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Grammy Winner Estelle, Macro’s Stacey Walker King and More Land on Black Women in Entertainment Honors List
The inaugural event celebrates and recognizes the impact of leadership and cultural influence of Black women in the entertainment industry.
The McCarthy Revivalists
Conservative influencers are pushing for a return to the dark days of 1950s inquisitions.
Iran’s network of influence in the UK
Calls for government to clamp down on British charities accused of promoting Iranian ideology and interests
Analysis | Since when do senators anoint their successors?
The Washington Post’s essential guide to power and influence in D.C.
Is CVS Health (CVS) Still Attractive After A 27% One Year Share Price Gain
Some investors may be asking whether CVS Health offers good value at around its recent price, or whether much of the potential upside in the stock has already been realized. Over the past year, CVS Health has recorded a 26.8% return, with shorter term moves of 5.7% over 7 days and 6.8% over 30 days. These changes may have influenced how investors view its risk and reward profile. Recent coverage around CVS Health has focused on the company as a large, integrated healthcare player, with...
On the French Riviera, a Sarkozy heir seeks to chart his own political path
In a French Riviera town nestled between the mountains, the Mediterranean and the Italian border, a disgraced former president's son is hoping to launch his political career with a new, untested brand of conservatism flecked with U.S. influence.
Does Drinking Hot Water Have Any Health Benefits?
Influencers say that consuming hot water before breakfast can help with digestion, bloating and more. Experts explain whether that’s true.
Science of Fitting In: Do Best Friends or Popular Peers Shape Teen Behavior?
As kids enter adolescence, peer influence splits in two—often in ways adults miss. Following 543 middle schoolers for one semester, researchers found that best friends shape teens’ inner lives, from emotional struggles to academic challenges, while popular peers influence public, status-driven behaviors like social media use and weight concerns.
Science of fitting in: Do best friends or popular peers shape teen behavior?
As kids enter adolescence, peer influence splits in two—often in ways adults miss. Following 543 middle schoolers for one semester, researchers found that best friends shape teens’ inner lives, from emotional struggles to academic challenges, while popular peers influence public, status-driven behaviors like social media use and weight concerns. Far from being easily swayed, adolescents navigate peer influence strategically—an insight frequently overlooked by parents and educators.
A Sports Frenzy for the Most Valuable Influencers
To reach young audiences raised on social media, leagues are giving content creators access to marquee moments.
A major climate hope in Antarctica just melted away
A popular climate theory suggested that melting Antarctic glaciers would release iron into the ocean, sparking algae blooms that pull carbon dioxide from the air. New field data from West Antarctica reveal that meltwater provides far less iron than scientists once believed. Instead, most of the iron comes from deep ocean water and sediments, not from the melting ice itself. The discovery raises new questions about how Antarctica influences climate change.
"Metropolis": the future on film
"Metropolis" (1927) shaped modern sci fi: futuristic cities, AI fears, class struggle. We explore the film’s influence and why it still shapes visions of the future today.
Scientists discover microbe that breaks a fundamental rule of the genetic code
Scientists at UC Berkeley have discovered a microbe that bends one of biology’s most sacred rules. Instead of treating a specific three-letter DNA code as a clear “stop” signal, this methane-producing archaeon sometimes reads it as a green light—adding an unusual amino acid and continuing to build the protein. The result is a kind of genetic coin flip: two different proteins can emerge from the same code, influenced partly by environmental conditions.
Ballerina Farm’s Hannah Neelman is having her ninth baby. For mom influencers like her, every family milestone is a business opportunity.
In an ad for protein powder, Hannah Neelman, the mega-mom influencer behind @ballerinafarm which boasts 10.3 million followers on Instagram alone, announced she is pregnant with her ninth child with h...
Home Entertainment Guide February 2026: "Predator: Badlands," "Song Song Blue," "A Little Prayer," More
The newest stuff on physical media, including Criterion releases of "3:10 to Yuma," "A Woman Under the Influence," and "The Man Who Wasn't There".
Hillary Clinton deposition paused over leaked photo
Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert sent a photo of the closed-door proceeding to a conservative influencer.
Hawks to collaborate with Atlanta institution for 'Magic City Monday' on March 16
The Hawks will partner with Magic City for "Magic City Monday" on March 16 when the Hawks host the Orlando Magic to celebrate the club's influence on local culture.
Hone Health Launches "Death To Midlife," Challenging the Language of Aging
Following a full-page open letter ad in the February 22, 2026 Sunday edition of The New York Times calling for the symbolic death of the word "midlife," Hone Health, the leader in longevity intelligence and personalized care, unveils a bold national campaign today: "Death To Midlife." Both an immersive pop-up experience and a cultural statement, the campaign includes a national digital "bury a word" activation on Hone's website, celebrity and influencer social activation, and a public installati
Trump's pick to lead new Justice Department unit scrutinized as president declares 'war on fraud'
President Donald Trump's pick to lead a new Justice Department division dedicated to rooting out fraud said Wednesday he would pursue prosecutions “without fear or favor" as questions grow about how the new unit will operate free of political influence.
Meet the influencer Trump wants in charge of U.S. health
Wellness influencer Dr. Casey Means — a Stanford-trained physician and co-founder of Levels — is President Trump’s nominee for U.S. surgeon general.
WATCH: Surgeon General nominee Means says health problems reflect nation with a 'broken heart,' 'society losing its mind'
Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer allied with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., says she wants to address the root causes of chronic disease if chosen as the nation’s doctor.
Casey Means faces the Senate health committee in a confirmation hearing to be U.S. surgeon general
NEW YORK — Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer, author and entrepreneur aligned with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make...
Platform Science Unveils Landmark Driver Experience Report on Pay, Technology, and Retention
SAN DIEGO, February 25, 2026--Platform Science, the leading connected vehicle platform, today released its inaugural Driver Experience Report, a nationwide survey of more than 1,100 commercial drivers on factors like pay and technology that most influence their job satisfaction. The report provides data-driven insights into truckers’ perspectives on topics like communication, compensation, safety, and long-term retention, establishing what Platform Science believes are the industry’s first bench
Casey Means faces the Senate health committee in a confirmation hearing to be US surgeon general
NEW YORK (AP) — Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer, author and entrepreneur aligned with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again movement, will appear before the…
Casey Means faces confirmation hearing to be US surgeon general
Wellness influencer and entrepreneur Dr. Casey Means is set to appear before the Senate health committee as she seeks approval to be U.S. surgeon general.
Casey Means, Critic of Mainstream Medicine, May Become Nation’s Top Doctor
Dr. Means, a wellness influencer and President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, will appear before a Senate committee Wednesday.
Trump surgeon general pick Dr. Casey Means to appear in Senate hearing
Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer and close ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been tapped for the role of the nation’s doctor.
How does politics influence interpretive signs at National Park Service sites?
The Trump administration recently ordered the National Park Service to remove interpretive signs that discuss slavery at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, following an executive order issued last year stating that public monuments should not “inappropriately disparage Americans” and instead “focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people.” A […]
This is Trump 2.0, bro. What do you bench?
Their policies divide the country, but on social media the president’s men are crushing it as influencers, bro.
This Entrepreneur Spends Her Days Dreaming Up Decadent Cookie Recipes. How A Frightening Diagnosis Sparked Her Million-Dollar Business.
After experiencing mysterious symptoms while running and facing a scary prognosis, Addison LaBonte overhauled her diet and lifestyle and started a new career, as an influencer and baker at Sweet Addison's. She's one of many entrepreneurs building thriving niches in the creator economy.
New research suggests some cases of autism could be preventable
Studies say avoiding environmental exposures, especially pre-conception, may help. Influencers are branding the idea “trimester zero,” but the science is in early stages.
New research suggests some cases of autism could be preventable
Studies say avoiding environmental exposures, especially pre-conception, may help. Influencers are branding the idea “trimester zero,” but the science is in early stages.
Influencers are promoting peptides for better health. What's the science say?
The latest wellness craze involves injecting these molecules for athletic performance, longevity and more. Scientists say the research isn't keeping pace with the health claims.
Influencers are promoting peptides for better health. What's the science say?
The latest wellness craze involves injecting these molecules for athletic performance, longevity and more. Scientists say the research isn't keeping pace with the health claims.
Influencers are promoting peptides for better health. What's the science say?
The latest wellness craze involves injecting these molecules for athletic performance, longevity and more. Scientists say the research isn't keeping pace with the health claims.
Bhattacharya’s growing power in Trump’s HHS worries health experts
Public health experts and former federal staffers are uneasy over National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya’s rising influence over U.S. health policy as he temporarily takes on…
‘GRWM’ to meet the governor: How Mass. politicians are turning to friendly influencers to spread their messages
Massachusetts politicians are increasingly embracing online creators to expand their reach beyond traditional press, including offering them one-on-one interviews or inviting them to events.
Livvy Dunne spills her wellness secrets — from SPF to a sports bra...
You know her as an athlete, model and influencer. Now, you know the routine behind all of it, too.
Pauline Hanson is already distorting policy and politics on immigration. It’s threatening to take us down a dark road
Labor is cutting immigration, and the Coalition is talking about ‘good and bad’ migrants, as One Nation’s rise influences the debate
Analysis | Congress out while DHS stays closed
The Washington Post’s essential guide to power and influence in D.C. It’s been a very quiet partial government shutdown.
Health Influencer’s Husband Lost 50 Lbs. in Under 4 Months. When They Discovered the Cause, They Had to Leave Home (Exclusive)
Hannah Holt, 25, and her husband, Chase, 26, lived in a house infested with toxic black mold for several months before finally realizing what was happening. The health influencer experienced respiratory issues and brain fog while her spouse suffered through extreme gastrointestinal symptoms.
Democrats recruit popular content creators in new strategy to win back Latino voters
Democrats are playing catch-up in having online influencers and content creators promote their candidates and priorities
Five Berkeley Lab Scientists Receive DOE Early Career Research Awards
Five scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have received Early Career Research Program (ECRP) awards from the Department of Energy. The ECRP program, now in its 16th year, was established to bolster the nation’s scientific workforce by supporting exceptional researchers at the outset of their careers, when many scientists do their most formative work. Recipients use the funding to pursue projects that have the potential to solve scientific challenges and advance the country’s STEM capabilities. To be eligible for the program, a researcher must be an untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professor at a U.S. academic institution, or a full-time employee at a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility, who is within 10 years of having earned their doctorate. Awards to an institution of higher education will be approximately $875,000 over five years, and awards to a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility will be approximately $2,750,000 over five years. This year’s Berkeley Lab awardees and their projects are listed below: Timon Heim: Better detectors for more powerful particle colliders Timon Heim is a staff scientist in the Physics Division. His ECRP project will develop a new type of detector that can track the particles generated by collisions in particle colliders with high spatial and temporal resolution. Current detectors in use at high-energy colliders, like the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, can track the trajectory and measure momentum of particles, but they can’t track a particle’s time of arrival with sufficient precision to discern from which of the many particle interactions they originate. Heim’s proposed technology — called a 4D tracking detector, because it captures data about particles’ positions in space and time — aims to solve this challenge, allowing researchers to glean more precise data from collision experiments to uncover new insights into fundamental forces and potentially discover new particles. The enhanced capabilities of 4D detectors will be a necessity for experiments at future colliders, such as the Muon Collider or Future Circular Collider. The project will develop custom microelectronics that process the signal of a pixelated silicon sensor that can register charged particles passing through it in an extreme radiation environment that these colliders produce during operation. The goal is to measure individual particles’ position with 50-micro-meter spatial and 50 pico-second (one trillionth of a second) temporal precision, for an incoming flux of around 1 billion particles per second per square centimeter. Harrison Lisabeth: Studying underground processes to unleash abundant energy Harrison Lisabeth is a research scientist in the Energy Geoscience Division focused on combining real-world experiments and AI to guide development of geothermal energy systems. His project will explore how deep underground rock formations – where geothermal wells are dug – are stressed by chemical reactions of the minerals and mechanical strain from movements in the Earth. A better understanding of subsurface stresses is essential to engineer safe and reliable geothermal wells that access the heat of deep rocks to produce electricity. It is estimated that the U.S. could generate ten times the amount of energy needed to power the grid using geothermal sources. Lisabeth plans to simulate how minerals grow, dissolve, and influence the behavior of surrounding rock in geothermal reservoirs by tracking chemical changes in rock samples under pressure in the lab. The project will also develop machine learning models to predict geologic strain based on field measurements and refine existing models that describe how common rock types deform under stress. Combining these approaches, Lisabeth hopes to develop a framework to predict stress to improve stability and longevity of geothermal wells. Daniel Carney: Pushing the quantum boundaries of particle measurement Daniel Carney is a staff scientist in the Physics Division who uses quantum information science to study particle physics and gravity. At very small scales, “quantum noise” — random fluctuations from the act of measurement — can drown out faint signals from rare processes. Carney’s ECRP project, “Fundamental Physics at the Quantum Limits of Measurement,” aims to build a new mechanical quantum sensor that can measure extremely small particle interactions below the limits of that quantum noise. The approach uses lasers to hold a tiny bead containing radioactive atoms; when one decays, the system measures the bead’s motion and the energy of any particles emitted. The experiment’s initial goal is to search for heavy sterile neutrinos, hypothetical particles predicted by some extensions of the Standard Model. The system could also help measure the mass of the neutrino, study the way particles interact through the electromagnetic and weak forces, and hunt for low-mass dark matter — all unsolved mysteries in particle physics. Callum Wilkinson: Using machine learning to demystify neutrinos Callum Wilkinson is a staff scientist in the Physics Division and part of the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. DUNE will create an intense beam of neutrinos that interact in detectors in Illinois and, after an 800-mile journey through the earth, in massive detectors in South Dakota. By precisely measuring neutrinos and how they change, researchers will get a better understanding of their fundamental properties and whether they are responsible for why there is so much more matter than antimatter in our universe. Wilkinson’s ECRP project will apply two machine learning techniques to improve the analysis of DUNE’s data and enhance the experiment’s precision. One approach will look for hidden patterns in how neutrinos interact and produce low-energy particles, while the other will help correct for distortions in what the detectors record. The methods will be tested on one of DUNE’s prototype detectors and could be used in other neutrino experiments, improving their measurements and helping scientists build better models. Aditi Krishnapriyan: Machine learning methods that scale as datasets grow Aditi Krishnapriyan is a faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Applied Mathematics and Computational Research Division (AMCR) and assistant professor at UC Berkeley. Her project, awarded through UC Berkeley, will develop machine learning methods that scale with dataset size for modeling complex, multi-scale phenomena. The resulting tools can be applied in a wide range of research, including the study of new electrolytes for batteries or the examination of molecular interactions. ### Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
Episode 51: We Are in the Pain Cave of Politics
Carrie, Amy and Matthew join the Roundtable this week. First, Amy takes a look at Trump's sagging approval ratings among white working-class voters and what that could mean for the midterms. Then, Matthew gives a primer on this year’s races for secretary of state and other election offices that will wield significant influence over how the 2028 and 2030 cycles are administered.And finally, the team discusses which winter Olympic sport they would want to compete in and who would like to experience what it means to be "in the pain cave."
Luke Combs-inspired entertainment spot coming to Orlando. Here’s where
According to a news release, the Orlando location will span approximately 33,000 square feet across three stories, offering guests a dynamic experience influenced by Combs’ music and passions.
Dolphin Entertainment Looks to Expand Online Capital Raising for Creators and Influencers Through Partnership With DealMaker
Dolphin Entertainment has teamed with online capital raising platform DealMaker to rev up financing for celebrity-led consumer and lifestyle brands.
Two legendary rock groups are coming to central Pa. for a concert
A double act of classic rock is coming to Hershey, with one group known for their roots inspiration and the other for their Latin rock influence.
General Mills Wants to Win Health-Conscious Shoppers; Cut in Outlook Slams Stock
General Mills is getting aboard the GLP-1 train as the company navigates shaky consumer sentiment. Chief Executive Jeff Harmening told investors Tuesday that the weight-loss drugs will have a lasting influence on the business of food, nudging some consumers toward smaller portions, and more nutrien
Should we really all be taking magnesium supplements?
Testimonials about the beneficial health effects of magnesium supplements abound online, with influencers claiming that a daily pill can help with everything from anxiety to sleep and brain fog. But do any of these claims stack up?
Nabarun Dasgupta honored with TIME100 Health and Dogwood awards - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
February 16, 2026 The awards recognize the innovation fellow and senior scientist’s public health influence and commitment to helping North Carolina communities.
Rumored Galaxy S26 Ultra feature is so genius that Apple has decided to copy it
The phone's privacy display tech has reportedly influenced Apple's product strategy.
BrandMag.net Publishes Strategic Analysis Comparing Monday.com and Trello for Growing Enterprises
BrandMag.net released a strategic comparison of Monday.com and Trello, examining how project management platforms influence scalability, workflo...
California’s billionaires pour cash into elections as big tech seeks new allies
As Gavin Newsom departs, ultra-wealthy flex wealth and influence to fight regulation and keep the boom going
MIO: Memories in Orbit Evolves From Infuriating to Ingenious
MIO: Memories in Orbit is influenced by the platforming challenges of Hollow Knight.
Analysis: What will Epstein accountability look like?
There’s no shortage of outrage at Jeffrey Epstein and those who were in his web of power and influence.
Politics is now driving the dollar
The normal order of what influences the world’s most important reserve currency is breaking down
Nabarun Dasgupta honored with TIME100 Health and Dogwood Awards
The awards recognize the innovation fellow and senior scientist’s public health influence and commitment to helping North Carolina communities.
Labour factions vie for influence over Starmer’s reset after McSweeney exit
Groups sensing chance to redefine party’s direction push for progressive pivot, cabinet reshuffle and new economic tack
How China uses religion for political influence in Taiwan
As China tries to advance its territorial claims over Taiwan, it seems to be using religion to vie for political influence on the island. DW's Rik Glauert reports.
‘Zero trimester’ influencers believe a healthy pregnancy is a choice
Is prepping during the preconception period the answer for hopeful couples?
GALLERY: Savannah Downtown Business Association hosts luncehon
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — The Savannah Downtown Business Association hosted The Business of Influence Luncheon Wednesday. Check out the photos from the event!
6 years after political comeback, Biden faces cold shoulder from fellow Democrats
Biden's political influence wanes as Democratic candidates distance themselves from the former president ahead of 2024 races, marking a stark shift.
Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan launches dark-money group to influence California politics
The Y Combinator CEO announced "Garry's List," a new big-money group spending and operating in races across the state.
Ocasio-Cortez’s political clout grows after recent progressive wins
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is seeing her political influence grow among Democrats as chatter builds about her future. Ocasio-Cortez had her latest win over the last week when her endors…
Scientists Propose Surprising Link Between Space Weather and Earthquakes
A new theoretical study explores how activity high above Earth could subtly influence processes deep within the planet’s crust. Researchers at Kyoto University are advancing a new idea about how space weather might intersect with earthquake physics. Their model asks whether changes in the ionosph
India Digital Ad Spend Business Report 2026: A $20.46 Billion Market by 2029 - Google and Meta Retain Budget Share, ShareChat, Dailyhunt, and InMobi Scale Through Regional Content
Key market opportunities in India's digital ad market include regional content targeting non-metro audiences, growth in influencer-led social commerce, increased CTV investments, and advancing adtech for AI and compliance. Retail media is emerging as a vital channel, with strategic partnerships enhancing ecosystem expansion. Indian Digital Ad Spend Market Indian Digital Ad Spend Market Dublin, Feb. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "India Digital Ad Spend Market Size & Forecast by Spend Value Acr
Analysis: How polls show Republicans shifted away from caring so much about Jeffrey Epstein
For years, conservative influencers and Republican politicians kept the flame lit when it came to pushing for more information about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.
Sports leagues race to capture Gen Z and Gen Alpha with AI, influencers and Italian brainrot
CHICAGO (AP) — Trevor McOmber and his 14-year-old son, Tye, share a love for the Chicago Blackhawks. When Trevor was his son's age, he watched the Blackhawks on TV, caught highlights on ESPN and read about the team in the newspaper.
‘A free limo is hard to turn away’: how car diplomacy turbo charges politics in the Pacific
A luxury Chinese sedan gifted to Fiji is the latest in a string of vehicles donated by foreign countries to deepen partnerships and seek influence in the region
Sports leagues race to capture Gen Z and Gen Alpha with AI, influencers and Italian brainrot
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are creating new challenges and opportunities for sports leagues and teams courting their fandom
A simple discovery is shaking the foundations of spintronics
A long-standing mystery in spintronics has just been shaken up. A strange electrical effect called unusual magnetoresistance shows up almost everywhere scientists look—even in systems where the leading explanation, spin Hall magnetoresistance, shouldn’t work at all. Now, new experiments reveal a far simpler origin: the way electrons scatter at material interfaces under the combined influence of magnetization and an electric field.
Foreign billionaires funnel $2.6B to US advocacy groups to influence policy, watchdog report claims
A new report from a watchdog says six international groups routed more than $2.65 billion into U.S. politics through nonprofit grants, a loophole the group argues needs to be fixed.
New research reveals humans could have as many as 33 senses
We don’t experience the world through neat, separate senses—everything blends together. Smell, touch, sound, sight, and balance constantly influence one another, shaping how food tastes, objects feel, and even how heavy our bodies seem. Scientists now believe humans may have more than 20 distinct senses working at once. Everyday illusions and experiences reveal just how surprisingly complex perception really is.
How Jeffrey Epstein sought to help Steve Bannon build a global populist movement
Jeffrey Epstein’s life as a free man was about to end, but first he needed to cancel breakfast plans with a close friend: Steve Bannon, the right-wing influencer and former adviser to President Donald Trump.
How Epstein and Bannon tried to reshape EU politics, hated Merkel
The Epstein files show not only how he abused women and girls while mixing with powerful people, but also how he tried to influence politics in Europe.
Holiday ornaments led Jody Pritzl to the people, politics of postage
In "The December Dilemma," she explores how power and influence play out in the seemingly straightforward creation of Christmas stamps.
Opinion | Peter Attia, the Epstein Files and the Lie Propping Up Big Wellness
Health influencers sell themselves as iconoclasts, but many have cozy, uncritical relationships with the rich and powerful.
What watching the Super Bowl does to your health
Watching sporting events like the Super Bowl can influence our brains and bodies—and not always in a good way
States’ mistrust of Trump’s fraud crusade could hinder fight against foreign influence in elections, federal officials fear
State and local election administrators’ growing suspicion of the Trump administration’s motives has triggered concerns among some federal officials that distrust of even routine moves by the FBI could hinder cooperation with states and give an opening for US adversaries trying to influence elections.
Epstein files shed more light on Steve Bannon’s efforts to influence European politics
Donald Trump’s former adviser told Epstein in 2019 that he was ‘focused on raising money for Le Pen and Salvini’ before European elections
Evolution of Bill and Hillary Clinton's influence in politics amid Epstein files probe
New US Army software predicts ammo, supply needs, enemy actions
NGC2 analyzes supply and maintenance needs, getting fixes to soldiers faster. The software also simulates how enemy attacks could influence logistics.
Scientists discover hidden deep-Earth structures shaping the magnetic field
Deep inside Earth, two massive hot rock structures have been quietly shaping the planet’s magnetic field for millions of years. Using ancient magnetic records and advanced simulations, scientists discovered that these formations influence the movement of liquid iron in Earth’s core. Some parts of the magnetic field remained stable over vast stretches of time, while others changed dramatically.
ESPN hiring sports gossip influencer Lily Shimbashi to mold...
ESPN is adding Lily Shimbashi, the founder of Sportsish, as to its creator sector.
Can Health Guru Dr. Attia ‘Outlive’ His Epstein Friendship?
The popular wellness influencer was cut from his C-suite seat at a protein-bar company and could be out at CBS News.
Longevity doctor Peter Attia faces backlash over comments in Epstein files
Attia, a well-known author and influencer in the longevity space, issued an apology Monday.
Judiciary Committee advances efforts to limit foreign influence by Cuba, China on Florida governments
Legislation would increase disclosure requires for those advocating for countries of concern and restricting the awarding of contracts.
Perspectives on Politics: Gendered Perceptions of Legislative Influence -
Gendered Perceptions of Legislative Influence By Jaclyn Kaslovsky, Washington University, Tabitha Koch, Rice University, and Michael P. Olson, Washington University Women legislators face a variety of gendered barriers both outside and inside the legislature. Yet, [...]
Bad Bunny and Super Bowl LX: How sports culture influences his musical playbook
Bad Bunny reveals his passion for sports in his lyrics, in which he mentions legends from MLB, the NBA, NFL and soccer.
Do scientists follow the data
Personal feelings about immigration subtly influenced how 71 teams of academics analysed the same figures in a study
Scientists’ political views change how they interpret identical data
Personal feelings about immigration subtly influenced how 71 teams of academics analysed the same figures in a study
Todd Monken Continues Ravens Pipeline With Ian Kolste Hire
Former Ravens offensive analyst Ian Kolste is joining Todd Monken’s Browns staff, continuing Cleveland’s Ravens-influenced approach.
Scott Galloway urges Big Tech boycott to influence Trump ICE policies
Small businesses struggled to observe the national shutdown to protest ICE. Here's why a boycott of companies like OpenAI and Amazon could be easier and more effective.
Electric fields flip the rules of water chemistry
nside electrochemical devices, strong electric fields dramatically alter how water molecules behave. New research shows that these fields speed up water dissociation not by lowering energy costs, but by increasing molecular disorder once ions form. The reaction becomes entropy-driven—exactly the opposite of what happens in ordinary water. The findings also reveal that intense fields can push water from neutral to highly acidic, with major implications for hydrogen production.
Night owl or early bird: Chronotype can influence your health and muscle strength
Being more active in the morning or afternoon is not just a matter of personal preference. Chronotype, which is each person's biological tendency to function better at certain times of the day, can play ...
Commentary: Farewell to Peter Duesberg, a godfather of scientific disinformation
Peter Duesberg squandered his scientific reputation by advancing a debunked theory about AIDS, but his influence on anti-vaccine activists lives on.
How your health is being commodified by social media
From heath tech developers to influencers, our health is being monetised – and we need to be aware of what's going on, says Deborah Cohen
New Doc by Former Colleagues Explores Asian Americans' Growing Political Leadership
Two Asian American professors with ties to York College have collaborated on a timely and engaging new documentary examining the growing political influence of Asian Americans.
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
Trump warns Iraq against returning former PM al-Maliki to power amid worries about Iran influence
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