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Corruption! Ben Shapiro sounds alarm on Trump’s overseas business dealings

This isn’t about partisan score-settling. It’s about whether the presidency is being used to serve the public, or to serve the president’s portfolio.

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Feb 18 • 2:51 PM EST • Business • thehill.com
Five Berkeley Lab Scientists Receive DOE Early Career Research Awards

Five scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have received Early Career Research Program (ECRP) awards from the Department of Energy. The ECRP program, now in its 16th year, was established to bolster the nation’s scientific workforce by supporting exceptional researchers at the outset of their careers, when many scientists do their most formative work. Recipients use the funding to pursue projects that have the potential to solve scientific challenges and advance the country’s STEM capabilities. To be eligible for the program, a researcher must be an untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professor at a U.S. academic institution, or a full-time employee at a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility, who is within 10 years of having earned their doctorate. Awards to an institution of higher education will be approximately $875,000 over five years, and awards to a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility will be approximately $2,750,000 over five years. This year’s Berkeley Lab awardees and their projects are listed below: Timon Heim: Better detectors for more powerful particle colliders Timon Heim is a staff scientist in the Physics Division. His ECRP project will develop a new type of detector that can track the particles generated by collisions in particle colliders with high spatial and temporal resolution. Current detectors in use at high-energy colliders, like the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, can track the trajectory and measure momentum of particles, but they can’t track a particle’s time of arrival with sufficient precision to discern from which of the many particle interactions they originate. Heim’s proposed technology — called a 4D tracking detector, because it captures data about particles’ positions in space and time — aims to solve this challenge, allowing researchers to glean more precise data from collision experiments to uncover new insights into fundamental forces and potentially discover new particles. The enhanced capabilities of 4D detectors will be a necessity for experiments at future colliders, such as the Muon Collider or Future Circular Collider. The project will develop custom microelectronics that process the signal of a pixelated silicon sensor that can register charged particles passing through it in an extreme radiation environment that these colliders produce during operation. The goal is to measure individual particles’ position with 50-micro-meter spatial and 50 pico-second (one trillionth of a second) temporal precision, for an incoming flux of around 1 billion particles per second per square centimeter. Harrison Lisabeth: Studying underground processes to unleash abundant energy Harrison Lisabeth is a research scientist in the Energy Geoscience Division focused on combining real-world experiments and AI to guide development of geothermal energy systems. His project will explore how deep underground rock formations – where geothermal wells are dug – are stressed by chemical reactions of the minerals and mechanical strain from movements in the Earth. A better understanding of subsurface stresses is essential to engineer safe and reliable geothermal wells that access the heat of deep rocks to produce electricity. It is estimated that the U.S. could generate ten times the amount of energy needed to power the grid using geothermal sources. Lisabeth plans to simulate how minerals grow, dissolve, and influence the behavior of surrounding rock in geothermal reservoirs by tracking chemical changes in rock samples under pressure in the lab. The project will also develop machine learning models to predict geologic strain based on field measurements and refine existing models that describe how common rock types deform under stress. Combining these approaches, Lisabeth hopes to develop a framework to predict stress to improve stability and longevity of geothermal wells. Daniel Carney: Pushing the quantum boundaries of particle measurement Daniel Carney is a staff scientist in the Physics Division who uses quantum information science to study particle physics and gravity. At very small scales, “quantum noise” — random fluctuations from the act of measurement — can drown out faint signals from rare processes. Carney’s ECRP project, “Fundamental Physics at the Quantum Limits of Measurement,” aims to build a new mechanical quantum sensor that can measure extremely small particle interactions below the limits of that quantum noise. The approach uses lasers to hold a tiny bead containing radioactive atoms; when one decays, the system measures the bead’s motion and the energy of any particles emitted. The experiment’s initial goal is to search for heavy sterile neutrinos, hypothetical particles predicted by some extensions of the Standard Model. The system could also help measure the mass of the neutrino, study the way particles interact through the electromagnetic and weak forces, and hunt for low-mass dark matter — all unsolved mysteries in particle physics. Callum Wilkinson: Using machine learning to demystify neutrinos Callum Wilkinson is a staff scientist in the Physics Division and part of the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. DUNE will create an intense beam of neutrinos that interact in detectors in Illinois and, after an 800-mile journey through the earth, in massive detectors in South Dakota. By precisely measuring neutrinos and how they change, researchers will get a better understanding of their fundamental properties and whether they are responsible for why there is so much more matter than antimatter in our universe. Wilkinson’s ECRP project will apply two machine learning techniques to improve the analysis of DUNE’s data and enhance the experiment’s precision. One approach will look for hidden patterns in how neutrinos interact and produce low-energy particles, while the other will help correct for distortions in what the detectors record. The methods will be tested on one of DUNE’s prototype detectors and could be used in other neutrino experiments, improving their measurements and helping scientists build better models. Aditi Krishnapriyan: Machine learning methods that scale as datasets grow Aditi Krishnapriyan is a faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Applied Mathematics and Computational Research Division (AMCR) and assistant professor at UC Berkeley. Her project, awarded through UC Berkeley, will develop machine learning methods that scale with dataset size for modeling complex, multi-scale phenomena. The resulting tools can be applied in a wide range of research, including the study of new electrolytes for batteries or the examination of molecular interactions. ### Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.

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Feb 18 • 11:00 AM EST • Science • newscenter.lbl.gov
Federal judge rules on whether Buffalo Wild Wings can keep 'boneless wings' on menu

Federal judge dismisses Buffalo Wild Wings "boneless wings" lawsuit with pun-filled ruling, saying no reasonable consumer expects deboned wing meat.

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Feb 18 • 7:35 AM EST • Business • foxbusiness.com
Business Restructuring Review

In This Issue: The Year in Bankruptcy: 2025 A brief chronicle of the year's notable developments in corporate bankruptcy and restructuring, including business bankruptcy filings, significant court rulings, and legislative developments. [read more …] U.S. Bankruptcy Court Denies Chapter 15 Recognition of Maltese Liquidation Absent Evidence of Meaningful Activities Supporting Finding of COMI or Establishment in Malta In In re Geden Holdings, Ltd., No. 25-90138, 2025 WL 2484883 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. Aug. 28, 2025), stay pending appeal denied, No. 25-90138, 2026 WL 97993 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. Jan. 13, 2026), the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that, for purposes of recognition under chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code, although a foreign debtor may have had its center of main interests ("COMI") or an establishment in Malta when a liquidation proceeding was commenced for it in a Maltese court in 2017, the absence of any meaningful activity by the debtor's liquidator from that time until the liquidator filed a chapter 15 petition in the United States more than five years later meant that the debtor had neither a COMI nor an establishment in Malta on the chapter 15 petition date. The court accordingly denied the petition for recognition. [read more …] The Ninth Circuit's Expansive Reading of "Financial Accommodations" that Cannot Be Assumed or Assigned in Bankruptcy It is generally well understood that agreements to extend credit or provide financing to a debtor cannot be assumed or assigned in bankruptcy. Even so, the provision of the Bankruptcy Code that precludes assumption or assignment—section 365(c)(2)—also extends to "financial accommodations," a term that is not defined in the Bankruptcy Code and has been the subject of relatively few bankruptcy and appellate court rulings. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit examined the meaning of the term in In re Svenhard's Swedish Bakery, 154 F.4th 1100 (9th Cir. 2025). The court of appeals ruled that a deeply discounted settlement of pension plan withdrawal liability is a "financial accommodation" that cannot be assumed or assigned, thereby extending the reach of section 365(c)(2) well beyond conventional lending arrangements. [read more …] Pennsylvania District Court Applies "Hypothetical Test" in Determining that Patent License Agreement Is Assignable in Bankruptcy In Crivella Holdings Ltd. v. Mesearch Media Technologies Ltd., No. 2:25-cv-333, 2025 WL 2443400 (W.D. Pa. Aug. 25, 2025), the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania affirmed a bankruptcy court ruling denying a software licensor's motion for relief from the automatic stay to terminate the license agreement. The court found the license was assumable in bankruptcy under the Third Circuit's hypothetical test as a result of language in the agreement stating that it could be assigned to a "successor in interest" of the debtor without the licensor's further consent, thereby overriding federal patent law's general prohibition against the assignment of patents. [read more …] New York Bankruptcy Court Denies Motion to Terminate Chapter 15 Recognition and Dismiss Chapter 15 Case In In re Oi S.A., No. 23-10193 (LGB), 2025 WL 2806591 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Oct. 1, 2025), the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York considered whether chapter 15 recognition of a debtor's Brazilian restructuring proceeding should be terminated and the case dismissed due to the debtors' financial deterioration and inability to satisfy its restructuring plan obligations after entry of the recognition order. The court denied the motion, concluding that recognition of the Brazilian proceeding and a court-approved restructuring plan for the debtors should not be terminated under section 1519(d) of the Bankruptcy Code—according to the court, the sole authority for revocation of chapter 15 recognition—because, among other things, the restructuring proceeding was still pending, the debtors might still need relief authorized under chapter 15, and the debtors' prospects for reorganizing under a hypothetical chapter 11 case were uncertain at best. It also found that no provision of the Bankruptcy Code authorizes the dismissal of a chapter 15 case. [read more …] Newsworthy Effective January 1, 2026, Jones Day welcomed Isel M. Perez (Miami), Andrew M. Butler (New York), Sid Pepels (Amsterdam), and Anna C. Bretting (Munich) to the partnership in the Business Restructuring & Reorganization Practice. Sid Pepels (Amsterdam) has been nominated for the Future Leader Award by the Global Restructuring Review, an organization that acknowledges and honors excellence within the global restructuring and insolvency sector. This award is designed to recognize exceptional contributions made by both individuals and firms in the field. The 2026 edition of Chambers UK recognized Ben Larkin (London) in the practice area Restructuring/Insolvency and Adam R. Brown (London) in the practice area Restructuring/Insolvency: Litigation. The 2026 edition of Chambers Asia-Pacific ranked Roger Dobson (Sydney) in the practice area Restructuring/Insolvency. An article written by Corinne Ball (New York) titled "Backstop Fees for Lenders in Chapter 11 Plans: Absent Market Test, Equality of Treatment Now Required in Fifth Circuit After 'ConvergeOne'" was published on November 12, 2025, in the New York Law Journal. An article written by Oliver S. Zeltner (Houston) titled "Delaware Bankruptcy Court: No Legal Authority for Chapter 11 Plan Gatekeeping Provision" was published on November 20, 2025, by Lexis Practical Guidance. An article written by Daniel J. Merrett (Atlanta) titled "First Impressions: Eleventh Circuit Rules that Annulment of Automatic Stay Does Not Violate U.S. Supreme Court's Prohibition of Nunc Pro Tunc Orders" was published on November 21, 2025, by Lexis Practical Guidance. An article written by Genna Ghaul (New York) titled "Iowa District Court: Avoidance Claims Cannot Be Encumbered by Pre-Bankruptcy Liens" was published on November 20, 2025, by Lexis Practical Guidance. An article written by Dan T. Moss (Washington/New York), Corinne Ball (New York), David S. Torborg (Washington), and Ben Rosenblum (New York) titled "New York Bankruptcy Court Rejects Challenge to Barnet Rule Permitting Foreign Debtors to Obtain Chapter 15 Recognition With Only Minimal U.S. Assets" was published on November 21, 2025, by Lexis Practical Guidance. The M&A Advisor has recognized the Silvergate Capital Corporation Bankruptcy case as the Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year (over $5 billion) during its 20th Annual Turnaround Awards. Jones Day is listed among the professionals for the representation of Exploration Capital, which was led by Joshua M. Mester (Los Angeles). Lawyer Spotlight: Sid Pepels Sid Pepels, a partner in Jones Day's Amsterdam Office, litigates and advises clients on commercial and international insolvency matters, with a focus on complex restructurings and insolvencies. He has advised and litigated high-profile cases, including: the cross-border WHOA (Wet Homologatie Onderhands Akkoord) proceedings concerning Vroon Group and Diebold Nixdorf; proceedings on behalf of expropriated SNS Reaal bond holders against the Dutch State; the bankruptcy of Intertoys, the leading Dutch toys retailer; the restructuring of Oi, the Dutch finance vehicle of the Brazilian telecom giant; and Blokker, the leading Dutch home appliances retailer. Sid holds a Ph.D. in European insolvency law and regularly publishes in academic journals on topics of cross-border insolvency. He has been recognized in The Legal 500 Netherlands and was noted by his peers for being client-minded and a creative thinker with a "strong grasp of the law and strong interpersonal skills." Sid was also nominated for the "Future Leader" award at the Global Restructuring Review Awards 2025. He is a board member for the Netherlands Association for Comparative and International Insolvency Law and a NextGen member of the International Insolvency Institute.

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Feb 18 • 7:00 AM EST • Business • jonesday.com
Want To Preserve Brain Health? Engage In A Lifetime Pursuit Of Knowledge, Study Says

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterWEDNESDAY, Feb. 18, 2026 (HealthDay News) — “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80,” American entrepreneur Henry Ford once said. “Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” There’s something to that, a new study says. People who engage in a lifetime ...

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Feb 18 • 6:55 AM EST • Health • usnews.com
What Is VO₂ max? Why it matters for winter Olympians and regular people

VO2 max is an important measure of aerobic conditioning, whether you’re an Olympian or just a person hoping to stay healthy

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Feb 18 • 6:15 AM EST • Health • scientificamerican.com
New tech and AI set to take athlete data business to next level

From tracking the trajectory and speed of a footballer's strike to monitoring a Tour de France rider's real-time power output, performance athlete data is deepening its reach in sports, with specialised firms eyeing to score big business.Some firms use the cameras in stadiums and arenas to track individual players at all times, whether they have the ball or not.

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Feb 17 • 10:05 PM EST • Business • sports.yahoo.com
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Spring Training open thread: February 16

Good evening! Whether you had the day off or not, I hope it was a good one for you. Here’s a random clip:

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Feb 16 • 7:21 PM EST • Sports • batterypower.com
Conflict and instability make pregnancy more dangerous

This brief aligns the latest maternal mortality estimates with whether a country is conflict-affected or considered institutionally fragile. Nearly two-thirds of all maternal deaths worldwide occur in countries marked by conflict or fragility. The risk of a woman who lives in a country affected by conflict dying due to maternal causes is around five times higher for each pregnancy she undergoes compared to her peers in stable countries. In 2023 alone, an estimated 160,000 women died from preventable maternal causes in fragile and conflict-affected settings, that is 6 in 10 maternal deaths worldwide, despite these countries accounting for only around one in ten of global live births.

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Feb 16 • 7:00 PM EST • Health • who.int
Get ready for new Macs and iPads: Apple announces "Special Experience" on March 4

Apple has not confirmed whether you'll be able to watch live, but Ars will bring you the news.

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Feb 16 • 3:30 PM EST • Technology • arstechnica.com
Battlefield 6 Roadmap Has Devs 'Biting Their Nails'

Battlefield 6 developers are biting their nails on whether the new roadmap and trailer are enough to bring players back to the game.

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Feb 16 • 12:40 PM EST • Technology • insider-gaming.com
Fans Are Already Debating Whether God of War's PS5 Trilogy Will Cut the Series' Sex Minigames

Kiss and tell

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Feb 16 • 10:00 AM EST • Technology • pushsquare.com
Is Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) Still Attractive After Its Recent Share Price Surge?

If you are wondering whether Sphere Entertainment is still worth a closer look after its recent run, or if the price has moved ahead of the story, this article will walk you through what the current share price might be saying about value. The stock last closed at US$115.70, with reported returns of 21.9% over 7 days, 20.1% over 30 days, 22.7% year to date, 140.0% over 1 year and 307.7% over 3 years. This naturally raises questions about how much of the company’s potential is already...

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Feb 16 • 9:12 AM EST • Entertainment • finance.yahoo.com
Daphne parade group mimics Comic Cowboys with political satire

The Kourt of Krustaceans brought political commentary to Daphne's Order of the Fire Truck parade for the third year, prompting debate about whether satire belongs in the family-oriented event.

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Feb 16 • 7:00 AM EST • Politics • al.com
Big tech stocks lose billions as AI spending fears hit valuations

The world's most valuable technology stocks have suffered sharp declines in market value this year after years of outsized gains, as investors question whether heavy spending on AI will generate sufficient returns to justify the lofty valuations.

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Feb 16 • 4:38 AM EST • Business • reuters.com
Is It Time To Reassess Sabra Health Care REIT (SBRA) After Its Strong 1 Year Rally?

If you are wondering whether Sabra Health Care REIT is fairly priced or has room on the upside, starting with a clear look at value can help you frame that decision. With the share price at US$20.17 and returns of 5.7% over 7 days, 4.8% over 30 days, 5.3% year to date, 30.2% over 1 year, 95.5% over 3 years and 63.4% over 5 years, many investors may be reassessing the balance between potential reward and risk. Recent news around Sabra has focused on its position as a health care focused REIT,...

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Feb 16 • 4:08 AM EST • Health • finance.yahoo.com
Angela Pitter Takes Care of Business, and Empowers Others To Do the Same

Whether she’s advising businesses on their digital presence or volunteering within the Newton community, entrepreneur and community leader Angela Pitter operates under the same mindset: if something can be made better, she will be the one to get it done.

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Feb 15 • 6:43 PM EST • Business • bcheights.com
Is Ball (NYSE:BALL) Offering Value After Pivot Toward Core Packaging Business

If you are wondering whether Ball is still reasonably priced at around US$67.29, you are not alone. This article is built to help you make sense of where the stock sits on the value spectrum today. Over the short term, the share price has moved, with returns of 1.2% over 7 days, 20.0% over 30 days, 26.1% year to date and 37.1% over 1 year. The 5 year return stands at a 20.8% decline and the 3 year return at 22.0%. Recent news coverage around Ball has focused on its position as a major...

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Feb 15 • 6:13 PM EST • Business • finance.yahoo.com
T20 World Cup 2026: 'India vs Pakistan becoming a political rivalry rather than sporting one'

After weeks of debate about whether Pakistan's fixture against India would go ahead at the T20 World Cup, the action failed to deliver and it left the rivalry feeling more political than sporting.

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Feb 15 • 1:45 PM EST • Politics • bbc.com
T20 World Cup 2026: 'India vs Pakistan becoming a political rivalry rather than sporting one'

After weeks of debate about whether Pakistan's fixture against India would go ahead at the T20 World Cup, the action failed to deliver and it left the rivalry feeling more political than sporting.

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Feb 15 • 1:45 PM EST • Sports • bbc.com
16 Sam's Club items that can help pay for a membership

Sam's Club charges a $50 membership fee to shop, and a common question is whether the savings can effectively offset the fee. We did the math.

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Feb 15 • 5:36 AM EST • Business • businessinsider.com
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PAID POST: Gov. Lamont Promised Mental Health Parity Enforcement. Here’s Why It’s Time to Deliver.

Connecticut passed landmark mental health parity legislation with bipartisan support. Now, as other states levy millions in fines, the question is whether Connecticut will enforce its laws.

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Feb 15 • 4:55 AM EST • Health • ctmirror.org
Martin Zubimendi: Is midfielder Arsenal's best player?

After an impressive start to his Arsenal career, BBC Sport looks at whether Martin Zubimendi is the Gunners' most important player.

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Feb 15 • 1:52 AM EST • Sports • bbc.com
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Is Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) Pricing Reflect Lofty Expectations After Las Vegas Sphere Buzz?

If you are wondering whether Sphere Entertainment's share price matches its underlying worth, you are not alone. This article is designed to help you frame that question clearly. The stock last closed at US$115.70, with returns of 24.1% over 7 days, 17.8% over 30 days, 22.7% year to date and 140.0% over 1 year. These figures naturally raise questions about how much future upside or downside is already reflected in the price. Recent coverage has focused on Sphere Entertainment's high profile...

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Feb 14 • 8:31 PM EST • Entertainment • simplywall.st
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Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Was Asked Whether COIN Plans To Launch Its Own Prediction Market Business—Here's What He Said

Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong said Thursday that the company has the ability to launch its own prediction market business, beyond serving as a retail distributor for platforms like Kalshi. ‘Keeping All Options Open’ During the company’s earnings...

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Feb 14 • 4:31 PM EST • Business • finance.yahoo.com
3 tax mistakes that could trigger a business audit — plus the tools to avoid them

Whether you're worried about tracking expenses or how to report your income, these tools can help you avoid the mistakes that raise some red flags.

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Feb 14 • 10:00 AM EST • Business • cnbc.com
'Impossible' mantle earthquakes actually occur all over the world, study finds

Researchers were once unsure whether mantle earthquakes existed. Now they have a global map of this mysterious phenomenon.

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Feb 14 • 9:05 AM EST • Science • livescience.com
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Can Businesses Really Ban ICE From Their Stores? Legal Experts Break It Down

There’s confusion over whether private businesses can protect their employees with these signs.

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Feb 14 • 8:00 AM EST • Business • huffpost.com
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Is Ubisoft Entertainment (ENXTPA:UBI) Now An Opportunity After Its Sharp Multi‑Year Share Price Slide?

If you are wondering whether Ubisoft Entertainment's beaten down share price now represents value or a value trap, you are not alone. This article is built to help you think that through clearly. The stock has been volatile recently, with a 14.5% gain over the last 7 days but declines of 26.1% over 30 days, 27.2% year to date and 59.2% over 1 year, and an even larger 77.4% and 93.7% slide over 3 and 5 years. Recent coverage has focused on Ubisoft Entertainment's share price swings and what...

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Feb 14 • 5:15 AM EST • Entertainment • finance.yahoo.com
Trump vows voter ID requirements for the midterms, 'whether approved by Congress or not'

In social media posts on Friday, the president said that if Congress failed to approve legislation mandating voter ID, he would issue an executive order.

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Feb 13 • 9:12 PM EST • Politics • nbcnews.com
High-Signal Publisher
February 13, 2026

An evolutionary biologist weighs in on mating and dating in the age of apps. Is pair bonding passé? Is single the new married? Plus, the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, or RHIC, has ceased operation. What’s next for particle physics? Add, researchers are homing in on how kids reap long-term health benefits from getting dirty, whether cuddling furry pets or playing with friends.

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Feb 13 • 4:00 PM EST • Science • sciencefriday.com
A Little Grime Can Boost Kids’ Health. But What Kind?

Researchers are homing in on how kids reap long-term health benefits from getting dirty, whether cuddling furry pets or playing with friends.

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Feb 13 • 3:20 PM EST • Health • sciencefriday.com
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Business Lookahead: Giddy Up

STORY: From bellwether Walmart reporting earnings... to new economic data out of the UK... these are the stories to watch in business and finance in the coming week.:: The trillion dollar clubFresh off hitting $1 trillion in market value, Walmart posts quarterly results on Thursday.Walmart's report offers a glimpse into consumer spending after recent data showed December U.S. retail sales were unexpectedly flat.A surprisingly strong employment report for January eased some concerns about economic weakening.Economic reports in the coming week include the advance reading of fourth-quarter GDP, a monthly consumer sentiment survey, and the personal consumption expenditures price index, a key inflation measure.:: Heavy metalsEurope's four largest mining companies report earnings in the coming week.Copper, gold, silver and other precious metals all recently hit records - but the January rally has given way to a sharp February sell-off.Last month's rally boosted the market values of Rio Tinto, Glencore, Anglo American and Antofagasta.Their earnings will test whether the momentum can be sustained.:: UK economic data UK labor market data and inflation readings will provide fresh fodder for markets, even though investors are still digesting the fallout from the recent government instability.Labor market numbers due on Tuesday will show if a gradual cooling of wage growth has continued.Then, January inflation data comes Wednesday.The political turmoil has set a tense backdrop, leaving markets highly sensitive to data swings. Fitch is also due to review its UK rating on Friday.

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Feb 13 • 2:45 PM EST • Business • finance.yahoo.com
Will Wasserman Let Music Agents Go to Save His Powerhouse Sports Firm?

While the LA28 Olympics board gave the mogul its vote of confidence, some of his own agents are still advising artists to post about the company founder — it's unclear whether there is a music and sports split among clients.

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Feb 13 • 12:12 PM EST • Sports • hollywoodreporter.com
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Europe’s open-border dreams meet German politics

Brussels is preparing to scrutinize Germany’s border practices as Friedrich Merz’s government weighs whether to extend internal Schengen checks.

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Feb 13 • 8:48 AM EST • Politics • politico.eu
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Inside Iowa Politics: Whether EV makers can sell vehicles in Iowa

Iowa legislators face an upcoming deadline if they want to change the law to allow electric vehicle manufacturers to sell directly to consumers in the state.

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Feb 12 • 7:40 PM EST • Politics • ktiv.com
Health care access a top complaint among troops, top enlisted leaders tell lawmakers

A Democratic senator also questioned whether the services are doing everything they can to increase child care slots.

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Feb 12 • 6:27 PM EST • Health • militarytimes.com
Health care access a top complaint among troops, top enlisted leaders tell lawmakers

A Democratic senator also questioned whether the services are doing everything they can to increase child care slots.

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Feb 12 • 6:27 PM EST • Health • yahoo.com
High school basketball: In both his sports, Hopkinton's Cauley contributes immensely

Whether he’s on the field or the court, Kristof Cauley is a scorer.

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Feb 12 • 2:22 PM EST • Sports • unionleader.com
These Proteins Harm Your Brain. Scientists Say They Might Also Help Form Your Memories.

Amyloid proteins are typically considered bad guys, but researchers been investigating whether a version may be key to forming long-term memories.

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Feb 12 • 8:30 AM EST • Science • yahoo.com
Studies test whether gene-editing can fix high cholesterol

Millions take cholesterol-lowering medicines such as statins, the cornerstone of treatment.

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Feb 12 • 7:03 AM EST • Health • spectrumnews1.com
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Commentary: Newsom has the power to stop ICE from wearing masks, but it comes with a risk

California's mask ban for law enforcement exempted state officers, which prompted a judge to block it. It is unclear whether Newsom will back a rewritten version that lacks that carve-out.

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Feb 11 • 5:26 PM EST • Politics • latimes.com
Help shape local health efforts: Share your voice on nicotine, vaping, and tobacco use

Your Douglas County Health Department wants to better understand what you know, think, and experience when it comes to nicotine, vaping, and tobacco. Whether you’ve used these products, been impacted…

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Feb 11 • 10:25 AM EST • Health • douglas.co.us
Instagram's leader to testify in court on app design, youth mental health

Instagram's leader is set to face questions in court for the first time on Wednesday about whether the Meta-owned app's design is fueling a youth mental health crisis.

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Feb 11 • 6:04 AM EST • Health • reuters.com
Wilmington events and entertainment for Valentine's Day weekend

Whether you're looking for somewhere to take a date, or for something to do to distract yourself from the fact that you don't have one, we got you.

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Feb 11 • 5:02 AM EST • Entertainment • starnewsonline.com
Scientists Propose Surprising Link Between Space Weather and Earthquakes

A new theoretical study explores how activity high above Earth could subtly influence processes deep within the planet’s crust. Researchers at Kyoto University are advancing a new idea about how space weather might intersect with earthquake physics. Their model asks whether changes in the ionosph

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Feb 10 • 11:29 PM EST • Science • scitechdaily.com
LA County supervisors vote to add sales-tax hike for health care to June ballot

L.A. County voters will decide in June whether to approve a temporary half-cent sales tax in an effort to support health care services.

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Feb 10 • 7:18 PM EST • Health • abc7.com
Twin Cities small business owners call for state relief amid ICE surge: "Stop talking and start doing"

Whether it's a Venezuelan restaurant on the West Side of St. Paul, Minnesota, or a bakery on Lake Street in Minneapolis, there's widespread economic pain for Latino-owned businesses.

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Feb 10 • 6:58 PM EST • Business • cbsnews.com
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Utah police investigate whether assault on Maxwell Frost should be prosecuted as a hate crime

Multiple accounts show Christopher Young called Frost and a woman with him 'the kind we are going to deport.'

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Feb 10 • 6:06 PM EST • Politics • floridapolitics.com
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Congressional Researchers Analyze Whether Denying Marijuana Business Tax Deductions Under 280E Is Unconstitutional

As a federal marijuana rescheduling decision remains pending, congressional researchers have released an analysis of tax implications for cannabis businesses under current law—including a review of the idea that depriving the industry of the ability to take federal tax deductions amounts to a constitutional violation. In a report published on Friday, the Congressional Research Service […]

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Feb 10 • 8:03 AM EST • Business • marijuanamoment.net
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Legality of Trump’s $400M private funding for White House ballroom at issue

A federal judge weighing whether the project may proceed has focused on whether the administration can use private donations to bypass congressional approval.

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Feb 9 • 1:34 PM EST • Politics • washingtonpost.com
How sports fandom impacts brain and behavior

Research shows that testosterone levels are impacted by whether a fan's team wins or loses.

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Feb 9 • 11:05 AM EST • Sports • wyff4.com
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Just how healthy is Donald Trump, really?

Why it’s so hard to know whether the president is okay.

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Feb 9 • 7:00 AM EST • Health • vox.com
Louisiana Department of Health targets fraud with new internal watchdog role

The Louisiana Department of Health is creating a Chief Accountability Officer to strengthen oversight, reduce fraud and assess whether programs are working.

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Feb 9 • 5:00 AM EST • Health • nola.com
Is Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) Attractive After A 43% One Year Share Price Decline

If you are wondering whether Flutter Entertainment's recent share price puts it on sale or still prices in too much optimism, you are not alone. That is exactly what this article aims to unpack. The stock last closed at US$152.53, with returns of 7.6% decline over 7 days, 29.2% decline over 30 days, 30.1% decline year to date, 43.2% decline over 1 year, 5.2% over 3 years and 21.7% decline over 5 years. This may change how some investors think about both its growth potential and risk...

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Feb 8 • 11:04 AM EST • Entertainment • finance.yahoo.com
Is a kiss just a kiss? Exploring the art and science behind smooches

A single kiss can leave a lasting impression, whether it's in real life or on the silver screen. But why, exactly?

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Feb 8 • 9:12 AM EST • Science • cbsnews.com
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Record-Breaking One-Off Bugatti Brouillard Could Become the Most Expensive Bugatti Ever

A one-off aimed at a historic record Bugatti’s latest one-off, the Brouillard, steps onto the hypercar stage with the quiet confidence of a record-breaker. The brand’s tradition of bespoke excellence meets a bold new aesthetic, positioning this unique commission to potentially become the marque’s most expensive creation. Built on the proven underpinnings of the Chiron/Mistral architecture, yet transformed by distinctive craft, the Brouillard is both homage and innovation. A name born from equestrian legend More than a century ago, a striking white horse captivated Ettore Bugatti in Molsheim. That equine myth now informs the car’s name and its sensory identity. The result is an automotive portrait of athletic grace—surfaces that read like muscle, curves that suggest motion, and details that quietly speak of discipline and heritage. Embroidered horse motifs on door panels and seat backs echo the story, while a miniature glass sculpture of the steed crowns the shifter. Sculptural design with purpose The Brouillard’s silhouette favors sinuous surfaces over hard creases, allowing light to glide over its form like a tendon under skin. Aerodynamics inform elegance: an integrated ducktail replaces a deployable wing, cleansing the airflow and boosting stability at speed. Its stance is athletic, its volumes taut, and its visual language unmistakably Bugatti. “Sculptural, organic forms—like a tendon beneath the skin—hide immense power behind noble simplicity,” said design chief Frank Heyl, capturing the car’s philosophy in a single stroke. Craft elevated to an art The cabin embraces craftsmanship at an uncommon level. Custom-woven textiles from Paris introduce a discreet tartan pattern, while green-tinted carbon fiber nods to the exterior’s hue. A glazed roof creates a cathedral atmosphere, bathing the cockpit in natural light. A central spine appears to flow from exterior to interior, emphasizing continuity and structure. Highlights include: Custom textiles with subtle tartan motifs Green-tinted carbon fiber matched to the exterior finish A “cathedral” glass roof that elevates cabin ambience A sculptural centerline linking outside to inside Bespoke embroidery and glass equine detail W16 power at its absolute apex Under the sculpted skin, the final evolution of Bugatti’s 8.0‑liter, quad‑turbo W16 delivers a thunderous 1,600 hp at 7,050 rpm and 1,600 Nm of torque. This represents the pinnacle of nearly two decades of Bugatti engineering, honed to an ultimate state. The lightweight monocoque blends carbon fiber with aluminum, holding mass to around 1,900 kg for poise and control. Experts suggest the Brouillard could surpass the 282 mph (454 km/h) achieved by the Mistral, aided by more aerodynamic bodywork and the fixed ducktail. Whether or not it sets a new benchmark, its intent is clear: relentless speed paired with refinement. Exclusivity with an exacting timeline The commissioning process is intensive, with roughly 18 months of development leading to a 2027 delivery. Bugatti’s program limits itself to no more than two creations per year, ensuring focus and rarity. Each example leaves the atelier as a singular vision, shaped to the client’s collection and the brand’s ethos. An unveiling is planned for Monterey Car Week 2025, placing the Brouillard amid the world’s most discerning enthusiasts. Its patron is a European collector deeply invested in the Bugatti universe, from historic and modern cars to Carlo Bugatti furniture and Rembrandt Bugatti bronzes. A valuation poised to make history While Bugatti has not disclosed an official price, informed estimates place the Brouillard between €10 million and €30 million. Context matters: a series Mistral begins near €5 million, while the Brouillard adds profound personalization, sculptural changes, and a pace of production that keeps scarcity front and center. In an arena where uniqueness drives value, the path to a brand record is unmistakably open. What it signals for the marque The Brouillard crystallizes Bugatti’s dual identity: traditional savoir‑faire intertwined with boundary-pushing performance. It exhibits a narrative soul—the white horse of Molsheim—woven into modern materials and world-class aerodynamics. As a rolling statement, it reaffirms that the Bugatti idea is larger than speed alone; it is about story, craft, and the courage to pursue an ideal to its logical limit.

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Feb 7 • 6:12 PM EST • Technology • iowaparkleader.com
Who will win Super Bowl LX? Arguing cases for Seahawks and Patriots

We asked Sporting Green columnists Ann Killion and Scott Ostler for their predictions on whether the Seahawks or Patriots will win Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium, and why.

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Feb 7 • 7:00 AM EST • Sports • sfchronicle.com
South Dakota sports betting bill moves to Senate floor

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A resolution that would allow South Dakotans to vote on whether they want mobile sports betting in the state passed out of committee and is now headed to the Senate floor…

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Feb 6 • 3:16 PM EST • Sports • keloland.com
Justice Department casts wide net on Netflix's business practices in merger probe, WSJ reports

The Justice Department is investigating whether Netflix has engaged in anticompetitive tactics as it probes the streaming giant's proposed acquisition of Warner Discovery's studios and streaming service, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

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Feb 6 • 2:41 PM EST • Business • reuters.com
Justice Department casts wide net on Netflix's business practices in merger probe, WSJ reports

The ​Justice Department ‌is investigating ‌whether Netflix has engaged in anticompetitive ⁠tactics ‌as it probes ‍the streaming giant's proposed acquisition ​of ‌Warner Discovery's studios and streaming service, the ⁠Wall Street ​Journal ​reported on Friday.

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Feb 6 • 2:41 PM EST • Business • finance.yahoo.com
A Reprieve for the Markets, but For How Long?

Technology stocks and Bitcoin are showing signs of a rebound after a disastrous week. But investors remain on edge about whether more pain is in store.

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Feb 6 • 8:29 AM EST • Business • nytimes.com
Why colorectal cancer breaks the immune system’s rules

Colorectal cancer has long baffled scientists because, unlike most tumors, patients often do better when their cancers are packed with immune-suppressing regulatory T cells. New research finally explains why. Scientists discovered that these T cells aren’t all the same: one subtype actually helps keep tumors in check, while another shields cancer from immune attack. The balance between these “good” and “bad” cells can determine whether a tumor grows or shrinks.

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Feb 6 • 7:00 AM EST • Science • sciencedaily.com
Work Matters: What to do if ICE arrives at your business

Whether an audit or raid, it is important to try to respond professionally and calmly. Employers do have certain rights and the general requirement to protect their employees.

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Feb 6 • 7:00 AM EST • Business • timesunion.com
WATCH: Bessent tells Senate panel it would be president's choice of whether to sue fed chair over interest rates
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Feb 5 • 3:30 PM EST • Politics • pbs.org
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Officers respond to report of man with gun at California Science Center parking lot

Officers responded Thursday morning to a report of a man with a gun at the California Science Center parking lot south of downtown Los Angeles. LAPD received a call to the museum at about 9:30 a.m. NBCLA has reached out to authorities for more information, including whether shots were fired and whether anyone is in custody. Video posted to the…

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Feb 5 • 12:59 PM EST • Science • nbclosangeles.com
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With ICE using Medicaid data, hospitals and states are in a bind over warning immigrant patients

The Trump administration’s move to give deportation officials access to Medicaid data is putting hospitals and states in a bind as they weigh whether to alert immigrant patients that their personal information, including home addresses, could be used in efforts to remove them from the country.

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Feb 5 • 7:00 AM EST • Health • cnn.com
Justice Department released 3 million pages of Epstein files. What did we learn? : The NPR Politics Podcast

The Justice Department says it has released all of the relevant documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We discuss what we have learned from the millions of pages of documents and whether Republicans or Democrats got what they were hoping for from the release.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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Feb 4 • 4:14 PM EST • Politics • npr.org
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In Spending Talks, Senators Clash Over Immigration Crackdown

Democrats’ push to rein in federal agents, and Republican opposition, reflect opposite views of whether the deportation drive should be bound by standard law enforcement rules.

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Feb 4 • 1:43 PM EST • Politics • nytimes.com
Seals Are Seemingly Vanishing Off the Dutch Coast. These Scientists Are Trying to Get to the Bottom of the Mysterious Disappearances

Recent counts of the Wadden Sea’s adult harbor seal population have revealed a surprising trend of decline, prompting a consortium of researchers to investigate whether the animals are dying off, relocating or experiencing something else altogether

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Feb 4 • 9:45 AM EST • Science • smithsonianmag.com
Firefighter, lawyer advance in pivotal Michigan Senate race

The field of candidates for a special election to decide whether Michigan Democrats keep their majority in the state Senate is set.

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Feb 4 • 6:39 AM EST • Politics • detroitnews.com
Super Bowl pop culture prop bets: Cardi B proposal? Kendall Jenner-Devin Booker relationship?

Oh, and you can put money on whether Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson will get married before next year...

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Feb 4 • 5:00 AM EST • Sports • nytimes.com
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Decision over 35 Castle Donington business units pushed back

Councillors have deferred whether to approve 35 new commercial units at Hill Top Farm in Castle Donington.

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Feb 3 • 3:39 AM EST • Business • bbc.com
How music's biggest stars protested Trump's immigration crackdown at the Grammys

Entertainment’s awards season has coincided with the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign in Minneapolis, forcing artists to decide whether and how to join the growing cultural revolt against immigration crackdowns. Pushback from music’s biggest stars was visible Sunday from the Grammys red carpet and throughout the telecast. Activists spent the week pressing celebrities to don pins protesting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in cities, working with their teams to spread the message and

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Feb 2 • 10:32 AM EST • Politics • pbs.org
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The New Science of Craving

We often view our cravings—whether for drugs, alcohol, food, or approval—as indictments of our character. Yet neuroscience and psychology say otherwise; here's why.

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Feb 2 • 7:00 AM EST • Science • psychologytoday.com
An incredible sports week arrives with Olympics, Super Bowl. Plus: NFL coaching carousel wraps up

The Pulse Newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! It’s the start of a brilliant sports week. Coming up: 🏅 Olympic stars to know 🏈 Super Bowl week, baby ✍️ Coaching carousel problem We often talk about the unmatched glory of a great sports weekend, whether that’s the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, MLB’s Opening Day blitz, Thanksgiving weekend in the football world, whatever. We have arrived at one of those junctures — and it’s a full week. Let’s start...

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Feb 2 • 6:12 AM EST • Sports • nytimes.com
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The Grammys bring more celebrity pushback to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown

Artists this awards season are having to decide whether and how to join the growing cultural revolt against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns

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Feb 1 • 5:30 PM EST • Politics • washingtonpost.com
Book Review: “Do Aliens Speak Physics?” asks whether science is truly universal or shaped by the limits of human experience

Andy Warner and Daniel Whiteson have created a witty, illustrated inquiry into what the search …

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Jan 31 • 12:30 PM EST • Science • nwprogressive.org
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The 6-6-6 Walking Challenge Is Going Viral for Weight Loss and Other Benefits. Does It Work?

Discover whether the latest fitness trend is safe and effective.

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Jan 31 • 7:00 AM EST • Health • today.com
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CSC opens investigation into LSU for possible unreported NIL deals, per report

The CSC will look into whether LSU failed to properly report NIL deals

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Jan 30 • 7:21 PM EST • Sports • cbssports.com
College Sports Commission opens first public investigation, targets LSU for NIL reporting

The College Sports Commission is investigating whether an LSU staffer failed to report one or more NIL deals.

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Jan 30 • 5:09 PM EST • Sports • nytimes.com
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New guidance aims to guide UTI treatment in age of virtual health care

The guidelines will help clinicians determine whether patients seeking care via telehealth and virtual visits need urine tests or empiric antibiotics.

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Jan 30 • 4:11 PM EST • Health • cidrap.umn.edu
Coalition seeks LA County sales tax vote to offset federal healthcare funding cuts

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider whether to place a half-cent sales tax measure in front of voters. Revenues would be used to create a coverage program for people who lose their Medi-Cal.

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Jan 30 • 8:30 AM EST • Health • calmatters.org
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High school sports top performers on Thursday delivered in the clutch

Whether on the mat, mountain or court, these four high school athletes couldn't be stopped Thursday. See which top performers made the cut.

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Jan 30 • 7:58 AM EST • Sports • metrowestdailynews.com
Gray wolves are hunting sea otters and no one knows how

On a remote Alaskan island, gray wolves are rewriting the rulebook by hunting sea otters — a behavior few scientists ever expected to see. Researchers are now uncovering how these coastal wolves adapted to marine hunting, what it means for land–sea ecosystems, and whether this ancient predator–prey relationship is re-emerging as sea otters recover.

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Jan 30 • 7:00 AM EST • Science • sciencedaily.com
UPS pilots union supports 'Fatigued Pilot Protection Act'

Lawmakers have introduced a bill to ensure commercial pilots follow the same rules for flight time and rest, whether they fly passengers or cargo.

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Jan 29 • 7:36 PM EST • Politics • spectrumnews1.com
How widespread sports betting affects NFL players: ‘People have said they’d kill me’

We asked NFL players about their interactions with sports bettors and fantasy players — and whether they participate themselves.

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Jan 29 • 5:30 AM EST • Sports • nytimes.com
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Analysis: Why the Minnesota deportation impasse will be so hard to solve

What happens now that the tough Minnesota deportation crackdown has turned tragic depends on whether President Donald Trump concludes he simply has an optics problem or whether he’s ready to make genuine changes to unpopular hardline policies that are central to his political identity.

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Jan 29 • 12:00 AM EST • Politics • cnn.com
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WATCH: Coons, Rubio disagree on whether Congress should’ve been consulted before Maduro ouster

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said the Trump administration failed to properly consult with Congress in the months leading up to the dramatic U.S. military raid that ousted President Nicolás Maduro. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was "a trigger-based operation."

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Jan 28 • 11:41 AM EST • Politics • pbs.org
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Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs

In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)­—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices­—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash

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Jan 28 • 6:00 AM EST • Politics • gjia.georgetown.edu
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One Supreme Court Case Is Most Responsible for Our Oligarchy. It’s Not the One You Think.

Whether or not money is the root of all evil, the root of our current American oligarchy is a single Supreme Court case.

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Jan 28 • 5:45 AM EST • Politics • slate.com
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Is Teladoc Health (TDOC) A Potential Opportunity After Prolonged Share Price Weakness

If you are wondering whether Teladoc Health at around US$5.91 is a bargain or a value trap, this breakdown is designed to give you a clear, structured view of where the stock stands today. The share price has retreated recently, with a 2.6% decline over the last 7 days, a 17.0% decline over 30 days, a 16.2% decline year to date, and a 43.8% decline over the past year, on top of a much larger 79.9% decline over 3 years and 97.8% over 5 years. Recent coverage around Teladoc Health has focused...

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Jan 28 • 1:11 AM EST • Health • finance.yahoo.com
What should the 49ers do with Kendrick Bourne this offseason?

The San Francisco 49ers have several decision to make this offseason, including whether or not to re-sign Kendrick Bourne in free agency.

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Jan 27 • 10:45 PM EST • Sports • ninerswire.usatoday.com
Deep dive
😐 Neutral (13%)
wow
56%
ahah
44%
Climate-risk scores shape billion-dollar decisions, and new study says science behind them needs to be more transparent

A new paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences argues that trustworthiness of climate-risk scores depends not just on the sophistication of the models used to produce the scores but also on whether the science behind them is open, reusable and transparent enough for others to examine, test and improve.

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Jan 27 • 7:00 AM EST • Science • news.rice.edu
Confusion and questions: Where investigations stand in the killing of Alex Pretti

Two days after Department of Homeland Security officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a confused investigation is unfurling. The Justice Department has not opened a civil rights investigation, a crisis coordination center was erected in Minneapolis to investigate protesters and senior administration officials won’t definitively say whether Pretti had been disarmed before the shooting.

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Jan 26 • 7:48 PM EST • Politics • cnn.com
Deep dive
😐 Neutral (2%)
ahah
68%
wow
32%
Does Alex Pretti’s death mark a turning point for Trump? : The NPR Politics Podcast

The fatal shooting by federal immigration officers of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and an intensive care unit nurse at the VA, escalated tensions surrounding the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis and prompted bipartisan calls for investigation. We discuss whether the incident could mark a turning point for the president.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, Minnesota Public Radio host Clay Masters, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

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Jan 26 • 4:54 PM EST • Politics • npr.org
High-Signal Publisher
The Sports Rapport

Welcome to The Sports Rapport. We explore the teams, athletes, and stories that shape sports across Vermont, from major matchups to niche, local pursuits. Guided by host Mitch Wertlieb and fueled by many voices, we dig into what sports mean to Vermonters in a way that feels accessible, human, and alive.Whether you’re a diehard fan or just sports-curious, this is a place to pull up a chair and join the conversation! Join us live on YouTube every Monday at 2 p.m. for lively conversation and thoughtful storytelling, all with the depth and curiosity you expect from Vermont Public. Subscribe on YouTube, listen wherever you get your podcasts or tune in on the radio Monday nights at 8.

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Jan 26 • 9:01 AM EST • Sports • vermontpublic.org
🙂 Positive (50%)
Rams’ Matthew Stafford reflects on season amid uncertain future

Matthew Stafford did not have too many words when asked about his performance for the Rams this year and whether he would return.

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Jan 26 • 12:41 AM EST • Sports • clutchpoints.com
Eleanor Holmes Norton Files to End Re-election Campaign

It was not clear whether Washington’s 88-year-old veteran delegate, who has been in declining health but has insisted she would seek re-election, was aware of the filing.

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Jan 25 • 2:58 PM EST • Politics • nytimes.com
Is Melco Resorts & Entertainment (MLCO) Attractive After Recent Share Price Swings?

If you are wondering whether Melco Resorts & Entertainment is a bargain or a value trap at around US$6.35, you are not alone. The answer starts with looking closely at what you are really paying for its business today. The stock has had a mixed run, with a 3.6% gain over the last 7 days, a 20.7% decline over the last 30 days, a 15.4% decline year to date, but a 13.4% gain over the last year, set against much larger declines of 53.1% and 60.3% over the last 3 and 5 years. Recent coverage of...

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Jan 25 • 4:21 AM EST • Entertainment • simplywall.st