertainment at the 52nd Englewood Art Festival promises to be another major attraction for this weekend event scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9 at Centennial Park, 321 Union Boulevard.
Microsoft warns hackers have compromised many hotel WiFi networks
Here's how to avoid trouble.
Bomb-thrower Dem makes shocking promise to kick Schumer to curb during Senate debate
Seth Moulton vowed not to support Chuck Schumer as Senate leader, intensifying a Democratic Party clash between younger candidates and establishment.
The Reason Your AI Investments Aren’t Paying Off
Investment in artificial intelligence promises to help fashion companies work faster, smarter and more efficiently, but one key obstacle stands in the way of good returns.
Rice Widens Free-Tuition Promise For Prospective Business Majors
The expanded Rice Investment comes as the university’s fast-growing undergraduate business school prepares to open a new 112,000-square-foot home
USC, Notre Dame renew rivalry series with a key adjustment
USC coach Lincoln Riley said the Trojans could not compromise on scheduling all future games against Notre Dame to early in the season.
Google Password Manager Attacks Could Let Malware Hijack Passkey-Protected Accounts
Unit 42 details three Chrome passkey attack paths that could let Windows malware bypass verification or recover synced private keys after compromise.
Debt Digest | Federal Debt is a Health Care Problem
Welcome David Ditch to the Debt Dispatch! We are pleased to announce a new regular contributor: David Ditch will be joining the Cato Institute as a Policy Analyst for Budget and Entitlement Policy later this week. David has more than a decade of experience in fiscal policy issues, with a particular focus on federal spending. He previously worked at the Senate Budget Committee, the Heritage Foundation, and the Economic Policy Innovation Center. David’s areas of expertise include appropriations, transportation, agriculture, federalism, grantmaking, and policy options for deficit reduction. Originally from the Rochester, N.Y. area, David has a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Rochester and a MA in Political Management from George Washington University. David currently lives in Arlington, VA. You may have enjoyed his earlier guest posts: CBO: New Highway Bill Has More Spending, Taxes, and Deficits Trump Administration’s Proposed Changes to Federal Grants Highlight Problems of Big Government Here are this week’s reading links and fiscal facts: The federal debt is largely a health care problem. In a new report, the Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation find that “In 2026, federal subsidies for health insurance, net of related payments to the government, are projected to equal $2.4 trillion, or 7.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). In CBO and JCT’s projections, those subsidies grow by 65 percent, reaching $3.9 trillion, or 8.4 percent of GDP, in 2036. Subsidies for Medicare contribute most to that overall growth, increasing by $900 billion. Over the entire 2026–2036 period, federal subsidies for health insurance total $33.6 trillion.” Cato’s Michael Cannon emphasizes, “The long-term federal debt problem is a health care problem. […] Only two categories of federal outlays will grow faster than gross domestic product (GDP): health care subsidies and interest payments on the debt. The former is, therefore, the primary driver of the latter.” The bond market fears deficits, not the loss of tariff revenue. Responding to a New York Times essay claiming tariff revenue has grown too important for a future administration to unwind, Cato’s Kyle Handley argues: “Bond investors are not attached to customs duties as a line item revenue source. They care about the government’s overall fiscal position.” He continues, “tariff revenue is a side hustle. And the Trump administration has already promised to dole out the funds through schemes like tariff dividend rebates, farm subsidies, and pay-fors on tax cuts or other spending.” Furthermore, “tariff revenue is simply not large enough to transform the government’s fiscal trajectory.” Take net interest for example: it “reached $970 billion in fiscal year 2025, absorbing 18.5 percent of federal receipts. Customs duties accounted for only 3.7 percent of receipts—and that was before refunds (see Figure 2).” Handley concludes, “The real bond-market concern is a large and growing interest bill, persistent budget deficits, and a political system unwilling to bring spending and revenue into alignment.” Medicare’s spending growth is driven by more volume and utilization. A Congressional Research Service report finds that Medicare spending “grew at an average annual rate of 7.3%” from 1985 through 2025, and the trustees project health care expenditures will keep rising “faster than gross domestic product (GDP) in most future years.” Citing CBO, the report attributes Medicare’s projected 2026–2036 spending growth to “23% from higher enrollment, 31% from inflation, and 47% from the growth of inflation-adjusted spending per beneficiary. In other words**, the largest single driver of Medicare spending growth during the next decade is expected to be higher volume and intensity of health care services.”** Boccia and Thakur explain: “as the economy grows, Medicare spending tends to grow at least as fast—and often faster—because the program automatically pays the bill for more and more healthcare consumption by seniors, even as prices rise.” The Fed has little control over market interest rates. Cato’s Jai Kedia documents that the Fed has held its rate target steady since December, yet “nearly every rate Americans actually borrow at has climbed over the same stretch.” Kedia continues, “The Fed did nothing, and the cost of credit went up anyway. […] Markets spent these months repricing macroeconomic events such as sticky core inflation, a volatile energy market driven by the conflict in the Middle East, and global trade disrupted by tariffs, among others. None of that required a policy change to show up in borrowing costs because markets, not the FOMC, set prices.” He concludes, “Accurately priced borrowing rates will come from credible disinflation and disciplined budgets and from a Fed content to follow the economy rather than pretend it leads it.” Nearly half of US farm income comes from taxpayers. Former Reagan OMB director David Stockman notes that “in the most recently completed full year (FY 2025) farmer incomes in the US totaled $97.8 billion, but fully 42.7% or $41.8 billion of that amount came from taxpayers, not the marketplace. Nor is this some kind of one-year aberration. If we look at the most recent decade as a whole, total farm income posted at nearly $708 billion, but, as indicated, fully $322 billion or 45% of this came compliments of US taxpayers.” Cato’s Chris Edwards explains why so little of that income is market-earned: “Farmers are businesspeople, but the government shields them from just about every type of weather and market risk. Furthermore, just about every part of the agricultural industry is subsidized, including insurance, loans, marketing, research, export sales, and land improvements.” The Debt Dispatch is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Marvel's Wolverine ESRB Rating Promises 'a Handful of Sequences' Featuring 'Exposed Buttocks'
Marvel's Wolverine will have gore, intense violence, strong language, and at least a few scenes featuring "a character's exposed buttocks," according to its Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating.
Small-Business Owners Put Millions Into “Good Faith Accounts.” He Bought a Yacht
Small-business owners transferred millions of dollars to William Thomas Engle after he promised to help them obtain large commercial loans and assured them that their ... Read More
Cockroaches Without Borders: Deterritorialising National Politics in the Modern Age
On June 6, 2026, news channels across India tuned in to a highly anticipated speech by Nitin Nabin, the president of the world’s largest political party by membership. That party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, experienced a remarkable ascent beginning in 2014, propelled in no small part by its promise
Arkansas basketball makes strong debut in summer Bahamas series
For a first game, Arkansas showed a lot of promise in The Bahamas.
Review: Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Does Switch 2's Power Finally Fix This Ambitious Open-World RPG?
And is truly a 4K 60fps experience docked - as promised?
Oregon OK's takeover of Santiam Hospital by Salem Health
Salem Health has promised to invest millions into Santiam and expand maternity services, among other things. Santiam had enjoyed very healthy profits until recently as one of the few remaining Oregon independents, but its leadership said recent losses and looming IT costs jeopardized its ability to provide services.
Healthcare staffing shortages are driving a patient care quality crisis
From hospitals and clinics to doctors' offices and urgent care centers, healthcare executives and clinicians agree: staffing shortages directly compromise their ability to provide high-quality care to patients.
Microsoft Promises Better Windows 11 Memory Efficiency
Following large-scale dissatisfaction with the overall Windows experience, Microsoft in March 2026 issued a statement explaining that it would be working to deliver "smoother navigation and more reliable performance for everyday tasks." Now, over four months later, Pavan Davaluri, President of...