News Bulletin

Health anxiety: how information can worsen symptoms

08

Jan

Science and Technology

The Downside of Information: Fueling Health Anxiety

Health anxiety—worrying excessively about having or developing a serious illness—is common at varying degrees. For many people the internet, social media, and symptom-checking apps are primary sources of health information. While accessible information can empower patients, it can also amplify and maintain anxiety. This article explains how and why information often makes health anxiety worse, illustrates with examples and data-based patterns, and offers practical strategies for individuals and clinicians.How are health anxiety and cyberchondria defined?Health anxiety ranges from occasional worry to persistent, distressing preoccupation that disrupts life. When internet use turns reassurance-seeking into a driver of anxiety, clinicians often use…

How to protect essential infrastructure from digital attacks

07

Jan

By Amelia Reed

International

Cyber Security for Essential Services: A Comprehensive Guide

Essential infrastructure—power grids, water treatment, transportation systems, healthcare networks, and telecommunications—underpins modern life. Digital attacks on these systems can disrupt services, endanger lives, and cause massive economic damage. Effective protection requires a mix of technical controls, governance, people, and public-private collaboration tailored to both IT and operational technology (OT) environments.Risk Environment and ConsequencesDigital threats to infrastructure include ransomware, destructive malware, supply chain compromise, insider misuse, and targeted intrusions against control systems. High-profile incidents illustrate the stakes:Colonial Pipeline (May 2021): A ransomware incident severely disrupted fuel distribution along the U.S. East Coast; reports indicate the company paid a $4.4 million ransom…

The US is taking control of Venezuela and targeting Greenland. The Dow could still hit 50,000

07

Jan

By Amelia Reed

International

Dow 50,000 Still Possible?

Despite political tensions and economic uncertainty, the US stock market continues to defy expectations, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average approaching record highs.Investors are navigating a complex landscape: international crises, domestic unrest, and mixed economic signals have created a climate where traditional market reactions seem upended. Yet, the Dow, which tracks 30 of America’s largest publicly traded companies, remains on a trajectory toward historic levels, leaving analysts and observers asking why the market appears resilient in the face of apparent instability.Political headlines versus economic realitiesRecent events have painted a turbulent picture. Internationally, Venezuela faces strikes and political unrest, while the…

San José, in Costa Rica: What makes service exports scalable beyond a single market

07

Jan

By Amelia Reed

Economy

Beyond a Single Market: San José, Costa Rica’s Service Export Strategy

San José functions as the economic and institutional heart of Costa Rica and a springboard for service exports that reach global markets. A combination of human capital, institutional stability, digital infrastructure, targeted incentives, and industry clustering creates an environment where services — from software and business process outsourcing to professional and creative services — can be packaged, delivered, and scaled to many markets beyond Costa Rica’s borders.Primary strategic strengths that drive scalable growthConcentrated talent and education pipeline. San José is home to the nation’s top universities and technical institutes, which consistently turn out professionals in engineering, computer science, business administration,…

‘Sell America’ returns to Wall Street after Trump ups the ante against Jerome Powell and the Fed

07

Jan

By Amelia Reed

Economy

“Sell America” Gains Traction on Wall Street as Trump Challenges Fed

Investors moved quickly after reports emerged of a criminal probe involving Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, stirring renewed worries about US financial stability.The disclosure prompted mild pullbacks in equities, fixed-income markets, and the dollar, underscoring anxiety about the Fed’s autonomy.US equity markets began the session in negative territory after reports surfaced that federal prosecutors were examining Powell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 159 points, or 0.32%, while the broader S&P 500 eased 0.14% and the tech-focused Nasdaq edged down 0.1%. The US dollar lost ground against major global currencies, with the dollar index slipping 0.35%, reflecting a cautious stance…

07

Jan

By Amelia Reed

Economy

Mexico: Managing Currency Fluctuations & Inflation in Long-Term Deals

Mexico offers deep trade and investment linkages with global partners and a diversified domestic market. That makes long-term contracts — infrastructure concessions, multi-year supply agreements, project finance loans, and energy offtake deals — commercially attractive. At the same time, such contracts are exposed to two related macro risks:Currency risk: fluctuations in the Mexican peso (MXN) versus major invoicing currencies (most commonly the US dollar) change the real value of payments and returns.Inflation risk: persistent changes in the general price level erode fixed-price revenue streams and increase local costs for labor, materials, utilities and taxes.The Bank of Mexico pursues keeping inflation…

07

Jan

By Amelia Reed

Culture and Entertainment

The World of Grunge: Exploring its Unique Aesthetic

The grunge style surfaced in the early 1990s as a distinctive aesthetic shaped heavily by the grunge music scene in Seattle, defined by its deliberately rough, unrefined appearance that challenges mainstream fashion conventions and reflects an anti-consumerist stance. This cultural force has left a lasting mark on fashion, music, and wider cultural trends, making it a fascinating area of exploration for anyone drawn to the connections between style and subculture.Origins of Grunge StyleThe roots of grunge style can be traced back to the Seattle music scene during the late 1980s. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden not only shaped…

Michael B. Jordan said watching ‘Sinners’ made him cry

07

Jan

By Amelia Reed

Culture and Entertainment

Michael B. Jordan’s Crying Moment with ‘Sinners’

Few performances demand as much emotional exposure as portraying two lives at once, and “Sinners” proved to be one of those rare projects where the impact extended far beyond the screen. For Michael B. Jordan, the film became an experience that stirred deep feelings, both while acting and later as a viewer, revealing how profoundly the story resonated with him.From the outside, “Sinners” can be read as another ambitious collaboration between Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler, a creative partnership that has already produced some of the most talked-about films of the past decade. Yet behind the polished final…

Toronto, in Canada: What makes a startup “venture-ready” for institutional capital

07

Jan

By Amelia Reed

Economy

Toronto Startups & Institutional Capital: Are You Venture-Ready?

Institutional capital refers to large, professional sources of funding such as venture capital firms with institutional limited partners, pension-plan-backed venture arms, late-stage growth funds, corporate venture groups and family offices that operate at scale. In Toronto’s market these investors include domestic VC firms (seed through growth), the VC arms of major pension funds and global funds that regularly co-invest. Institutional investors bring large checks, formal due diligence, governance expectations and performance targets that differ sharply from angel or seed investors.Why Toronto is significantToronto stands as Canada’s largest tech hub, supported by a dense pool of talent (University of Toronto, the…

Armenia: tech CSR advancing STEM education and opportunities for young talent

02

Jan

By Amelia Reed

Social Responsibility

Armenia’s Tech CSR: Advancing STEM Education for Youth

Armenia’s technology sector has become a cornerstone of national development, driven by a mix of private startups, multinational centers, diaspora investment, universities, and civil society. Corporate social responsibility in technology firms is increasingly focused on STEM education, workforce development, and regional inclusion. This article examines how tech CSR activities are shaping pathways into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for Armenian youth, with examples, outcomes, challenges, and recommendations for scaling impact.Why tech CSR matters for ArmeniaCorporate responsibility-driven investment in STEM helps address a range of national priorities:Economic diversification: By bolstering the ICT and advanced technology fields, the economy becomes less reliant…