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This study examines portrayals of marine mammal celebrities (MMCs) in popular culture over the past 70 years, reflecting evolving public attitudes toward ocean conservation. It identifies four main types of MMCs, each linked to a specific era and shaped by changes in media landscapes, perceptions of marine mammal agency and welfare, and conservation priorities: (1) Hollywood MMCs (ca. 1960–1990s)—wild animals captured and exhibited in aquaria, cast as celebrities based on their roles in traditional mass media (blockbuster movies); (2) MMCs in human care (ca. 1990s–2010s)—animals housed in aquaria whose fame stemmed from public concern about their welfare and calls for their release; (3) rescued MMCs (ca. 1980s–present)—marine mammals cared for by humans after they were injured in the ocean; and (4) endangered and dangerous MMCs (2010s–present)—wild animals that approach humans, demonstrate human‐like behaviours, or interact with boats. Introducing the method of “following the animal,” the article provides examples of celebrity animals that illustrate each of the four categories, such as the dolphin Flipper and the walrus Freya. The study contributes to the thematic issue on "Ocean Pop: Marine Imaginaries in the Age of Global Polycrisis" by highlighting the mutual influence of media, animal celebrity, and conservation, and urges further research into how shifting representations shape global engagement with marine life and the environment.

ENTWURF EINER EMPFEHLUNG zu dem Entwurf eines Beschlusses des Rates über den Abschluss – im Namen der Europäischen Union – des Erweiterten Abkommens über Partnerschaft und Zusammenarbeit zwischen der Europäischen Union einerseits und der Republik Usbekistan andererseits
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Ilhan Kyuchyuk

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

L’opérateur public des télécommunications ouvre un nouveau chapitre de sa gouvernance. Ce lundi 26 janvier, Algérie Télécom a officiellement installé son nouveau président-directeur général, lors […]

L’article Algérie Télécom change de PDG : le ministre Zerrouki installe le nouveau dirigeant est apparu en premier sur .

ENTWURF EINES BERICHTS über die Empfehlung des Europäischen Parlaments an den Rat, die Kommission und die Vizepräsidentin der Kommission und Hohe Vertreterin der Union für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik zur 81. Tagung der Generalversammlung der Vereinten Nationen
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Andrey Kovatchev

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Une fuite révèle pour la première fois l'ampleur de l'utilisation abusive d'Interpol par la Russie pour demander l'arrestation de détracteurs.

ENTWURF EINES BERICHTS mit einem nichtlegislativen Entschließungsantrag zu dem Entwurf eines Beschlusses des Rates über den Abschluss, im Namen der Europäischen Union, des Abkommens über eine verstärkte Partnerschaft und Zusammenarbeit zwischen der Europäischen Union und ihren Mitgliedstaaten einerseits und der Republik Usbekistan andererseits
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Ilhan Kyuchyuk

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Thoughtful policy changes can help ensure spending pressures remain contained, while creating space to care for elderly people and respond to economic shocks.

By Rahul Anand and Hoda Selim
WASHINGTON DC, Jan 27 2026 (IPS)

Korea’s population is aging faster than almost any other country. That’s because people live longer than in most other countries, while the birth rate is one of the lowest in the world.

About one-fifth of the population is 65 and older, more than triple the share in the 1990s. This matters because older people tend to consume less, which can have wide-ranging economic effects, especially as the pace of population aging accelerates and birth rates do not improve, eventually leading to population decline.

We estimate that every 1 percent decline in Korea’s population will reduce real consumption by 1.6 percent.

Korea has ample room to meet its current spending needs and respond to unforeseen shocks, with central government debt below 50 percent of gross domestic product. However, age-related government spending pressures are likely to rise significantly in coming years. That would substantially reduce fiscal space unless policymakers implement reforms.

We estimate spending on pensions, health care, and long-term care will rise by 30 to 35 percent of GDP by 2050 depending on alternative estimates for long-term spending by different institutions. However, under our baseline scenario—which includes lower potential economic growth due to aging and no measures to offset this, the debt ratio could reach 90 to 130 percent by 2050 depending on the spending estimate used, increasing risks to long-term debt sustainability.

Structural reforms that maintain potential growth—such as those from AI adoption, greater labor force participation and more efficient resource allocation—would create more fiscal room for Korea to support elderly individuals.

However, given high risks and uncertainty around the growth impact of reforms, even with these reforms, debt could still exceed 100 percent of GDP.

In addition to structural reforms, we also recommend fiscal reforms to help create more room in the budget to meet higher spending without putting pressure on public finances.

Greater efficiency

Raising additional revenue will be particularly helpful. In addition to recent changes, such as reversing some corporate tax cuts, policymakers could reconsider existing personal and corporate tax exemptions and simplify them where appropriate.

Reviewing and adjusting certain exemptions for value-added taxes, which have increased, could also help. Similarly, reducing inefficient spending, including streamlining of support for local governments and small- and medium-sized enterprises, could help create space.

Over the long term, making government spending more efficient will help boost the economy’s productive capacity.

To reduce the long-term spending pressures, furthering pension reform remains important. Parliament recently strengthened the finances of the National Pension Service, raising contribution rates to delay future losses. Additional reforms should aim to keep the system sustainable while ensuring fair and adequate benefits.

Finally, adopting a clear and credible quantitative fiscal limit to guide policies to reach fiscal objectives, supported by a stronger medium-term fiscal framework, would help keep government finances stable over the long term while still allowing fiscal policy to respond to shocks when needed.

Moreover, the medium-term framework could forecast and incorporate expected spending on aging, making fiscal policy more predictable and transparent. This could be reinforced by even longer-term strategies that account for future spending pressures and propose options to finance them.

Rahul Anand is an assistant director in the Asia-Pacific Department, where Hoda Selim is a senior economist.

IPS UN Bureau

 

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Les transporteurs routiers bloquent depuis lundi les frontières de Bosnie-Herzégovine, de la Macédoine du nord, du Monténégro et de Serbie pour dénoncer les nouvelles règles d'entrée et de sortie de l'Espace Schengen.

- Le fil de l'Info / Une - Diaporama, Monténégro, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Macédoine du Nord, Courrier des Balkans, Serbie, Questions européennes, Economie

Les transporteurs routiers bloquent depuis lundi les frontières de Bosnie-Herzégovine, de la Macédoine du nord, du Monténégro et de Serbie pour dénoncer les nouvelles règles d'entrée et de sortie de l'Espace Schengen.

- Le fil de l'Info / Une - Diaporama, Monténégro, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Macédoine du Nord, Courrier des Balkans, Serbie, Questions européennes, Economie

Les transporteurs routiers bloquent depuis lundi les frontières de Bosnie-Herzégovine, de la Macédoine du nord, du Monténégro et de Serbie pour dénoncer les nouvelles règles d'entrée et de sortie de l'Espace Schengen.

- Le fil de l'Info / Une - Diaporama, Monténégro, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Macédoine du Nord, Courrier des Balkans, Serbie, Questions européennes, Economie

Les transporteurs routiers bloquent depuis lundi les frontières de Bosnie-Herzégovine, de la Macédoine du nord, du Monténégro et de Serbie pour dénoncer les nouvelles règles d'entrée et de sortie de l'Espace Schengen.

- Le fil de l'Info / Une - Diaporama - En premier, Une - Diaporama, Monténégro, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Macédoine du Nord, Courrier des Balkans, Serbie, Questions européennes, Economie

The Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement to improve the efficiency of the EU External Action Guarantee under NDICI-Global Europe.

The 25th meeting of the Accession Conference with Montenegro provisionally closed chapter 32 on financial control.

Der Rat und das Parlament haben eine vorläufige Einigung zur Verbesserung der Effizienz der EU-Garantie für Außenmaßnahmen im Rahmen des Instruments „NDICI/Europa in der Welt“ erzielt.

The 25th meeting of the Accession Conference with Montenegro provisionally closed chapter 32 on financial control.

The Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement to improve the efficiency of the EU External Action Guarantee under NDICI-Global Europe.

The 25th meeting of the Accession Conference with Montenegro provisionally closed chapter 32 on financial control.

Im Jahr 2024 wurden in Grossbritannien 3681 Masernfälle registriert. Grund ist laut WHO eine zu niedrige Impfquote.

Donald Trump erhöht die US-Zölle auf südkoreanische Einfuhren von 15 auf 25 Prozent. Betroffen sind vor allem Automarken wie Kia und Hyundai sowie Elektronikprodukte.

Damit haben nur wenige gerechnet: Gino Caviezel kehrt 13 Monate nach seinem fürchterlichen Abflug in Bormio (It) an den Weltcup-Start zurück. Der Bündner erklärt, wieso es in diesem Winter bei diesem einen Start bleiben wird.