SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " government " 3,015 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
How the Homeland Security deal unraveled and split Republican leaders in Congress
w p immigration building-collapses politics u-s-government-shutdown u-s-news general-news washington-news | KNX News 97.1 FM
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…
Another global health crisis is gaining momentum. We need to be prepared.
The PASTEUR Act has been proposed to create a subscription-style model between the federal government and companies that successfully develop novel antimicrobials, in order to ensure access to life…
Fallout from bad government in WA? There won’t be any
No heads will roll, no political careers are threatened, from the King County grants scandal. Politics is in a stage where having a government that works is an afterthought.
‘There’s got to be a way’: TSA officer Oksana Kelly tells CNN how her family is living through the government shutdown.
Young voters shake Italy’s political calm as referendum exposes tensions for Giorgia Meloni
Prime minister is scrambling to clean up her government after youth vote powered a damaging referendum defeat
There's a massive measles vaccine campaign in Mexico. Is the public on board?
With tens of thousands of suspected cases, the government is aiming for 2.5 million jabs a week. The response has been encouraging — but also worrisome.
Trump wants a deadlocked Congress to move on AI. Frustrated states say they already have
State lawmakers have been stepping in to regulate artificial intelligence, clashing with the federal government's inaction as concerns about oversight and safety grow.
BLM abandoned best-available science for Wyoming, Montana sage grouse, lawsuit argues
Second legal challenge in four weeks contends that the federal government’s policy for about half of the world’s remaining sage grouse has failed to halt ongoing population declines.
California’s good government dream has a nightmare flaw for state Democrats
Voters in the biggest blue state could theoretically be choosing between two Republican candidates for governor in in November — a wacky but not impossible outcome of the state’s nonpartisan primary system.
Iran-linked hackers have breached FBI Director Kash Patel’s personal emails
Hackers connected to the Iranian government accessed FBI Director Kash Patel’s personal email and posted materials — including photos and documents — taken from his account, a person familiar with the hack confirmed to CNN.
Researcher invited by McInnis gives talk touting investment in science
As a part of University President Maurie McInnis’ Presidential Lecture Series, Harvey Fineberg, an emeritus professor at Harvard’s public health school, criticized the federal government’s cuts to funding for scientific research.
Trump’s signature will soon appear on US dollar bills, a first for a sitting president
US paper currency will soon feature President Donald Trump’s signature going forward, the US Treasury Department announced Thursday, the latest of the president’s efforts to leave his mark across the federal government.
Grothman Opens Roundtable on Examining Mental Health in the MAHA Age - United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Movie Review: 'Two Prosecutors' is a perfect nightmare of state corruption
Sergei Loznitsa’s “Two Prosecutors” is a nightmare of government corruption so perfectly composed that, by the time it reaches its chilling conclusion, you feel nearly as entrapped as its young
An Indiana town shows two sides of Trump's factory "boom"
In industrial communities like South Bend, government policies are lifting some sectors while clouding the outlook for others, leaving many manufacturers navigating a patchwork of incentives, tariffs and shifting signals from Washington.
Fears net zero is ‘next Brexit’ as oil crisis fuels political climate divide
Rising energy bills give Reform and Tories opening to attack net zero while government hesitant to make case for clean energy
‘Girlypop Politics’ takes civics education to the airwaves
The host of the Salem-area radio segment aims to demystify how local government works, and encourages listeners to get involved
Top climate scientist Kate Marvel just resigned from NASA. Here's why
Climate scientist Kate Marvel talked to Scientific American about her decision to leave NASA amid federal government turmoil and funding challenges
Green Leader Polanski Says the UK Shouldn’t ‘Strangle’ Business
The leader of the UK’s insurgent Green Party said government shouldn’t be “strangling” business, as he tempered his left-wing bloc’s economic message ahead of nationwide local elections in May.
Green Leader Polanski Says the UK Shouldn’t ‘Strangle’ Business
The leader of the UK’s insurgent Green Party said government shouldn’t be “strangling” business, as he tempered his left-wing bloc’s economic message ahead of nationwide local elections in May.
UK bans crypto donations to political parties in bid to curb foreign influence
Britain is banning political parties from taking cryptocurrency donations in a move the government says will help protect democracy from illicit finance
Partial government shutdown continues with long lines at airports
The long lines at airports and the DHS shutdown continue, but could a deal by on the horizon?
Glyphosate: A story of science, risk, and nuance
In the summer of 2014, a California groundskeeper named Dewayne Johnson started noticing patches of raw, weeping skin spreading across his body. He had spent years applying Roundup, Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicide, for a school district, sometimes drenched in it when equipment malfunctioned. By 2014, he had a diagnosis: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In 2018, a jury awarded him $289 million in damages, later reduced on appeal. Tens of thousands of lawsuits followed. The story hasn’t quieted down. It’s all over the internet, swinging between “this will kill you, buy organic” and “relax, you’re fear-mongering.” Some of that recent chatter stems from an Executive Order protecting glyphosate and its production, which set off intense infighting within the MAHA movement. Some of it reflects a deeper truth: Americans genuinely care about harmful chemicals in their environment (see poll below). And the conversation isn’t going anywhere, with a Supreme Court case involving Monsanto set for this April. Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. But does glyphosate cause cancer? And how much exposure is actually risky? With so much mistrust in institutions and corporations (and some genuine conflicts of interest), making sense of the actual scientific evidence is genuinely hard. Here is a translation of what the scientific evidence actually says. Does glyphosate cause harm? Glyphosate is an herbicide that kills most plants it contacts rather than targeting specific species. It works by blocking an enzyme pathway (EPSPS) that plants and many microorganisms need to produce essential amino acids. Without those amino acids, the plant can’t grow and dies. Glyphosate was first developed by Monsanto in the 1970s and became ubiquitous after the company introduced “Roundup Ready” crops in the 1990s. In 2024, Bayer removed glyphosate from residential Roundup-branded products due to litigation pressure. But today it is still the most widely used herbicide in the world. Farmers also discovered they could spray it directly on crops like oats, lentils, beans, and peas just before harvest to dry them out faster and make harvesting easier. Because of its widespread use, it’s obviously really important to understand if it’s harmful to humans. The key principle: The dose makes the poison The most important concept in toxicology is that “the dose makes the poison.” Sixteenth-century physician Paracelsus articulated what remains the foundational principle of toxicology: sola dosis facit venenum. Water will kill you if you drink enough of it. Aspirin saves lives at 81 milligrams and causes internal bleeding at higher chronic doses. So, at what dose is glyphosate poisonous? The LD50 in rats (the dose that kills half the test animals) is around 5,600 mg/kg body weight. Table salt is roughly 3,000 mg/kg. By that classic measure, glyphosate is less acutely toxic than salt. But some people are exposed to a lot of glyphosate through their work. And among the general public, there are many questions about low-dose, cumulative exposure from multiple sources over long periods. Does glyphosate cause health problems? Cancer Correlation maps are striking, with one analysis finding that 60% of counties that spray the most glyphosate have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma rates above the national average. But correlation alone doesn’t establish cause, which is why animal and human studies matter. In animals: Rat studies are typically what most fear is rooted in, but most people don’t know the study details on the dosage given to rats. A pooled analysis of the 13 most rigorous rat studies found evidence that very high doses, around 55,000 times greater than typical food residue exposure, can cause certain cancers. In humans: One of the strongest studies followed 55,000 herbicide users over 20 years and found no overall increased cancer risk. There was one signal: among those with the highest use, rates of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) appeared elevated. A broader meta-analysis of 18 human studies also found no overall cancer risk, though a separate meta-analysis focused specifically on non-Hodgkin lymphoma found that people with high cumulative glyphosate exposure faced a 41% higher relative risk compared to those with low or no exposure. These human studies are observational studies (randomized controlled trials would be unethical), and meta-analyses are only as reliable as the studies they pool. But the story seems consistent: at very high exposure levels, there may be some cancer risk. But that’s about as far as the science currently takes us. Emerging research: gut and reproductive health Gut: Because glyphosate targets a pathway that exists in some gut bacteria, scientists have questioned whether it could affect the microbiome. In mice, a 2023 University of Iowa study found that glyphosate altered gut bacterial composition and raised markers of intestinal inflammation. A 2024 systematic review found similar patterns: disrupted gut bacteria and problems with the mucus layer that protects the intestinal wall in mice. Whether this translates to humans is an open question. The human gut is highly variable and resistant, and we don't yet have strong studies confirming the same effects in people. Reproductive health: Animal studies have found that glyphosate-based herbicides can interfere with reproductive hormones, including disrupting egg cell development in mice and reducing the number of eggs available in sheep’s ovaries. However, the doses used in these experiments were high, so it’s not yet clear whether the same effects would occur in humans. On the human side, a 2021 pilot study led by Mount Sinai researchers tested urine samples from pregnant women across the U.S. and found glyphosate in 95% of them. The study also found a possible connection between higher glyphosate exposure during pregnancy and a subtle physical difference measured in female newborns. That said, some connections weren’t statistically reliable and this was a small study. The researchers themselves said more and larger studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions. What do regulators say about glyphosate safety? In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A). The classification is worth taking seriously. But, there’s an important distinction: IARC classifies hazard, meaning the potential to cause harm under some conditions. It does not assess risk, which accounts for actual exposure levels and the real-world probability of harm. The U.S. EPA, the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, and regulatory agencies in Australia and Japan have all concluded that glyphosate is “unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans” at realistic exposure levels. They’re asking a different question: given how much of this people actually encounter, what is the probability of harm? Your actual exposure is what determines your actual risk. What does glyphosate mean for your daily life? At the grocery store: Food residues are small. The EPA’s acceptable daily intake is 1.75 mg/kg of body weight per day. To hit that threshold from oatmeal alone, a 150-pound adult would need to eat roughly 50 pounds of oats every day. But this calculation addresses only one pathway (food), and we don’t yet have robust tools to measure people’s actual total exposure. If reducing exposure matters to you, organic certification prohibits synthetic herbicides, and organic oat products generally test at lower or undetectable levels. Either way, a diet rich in whole grains, conventional or organic, is far better for your health than one that omits them out of fear of residues. On the farm: Occupational exposure is orders of magnitude higher than consumer exposure. Farmers and farm workers who mix, load, and apply glyphosate-based herbicides, especially without protective equipment, face meaningfully different risk profiles. Proper PPE isn’t optional. Integrated weed management strategies that rotate chemical modes of action are also worth taking seriously, both for health and for long-term effectiveness. If you live near a farm: Spray drift is real. Concentrations near field edges can spike during and after application, particularly on windy days. This is an area where I think public health could really step up and empower rural communities with buffer zones, rather than placing the onus on individuals. But for now, knowing your local agricultural calendar and keeping windows closed during application are the first steps. Bottom line Dewayne Johnson was exposed to glyphosate at levels most people will never encounter, and a jury decided he deserved compensation. That outcome is not evidence that the oatmeal in your pantry is dangerous. But it is a reminder that the dose, the context, and the person doing the exposing all matter enormously. Glyphosate is a chemical tool with benefits, trade-offs, and genuine open scientific questions. Learning to hold that complexity without collapsing into panic or dismissal is, honestly, one of the most useful and hardest things to do in navigating modern health science. Love, YLE Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) is founded and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, wife, and mom of two little girls. Hannah Totte, MPH, is an epidemiologist and YLE Community Manager. YLE reaches more than 425,000 people in over 132 countries with one goal: “Translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below: Subscribe
Black Troops, White Rage, and Political Violence in the Postbellum American South -
By Joshua Byun, Boston College and Hyunku Kwon, University of Chicago How can governments in racially divided societies protect vulnerable populations from political violence after large-scale internal conflict? When the dominant majority is bent on [...]
UK Should Ban Crypto Donations to Political Parties, Review Says
The UK should ban crypto donations to political parties until they are effectively regulated because they risk foreign financial interference in British politics, according to a government-commissioned review into the matter.
Examining government-business relationships in Chile - College of Arts and Sciences
Graduate student Jaime Lindh studies the relationships between local governments and business communities in his native country of Chile.
Political donations in cryptocurrency could be blocked in blow to Reform UK
Government review also recommends political funding from Britons living abroad be capped at about £300,000 a year
She taught backyard swim lessons. A single complaint shut them down.
Local governments should encourage home businesses instead of making them illegal.
Failed push to scrap license plate decals raises questions
Ditching the yellow stickers might be costly for local governments and sheriff's departments.
The real roadblock to government formation in Iraq isn’t Maliki—it’s Kurdish power politics
A dispute between Kurdish factions presents a significant structural obstacle to Iraq’s government formation regardless of who is nominated for prime minister.
Nancy Bostock lands support from majority of Pinellas legislative delegation
'Our students and parents deserve leaders at every level of government who will work together to put them first.'
Divided Supreme Court weighs the right to seek asylum at the southern border
The case posed a fundamental clash between the government's need to manage surges at the border and the moral and historic right to offer asylum to those fleeing persecution.
Blaise Ingoglia targets Citrus County for 'wasteful' spending
'That’s an amazing amount of government growth in six years.'
Funding Uncertainty Has Consequences
We're asking the U.S. government to release holds on Congressionally-appropriated funding for scientific research, education, and critical activities at the earliest possible time.
Dimon warns on AI job losses, calls for government-business incentives
The potential AI-related disruption of the job market is a critical issue in Washington, with lawmakers trying to curb the amount of job displacement.
Newsom says he regrets earlier comments likening Israel to an ‘apartheid state’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that he regretted using the word “apartheid” to describe the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians, though he warned “that’s a word you may hear others use” if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for territorial gains.
Delta suspends VIP services for Congress members amid DHS shutdown, TSA delays
Delta suspended VIP congressional services amid the government shutdown, telling lawmakers they'll be treated like regular travelers by SkyMiles status.
He was Rubio’s friend and roommate. Now Rubio will testify against him.
Former congressman David Rivera, accused of secretly lobbying for Nicolás Maduro’s government in Venezuela, climbed Miami politics alongside Marco Rubio.
Voice of America journalists allege Trump is making news outlet a propaganda source
Some journalists at Voice of America charged in a lawsuit Monday that the Trump administration — while largely shutting down the government-run outlet that provides news around the world — has turned what remains into a voice for propaganda.
Mills says federal abortion investigation is ‘political’
In particular, the federal government says it wants to find out if Maine “is unlawfully coercing entities covered by Federal health care conscience protection laws to provide, pay for, or provide coverage of abortion.”
Sports Bar Streaming Setups Complicated as EverPass, DirecTV Evolve
How do sports bars keep up with the streaming revolution? A mix of satellite and digital distribution has some stores asking the government for help.
No 10 says Starmer had ‘constructive’ call with Trump on Middle East and strait of Hormuz
PM will meet with the Commons liaison committee and chair the government’s Cobra emergency committee today
Sheffield business owners 'don't feel safe' next to illegal waste site
An Attercliffe dumping ground is identified as one of the worst in the country by the government.
Israel Thought It Could Spur Rebellion Inside Iran. That Hasn’t Happened.
President Trump’s hopes that an Israeli plan to ignite an internal uprising against Iran’s theocratic government could bring the war to a swift end have so far been dashed.
Cuba Says Its Military Is Prepared as Trump’s Threats Multiply
A senior Cuban official said the country is preparing for a possible military assault as President Donald Trump increases economic pressure on the government in Havana and suggests it could be the next US target after Venezuela and Iran.
Election in Slovenia Will Test Europe’s Political Mood
The center-left government is being challenged by a right-wing populist accused of launching a smear campaign in the final days of a close race.
Trump threatens to deploy ICE agents to airports Monday if funding deal isn’t reached
President Donald Trump said Saturday he will deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to US airports on Monday if an agreement isn’t reached to fund the Department of Homeland Security amid a partial government shutdown.
Robert Mueller, former FBI director and special counsel in Trump-Russia probe, dies
Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led the historic probe into alleged collusion between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and the Russian government, has died, according to a family statement obtained by The New York Times and the Associated Press. He was 81.
Hundreds of Thousands of Czechs Rally in Anti-Government Protest
Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in the Czech capital of Prague in a demonstration against the cabinet led by billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
Rivian and the danger of building a business on government largesse
The EV market is evolving to survive without public subsidies.
Judge rules US government overreached with transgender health care declaration
A federal judge has ruled that the government overreached when it declared certain types of gender-affirming care unsafe for young people.
US House Democrat blasts Commerce's 'highly concerning' $1.6 billion USA Rare Earth deal
A senior House Democrat accused U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday of structuring Washington's $1.58 billion investment into USA Rare Earth in a way that gives the government "highly concerning" leverage over the company while boosting Lutnick's family-run investment firm.
Long lines persist at area airports as partial government shutdown continues
350 TSA agents have quit since the current shutdown began, according to DHS.
Federal judge in Oregon rules US government overreached with transgender health care declaration
The judge’s ruling Thursday in Oregon is part of multistate lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, its secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and its inspector general.
Demand destruction fears rise after Iran war drove up oil and gas prices; UK government borrowing jumps
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Judge rules US government overreached with transgender health care declaration
Judge Mustafa Kasubhai’s ruling was centered on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. not going through the proper administrative procedures when issuing the declaration in December.
Judge rules US government overreached with transgender health care declaration
A federal judge has ruled that the government overreached when it declared certain types of gender-affirming care unsafe for young people
Judge rules the government overreached with transgender health care declaration
A federal judge has ruled that the government overreached when it declared certain types of gender-affirming care unsafe for young people.
Judge Rules US Government Overreached With Transgender Health Care Declaration
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge said the government overreached by issuing a declaration that called treatments like puberty blockers and surgeries unsafe and ineffective for young people experiencing gender dysphoria, according to a ruling Thursday in Oregon. Judge Mustafa Kasubhai's ruling ...
Political influence ‘a serious problem’ for FDA under Trump, former commissioner says
Hundreds of individualized treatments for rare diseases could become available over the next decade — but only if government regulators handle the new
Woman who ran prenatal business gets five years for $2.6 million fraud
The former owner of a prenatal care company in Milwaukee who stole more than $2.6 million in government funds meant to help poor mothers was sentenced to five years prison.
Bessent rules out government intervention in oil futures market during Iran war
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. won't intervene in oil futures markets, focusing on physical crude supply to offset Iran conflict disruptions.
What a Recent Court Win Reveals About the Trump Administration’s Unlawful Attacks on Climate Science
This article was originally published by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. The second Trump administration is taking its hostility to climate science to new levels. In addition to its rhetoric dismissing climate change as a con or scam, recently released government documents show how the adm
German Health Minister Nina Warken and WHO Hub in Berlin highlight 2025 achievements
Germany’s Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken, visited the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin today to review progress and launch its 2025 Annual Report. The report highlights advances in using artificial intelligence, data science and pathogen genomics to strengthen global preparedness for future pandemics.In 2025, the WHO Hub in Berlin worked with more than 160 Member States and over 190 partners to help countries and organizations develop new systems and tools to detect and understand new public health threats as quickly as possible, whenever and wherever they occur.BMG to confirm whether they wish to contribute a quote. “Detecting outbreaks early is one of the most effective ways to save lives and prevent epidemics from becoming global crises,” said Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken. “Germany is proud to host and support the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence. Its work strengthens our safety at home and helps protect people worldwide.”Artificial intelligence is increasingly transforming the detection of outbreaks. In 2025, the Hub launched an upgraded version of the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system, which uses enhanced AI functions to scan global online information in real time and help experts quickly identify unusual health events. The system is now used by 120 countries.To better anticipate health threats, countries need information beyond traditional health data. The Hub supports countries in implementing Collaborative Surveillance, which integrates data on climate, animals, travel, and population movement to provide a more comprehensive and real-time understanding of health threats.The Hub also expanded global access to pathogen genomics, which helps scientists detect new pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, understand how they spread and how dangerous they may become. Through the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN), the WHO Hub in Berlin worked with 309 partners in 101 countries to expand access to these technologies.“We are in a new era of global health threats, and we need new tools to face tomorrow’s challenges,” said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme. “The WHO Hub in Berlin helps countries use data and technology more effectively so they can identify risks earlier and respond faster. No country can address these threats alone. Strong cooperation remains our best defence.”“Berlin offers an ideal environment for our work. We collaborate closely with world-leading institutions such as the Robert Koch Institute and the Charité Center for Global Health,” said Dr Oliver Morgan, Head of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence. “Germany has supported the WHO Hub since its establishment, and we are pleased to welcome Federal Minister Nina Warken to the Hub today. This strong partnership helps us advance innovation in pandemic and epidemic intelligence and better support countries to prepare for future health threats.”The Hub is expanding the use of advanced analytics and mathematical modelling to forecast how outbreaks may develop and to assess which response measures are most effective. Through its Collaboratory, the Hub connects modelers and analysts with governments to ensure their work addresses real public health needs. In 2025, the community grew to 1300 members from 50 countries and 200 institutions. An AI-powered pandemic simulator, currently in the prototyping phase, will help decision-makers compare outbreak scenarios and help identify effective disease control measures.
Under Trump, the government’s watchdogs are losing their independence
Inspectors general are subject to growing partisan pressures as the White House and political figures seek greater influence over them than ever before.
Forum on harnessing Artificial Intelligence for health equity
Register to this forumOver the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly evolved in complexity, performance, and utility. Its integration across a wide range of industrial sectors has accelerated, with healthcare emerging as one of the most transformative sectors. In this sector, AI has enabled high-impact applications – from enhancing the speed and accuracy of disease diagnosis and supporting clinical decision-making, to strengthening public health initiatives such as disease surveillance and workforce optimization. Moreover, AI holds immense potential to empower individuals, enabling them to take greater control of their personal health and well-being. Yet the central question remains: Who benefits, who is at risk, and do these innovations close or widen health inequities? While the potential of AI-enabled applications is substantial, many countries have approached their adoption with caution. This hesitancy stems from concerns about risks and benefits, including model bias, data breaches, privacy violations, and the erosion of professional skills due to over-reliance on AI. Additional barriers include inadequate data infrastructure and a lack of robust evidence on the most effective forms and interfaces of AI to enhance service delivery and system performance. Moreover, the rapid rise of Generative AI has introduced a heightened urgency for the development of comprehensive governance and ethical frameworks. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Health Practice Team and Digital Sector, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific, are convening the Forum on Harnessing AI for Health Equity on 25–26 March at ADB Headquarters. Senior health officials from 16 developing member countries (DMCs), alongside leading researchers, innovators, and policymakers from across Asia and the Pacific, will engage in discussions on how AI can be governed, financed, and scaled to deliver healthier lives for all. The forum is funded through the High-Level Technology Fund with support from the Government of Japan. Objectives The two-day forum aims to:Identify high-impact, evidence-based health AI use cases suitable for resource-constrained settings and map out a pipeline for potential supportIntroduce and validate the WHO's policy guidance on minimum necessary ecosystem for countries and institutions to self-assess readiness for AI adoptionObtain initial commitment from participating stakeholders to join a pilot regional initiative focused on data/model sharing for a priority health challengeEndorse a prioritized set of actionable policy recommendations focusing on governance, regulation, and sustainable financing necessary to scale high-impact health AI use cases in resource-constrained settings Target participants The forum will convene participants from 16 ADB DMCs including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Viet Nam. In addition, health system leaders and practitioners, private sector technologists, academic experts, representatives from civil society organizations, development partners, and philanthropic institutions engaged in AI for Health from Australia, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea will also be invited. SessionsDay 1 (25 March)Session 1: AI Use Cases for the Care Continuum: Improving Access and QualitySession 2: Adopting a risk-based approach for AI use case prioritizationSession 3: Establishing the Minimum Ecosystem for Implementation Risk ManagementSession 4: Future-Ready Health Workforce: Building Competency for Human-AI CollaborationDay 2 (26 March)Session 5: The Political Economy of AI in Health: Understanding Stakeholder Interests and their Impact on EquitySession 6: AI and Health Financing: Supporting Fair Coverage and ProtectionSession 7: AI Regulation and Oversight: Pathways for Different RealitiesSession 8: The Way Forward – Building Alliances and Regional Partnership How to registerThe forum will be held in a hybrid format. In-person attendance is by invitation only, while livestreaming of the forum will be available to the public. To register, please complete this form on or before 24 March 2026.Event organizers / partnersAsian Development Bank (ADB)WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific High-Level Technology Fund (HLTF)ContactAkihito WatabeHealth Specialist, SD3-HSDawatabe@adb.org Jae Kyoun KimHealth Specialist, SD3-HSDjkkim@adb.org
Fetterman's a no as Senate Republicans debate new voting restrictions
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Fetterman broke with his party and voted to fund the federal government, and to oppose legislation limiting President...
Israel kills Iran's spy chief; government seen as 'largely degraded'
Trump floated the prospect of a decisive military endgame against Iran: 'I wonder what would happen if we "finished off" what’s left of [Iran].'
Russians caught stealing personal data from Ukrainians with new advanced iPhone hacking tools
A suspected group of Russian government hackers was caught targeting Ukrainians with new iPhone hacking tools designed for espionage and potentially to steal crypto.
Government shutdown sparks new round of partisan finger‑pointing
Republicans are seizing on reportedly long airport lines to target Georgia Democrats amid the partial government shutdown.
What a recent court win reveals about the Trump administration’s unlawful attacks on climate science
Recently released government documents show how the administration is seeking to replace scientific facts with propaganda and disinformation.
Cuban Americans Will Be Allowed to Own Businesses in Cuba, but Is That Enough?
The Cuban government announced that Cubans living abroad can own and invest in businesses, but experts said they were disappointed that the measures didn’t go further.
NJGOP Calls on Congressional Democrats to End DHS Shutdown, Stop Playing Politics with National Security
NJGOP Calls on Congressional Democrats to End DHS Shutdown, Stop Playing Politics with National Security COLTS NECK — NJGOP Chairwoman Christine Hanlon is calling on Congressional Democrats to end the partial government shutdown keeping the Department of Homeland Security closed and unfunded. A month into the shutdown, TSA wait times are growing at airports across[...]
Science & Innovation
Challenges to the American scientific enterprise—from the reproducibility crisis, to administrative bloat within research institutions, to diminished public trust in universities—together with sweeping reforms to the government’s role in science, make this a pivotal moment for science policy. An agenda to strengthen American science must enhance its productivity and credibility, preserve our research advantages, and ensure that the scientific enterprise remains accountable to American citizens.
Fields now set for Maine June primaries
Gov. Janet Mills, combat veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner and David Costello, a former senior level government official, are all competing for the right to face Sen. Susan Collins in the fall.
Trump: ‘I do believe I’ll [be having] the honor of taking Cuba’
With the Trump administration’s oil blockade cutting off fuel to Cuba, the country’s electrical grid collapsed on March 16, causing an island-wide blackout. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, threatened again to topple the country’s communist government.
Judge blocks US government from cutting vaccine recommendations for children
The judge said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely violated federal procedures in revamping a key vaccine advisory committee.
Federal judge blocks RFK Jr.’s vaccine policy overhaul for now
The judge said the government has undermined its history of recognizing the importance of involving independent experts in setting the national public health agenda.
Judge Strikes Down Kennedy’s Vaccine Policies
Ruling on a lawsuit brought by several prominent medical organizations, a district court said the federal government did not base its decisions on science in limiting Covid shots and changing the childhood immunization schedule.
Dem senators call to fund DHS after voting to block it 4 times amid shutdown fight
Government shutdown continues over Department of Homeland Security funding as Democrats seek immigration enforcement reforms amid terror attacks.
Partisanship and science
I recently participated in a symposium of the Denver-based Institute for Science & Policy, during which I had a “fireside chat” with Tony Mills of the American Enterprise Institute. Mills has written extensively on the politicization of science, and the two of us had a very enjoyable hour-long conversation on the topic. You can watch it below. The main questions we dealt with are why there is such a vast partisan gap in trust of science, and to what extent this is a unique moment. Mills helpfully brings a good deal of data to the discussion, as he did in this useful piece at Issues in Science & Technology. Tusk depends on reader support. To support this work, please become a paid subscriber. Subscribe Note this graph, drawing on a range of survey data to demonstrate partisan attitudes toward science since 1970s. As it demonstrates, there’s been a very sharp partisan divergence in confidence in science during the Trump Era, starting prior to the Covid pandemic. At least in part, we can attribute this to a rise in populist anti-science rhetoric embraced by Trump, his appointees, and those in his media orbit. But as the graph also shows, the partisan divide has existed in the past, and it’s not always in the same direction. The largest divergence in party views toward science prior to 2016 was in the 1970s, when liberals equated scientific achievement with the military-industrial complex and thus trusted it less. That era of scientific mistrust is often overlooked. Indeed, as Mills notes, the Moon landings (1969-72), which today are considered one of the last great moments of national unity, were experienced nothing like that at the time. There was sharp debate back then over whether the Apollo missions were worth the vast expenditures when the country had so much else to deal with. It’s outside the dataset, and we don’t have the partisanship lens for it, but the 1950s was another deeply anti-science decade, with critics of intellectuals and college professors alleging their ties to communism and their lack of commitment to basic American moral beliefs. This was the subject of Richard Hofstadter’s 1962 book Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, in which he quotes religious leaders like Franklin Graham: [In place of the Bible] we substituted reason, rationalism, mind culture, science worship, the working power of government, Freudianism, naturalism, humanism, behaviorism, positivism, materialism, and idealism. [This is the work of] so-called intellectuals. Thousands of these “intellectuals” have publicly stated that morality is relative—that there is no norm or absolute standard.… This fervor was heavily whipped up by Sen. Joe McCarthy (R-Wisconsin), although it’s clear that not all his fellow Republicans were on board with his red-baiting. What ended that era? The simple answer is the 1957 launch of Sputnik. Americans became afraid that they were losing to Soviet scientists, and suddenly university researchers and government projects were awash with funding. In our conversation, I asked Mills about the possibility of us having a Sputnik moment again that would rally the American public in favor of science today. Mills argued that the COVID-19 pandemic was essentially a Sputnik moment — a terrifying threat to all Americans that required scientific advances to address. But thanks in part to political polarization and the populist and conspiratorial leanings of Donald Trump, we got the opposite of a unifying moment. Many Americans turned against science, despite science actually stepping up in that moment. As we discussed in the chat, it’s not clear what scientists could or should be doing in this moment to increase faith in their work. As Mills notes, one of the chief complaints against scientists and professors is that they’ve become too political; scholars becoming even more political might not help them achieve their goals. This (mainly Republican-driven) anti-science era will end, of course, but it’s not clear what event will bring that about. Share
What happened in Iowa politics the week of March 9-13
Listen as Morning Edition Host Meghan McKinney and IPR's State Government Reporter Katarina Sostaric review the latest in Iowa politics.
How The Star’s new Missouri politics reporter brings KC context to state actions
The Star’s new Missouri politics role will focus on the issues closest to Kansas City in its coverage of state government and politics.
Somerset businesses 'dismayed' at skills training funding cut
The government plans to scale back funding for Skills Bootcamps that can help workers retrain.
Airline CEOs slam $0 TSA paychecks in government shutdown
The CEOs of United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and other companies called for Congress to pass acts protecting TSA workers during shutdowns.
School politics class: Government overcomes backbench rebellion to pass jury plan
Parliament and executive
Businesses affected by one of world’s longest Covid lockdowns to receive $125m from Victorian government
Class action settles after retailers argued state government should pay them for economic loss resulting from pandemic lockdown
Widespread School, Government Office, Business Closures Monday
Widespread closures have been announced across northern Michigan Monday amid a winter storm that has hammered the state, producing significant icing across the region. Strong predicted winds and a continued winter storm warning through Monday could exacerbate impacts to infrastructure, especially for areas with icing on trees and power lines. Multiple schools in the Grand …
Women in Politics: A Persistent Glass Ceiling
Women are presidents or heads of government in only 28 of the world’s 195 countries, and 101 states have never had a female leader.
Contractors seek new small business certification after Fort Worth’s DEI goals dropped
Contractors are being certified as small business enterprises after federal, state changes eliminate diversity goals for government projects.
Living amid bombings in Iran: How fear impacts mental health
Bombs, government oppression, and fear are wearing down Iranians. How does trauma build up? And what can help people living with constant stress?
Trump is searching for an endgame to the Iran war
Senior officials privately expressed doubt the Trump administration can achieve the overthrow of Iran's government and the destruction of its nuclear program through military means.
Politics Unplugged (Full Episode) March 15, 2026
This week on Politics Unplugged, Amy Edwards Holmes, the woman tasked with finding wasteful spending in the state government, explains how the process will work. Then, consultants Dawn Penich and Marcus Dell’Artino discuss the federal government collecting data from Arizona’s 2020 election and the fight over school construction funding in Arizona.
Miami’s Community Newspapers hosts Small Business Expo
Miami’s Community Newspapers, with the Miami-Dade Strategic Procurement Department, hosted a Small Business Expo in its South Miami offices on Tuesday, Feb. 17, attended by local government and...
The delicate, ever-changing dance between politics and religion
The dance, really a marathon that brings to mind the classic movie “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?”, has been going on as long as there have been governments and organized religion. That is to say that this delicate tango has been with us since time immemorial. In ancient times, the state and the state religion […]
Can American car companies survive American politics?
The Biden administration was all in on EVs. The Trump administration pulled the plug, ahem, on government support. How is the US car industry dealing with the whiplash.
Jared Kushner Solicits Funds for His Firm While Working as Mideast Envoy
President Trump’s son-in-law is trying to raise $5 billion or more from foreign governments and others for his private equity firm.