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Catherine O'Hara died from a pulmonary embolism. Cancer was the underlying cause
Rectal cancer was the long-term cause
What is a pulmonary embolism? Catherine O'Hara's cause of death, explained
"Home Alone" actress Catherine O'Hara's died from a pulmonary embolism. Here's what to know.
Big breast: How big breasts fit affect your health
Even say plenty places for world dey see big breasts as sometin wey fine, di real life wahala fit hard e dey cause serious wahala for women health and how dem dey enjoy their life.
How a Southern lifestyle brand from Baton Rouge now sells more than a million pieces a year
"The first time we sourced from Asia," he explained, "we had to throw away the entire product because we had no clue what we were doing."
Trump lost the Super Bowl. Who will he take his anger out on now?
Trump was humiliated Sunday, and because he is a sore loser, that humiliation could have real consequences for the blue states and vulnerable populations he decides to target next.
Musk shifts SpaceX's focus from Mars to the moon
The CEO said that the company is shifting its focus from Mars to creating a "self-growing city" on the moon because it would be more practical.
Making science more visible
As he enters a laboratory with saltwater pools full of fish, Luka Žuvić explains how climate change is affecting the feeding ecology and reproductive biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna, and how the species is adapting.It is a topic that may seem remote to many people. But in a country where fishing and aquaculture are important to the economy and national identity, Žuvić’s research is at the intersection of science and society. “In Croatia, marine and environmental science are closely connected to people’s lives because fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and coastal development are a big part of our lives,” explains Žuvić, a doctoral student working at the Croatian Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in the Adriatic coastal city of Split. He also serves as one of Croatia’s ambassadors to Science Comes to Town (SCTT), a European Commission-funded project that aims to make scientific research more accessible, while inspiring young people to study the sciences. The project kicked off in Spilt on 20 January with a conference attended by partner institutions, community representatives, policymakers and scientists. Along with Split, Brest (in France) and Kiel (in Germany) will host a year of activities connecting scientists with the public.Žuvić, 31, is part of the Young Researchers' Career Development Project, a doctoral programme funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. His research on Atlantic bluefin tuna builds on a foundation-backed project focusing on the reproductive potential of farmed tuna, including their sexual maturation and spontaneous spawning in captivity, which has implications for the restoration of the Adriatic Sea's natural tuna populations. He also studies the tuna's feeding ecology through stomach-content analysis, using DNA metabarcoding and morphological approaches, and employs geometric morphometrics to improve the identification of juvenile tuna and related species. The research aims to enhance understanding of the tuna farming ecology, improve fish farm management and contribute to sustainable aquaculture and fisheries research.Engaging with local communitiesConnecting with the community is crucial for Žuvić’s research. Conversations with fishermen help him better understand the bluefin tuna's habits and how marine pollution affects the fish. “They are also curious about the biology and ecology of bluefin tuna,” he says of local fishermen, adding that sharing research with non-scientists benefits everyone. “Sometimes scientific research is invisible,” he explains. “That's why we as researchers need to go out from our institutions and labs to the public so that we can show them what we are working on. This helps create more trust in the scientists and their research.”Engaging the public also raises awareness about the anthropogenic changes to the marine environment resulting from human activities and pollution. Žuvić helps remove plastic and other rubbish from the Adriatic Sea that pose a direct threat to marine species. Predators, such as bluefin tuna, are especially vulnerable to ingesting waste churned up by fishing trawlers. “They are very opportunistic fish that follow trawlers and ingest everything,” he notes. To illustrate the impact, he has shown students the contents of bluefin tuna stomachs. “Finding a plastic bottle cap in the stomach of a bluefin tuna is concerning,” he says. "Science can be a powerful way to turn curiosity into practical solutions,” Žuvić adds, and sharing research outcomes “helps increase public awareness and improve understanding of human impacts on the marine environment.”The research also has implications for Croatia's economy. The Atlantic bluefin tuna’s rich, flavourful meat is highly valued for sushi and other raw fish dishes. However, overfishing nearly brought its population to collapse by the early 2000s. Although the species has made a comeback in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, catches continue to be managed through agreements with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. Croatia was a pioneer in developing commercial aquaculture as an alternative to open-sea fishing and accounts for about 10% of the EU’s farmed production of the bluefin tuna, with Japan being a key export market.A history of European collaborationCroatia has participated in Europe’s framework programmes for research and innovation since 2007, six years before officially joining the EU. Žuvić believes that EU funding and collaboration with other European researchers is vital for Croatian science. As part of the SCTT opening conference, the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, the University of Split and other local institutions were part of a science fair to showcase research on topics, such as robotics and an EU LIFE project on the protection of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean. “I hope that Science Comes to Town will help increase scientific literacy and curiosity among citizens, particularly students, and show that science is not something that is distant or abstract, but something that directly affects everyday life,” Žuvić concludes. “Ultimately, I hope that projects like it contribute to building a society that values knowledge and critical thinking, and that we can think about long-term sustainability using knowledge from science.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Trump lashes out at American Olympian who expressed dim view of US politics
"Just 'cause I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S.," skier Hunter Hess said at a news conference ahead of the games.
Meal timing in time-restricted eating matters for metabolic health, find study
Time-restricted eating has emerged as a popular dietary approach because it focuses on when people eat rather than strictly limiting calories. Instead of counting calories, individuals restrict their ...
‘Shock and devastation’: Large overnight fire causes extensive damage in the Fayetteville Square
Crews are battling a large fire in the Fayetteville Square.
Chang’e-6 lunar samples reveal a giant impact reshaped the Moon’s interior
A colossal ancient impact may have reshaped the Moon far more deeply than scientists once realized. By analyzing rare lunar rocks brought back by China’s Chang’e-6 mission from the Moon’s largest crater, researchers found unusual chemical fingerprints pointing to extreme heat and material loss caused by a giant impact. The collision likely stripped away volatile elements, reshaped volcanic activity, and left a lasting chemical signature deep below the surface.
Killers without a cause: The rise in nihilistic violent extremism
Amid a burst of high-profile targeted violence, authorities have identified a new source of terror.
The humiliation of the WA GOP is not yet complete
Does the WA state GOP want to win elections in 2026? Because lately it's been sounding more like an internet troll than a serious political outfit.
That dry, bitter taste may be waking up your brain
New research suggests the astringent sensation caused by flavanols could act as a direct signal to the brain, triggering effects similar to a mild workout for the nervous system. In mouse experiments, flavanol intake boosted activity, curiosity, learning, and memory—despite these compounds barely entering the bloodstream. The key appears to be sensory stimulation: the taste itself activates brain pathways linked to attention, motivation, and stress response, lighting up regions involved in arousal and memory.
A century of hair shows how lead exposure collapsed
For decades, Americans were surrounded by lead from car exhaust, factories, paint, and even drinking water, often without realizing the damage it caused. By analyzing hair samples preserved across generations, scientists uncovered a striking record of how exposure soared before environmental rules and then collapsed after leaded gasoline and other sources were phased out.
Why US-funded vaccine trial plan for babies in Guinea-Bissau caused outrage
The health trial by researchers at the University of Southern Denmark has been suspended by Bissau-Guinean authorities.
Say yes to Fontainebleau, because replacing a pool deck doesn’t mean you need a new driveway
Critics worry about traffic, except there are no proposed changes to the resort's footprint.
Support your heart health this February
When was the last time you thought about your heart health? It’s far more important than you may realize. Heart disease is the No. 1 overall cause of death for…
Apple is scaling back plans for new AI-based health coach service
The initiative, code-named Mulberry, was wound down in recent weeks, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the move wasn’t public.
DOJ Over-Seized Hannah Natanson's Garmin Device and Other Reporting Materials
DOJ claims it is adhering to the Privacy Protection Act, even though they didn't mention it in the affidavit to search Hannah Natanson's devices. But their search seized far more reporting materials than covered by the probable cause tied to Aurelio Perez-Lugones.
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.
Redstone Federal Credit Union “internal error” causes a headache for business owners
Local business owners say they deserved better communication about sudden debit card freeze.
Biodiversity science and policy need more model intercomparisons
Nature Reviews Biodiversity - Climate model intercomparison projects have been essential in identifying mechanisms of human-caused climate change, but similar efforts in biodiversity science have...
Frozen on the ice: The brain science behind perfect Olympic timing
Olympic skiers, bobsledders and speed skaters all have to master one critical moment: when to start. As athletes prepare for the upcoming Winter Olympics, that split second is in the spotlight because ...
Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart sing. It really does. I promise some celebration".
Blood pressure and heart health: What to know this Heart Month
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women, often developing silently over years without warning signs.
International science cooperation must go on, say research leaders
Science leaders in Europe and Canada say international cooperation must go on amid geopolitical turmoil. At the same time, Europe and like-minded countries should continue to enhance and diversify international partnerships, a Science|Business conference hears. Hugh Brady, president of Imperial College London, told delegates that Europe’s response to the current geopolitical climate should be to “diversify in terms of research partnerships and build resilience and scale into our own system.”A first priority should be for the EU to sort out the scope of the upcoming European Competitiveness Fund and ensure that, together with the next iteration of Horizon Europe, it can drive the development and scale up of new technologies. The EU and the countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme represent “the world's most successful research innovation ecosystem,” Brady said. In order to mitigate the negative effects of shifting geopolitics, the EU together with the UK, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea and others should talk about “building resilience” and address their own “regional needs,” he added. Responding to TrumpUnder Donald Trump’s leadership, the US government has slashed science budgets and shut down international research programmes. Nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. While Europe may persuade a few thousand disgruntled scientists to move across the ocean to work on topics that have been de-funded in the US, it’s unclear what should happen next with transatlantic scientific cooperation more broadly.“Now is the time for us to show [US researchers] our support as much as we can,” Brady said.The European Research Council (ERC), the EU’s basic science funder, has seen a surge in applicants from the US. According its latest data, US-based researchers submitted 347 proposals to the last three big funding rounds, up from 158 in the previous set of calls. The European Commission has also launched a €22.5 million pilot call in 2025 for the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions, the EU’s researcher training scheme. It plans to extend this support with a €51.25 million call in 2027 as part of the Choose Europe initiative, which is intended to make the continent a more attractive place to pursue a career in research. Related articlesData corner: US researchers are choosing EuropeEU-India deal highlights growing alignment on technology policyMeanwhile, in the private non-profit sector, the Volkswagen Foundation is experimenting with a new type of grant that would allow US researchers to split their time between the US and Germany. While these schemes are useful, Europe should not bet on an exodus of scientists from the US. “The idea that we might all see them flocking over to Europe is naïve and counterproductive,” said Maria Leptin, president of the ERC, also speaking at the Science|Business conference on February 5. “We need research in the US to be as healthy as possible. I really admire those who are staying there with a will to fight and an optimism that the world will turn into a better place again,” Leptin said. Preserving dataDespite political disruption, academics have found ways to continue cooperating and sharing research data. Leslie Weir, president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and Canada’s national librarian, said the US cuts have raised concerns about research data security, after ideologically sensitive databases were limited or deleted by the Trump administration. But international organisations teamed up to ensure that the data is not lost. “It's interesting to see that researchers and libraries across North America are collaborating to make sure that data at risk is duplicated elsewhere outside [the US],” Weir said.
Blood thinners are a leading cause of drug-related harm. Can the risk be lowered?
More than 8 million people in the U.S. take blood thinners to prevent dangerous clots. At the same time, the drugs are responsible for a staggering number of serious bleeding events.
Solace, soul, survival: the point of art in life
Artists respond, because that's what artists do; that's what they're for.
Dissecting Illinois’ complete performance in total drubbing of Northwestern
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois dominated Northwestern at the State Farm Center in round two of what should always be a closely contested “rivalry” game. Wednesday night was a forgettable chapter in that sense, because Illinois put together its most complete performance in conference play. And it’s the largest margin of victory in conference play this […]
Analysis: The Epstein storm could topple a world leader — but it’s not Trump
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was never mixed up with Jeffrey Epstein but is in grave peril of losing his job because of him.
Pitt researcher studies lingering health impacts from East Palestine train derailment
University of Pittsburgh researcher Juliane Beier is a leading authority on how colorless, sweet-smelling vinyl chloride can cause cancer and worsen liver disease. Her expertise meant she feared the worst when vinyl chloride vapors — the result of a controversial vent-and-burn operation by first responders — began billowing from derailed
Local business stopped receiving mail with no explanation. NBC10 investigated why
One South Jersey businesses felt the strain as mail delays cause payment and document issues. NBC10 looked into the issue.
Cooper Health's new mobile unit brings primary care to people with autism and other developmental disabilities
The program aims to reduce the stress that medical visits may cause for these patients and remove barriers to care.
Trump admin. attorney leaves Minnesota after telling judge her job ‘sucks’ amid crush of immigration cases
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney detailed to Minnesota to help handle the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities has been removed from her post after telling a judge that the job “sucks” because of the crushing workload and the government’s apparent inability to comply with court orders.
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking someone's device. At least for now.
MIT's new brain tool could finally explain consciousness
Scientists still don’t know how the brain turns physical activity into thoughts, feelings, and awareness—but a powerful new tool may help crack the mystery. Researchers at MIT are exploring transcranial focused ultrasound, a noninvasive technology that can precisely stimulate deep regions of the brain that were previously off-limits. In a new “roadmap” paper, they explain how this method could finally let scientists test cause-and-effect in consciousness research, not just observe correlations.
Local businesses face challenges after winter storms
Small businesses in Greenville are working to recover from recent winter storms that caused closures and disrupted local supply chains.
A hidden cellular process may drive aging and disease
As we age, our cells don’t just wear down—they reorganize. Researchers found that cells actively remodel a key structure called the endoplasmic reticulum, reducing protein-producing regions while preserving fat-related ones. This process, driven by ER-phagy, is tied to lifespan and healthy aging. Because these changes happen early, they could help trigger later disease—or offer a chance to stop it.
Falls are serious health threats. Here’s what to know.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, falls killed more than 38,000 seniors in 2021, making it the leading cause of death from injuries in that group that year.
M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller. The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with retail stores ahead of a new model launch to avoid leaving resellers with too many outdated machines.
This 3D Printer Just Broke My Tests, Because the Future Is Here
I've never seen a 3D printer complete my tests as well as the Bambu Lab H2C.
‘Biblical Diseases’ Could Resurge in Africa, Health Officials Fear
Parasites and infections that cause blindness and other disabilities were nearly eliminated in some countries, but drug distribution to prevent and treat them was derailed in many places in 2025 after the U.S. cut aid.
Cleaner Politics Is as Important as Cleaner Fuels
A broad range of views on democracy to help break the stalemate caused by partisan conflict.
Fearing ICE crackdown, immigrants nationally are avoiding treatment, sometimes with dire consequences
Doctors nationally are describing harrowing consequences for patients who put off medical care because of fears of ICE.
Autism: myth-busting and what scientists still don't know : Short Wave
Autism has a long history of misinformation that continues to today. The Trump administration has perpetuated some of this misinformation in the last year. Among other things, officials have claimed certain groups of people don’t get the condition and that taking Tylenol while pregnant causes autism to later develop in children. Today, NPR Science Correspondent Jon Hamilton sets the record straight with host Emily Kwong on what scientists do and don’t know about autism. If you liked this episode, check out our episodes on an Autism researcher’s take on Trump’s claims about Tylenol and a Fragile X treatment that may be on the horizon.Interested in more science in the news? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.This episode was produced by Berly McCoy. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Damian Herring.
Patriots Veteran Made Predictable Choice At Super Bowl Opening Night
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins didn’t wear shoes to Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday. Surprised? No, of course you aren’t! Hollins, who says that he only wears shoes when necessary and likes being barefoot because it strengthens his feet, ankles, and knees, once again let those things breathe during his media availability […]
Patriots’ Drake Maye Gives Answer To Famous Tom Brady Question
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was asked a familiar question during Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday. “Who is your hero?” If that sounds familiar, it’s probably because you remember when that same question was asked to Tom Brady prior to Super Bowl LI. “Who’s my hero? That’s a great question. Well, I think […]
SF small business owners file class action lawsuit against PG&E after December outages
The class action lawsuit filed Monday claims the utility caused Sunset District businesses significant financial harm during a series of outages around the holidays.
What Causes Thinning Hair In Young Women? Beauty Gurus Share Science & Solutions
Miami, Florida / Syndication Cloud / January 23, 2026 / Trybello LLC Key Takeaways Female pattern hair loss affects about 12% of women by age 29, making it the most common cause of thinning in young women. Hormonal changes linked to PCOS, thyroid disorders, and birth control shifts can trigger sudden shedding episodes. Stress-related conditions, […]
International companies cut off business in the U.S. because of ICE
French multinational Capgemini moved to distance itself “immediately” from ICE after criticism from French officials; a Canadian company has also canceled a sale to the agency.
Takeaways about PFAS contamination of private drinking water wells
Because there aren’t national rules limiting PFAS in private wells, responsibility falls to the states.
Costco issues recall notice for bakery item due to undeclared allergen
Costco has recalled mislabeled "Mini Beignets filled with Caramel" that could cause allergic reactions due to undeclared tree nuts in 22 states.
Sunday Standings: Time to believe?
Over the summer, a respected voice like Elliotte Friedman really drove home a lot of feelings about the Pittsburgh Penguins in a podcast: “It’s really hard to make deals right now because there are 31 teams in the NHL attempting to get better….then there is Pittsburgh” Turns out the signings of players like Anthony Mantha, […]
Phil Mickelson out of first two LIV Golf events because of family health matter
Mickelson announced his decision on Sunday morning, citing the need for he and his wife, Amy, to stay in the U.S. because of a family health matter.
Patriots’ Offensive Line Has Already Made Super Bowl History
When New England Patriots rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson take the field for the Pats’ first offensive series in Super Bowl LX, they’ll have made history. That’s because the Patriots are about to become the first team to start two rookies in the offensive line in a Super Bowl. Both guys have been awesome […]
60 mind-blowing stats from 2025 NFL season: From Phillip Rivers to Cam Little and more
Get ready to take some Tylenol because your head is about to explode from all of these insane stats
A year after losing Luka Dončić, the Mavs have brighter days ahead because of Cooper Flagg
Scientists discover how to turn gut bacteria into anti-aging factories
Researchers found that small doses of an antibiotic can coax gut bacteria into producing a life-extending compound. In worms, this led to longer lifespans, while mice showed healthier cholesterol and insulin changes. Because the drug stays in the gut, it avoids toxic side effects. The study points to a new way of promoting health by targeting microbes rather than the body itself.
Shohei Ohtani WBC Announcement Will Give Dodgers Fans Relief
Los Angeles Dodgers fans no longer have to worry about Shohei Ohtani throwing out his arm during the upcoming World Baseball Classic. That’s because the world’s greatest player won’t be pitching in the WBC, as reported by multiple sources on Saturday. It is apparently Ohtani’s decision not to pitch in the tournament. Ohtani delivered another […]
Belarus: Snow and cold used to torture political prisoners
Former political prisoners tell DW that winter in Belarus prisons is brutal during cold, snowy winters like this one — because snow and freezing temperatures are used by guards to torment them.
Anti-ICE protests impacting some Southern California businesses
Some businesses chose to close, while others remained open but supported the cause in different ways.
NASCAR's Preseason Clash Postponed to Monday Because of Snow
NASCAR's preseason Clash at Bowman Gray has been postponed due to snow. Here are the latest details.
Gaming Stocks Plunge As Google AI Clones 60 Seconds Of ‘Fortnite’
Google Genie 3 has caused market fears that big video games are going to start being easily generated by AI. That is not even close to the case.
Scientists finally explain statin muscle pain
Statins are a cornerstone of heart health, but muscle pain and weakness cause many patients to quit taking them. Scientists have now identified the precise molecular trigger behind these side effects. They found that statins jam open a critical muscle protein, causing a toxic calcium leak. The discovery could lead to safer statins that keep their life-saving benefits without the muscle damage.
Calais calls measure on law enforcement relationship mere ‘politics’
The City Council delayed a vote on a resolution urging the governor to veto the measure because several supportive councilors were absent.
Google’s Project Genie Experiment Causes Video Game Stocks to Suddenly Crash as Investors Believe Games Will Be Made Solely with AI
The public release of Google's Project Genie experiment, capable of creating virtual worlds from a prompt, caused video game stocks to crash.
Nurses strike because health care is rigged for CEOs, not us
As a nurse for 31 years, I stand with the striking NYC nurses who refuse to accept exhaustion, injury and disposability as the cost of care.
‘It’s a substantial amount’: BCBS faces criticism over $800 refund delay for Oakland County couple
An Oakland County couple said they were over $800 out because Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan wouldn’t refund their overpayment.
Samsung Soldout Its $3,000 TriFold Phone in Minutes
Galaxy Z TriFold, the $2,899 foldable from Samsung, sells out in minutes. You probably missed it because you didn’t see the need to make a note on your calendar for a... #GalaxyZTriFold #Samsung
Kylie Kelce’s Advice for Sports Parents Can Be Summed Up in 2 Words
"It's so hard to get officials for sports nowadays because of the parents and their feedback."
Kylie Kelce’s Advice for Sports Parents Can Be Summed Up in 2 Words
"It's so hard to get officials for sports nowadays because of the parents and their feedback."
Gambling could become a mental health crisis for teen boys
A new report from Common Sense Media found that more than a third of boys ages 11 to 17 have gambled in the past year. NBC News Now Daily anchor Kate Snow joins the "Here's the Scoop" to discuss the rise in gambling among teenage boys and why some experts worry it could cause a mental health crisis.
Kennedy Overhauls Federal Autism Panel in His Own Image
The new panel, which advises the government on research and service priorities for people with autism, includes many members who have argued that vaccines cause the disorder.
A No. 1-vs.-2 showdown between Brother Martin and Jesuit has been moved because of weather
Brother Martin and Jesuit will play their rivalry soccer match two days later than originally scheduled.
Trump Says He Only Appeared to Nod Off in Last Cabinet Meeting Because It Was ‘Boring’
Mr. Trump’s allies have strenuously insisted that he was alert and attentive at the meeting last month. The president said he had only closed his eyes.
How much B6 is safe? What to know about the supplement found in energy drinks
Poisoning caused by too much of the popular nutrient is rare, but cases are ticking up. Experts warn that people may not be aware they’re getting too much.
Case of measles confirmed in Arizona ICE facility
The US Department of Homeland Security says a person in detention at an Arizona Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility has measles, a highly contagious virus that can cause high fevers and a distinctive rash.
Fact check: Trump says Democrats don’t talk about affordability anymore (they do) because inflation is over (it isn’t)
President Donald Trump tried Tuesday to concoct an alternative reality on the subject of “affordability” – piling lie on top of lie to try to convince Americans that the issue has vanished.
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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