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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
Commentary: They said Katie Porter was dead politically. I checked her pulse
A one-two punch of unflattering videos caused many to write off Porter's gubernatorial candidacy. But the former O.C. congresswoman remains a top contender.
Tear gas causes health concerns for Twin Cities residents
Federal agents are regularly using chemical irritants like tear gas in attempts to disperse protesters and observers in the Twin Cities. Medical experts say there’s a lot of uncertainty about the health impacts of those chemicals.
Ethan Hawke says Tom Cruise makes him 'angry' because he's 'changed what’s expected for actors'
Ethan Hawke says that over the years, a certain aspect of Tom Cruise's star persona has gotten him 'angry,' because now, the star has 'changed what's expected for actors.'
Do trees prevent landslides? What science says about roots, rainfall and stability
After the fatal landslides at Mount Maunganui, attention has focused on recent tree removal from Mauao. But landslides rarely have simple causes.
Peter H. Duesberg, 89, Renowned Biologist Turned H.I.V. Denialist, Dies
His pioneering work on the origins of cancer was later overshadowed by his contrarian views, notably his rejection of the established theory that H.I.V. causes AIDS.
Deadly incurable disease reported by health officials: What to know
The deadly virus can cause a range of illnesses including inflammation of the brain.
Tahoe Forest Health System celebrates Heart Health Month
TRUCKEE, Calif. – Tahoe Forest Health System invites local residents to join a month-long celebration of Heart Health Month this February. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States,...
The iPhone Air sold poorly, and now we know exactly what people hated about it
Not enough cameras? A single speaker? Poor thermals? Most of you think that the iPhone Air flopped because it fails to meet a number of expectations.
UPS Will Cut Up to 30,000 Jobs in 2026
The delivery company said it was planning the cuts this year because it expected to deliver fewer packages for Amazon, a large but unprofitable customer.
Even in ‘business-friendly’ states, federal policy shocks are hurting Latino-owned firms
Texas, Florida, and North Carolina are so-called “business-friendly” states worth watching because they sit at the intersection of rapid growth, demographic dependence, and policy volatility.
Clawdbot creator says Anthropic 'forced' name change
Clawdbot, the viral AI agent that caused techies to buy up Mac Minis, is now Moltbot after Anthropic reached out about name and mascot similarities.
What's the Nipah visrus? Why health officials are tracking disease
While only two people reportedly contracted the virus, health officials are concerned because of the high mortality rate if it spreads.
Scientists may have been wrong about what causes asthma
Asthma may not be driven by the molecules scientists have blamed for decades. Researchers have identified “pseudo leukotrienes,” inflammation-triggering compounds formed by uncontrolled free-radical reactions rather than normal enzymes. These molecules were found at much higher levels in people with asthma, closely tracking how severe their symptoms were. The finding hints at a new way to treat asthma by preventing the inflammatory spark instead of blocking its aftermath.
Iranian businesses suffer new blow as internet blackout lingers
Ali Hakim Javadi, head of the Computer Industry Organization, has estimated that the internet outages have caused economic damage of between $18 million and $27 million. Iranian businesses are reeling from an internet blackout, imposed while authorities used massive force to crush large-scale protests, which have crippled commerce in an already battered economy.
Odd anomaly caused Microsoft's network to mishandle example.com traffic
Company's autodiscover caused users' test credentials to be sent outside Microsoft networks.
In downtown Wilmington, Live Oak shutting down inclusive small business center
Live Oak Bank is turning Channel off. Described by Live Oak as an inclusive small business center, Channel opened in November 2021 to serve as a free resource for small business owners, helping numerous minority-owned and other small businesses from its headquarters downtown at 106 Market St. "After careful consideration, we’ve decided to bring Channel ... to a close at the end of this month. Live Oak determined that the needs of Wilmington’s small business community have evolved. Since Channel opened, the local small business ecosystem has grown significantly, with many strong organizations now offering education, technical assistance and community programming for entrepreneurs," stated Claire Parker, managing director of corporate communications for Live Oak Bank, in an email Monday. "With those resources firmly in place, Live Oak is refocusing on what we do best – providing banking and financing solutions that help small businesses grow and thrive." Channel's demise also resulted in the elimination of two positions – those of Channel's director, Chakema Clinton-Quintana, and Atiba Johnson, the certified professional business advisor (CPBA) at Channel. On Monday, Clinton-Quintana, who was elected to the Wilmington City Council in November, said of her immediate plans after Channel: "I will continue my work serving the public while I look for other full-time opportunities." She said Channel "served over 1,000 small business owners in the greater Wilmington area, as well as some of the surrounding areas, such as Brunswick and Pender. A lot of folks had reached out to us needing those resources because they were free, and we were able to assist them in that capacity." Johnson said he will be devoting his time to the Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce, which is not affiliated with the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. The minority chamber is celebrating its launch from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilmington Sportsman Club, 1111 Castle St., Wilmington. Johnson, the founder and executive director of the new chamber, said about 50 businesses are on board to join the Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce. According to a news release, the new chamber "was established to foster growth, networking, and advocacy for underrepresented business owners. By providing essential resources and community engagement, the chamber aims to build a more inclusive and prosperous local economy." Johnson said the creation of the new chamber is in response to "lapses in funding, education, advocacy for minority businesses...Some of the things that are going on now just don't reach all the way down to those businesses." For Lynne Jones, owner of LJ Design Studio LLC, the loss of Channel also means a reduction in income. She had contracted with Channel to run the center's social media and to provide some marketing for small business owners. "It's pretty disappointing to hear that it is closing...it was a place to connect with other small business owners and collaborate. It was like a family for those of us who were there. If you had issues or things that you needed to talk through concerning your business, there was always someone there that you could sit down with and talk things through, recalibrate, and they set you off on your way to make that pivot and move in a different direction," Jones said Monday. She said she worked with many Channel participants creating their websites and will miss seeing the joy on their faces when those websites were up and running. Dawn McDowell, owner of Creatively Covered Co. LLC, credits Channel with helping her business grow and regrow after her social media pages were hacked and shut down in 2023. "Channel was a great resource for small businesses, for women-owned businesses, for minority-owned businesses; they provided a lot of assistance, especially when you needed it," McDowell said. "If it wasn't for Channel, I don't know if I'd be where I am now, in my business, and regrowing my business and even finding out about some of the certifications and things that were out there for small businesses that I just didn't know about ... because there was no one really sharing that information for small businesses, for minority- and women-owned businesses in particular." Parker said shutting down Channel was not part of an overall cost-cutting plan. She stated in the email, "Live Oak’s commitment to Wilmington remains strong. We are continuing to support entrepreneurs by focusing our efforts where we deliver the greatest value – through specialized banking and financing solutions aligned with our mission to be America’s small business bank." As for Channel's downtown office, Live Oak had leased the 5,000-square-foot space above Seabird restaurant in 2021. The bank’s lease for the office is up in March, Parker said.
Trump on closing his eyes during Cabinet meetings: ‘Boring as hell’
President Trump said he’s closed his eyes during Cabinet meetings because they are “boring as hell” but noted this isn’t a reflection of his health. “It’s boring as hell, I’m going around a room, …
Ye apologizes for antisemitic remarks: ‘I lost touch with reality’
Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, is issuing an apology for his antisemitic remarks and past embrace of the Nazi swastika, saying mental health challenges caused him to lose “touch…
Gillings AI and Public Health Showcase and Datathon - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
The datathon is open to all at UNC and beyond. Because the event is on-campus and in-person, we expect the greatest number of participants to be UNC faculty, staff, researchers,... Read more »
Trump administration goes after Second Amendment rights in justifying Minneapolis shooting
A number of pro-gun rights Republicans pushed back on the administration's argument that Alex Pretti was dangerous because he had a gun. Pretti was legally licensed to carry one.
Scientists call for urgent action as dangerous amoebas spread globally
Scientists are warning that a little-known group of microbes called free-living amoebae may pose a growing global health threat. Found in soil and water, some species can survive extreme heat, chlorine, and even modern water systems—conditions that kill most germs. One infamous example, the “brain-eating amoeba,” can cause deadly infections after contaminated water enters the nose. Even more concerning, these amoebae can act as hiding places for dangerous bacteria and viruses, helping them evade disinfection and spread.
Fable lets you enter and even buy any building in its world because that was one of the "requirements that we took from the original games," dev says
Playground Games had to think about every building's interior and exterior
Health groups sue EPA over insecticide that causes testicular damage in rats
Groups say EPA did not adequately consider adverse health effects to children when it approved the pesticide
Powdered Whole Milk Could Be a Culprit in the ByHeart Botulism Outbreak, Tests Show
Powdered whole milk used to make ByHeart infant formula could be a source of contamination that led to an outbreak of botulism that has sickened dozens of babies, U.S. health officials indicated Friday. Testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the type of bacteria that can cause the ...
FACT FOCUS: As cold hits, Trump asks, where's global warming? Scientists say it's still here
In social media, President Trump is questioning global warming because of a chilly severe winter storm hitting the U.S. On Friday, he called the weather nearly unprecedented and labeled scientists “environmental insurrectionists.” More than a dozen scientists tell The Associated Press that Trump’...
OMG! People are saying it's so cold trees will explode. That viral claim may be overblown
We're not even one month into 2026, and with everything that's happening, now we have to deal with exploding trees? No, not entirely. But a sudden deep freeze is going to send temperatures plummeting in much of Canada and the U.S., which could cause an ear-splitting phenomenon.
NBA, college hoops adjust due to winter storm
At least one NBA game and dozens of college basketball games across a wide swath of the country are rescheduled because of an approaching major winter storm.
'The ultimate insult': Trump diminishing NATO's Afghanistan involvement causes distress in UK
Trump said in an interview in Davos on Thursday that he wasn't sure NATO would support the United States if and when requested. He said that troops "stayed a little back a little off the front lines."
Google Discover makes messy AI headlines a ‘feature’ because they ‘perform well’
Following prior testing, Google Discover is keeping AI headlines around as they “perform well” with users. Google Discover is the...
US business activity stable in January; price pressures persist
U.S. business activity was steady in January as an improvement in new orders was offset by a lackluster labor market and lingering concerns among firms over higher costs because of import tariffs, a survey showed on Friday.
Omaha business partners with Nebraska's GUIDE program to provide dementia assistance
"I want families to know they're not out there dealing with this alone because it can feel very isolating," said director Sandra Miller.
Extend the federal budget window to boost preventive health
Many strong health reforms get bogged down because the CBO fails to properly account for long-term savings. The AMA backs a new bill to change that.
Exclusive: Wealthy governor candidate Steyer calls to end corporate PAC spending
The San Francisco investor, a massive political spender on his own causes, says to lower cost of living California must end corporate PACs
Microsoft Outlook Outage Leaves Users Without Email; Tech Company Working On Resolving Issue
Microsoft has found what caused an outage that crippled its services like Outlook and Teams.
Analysis: A former pro is about to play for Alabama’s basketball team. It’s the latest college sports absurdity with a simple solution
If Charles Bediako plays for Alabama against Tennessee on Saturday night, it will not be because college sports are broken or Congress refuses to act or the NCAA is feckless.
Officers de-escalate armed person having mental health crisis in Canton police lobby
"Because of the officers' actions, this situation was resolved without injury, and the individual was connected with the appropriate mental health services."
School and business closures for Friday, Jan. 23
The winter storm has caused some school and business closures for Friday, January 23.
Alarm as US mulls prioritising citizens in research funding
A senior White House official said the Trump administration is considering ways to prioritise research funding to American citizens, triggering alarm in the research community that the country could destroy its century-long status as a magnet for overseas talent.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said last week that it is “important for us to continue to emphasise the use of federal R&D dollars towards American scientists and technologists that are staffed by Americans in their labs.” Asked about support for Chinese students during a Congressional hearing, Kratsios went on to say that in future funding announcements, the OSTP would “emphasise” that “we're funding American students.”The precise meaning of his impromptu comments, and what they could mean in policy terms, isn’t yet clear. The OSTP did not respond to multiple requests for clarification from Science|Business.But given that US science and technology has relied on overseas talent for the past century, Kratsios’s words have alarmed former US science officials.Immigrants have made up around 30-40% of US Nobel Prize winners since the 1940s, for example. Except for some sensitive projects, countries typically grant research funding on a nationality-blind basis, lest they deter foreign scientists from immigrating. “If director Kratsios’s statements are taken literally and become official policy of the White House, [research-intensive] universities will likely have to close labs if not entire research divisions,” said David Biggs, a former science and technology official in the US State Department. In their most extreme interpretation, Kratsios’s comments would imply that foreign scientists established in the US would see access to funding curtailed. This would “result in many world-leading professors who work in the United States in fields that this administration considers a priority (like fusion energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing) leaving the country,” said Cole Donovan, a former US science diplomat, and now associate director at the Federation of American Scientists.CripplingHowever, given the context of the conversation, Kratsios may have been referring more narrowly to funding for doctoral or postdoctoral students. At the hearing, he said he wanted to see labs staffed by US citizens. But even this would have devastating consequences for the US science system, say former officials, because the country is so dependent on early-career foreign researchers. Recent statistics show that nearly half of those in the US with a PhD in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are considered short-term visitors, or non-residents in the official terminology. If this included residents who are not yet citizens, the proportion would likely be even higher. “Foreign PhD students are really a significant and core part of the university STEM workforce, and postdocs is similarly large,” said Donovan. Preventing US-based academics from hiring them from overseas would be a serious blow, he said. “If it's the case that this administration intends to limit funding to labs staffed only with US citizens, the effect will be to cripple the American scientific enterprise,” said Chris Marcum, a former OSTP official. “To think that these researchers can simply be replaced is a pipe dream. The labs will close,” said Marcum. Go elsewhereAround half of US-trained postdocs are foreign-born, said Biggs. “If these top international students cannot get funding to do their research, or even if they hear that funding for foreign students has been greatly restricted and will be super competitive, they will no longer choose to study in the US and will go elsewhere.” It’s unclear for now if Kratsios’s comments will translate into a real policy shift. But they could add to turmoil in the US science system since Donald Trump took over as president one year ago. Related articlesNIH turmoil risks reciprocal EU-US access to health research fundingUS set to close office responsible for global science and technology dealsTrump halts new NIH grants to international health-research partnersSince then, nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated, Naturereports. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. Both those agencies have also dished out around a quarter fewer grants this year than normal, the journal reported. International student enrolment is also down by 17%. The Trump administration also proposes to cut research budgets by around a third, although Congress may mollify the cuts.
Alarm over US plan to prioritise citizens in research funding
The US’s leading science official has said the country will focus its research spending on scientists with US citizenship, triggering alarm that the country could destroy its century-long status as a magnet for overseas talent.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said last week that it is “important for us to continue to emphasise the use of federal R&D dollars towards American scientists and technologists that are staffed by Americans in their labs.” Asked about support for Chinese students during a Congressional hearing, Kratsios went on to say that in future funding announcements, the OSTP would “emphasise” that “we're funding American students.”Kratsios’s precise meaning, and what it could mean in policy terms, isn’t yet clear. The OSTP did not respond to multiple requests for clarification from Science|Business.But given that US science and technology has relied on overseas talent for the past century, Kratsios’s words have stunned former US science officials.Immigrants have made up around 30-40% of US Nobel Prize winners since the 1940s, for example. Except for some sensitive projects, countries typically grant research funding on a nationality-blind basis, lest they deter foreign scientists from immigrating. “If director Kratsios’s statements are taken literally and become official policy of the White House, [research-intensive] universities will likely have to close labs if not entire research divisions,” said David Biggs, a former science and technology official in the US State Department. In their most extreme interpretation, Kratsios’s comments would imply that foreign scientists established in the US would see access to funding curtailed. This would “result in many world-leading professors who work in the United States in fields that this administration considers a priority (like fusion energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing) leaving the country,” said Cole Donovan, a former US science diplomat, and now associate director at the Federation of American Scientists.CripplingHowever, given the context of the conversation, Kratsios may have been referring more narrowly to funding for doctoral or postdoctoral students. At the hearing, he said he wanted to see labs staffed by US citizens. But even this would have devastating consequences for the US science system, say former officials, because the country is so dependent on early-career foreign researchers. Recent statistics show that nearly half of those in the US with a PhD in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are considered short-term visitors, or non-residents in the official terminology. If this included residents who are not yet citizens, the proportion would likely be even higher. “Foreign PhD students are really a significant and core part of the university STEM workforce, and postdocs is similarly large,” said Donovan. Preventing US-based academics from hiring them from overseas would be a serious blow, he said. “If it's the case that this administration intends to limit funding to labs staffed only with US citizens, the effect will be to cripple the American scientific enterprise,” said Chris Marcum, a former OSTP official. “To think that these researchers can simply be replaced is a pipe dream. The labs will close,” said Marcum. Go elsewhereAround half of US-trained postdocs are foreign-born, said Biggs. “If these top international students cannot get funding to do their research, or even if they hear that funding for foreign students has been greatly restricted and will be super competitive, they will no longer choose to study in the US and will go elsewhere.” It’s unclear for now if Kratsios’s comments will translate into a real policy shift. But they could add to turmoil in the US science system since Donald Trump took over as president one year ago. Since then, nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated, Naturereports. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. Both those agencies have also dished out around a quarter fewer grants this year than normal, the journal reported. International student enrolment is also down by 17%. The Trump administration also proposes to cut research budgets by around a third, although Congress may mollify the cuts.
Kimmel Says Comedy Is Political Lately Because Politics Are Comedic
“We didn’t come to them, they came to us,” the late night host said about news infiltrating comedy while discussing President Trump’s latest stab for Greenland.
Trump Calls Out Mark Carney in Davos Speech and Says Canada ‘Should Be Grateful’
“I watched your prime minister yesterday,” the president said in a speech on Wednesday. “He wasn’t so grateful — they should be grateful to us, Canada. Canada lives because of the United States.
iPhone 18 Rumored to Feature Much Brighter Display
Apple's iPhone 18 will feature a significantly brighter display, according to a Chinese leaker. In a new post on Weibo, the user known as "Instant Digital" said that Chinese supplier BOE has little hope of making panels for the iPhone 18 because Apple's brightness requirements for the next-generation device are unprecedentedly high. This suggests that the iPhone 18's display will see a considerable leap forward in terms of brightness.
Health Rounds: How obesity leads to uncontrolled inflammation discovered
Researchers say they have finally discovered the pathway by which obesity causes runaway inflammation that can lead to a host of health issues such as diabetes and liver disease.
Eric Cartman & Crew Cause Chaos in Rocket League
The gang has driven all the way from South Park, Colorado, to the arena. Complete Challenges in “Cartman’s Crash Out” to unlock Toppers based on the boys.
North Dakota must spend rural health funds wisely in face of long-term cuts
Rural health care delivery has been a challenge for North Dakota ever since the founding of the state. Because rural folks tend to be older, poorer, and sicker than those living in urban areas, the issues of health care access and availability are especially pressing. Over the years, there have been several initiatives and programs […]
Contributor: New food pyramid is a recipe for health disasters
The new guidelines spearheaded by RFK Jr. go so far as to promote beef tallow despite risks caused by saturated fats.
'Frank always one defeat away from a crisis'
Despite Tottenham's result on Tuesday - and credit to them because they pulled off a performance for their manager - if they lose to Burnley at the weekend then Thomas Frank is right back under the cosh. That will be the problem moving forward for the Spurs boss - he is always one defeat away from a crisis. And I think the Tottenham board is aware of that.
Opinion: What ‘Steal a Brainrot’ means for the future of youth entertainment
When you Google “Steal a Brainrot,” it’s hard to discern which sources are credible — largely because I’ve never played and have no barometer for what is accurate, but also because there are no peer-reviewed secondary sources on the game. There is no concrete documentation informing the mechanics of “Steal a Brainrot” besides “Brainrot Wiki”...
Take Action Against Cervical Cancer - Richmond City Health Department
In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage community members to take action against cervical cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human papilloma virus (HPV) causes more than nine […]
A common painkiller may be quietly changing cancer risk
Ibuprofen may be doing more than easing aches and pains—it could also help reduce the risk of some cancers. Studies have linked regular use to lower rates of endometrial and bowel cancer, likely because the drug dampens inflammation that fuels tumor growth. Researchers have even found it can interfere with genes cancer cells rely on to survive. Still, experts warn that long-term use carries risks and shouldn’t replace proven prevention strategies.
Parkview Health explains how to easily prevent cervical cancer
Dr. Brzezinska says that virtually anyone sexually active is at risk for getting an HPV infection. Though mostly seen on the cervix, HPV can cause other cancers as well, even for men.
Valerie Bertinelli says she was fired from diet spokesperson gig for gaining weight
Valerie Bertinelli says that she was fired from a diet spokesperson gig because she was gaining weight: 'I felt so horrified.'
Naomi Watts ignored this menopause symptom. It had a simple fix.
Naomi Watts ignored her dry eyes because she didn't know it was part of menopause. Now the actress is advocating for women to get a yearly eye exam.
Commentary: My travel nightmare made me realize that self-service culture is capitalism’s greatest con
The digital age has made us a DIY economy in which millions of jobs no longer exist not because computers do the work, but because the work has been shifted, via computers, directly onto the consumer.
Will the Supreme Court continue to protect the Federal Reserve from Donald Trump?
Last year, the court said the Fed is shielded from political manipulation because it is “uniquely structured” with a “distinct historical tradition.”
When science discourages correction: How publishers profit from mistakes
Academic publishing system often allows scientific errors to persist because it prioritises profit and prestige over timely correction.
Somali businesses struggle during the Minneapolis ICE crackdown
Business owners in a Minneapolis Somali mall report devastating losses because of the immigration crackdown.
Textbooks Were Wrong: Human Hair Doesn’t Grow the Way Scientists Thought
A new imaging study challenges long-standing ideas about how hair grows and could lead to new treatments for hair loss. Scientists have discovered that human hair does not emerge because it is pushed upward from the root. Instead, it is pulled along by forces generated by a previously unseen netw
Apple Intelligence Siri is over a year late, but that might be a good thing
Apple Intelligence-powered Siri is very late, to say the least. That’s largely been because Apple has struggled to keep up...
Science & Medicine: A mother's mission transforms care for Chromosome 18 disorders
Jannine Cody, PhD, founded and leads the Chromosome 18 Clinical Research Center, which has revolutionized the understanding of and care for disorders caused by alterations in chromosome 18 in humans. However, Cody began this mission as a mom with a baby with a chromosome 18 disorder who needed care.
These 5 health conditions cause the most deaths
Three out of four deaths worldwide are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and 80% of those deaths are caused by just five conditions. Heart disease is the biggest killer, followed by cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes. Not only do these conditions cause tens of millions of deaths a year, they also carry a staggering economic cost. The good news is they are largely avoidable. Five major risk factors significantly ramp up your chances of contracting an NCD, from air pollution to a poor diet, and 80% of NCDs could be prevented with the right interventions. A new paper from the World Economic Forum and the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR) sets out recommendations for policy-makers to help boost their NCD prevention efforts.
Microsoft Confirms Emergency Updates For Most Windows PCs
Windows users warned new security update causes multiple failures — fixes are now here.
How Trump turned a January 6 death into the politics of ‘protecting women’
In the wake of the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, President Donald Trump quickly took up the cause of a 35-year-old veteran named Ashli Babbitt.“Who killed Ashli Babbitt?” he asked in a one-sentence statement on July 1, 2021. “An innocent, wonderful, incredible woman, a military wom...
Health board admits fatal infections probably caused by water system
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde had consistently denied its water system was responsible for causing infections which led to the deaths of cancer patients.
Dangerous bacterial outbreak in Bay Area city sparks health alert
"People may delay seeking medical care because it doesn't feel serious at first."
This may be the grossest eye pic ever—but the cause is what’s truly horrifying
Hypervirulent germ nearly destroys man, invading brain and blowing out an eye.
Supreme Court will hear appeal by maker of popular Roundup weedkiller
Thousands of state lawsuits allege Bayer failed to warn people its popular weedkiller could cause cancer
Jennifer Lawrence says she lost part in Quentin Tarantino film because critics said she wasn't 'pretty enough'
Jennifer Lawrence says she lost a part in a buzzy Quentin Tarantino movie because trolls said she wasn't 'pretty enough' to play it: 'The internet just, like, went out of their way to call me ugly.'
Jennifer Lawrence says she lost out on Tarantino role because she wasn’t pretty enough
Jennifer Lawrence may have starred in box office smashes such as “The Hunger Games” and the “X-Men” franchise, but she has missed out on at least one major movie role — and this, she says, is down to her looks.
Controversial comment by Michael Rapaport erupts on 'The Traitors'
A controversial comment by Michael Rapaport erupts on 'The Traitors' as the actor appears to insinuate Colton Underwood is a good liar because he hid being gay.
Teasing Apart The Causes And Early Signs Of Parkinson’s
Some Parkinson’s patients may experience strange symptoms, like smell loss and sleep disorders, decades before diagnosis.
Science shows very different psychiatric disorders might have the same cause
A sweeping new study of psychiatric and genetic records has the potential to change treatment for millions of psychiatric patients.
Science shows very different psychiatric disorders might have the same cause
A sweeping new study of psychiatric and genetic records has the potential to change treatment for millions of psychiatric patients.
This engineering firm turned wires and poles into a $500M business: "The grid is transforming."
"When the grid was built and regulations were written, it was to manage power delivery to schools, homes, business and factories. It wasn't shipping solar power across four states. We can be essential because we understand the engineering, labor and capital needs for projects like that."
ChatGPT's AI Health-Care Push Has a Fatal Flaw
OpenAI and Anthropic have both announced big plans to enter healthcare, with a consumer-focused tool called ChatGPT Health and a version of the chatbot Claude that can help clinicians figure out a diagnosis and write medical notes. Notably absent from this flurry of announcements is Google. Its Gemini chatbot is one of the most popular and capable, so why not jump into the lucrative health market too? Perhaps because Google knows from experience that such an effort can backfire spectacularly.
Opinion | Fear is bad for business. Minnesota leaders can’t stay silent.
"When a 17-year-old U.S. citizen is reportedly removed from his job because of the color of his skin and a major employer offers no response, people notice," the authors write.
Are people avoiding iOS 26 because of Liquid Glass? It’s complicated.
Liquid Glass is controversial, but adoption rates aren't as low as they seem.
Elden Ring: Nightreign Patch 1.03.2 Buffs All the Worst Nightfarers
Elden Ring: Nightreign just got a big balance patch, and even if you're not someone who's great at parsing patch notes, you might want to tune into this one, because basically every character that's been widely regarded as terrible for months now got a big buff.
New Trump Funding Cuts to Cause ‘Catastrophic’ Effect on Mental Health Services Across Tennessee
President Trump terminates SAMSA grants, cutting $2 billion in federal funding for addiction, homelessness, and mental illness programs across the U.S.
NCAA President Baker issues statement regarding sports betting indictments in college athletics, calls on remaining states to ban risky bets
On Thursday, NCAA President Charlie Baker issued the following statement regarding sports betting indictments in college athletics. The NCAA runs one of the largest integrity monitoring programs in the world and has implored states to eliminate prop bets because of the integrity risks those bets pose. The Association also has no commercial partnership with any betting company of any kind.
Minnesota business owners feeling the effects of ICE enforcement actions
Immigrant-owned businesses across the state are closing or reducing their hours because staff members, even those who are in the U.S. legally, are worried about being profiled and detained by federal ICE and CBP agents.
Offside and VAR: Is Arsene Wenger's daylight idea the solution?
Is the offside law about to change to Arsene Wenger's daylight idea? And should football make that change just because of VAR?
Shop for small businesses shuts after low sales
The businesses' co-owner says it is because of a lack of sales and high overheads.
Drug use disorders a growing public health concern in the Americas, PAHO study finds
Washington, D.C., 14 January 2026 (PAHO) – Drug use disorders are a major and growing public health problem in the Americas. Drug use is among the top 10 risk factors contributing to all-cause mortality and disability in the Region, according to findings published in the Pan American Journal of Public Health.In 2021, an estimated 17.7 million people in the Americas were living with a drug use disorder, resulting in nearly 78,000 deaths directly attributable to these disorders, representing a mortality rate four times higher than the global average.
Scientists uncover a hidden type of diabetes in newborns
Researchers have discovered a rare new type of diabetes that affects babies early in life. The condition is caused by changes in a single gene that prevent insulin-producing cells from working properly. When these cells fail, blood sugar rises and diabetes develops, often alongside neurological problems. The findings help explain a long-standing medical mystery and deepen understanding of diabetes overall.
Scientists finally uncover why statins cause muscle pain
A new discovery may explain why so many people abandon cholesterol-lowering statins because of muscle pain and weakness. Researchers found that certain statins can latch onto a key muscle protein and trigger a tiny but harmful calcium leak inside muscle cells. That leak may weaken muscles directly or activate processes that slowly break them down, offering a long-sought explanation for statin-related aches.
Curbing Misalignment in American Politics
A broad range of views on democracy to help break the stalemate caused by partisan conflict.
What is black ice? The science behind the winter threat
Nearly invisible and deceptively thin, this ice is one of winter’s deadliest hazards. Here’s how it forms and why it causes thousands of accidents each year.
Nikki Glaser avoided political jokes while hosting Golden Globes because they’re ‘not funny’
Nikki Glaser explains why she avoided political jokes while hosting the Golden Globes, saying politics 'isn't funny' and describing the challenge of striking the right tone.
Lawmakers question Coast Guard official about tanker seizures, boat strikes
The “shadow fleet” of nearly 1,000 vessels poses environmental and safety risks because the boats are often poorly maintained, according to the International Maritime Organization
Classified legal memo argues Trump wasn’t constrained by US or international law for Maduro capture operation
A new classified legal opinion produced by the Justice Department argues that President Donald Trump was not limited by domestic law when approving the US operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro because of his constitutional authority as commander-in-chief and that he is not constrained by international law when it comes to carrying out law enforcement operations overseas, according to sources who have read the memo.
Despite concerns, Oakland Co. health says Legionella response adequate
Oakland County health and facilities officials argue their timeline for testing county facilities for bacteria that causes Legionnaires' Disease was adequate in response concerns from a commissioner who put them under the microscope at a Tuesday committee meeting.
What most caused Packers' playoff demise? Here's what readers said
We polled readers to find out what they primarily blamed for the Packers' early exit, and here's what they told us.
Hytale has officially opened its early access to hungry pixel MMO players today
As of 10 a.m. EST this morning, Hytale is officially back in business and playable for everyone who ponied up the early access fee, following a cancellation and comeback story that was a highlight of 2026. How many people are in there? We don’t know because the game’s early access isn’t on Steam – yet […]
France’s Stubborn Political Turmoil Looms over Brussels
Marine Le Pen’s appeal begins while budget tensions and farmer protests cause fresh headache for Macron.
Scientists Develop Spray-On Powder That Instantly Seals Life-Threatening Wounds
KAIST scientists have created a fast-acting, stable powder hemostat that stops bleeding in one second and could significantly improve survival in combat and emergency medicine. Severe blood loss remains the primary cause of death from combat injuries. To address this challenge, a research team at
macOS 26 windows are hard to resize because they aren't really rounded
One of the things I noticed after upgrading to macOS 26 was that I would sometimes fail when trying to...