EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Tayshawn Comer scored 18 points as Evansville beat Campbell 66-53 on Sunday night. Comer had six rebounds and six assists for the Purple Aces (3-4). Cameron Haffner scored 16 points and added six rebounds. Gabriel Pozzato shot 3 for 5, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 10 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week
Beloved Fitness Brand, Men’s Fitness, Returns under The Arena GroupDucks coming off disappointing loss face Seattle in a home-and-home
Is Nvidia’s Reign Over? Discover These Under-the-Radar AI SuperstarsPhoto: Unsplash The Westbank First Nation has issued a cougar warning. The warning was issued on Thursday evening after a cougar was spotted near the ball diamond on Falcon Lane on WFN lands. "Please use caution in and around the community. Avoid walking alone or at night if possible," said WFN on social media. According to the RCMP , cougars can be especially dangerous to small children, because their higher voices, more erratic movements, and smaller size make it difficult for cougars to identify them as human and not prey. People are advised not to approach cougars but if you do come into contact with a cougar you are advised to stay calm, give the cougar an escape route and talk to the cougar in a confident tone of voice. "Do not turn your back and do not run, try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack," said the RCMP advice.In an era when information travels at breakneck speed across vast digital networks, the very act of trying to hide certain data often paradoxically ensures its broader dissemination. This ironic dynamic, known as the “Streisand effect,” encapsulates a critical tension at the heart of contemporary media ecosystems: attempts to suppress or censor information frequently result in that information being shared more widely and gaining even greater cultural resonance. Conceptually, the Streisand effect aligns with a set of interrelated theories from communication studies, media ethics, political science, and sociology that explore how power, secrecy, and transparency collide in the digital sphere. The naming of this effect traces back to a high-profile incident involving the American singer and actress Barbra Streisand, who sought to remove an innocuous aerial photograph of her home from a public online archive. Her attempt at legal action not only failed to conceal the image but also propelled it into public consciousness, transforming an obscure photo into a widely recognized symbol of the futility of certain censorship efforts. In the years since, the Streisand effect has been invoked to describe countless scenarios in which a suppression attempt has had precisely the opposite outcome, inadvertently amplifying the visibility of the contested information. The Streisand effect has long-since moved beyond a cultural anecdote into a conceptual lens through which we can examine the interplay between censorship, digital activism, and networked people. It resonates with theoretical frameworks in media studies and cyberlaw that explain how information—once digitized—does not simply vanish at the behest of a single authority figure. Instead, the attempt to stifle speech often triggers counterforces that intensify attention and circulation. More than a curiosity or quirk of the internet age, the Streisand effect raises profound questions about control, audience psychology, viral mechanisms, trust in authoritative institutions, and the ethics of public communication. The Streisand effect sits at the intersection of several core ideas in the study of media and communication. On one side, classical theories of censorship and propaganda have long held that efforts to control what the public sees, hears, and reads run the risk of sparking resistance and curiosity. J.S. Mill’s philosophical arguments about the importance of free speech and John Milton’s “Areopagitica” both highlight that suppressing ideas can inadvertently make them more appealing. Even a five-year-old child interacting with their parents embodies that. While these thinkers operated in pre-digital worlds, their observations resonate powerfully in an internet-driven context. In the digital era, communication occurs within a decentralized web of platforms, forums, and social media channels, allowing information to ricochet from one node to countless others at lightning speed. This distributed network structure makes it inherently more difficult to control narratives. Here, the Streisand effect can be seen as a manifestation of network theory principles, where attempts to remove content from a node can trigger attention from multiple connected nodes. Information becomes replicated and mirrored, spreading like wildfire, often beyond the jurisdictional reach of the initial censor. Conceptually, the effect is in dialogue with ideas about “forbidden fruit” and psychological reactance: when individuals perceive that certain knowledge is being withheld from them, their desire to access and disseminate it intensifies. The cognitive interplay between scarcity, curiosity, and the innate human impetus to resist perceived control fosters conditions ripe for the Streisand effect. Likewise, within political communication and digital activism, the effect dovetails with notions of “information cascades,” wherein social proof and the bandwagon effect drive people to share content precisely because it is being suppressed. In 2003, environmental photographer Kenneth Adelman took thousands of aerial images of the California coastline for the California Coastal Records Project, a public initiative to document coastal erosion. Among these images was a photograph of Barbra Streisand’s home. Although the image was not initially singled out or widely circulated, Streisand’s attempt to sue Adelman and the associated website for $50 million to have the photograph removed brought widespread media attention to it. Before the lawsuit, the image had been downloaded only a handful of times; in the aftermath, its visibility soared as global news outlets covered the story and internet users flocked to view what Streisand wanted hidden. The Streisand effect quickly transcended its origin story. Since then, it has been referenced in relation to a host of incidents spanning entertainment, politics, corporate branding, social justice campaigns, and beyond. WikiLeaks, for example, became a lightning rod for the Streisand effect: when governments and corporations attempted to block access to leaked documents, supporters and activists replicated and redistributed those files across mirror sites, magnifying their reach. Similarly, efforts by authoritarian regimes to tamp down dissenting voices often trigger widespread international attention, human rights reporting, and solidarity campaigns that amplify the suppressed message. More recently, attempts by political figures to remove incriminating tweets or videos have ignited the Streisand effect. The internet’s permanent memory—embodied in archiving tools like the Wayback Machine—thwarts erasure. Efforts to edit history, conceal past statements, or disappear embarrassing content often lead to journalists and activists spotlighting these very attempts at suppression. The effect has even extended into celebrity culture: attempts by public relations teams to quash rumors or scandalous images can inadvertently accelerate their spread, turning minor gossip into major controversy. Moreover, as social media algorithms privilege engagement—likes, shares, and comments—censorship attempts can become their own form of viral currency. The more a piece of content is framed as “secret” or “forbidden,” the more likely users are to engage with it, share it, and comment on its significance. In this environment, trying to stifle discourse can resemble tossing gasoline onto a smoldering fire. Human psychology lies at the heart of the Streisand effect. One key ingredient is the principle of psychological reactance, identified by psychologist Jack Brehm in the 1960s. Reactance posits that when individuals perceive their freedom of choice or access to information is threatened, they experience an emotional drive to restore that freedom. Attempts at censorship, particularly in open societies accustomed to broad speech protections, often ignite a collective reactance. Audiences do not merely consume information passively; they become motivated participants seeking to undermine the censors and affirm their autonomy. Another psychological dimension is the “forbidden fruit” phenomenon, where information labeled as suppressed or secretively removed attains a heightened allure. Social beings are drawn to that which is hidden, as uncovering secrets promises insider knowledge, prestige, or the thrill of rebellion. This dynamic is supercharged in digital spaces, where communities form around discovery, investigation, and sharing. The democratization of communication tools means anyone can become a whistleblower, archivist, or curator of hidden truths. These psychological drivers interact with group identities and in-group/out-group dynamics. When people identify as part of an information community—be it Reddit sleuths, political dissidents, or fandom collectors—they take collective pride in outsmarting suppression efforts. The Streisand effect can thus catalyze a sense of camaraderie and mission. The very networks that censorship attempts aim to disrupt become even tighter-knit and more determined to keep the contested information in circulation. The digital architecture underlying modern communication amplifies the Streisand effect. Unlike traditional, top-down broadcast models, digital platforms function as decentralized, user-driven networks. The spread of information is often organic, fueled by peer-to-peer sharing. However, it is also algorithmically orchestrated, as platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube use recommendation engines designed to boost user engagement. When content is “forbidden,” engagement often skyrockets. Users rush to view, share, and debate it. The algorithms notice this surge and respond by pushing it into more feeds, magnifying its visibility. Each attempt to remove or block the content may prompt a new wave of re-uploads, mirrors, and commentary, ensuring that it remains accessible through a variety of back channels. The Streisand effect also intersects with the darker realms of information warfare. State actors, intelligence agencies, and strategically motivated hackers might plant controversial documents or misinformation online precisely to lure their targets into attempts at suppression. By prompting heavy-handed takedowns, they trigger a wave of viral attention and inadvertently legitimize the content’s significance. In this sense, the Streisand effect can be weaponized as a strategic tool: provoking an opponent into censorial overreach that backfires spectacularly. Through this lens, controlling the narrative in digital spaces becomes an intricate game of psychological manipulation, platform maneuvering, and memetic spread. Corporate entities are increasingly aware of the Streisand effect’s implications. In attempts to manage reputational crises, companies sometimes try to remove negative reviews, unflattering images, or damaging press. Ironically, these efforts can escalate minor issues into public-relations catastrophes. The brand, which intended to appear protective of its image and values, comes across as secretive, manipulative, or untrustworthy. In contrast, some brands have learned to embrace transparent communication policies. Rather than hiding criticism, they publicly address concerns, provide context, and invite dialogue. By doing so, they can transform potential scandals into opportunities for authenticity and trust-building. When customers see that a company is not trying to suppress information, they are more likely to view that company as accountable and honest. The Streisand effect, in this sense, serves as a cautionary tale: attempting censorship in the age of digital empowerment can do more harm than good. Politically, the Streisand effect often plays out when authoritarian regimes try to silence dissent or democratic leaders attempt to manage controversies behind closed doors. For instance, efforts to censor media outlets or online platforms to hide state-sanctioned abuses, leaked corruption files, or embarrassing diplomatic cables can unleash a torrent of attention from international media, human rights organizations, and activist networks. The result is often the opposite of what the censor intended: global scrutiny, condemnation, and sustained coverage of the originally suppressed information. After the French government tried to remove Wikipedia's article on the military radio station Pierre-sur-Haute, the article rocketed to the top of French Wikipedia (attribution: S. RIMBAUD). The Streisand effect is not solely the domain of corporate or political players. Grassroots social justice movements and marginalized communities sometimes leverage the effect to draw attention to issues that powerful actors attempt to hide. When police departments try to suppress video evidence of misconduct, activists seize upon the censorship attempt to highlight systemic issues, circulate the suppressed evidence more widely, and mobilize public outrage. The initial attempt at concealing wrongdoing ironically strengthens the movement’s moral leverage, showing how even clumsy censorship can serve as a catalyst for greater awareness and calls for reform. Social justice campaigns can thus find tactical advantage in understanding how the Streisand effect functions. It encourages a strategic approach: activists anticipate censorship, set traps for attempted suppression, and design their messaging so that any blocking attempt backfires into broader coverage. Here, the effect aligns with the broader ecology of digital activism, where information asymmetries and suppressive tactics often energize rather than deter reformist energies. Academics and thought leaders in communications, cyberlaw, and sociology have helped frame and elaborate the Streisand effect in more formal theoretical terms. Scholars like Ethan Zuckerman have discussed how digital networks facilitate the rapid spread of information in unexpected ways, highlighting the “cute cats” theory of internet content—meaning that platforms designed for innocuous sharing can become powerful tools for political mobilization once censorship attempts occur. Legal theorists such as Lawrence Lessig have pointed to how intellectual property law and content takedown notices can trigger counterproductive amplification. Sociologist Manuel Castells’ theory of networked society also provides a framework for understanding the decentralized power dynamics that foster the Streisand effect. Critical voices in media ethics have explored how content moderation efforts on large platforms can backfire. They emphasize that while some moderation is necessary, overly secretive or draconian measures can lead to a sense of disenfranchisement and erode public trust. Meanwhile, journalists and media watchdogs document case studies that illustrate the Streisand effect’s ubiquity. By cataloging these instances, they contribute to a growing body of evidence that suppression attempts often yield unintended consequences. At its core, the Streisand effect raises pressing moral questions about communication in the digital age. Should all information be freely accessible, regardless of its context or harm potential? What responsibilities do individuals, platforms, and institutions have in shaping the knowledge landscape? On one hand, the effect underscores the value of transparency and openness. It discourages paternalistic attempts to manage public discourse behind closed doors. When the public learns that certain truths are being hidden, trust in those concealing the truth erodes, and skepticism toward authority grows. This dynamic serves as a check on corporate and governmental overreach, potentially strengthening democratic ideals. On the other hand, not all information is innocuous. Certain data might infringe on privacy, promote hate, or endanger vulnerable populations. Complex moral dilemmas arise when preventing the spread of harmful content unintentionally boosts its profile. The Streisand effect forces communicators and regulators to navigate a precarious tightrope, balancing the public’s right to know with the moral imperative to avoid spreading damaging or false information. It also implicates the role of technology platforms, which must decide how to respond to takedown requests without unintentionally fanning the flames of controversy. These moral dimensions invite a reevaluation of censorship policies. If attempts at suppression often fail or backfire, perhaps a more nuanced approach—founded on contextualization, critical literacy, and open debate—is necessary. The Streisand effect nudges us toward transparency as a virtue, but transparency alone is not a panacea. An informed public must be equipped with the media literacy skills to analyze and contextualize the information they encounter. The reality of the Streisand effect means institutions and individuals must be prepared to engage with it. This means: Transparent Communication Policies: Institutions should adopt policies that favor openness and clarity over secrecy. When confronted with unflattering facts, addressing them head-on rather than attempting concealment can build trust. For corporations facing a scandal, a prompt and honest statement acknowledging mistakes and outlining remediation steps is often more effective than a covert takedown strategy. Contextualizing Controversial Content: Instead of deleting or blocking information, communicators can provide context, fact-checking, and expert commentary. By reframing potentially damaging material within a broader narrative, they reduce its allure as “forbidden knowledge.” This approach empowers audiences to engage critically rather than sensationalizing the hidden. Media Literacy Education: An informed public is less susceptible to knee-jerk reactions and the allure of secrecy. By equipping citizens with the tools to evaluate sources, understand media ecosystems, and recognize disinformation tactics, media literacy education can minimize the effectiveness of both censorship and the counterproductive effects of censorship attempts. Proactive Crisis Management: Anticipating controversies before they arise and having a roadmap for ethical, transparent responses can help organizations avoid overreactions. Strategists can rehearse crisis scenarios, developing responses that reduce panic and minimize the temptation to suppress information in the heat of the moment. Critical Discourse Forums: Encouraging open discussion and debate in moderated forums allows contentious topics to be aired without resorting to deletion. By fostering respectful dialogue, platforms and organizations create a public sphere where misinformation can be challenged, and harmful content can be contextualized or debunked. Leveraging the Effect for Good: Activists and social justice groups, aware of the Streisand effect, can leverage suppression attempts to draw attention to critical issues. By documenting censorship attempts and highlighting them as evidence of wrongdoing, they can rally public support and galvanize meaningful change. The Streisand effect also symbolizes a broader cultural shift in how power operates in networked publics. Traditional gatekeepers—governments, mainstream media outlets, powerful companies—no longer enjoy uncontested control over narratives. Instead, networked citizens possess a heightened ability to counter attempts at censorship. The Streisand effect emphasizes that information is not a single, discrete commodity that can be centrally managed. It is a fluid, replicable, crowd-driven phenomenon. The Streisand effect is more than an internet curiosity. It stands as a crucial case study in understanding the unpredictability, interconnectedness, and evolving power relations of the global information landscape. From its origin in a legal battle over a single photograph, this phenomenon has grown into a robust conceptual framework for examining how efforts to silence information can result in louder, more widespread conversation. The effect bridges multiple disciplines—communications theory, psychology, sociology, cyberlaw, political science—and resonates with thinkers who have long warned about the unintended consequences of censorship. In a world where information flows at unprecedented volumes and speeds, attempts to control that flow are often counterproductive. Instead, the Streisand effect encourages a pivot toward transparency, dialogue, and critical engagement. As we navigate a future rife with challenges—misinformation wars, authoritarian clampdowns, corporate PR disasters, and the struggle for digital rights—the Streisand effect remains instructive. It teaches us that the networks we have built thrive on the interplay of curiosity, resistance, and shared identity. Censorship often triggers rebellion, and secrecy can breed discovery. The moral imperative is not merely to acknowledge the effect but to engage thoughtfully with what it implies about power, ethics, and the responsibilities of all communicators, from individual citizens to multinational platforms. The Streisand effect is, at its core, a reminder that information ecosystems have personalities and patterns of their own. Attempts to shape these ecosystems through force or concealment frequently backfire. The more you try to hide something in the digital age, the more it demands to be found. And once found, it spreads uncontrollably, carried along by human curiosity, algorithmic affinities, and the moral heartbeat of a public that will not be kept in the dark. Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.
All 12 Songs From Kendrick Lamar’s ‘GNX’ Album RankedNASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler birdied every hole but the par 3s on the front nine at Albany Golf Club on Friday and finished his bogey-free round with an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge. Two months off did nothing to slow the world's No. 1 player. Scheffler already has eight victories this year and is in position to get another before the end of the year. Scheffler was at 13-under 131, two ahead of Akshay Bhatia (66) and Justin Thomas (67), both of whom had to save par on the 18th hole to stay in range going into the weekend. Scheffler started with a lob wedge to 2 feet for birdie and never slowed until after he went out in 29 to seize control of the holiday tournament against a 20-man field. Scheffler cooled slightly on the back nine, except it didn't feel that way to him. “Front nine, just things were going my way. Back nine, maybe not as much,” Scheffler said. “A couple shots could end up closer to the hole, a couple putts go in, just little things.” Asked if he felt any frustration he didn't take it lower — he once shot 59 at the TPC Boston during the FedEx Cup playoffs — Scheffler sounded bemused. “I think in this game I think a lot of all y’all are looking for perfection out of us,” he said. “Today I shot 8 under on the golf course, not something I hang my head about. A lot of good things out there — clean card, bogey-free, eight birdies. Overall, I think I'm pretty pleased.” Thomas felt his 67 was stress-free, particularly the way he was driving the ball. The wind laid down again, rare for the Bahamas, though it is expected to pick up on the weekend. Thomas wasn't concerned to see Scheffler get off to a hot start, especially with three par 5s on the front nine and a short par 4 that at worst leaves a flip wedge to the green. “You literally can birdie every hole as soft as the greens are,” Thomas said. “He's a great player, a great wedge player, and you have a lot of birdie holes to start. I'm honestly surprised he only shot 8 under. It's a sneaky course because if you fall asleep on some shots, you can get out of position. But if you're on and focused and really in control of everything — like these last two days with no wind — you can just make so many birdies.” Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley had a 67 and was four shots behind. No matter how benign the conditions, it wasn't always easy. Cameron Young, who opened with a 64 for a two-shot lead, followed with a 75 despite making five birdies. That included a double bogey on the final hole when his approach tumbled down the bank into the rocks framing the lake that goes all the way down the 18th hole. Patrick Cantlay was trying to keep pace playing alongside Scheffler, but he had three bogeys over the final seven holes and fell seven shots behind with a 71. The tournament, hosted by Tiger Woods, is unofficial but offers world ranking points to all but the bottom three players because of the small field. It's the weakest field in 25 years, but Scheffler at No. 1 gives it enough cachet. He is the first player since Woods in 2009 to start and finish a year at No. 1 in the world. And even after a layoff — giving him time to tinker with a new putting stroke — it looks like it might be a while before anyone changes that. AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfThe Ducks lugged a four-game points streak in tow as they prepared to welcome the Seattle Kraken for the front half of a home-and-home set. It will begin Monday at Honda Center before migrating northward for its second leg on Wednesday in Seattle. Last season, the teams also faced off twice in three days, with both those games being played in Seattle. The Kraken won both by an aggregate score of 8-2 as part of a four-game season sweep, though neither team ended up qualifying for the postseason. This year, they’re both at exactly .500, thanks to recent surges –– the Ducks are 4-1-1 in their past six games and the Kraken are 5-2-0 in their last seven –– with designs on pushing upward in the Pacific Division standings. They’re also both coming off disappointing losses, with the Ducks blowing a two-goal lead to fall 3-2 in overtime to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday and the Kraken coming up with too little, too late in the way of both offense and energy against the Kings on Saturday. Buffalo was opportunistic, twice dredging up goals from rebounds and scoring another off a turnover. For the Ducks’ part, they missed opportunities to shoot the puck, in some cases from prime scoring areas, once more. “We’ve still got to shoot the puck more,” Coach Greg Cronin said. “In the first period, I think Leo (Carlsson) had a 2-on-1 and the (defenseman) shaded towards (Alex Killorn), and he still passed. I think (Pavel Mintyukov) had one in the slot and he didn’t shoot it. It’s a strange mentality.” While Cronin lamented his team’s unwillingness to shoot yet again, former Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour was flummoxed by his Seattle teammates’ lack of pop in a loss to the Kings that he prevented from being a shutout with a goal in the final two minutes of the match. While Montour liked his squad’s late push, he thought they needed more hunger and consistency alike against the Ducks. “These games, we’ve got to be up for. Anaheim’s up next, we’ve got to come with desperation and get those points,” Montour said. Montour had nearly put the Kraken on the board with a booming one-timer and a second-chance effort that pinged the post in a game where his motor, wheels, and open throttle were on full display. Since his departure via trade in 2019, Montour has established himself firmly in the NHL. After parts of three seasons, including two truncated ones, in Buffalo, Montour moved onto the Florida Panthers. There, he scored a career-high 73 points two seasons ago, when the Panthers’ Cinderella run carried them to the Stanley Cup Final. Last season, they won the Cup in a contract year for Montour, who inked a seven-year, $50 million contract with Seattle as a free agent. He leads Seattle in defensive scoring and Jared McCann is its pace car when it comes to points. Another top offensive talent, Jordan Eberle, underwent pelvic surgery on Friday and was expected to miss around three months of action. Goalie Joey Daccord ranks in the league’s top 10 for both save percentage and goals-against average.
NoneRegistration Closes For Qatar International Falcons And Hunting Festival (Marmi 2025)
Of the major MSCI stock indices this month, only US and Australian ones have seen gains. This strange phenomenon is attributed not only to Donald Trump's election as US president, which has driven up the value of assets denominated in US dollars but also reflects the significant challenges faced by Asia, Europe and emerging markets. As a result, capital has been "forced" to flow into assets such as the greenback, gold or Bitcoin, leading to an abnormal situation where while US stocks continue to hit new highs, other markets remain under pressure. In fact, the strong US dollar trend started last month, when the market began anticipating a Trump victory. It is important to note that the trend is not solely driven by the US Federal Reserve's interest rate policies. Unfavorable factors across Europe, Asia and emerging markets, as well as potential Trump policies which could impact the economies of other countries, were also influential. The most concerning policy issue is Trump's intention to increase tariffs. Doing so will not only severely impact China, expected to be one of the main targets, but also many emerging industrial countries. As a result, the currencies of some export-oriented countries, notably the yuan, have come under significant pressure. If Trump pursues an aggressive tariffs policy, US demand will plunge, forcing many countries to lower export prices. This will impact their economies by reducing their currencies' attractiveness. Therefore, it is normal for their stock markets to begin facing pressure and currencies to be sold off. As for Europe, the most pressing concern at the moment is the competitive challenges faced by its automotive industry. However, this issue does not stem from Trump's policies but rather from the Chinese automotive industry engaging in global dumping through low prices. That is why the European economy began to show signs of weakness this year. Once in the White House, Trump will likely demand that Europe increase NATO spending, which will place further financial pressure on many countries in the euro zone. They may have to follow the UK in implementing significant tax increases, leading to a substantial reduction in corporate investment and pressure on the consumer market. That is the conundrum facing Europe. Of course, how the Russian invasion of Ukraine turns out will also directly impact Europe's prospects. This is especially true considering that Russian President Vladimir Putin has relaxed conditions for the use of nuclear weapons as the United States transitions from one administration to another, raising concerns about the geopolitical risks for Europe. As a result, the market is not only absorbing US dollar-denominated assets but also paying renewed attention to gold. Additionally, with a stronger greenback, prices of dollar-denominated imports in Europe and Asia, such as crude oil, have started to increase once more. Thus, a rebound in inflation seems inevitable. Moreover, many countries are facing not just inflation but also stagflation, which will provide support for gold prices. It is evident that the imbalance in the global financial markets this month merely reflects worsening global turmoil. This deterioration is expected to continue into next year and investors must exercise increased caution. Andrew Wong is a veteran independent commentator
Rundunar yan sandan Kano ta gurfanar wasu yan fashi gaban kotu
Do we want patients consulting trapos (traditional politicians) for health assistance? It might become the norm as social health insurance (the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., better known as PhilHealth) gets defunded in favor of a medical assistance program that reeks of patronage politics. We hear politicians singing hosannas for the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP) run by the Department of Health (DoH), which allows politicos to dole out Guarantee Letters (GLs) from their share of MAIP funds. MAIP only had a budget of P1.8 billion when it was created in 2015, but it is now the fastest growing item in the DoH budget. By fiscal year 2025, it will grow over 40 times its original budget when Congress soon approves a P74-billion MAIP budget. On the other hand, the budget for indigents (the premiums of indirect contributors) in PhilHealth has declined from P79 billion in 2023 to P40 billion this year and will stay below its budget level in 2023, with the Senate contemplating a budget of P47 billion for indigent premiums in 2025. This situation is not a new development, as politicians have always curried favor with constituents through ayuda (assistance) programs since COVID-19 hit in 2020. But this time the scale of health patronage is clearly exceeding the public health system’s regular funding. PhilHealth’s Social Health Insurance Program for indigents has suffered the most under this unwritten policy. The health system embodied in Universal Health Care is being gutted to fund MAIP. Indigent patients have always been intimidated by large public hospitals, which they can only go to if they have money in their pocket. Political patronage through MAIP may now mean indigents going to the politicians first before they even think of entering an emergency room or consulting a primary care physician. COMPARING PHILHEALTH AND MAIP PhilHealth serves 17 times more patients than MAIP. In 2023 the number of patients assisted by PhilHealth was 12,675,634. In comparison, based on available data from the DoH website, MAIP served 737,280 patients, in a similar period from July 2022 to June 2023. On average, PhilHealth paid out an average of P4,900 per patient claim in 2023. In comparison, using Region 12 (Soccsksargen) as example, where data are publicly available, we note that DoH’s MAIP provided P3 billion to private hospitals and assisted 140,200 patients with an average of P21,398 per claim in the first nine months of 2024. In short, given the limited data available to us, we can estimate that PhilHealth was able to serve 17 patients for every patient under MAIP (with Region 12 as comparator) with roughly the same amount of funds. GOODWILL OPPORTUNITY Unregulated MAIP funds provide an opportunity for politicians to gain goodwill to the detriment of the health system. MAIP fund support is entirely discretionary on the part of the approving authority (politicians and government executives). The goodwill generated by the generous persons in authority is highly valued, and this translates to political support or votes from the beneficiary who now has a feeling of utang na loob (debt of gratitude) for the political benefactor. This type of political patronage in health is probably more appealing to politicians who want to avoid the “share of percentage” from pork barrel projects paid back to them by favored contractors out of fear of a paper trail of corruption. The politician can exert influence through an apparently “corruption-free” manner through this type of health ayuda . But it is still essentially corruption, for it is a form of bribing voters. MAIP started as an exclusive program for indigents who would have to show proof of indigency from the barangay captain where the beneficiary resided to be covered by the program. However, since mid-2023, the DoH has loosened this requirement to allow financially incapable patients to avail themselves of MAIP (now renamed Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients or MAIFIP). This expansion of MAIP to non-indigents allows political patronage to reach an even broader segment of the population, something that is most important during election seasons. TWO SYSTEMS Two systems of financing healthcare are emerging. While PhilHealth provides a similar package of assistance to all its 91 million registered members (as of June 2024) in need regardless of financial capacity, MAIFIP provides assistance to 17 times fewer beneficiaries without regulatory constraint and dependent only on what the approving authority will allow. The emergence of two systems of health financing in the country is more than worrisome, primarily because one system feeds off the other and may end up with the health sector being saddled by two competing programs which increases ine ff iciency. The DoH has noted that benchmark indicators of population health have yielded poor results: • Infant mortality went up to 22/1,000 live births in 2022 (from 21/1,000 the previous year); • Maternal mortality rate increased to 154/100,000 in 2021 (from 149/100,000 in 2021; and, • Neonatal mortality is now 15/1,000 live births (increasing since 2013). The recent decline in the above health indicators is evidence that our primary and secondary levels of health provision (mainly under local government control) have been severely tested by the pandemic and continue to underperform. Such weakness will put a heavy strain on higher levels of care run by provincial, regional, and National Governments and providers in the private sector. The alarm bells are ringing for our healthcare system. The poor and underserved Filipinos feel the crisis. Our highest authorities have remained deaf. It is high time civil society raised a hue and cry about the dismantling of Universal Health Care. Jeepy Perez, a doctor of Medicine, specializes in public health administration, primary healthcare, and has worked with nine Health Secretaries and three National Economic and Development Authority Secretaries since 1992. He was undersecretary for Population and Development and executive director of the country’s Commission on Population and Development up to Sept. 8, 2022, when he retired. He occasionally writes for Action for Economic Reforms.
Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know by Mark Lilla review – the enduring power of stupidity
Maine’s high court says Legislature can’t see confidential child death filesSamantha Ruth Prabhu parties with friends after Naga Chaitanya's second marriage with Sobhita Dhulipala - Watch
Former Philadelphia Flyers forward Zack MacEwen has been by the Ottawa Senators. MacEwen, 28, has appeared in 19 games this season with the Senators, where he has two goals, one assist, and 44 hits. Teams looking for more toughness in their bottom six could take a shot on MacEwen. The 6-foot-4 forward is known for his immense physicality and high-energy style of play, so he could generate some interest. He also carries an affordable $750,000 cap hit until the end of the 2025-26 season. © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images MacEwen played in 121 games over two seasons with the Flyers, where he had seven goals, 18 points, 164 penalty minutes, and 289 hits. Recent Flyers NewsThe legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of Nigeria’s most revered political and intellectual figures, continues to shape the nation’s landscape, even decades after his passing. A nationalist, federalist, and visionary, Awolowo played a critical role in Nigeria’s political and constitutional development. His ideals, which centred around unity, democracy, and social justice, have left an indelible mark on the fabric of Nigerian society. Chief Awolowo’s commitment to education, self-reliance, and equitable development laid the groundwork for many of the nation’s institutions. His role in promoting federalism, fighting for the rights of the marginalized, and advocating for inclusive governance resonates in Nigeria’s modern-day political struggles up until today. Many Nigerians, both within and outside of politics, strive to uphold these ideals and carry forward his ideals of cultural renaissance and social justice, advocating for a stronger and more united Nigeria. But beyond the broad scope of these influential figures, one person stands at the forefront of ensuring that Chief Awolowo’s legacy remains alive, relevant, and impactful: Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, the sage’s last-born child. Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, is a steadfast champion of her father’s vision. She has become the driving force in preserving and expanding his legacy, ensuring it continues to influence the national conversation. Her work within the Foundation, alongside her other leadership roles, embodies the ideals her father fought for—integrity, education, good governance, and national development. A former Ambassador to the Netherlands and an active participant in Nigeria’s political discourse, Tokunbo has been an advocate for national development and women’s empowerment. She is carrying her father’s vision forward by playing significant roles in various strategic positions, such as her tenure as the Chairman of the Governing Council of Lagos University Teaching Hospital and as a delegate at the 2014 National Constitutional Conference. In these roles, she advocated for a political restructuring that would ensure a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria, something that mirrors her father’s lifelong efforts to ensure the prosperity and unity of the nation. Tokunbo is a key figure behind the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership. This biennial award recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in leadership and good governance, qualities that Awolowo himself epitomized. Through this award, she continues to spotlight global leaders who reflect the values of her father, ensuring that his ideals remain integral to the nation’s political and social ethos. Her upcoming webinar, “Building a Viable Society in Challenging Times: The Critical Role of Women,” reflects her ongoing mission to empower women and raise their voices in the struggle for national development, while remaining a true Ambassador of her father’s vision. Like the Sage himself, Tokunbo has an unyielding commitment to the progress of Nigeria, its people, and its future. She is the bridge between the ideals of the past and the aspirations of the present, ensuring that the values Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought for continue to thrive in a modern world. Through the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, she upholds her father’s commitment to nation-building in ways that resonate with the challenges and opportunities of today. As the Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria, publishers of the iconic Nigerian Tribune titles, Tokunbo continues to provide a platform for meaningful discourse on governance, leadership, and the future of the nation. The forthcoming webinar, “Building a Viable Society in Challenging Times: The Critical Role of Women,” promises to be a remarkable convergence of influential voices committed to national progress. Hosted by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation under the visionary leadership of Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, this event continues the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo by fostering meaningful conversations around governance, leadership, and inclusivity. Among the distinguished dignitaries set to participate are the Chairman, The Vice President of Nigeria. His Excellency Kashim Shettima; the Distinguished Guest, Governor of Lagos State. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and the Keynote Speaker, Her Excellency Dr. Amina Mohammed, whose tireless advocacy for sustainable development and women’s empowerment has earned global recognition. ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel now
Ruben Amorim urges Man Utd to ‘run like mad dogs’ in bid to turn season round
SAINT THOMAS, Virgin Islands — Colin Porter scored 17 points, Isaiah Ihnen added 16 on 7-of-12 shooting Sunday night and Liberty held off Kansas State for a 69-67 win in the semifinals of the Paradise Jam. Kaden Metheny scored 13 points for the Flames. Zach Cleveland scored two points on 0-of-8 shooting but finished with nine rebounds and eight assists. Brendan Hausen hit a jumper and Achor Achor scored in the paint to give Kansas State (4-2) a 63-62 lead with 2:31 to play. Porter answered with a 3-pointer 16 seconds later and Liberty led the rest of the way. Owen Aquino hit two free throws to give the Flames a four-point lead with 50 seconds remaining and Coleman Hawkins scored in the lane to cut it to 67-65 just eight seconds later. After Metheny missed a layup on the other end, Dug McDaniel missed a clean look at a 3-point shot from the left wing, David N’Guessan missed a putback attempt and McDaniel missed a heave from 3-point range at the buzzer. Hausen scored 14 points and Hawkins added 11 for Kansas State. N’Guessan and Achor scored 10 points apiece. Liberty (6-1) plays McNeese in the championship, and the Wildcats take on Longwood in the third-place game, on Monday.AP News Summary at 1:24 p.m. EST