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Top headlines
Lead story
As the war with Iran continues, the world is rallying together to slow surging oil prices. The latest effort is a coordinated move by 32 countries, including the U.S., to sell 412 million barrels of oil from their strategic petroleum reserves over the coming week.
Energy scholar Scott L. Montgomery explains why the U.S. created its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, how it works and where it is. And he discusses what effect this massive influx of oil might have on prices – and for how long.
He also sounds a note of warning about the world’s ability to cushion future oil shocks if the war drags on and oil prices stay elevated or climb even higher, noting that this would leave the U.S. and other countries in a “highly vulnerable position.”
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Jeff Inglis
Environment + Energy Editor
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The world is about to open up reserve oil supplies.
Photo illustration by PashaIgnatov/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Scott L. Montgomery, University of Washington
Nations’ stores of petroleum can dampen price shocks in the short term, but as reserve supplies dwindle, economic pain may continue.
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Environment + Energy
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Zeb Hogan, University of Nevada, Reno
A new study finds 325 species in urgent need of help, including some of the world’s most iconic freshwater giants.
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Politics + Society
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Anne P. DePrince, University of Denver
A researcher answers the question many asked when they heard charges of abuse and rape against civil rights icon Cesar Chavez: Why didn’t the women speak earlier about the events from decades ago?
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Gregory F. Treverton, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The national intelligence community has seemingly been sidelined from Trump’s Iran war decisions – a far cry from previous administrations, writes a former National Security Council member.
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Valerie M. Fridland, University of Nevada, Reno
Both President Trump and Vice President Vance pronounce Iran as ‘Ih-RAN,’ not ‘Ih-RON.’ A linguist says that how the country’s name is pronounced may be a political choice.
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Health + Medicine
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Jenna Vinson, UMass Lowell
Finding ways to communicate effectively with men about vasectomies is key to persuading them to have the procedure.
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Science + Technology
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Alejandro Hortal-Sánchez, Wake Forest University; University of North Carolina – Greensboro
People use cognitive shortcuts to make choices that sometimes have outcomes that don’t serve their own interests or preferences. But to call these choices irrational might be missing the big picture.
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Adeel Khalid, Kennesaw State University
Drones with the right sensors and AI analyzing the data could quickly find a person lost or stranded in the wilderness, crucial to keeping them alive.
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John Ballato, Clemson University
Fiber optics allow you to search the internet, text your friends and check your social media feeds. They also have geological, security and manufacturing applications.
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Ethics + Religion
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Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, Penn State
Swasthani holds a central place in Nepali culture. Its female characters uphold ideals of faithful wifehood – seen by some as patriarchal and by others as a source of strength.
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Economy + Business
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Ann Juliano, Villanova University
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Philadelphia will require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to workers suffering from symptoms of hormonal cycles and changes.
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International
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Stephen Onyeiwu, Allegheny College; Ibrahima Thiam, Université Iba Der Thiam de Thiès; Rod Crompton, University of the Witwatersrand; Tsegay Tekleselassie, Wellesley College; XN Iraki, University of Nairobi
The universal fear is the effect the rise in prices is having on fuel, a staple commodity in every one of the countries for ordinary people as well as industries.
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