Category: 3. Business

One big pay package to start: Tesla investors have overwhelmingly backed Elon Musk’s $1tn pay deal, hoping that the prospect of the largest payday in corporate history will persuade the billionaire to focus his attention on the electric vehicle maker.

A scoop: The Messina Group, the US political consulting firm run by a former aide of Barack Obama, is seeking to sell off its stake in Global Counsel, the lobbying outfit co-founded by Lord Peter Mandelson.

And another thing: Swiss commodity trader Gunvor said on Thursday that it was scrapping its $22bn bid to buy Lukoil’s overseas assets after the US moved to block the deal.

In today’s newsletter: 

• The chaos of First Brands lands in Houston

• Brighthouse Financial sells . . . finally

• Hong Kong’s lucrative capital flight trade

First Brands: Houston, we have a $1.1bn problem

Bankers and lawyers make millions of dollars a year, but for the rainmakers, the wealth and glamour can’t always make up for the job infringing on their personal lives.

DD’s Amelia Pollard made the trek to Houston for the first in-person courtroom gathering of the claimants in the messy freefall bankruptcy of First Brands, the scandalised Ohio auto parts maker.

Lazard’s Tyler Cowan, the all-important banker to First Brands, was in Paris and expected to testify on Thursday in front of the federal bankruptcy court via video. 

But as the FT saw up close and personal, the chaos of the session over court approval of the final $600mn tranche of a $1.1bn bankruptcy loan was contentious. 

So much so that Cowan had to depart in the France evening for an anniversary dinner before he could address the court, First Brands’ lawyers from Weil, Gotshal & Manges told the judge overseeing the case.

Cowan’s virtual appearance was then dragged into Friday while his Lazard junior colleagues were in the Houston court rerunning spreadsheet models.

Just as well. While some groups such as the official unsecured creditors committee were able to cut deals with the debtor to share future potential litigation proceeds, there were a few remaining creditor holdouts over the loan legalities, with negotiations to continue through the night.

In the meantime, the court and the world got updates on the state of the First Brands business. Interim chief executive Charles Moore, an Alvarez & Marsal executive, had spent the week in Las Vegas for the biggest trade show in “after-market auto parts”.

Moore and other executives have spent the past several weeks triaging the company’s fleet of auto parts brands, including collecting more than 7mn documents and looking through bank account records for hundreds of clients. 

They have also set up a “whistleblowing hotline” for employees in hopes of understanding previous misconduct.

The plan is for the company to keep operating and sell itself to maximise recoveries for all parties, which include on- and off-balance sheet creditors owed $12bn. 

But that will probably require the $1.1bn bankruptcy loan to get approved in the next day or two with various advisers having their weekend plans scrambled.

The new insurance-funded private capital giant 

It was a deal that had hedge funds on the edge of their seats and advisers pulling their hair out. 

The sale of Brighthouse Financial, scooped by the FT in January, had many twists and turns as a handful of private capital giants, including Apollo, TPG, Sixth Street and Carlyle, studied whether they could resuscitate the beleaguered insurer.

Most buyers bowed out after their due diligence uncovered potential headaches, or they were only willing to pay a bargain price for the insurer.

But one relatively small and unheralded bidder emerged as Brighthouse’s most fervent suitor, Aquarian Holdings, a Mubadala Capital-backed, insurance-focused private capital group founded in 2017 by Rudy Sahay, a former executive at Guggenheim. 

Aquarian agreed to pay $70 per share, or $4.1bn, for Brighthouse, confirming an FT scoop last week that the two parties were in advanced talks and days away from a deal.

The buyer had been in months of on-and-off negotiations with Brighthouse that included times when talks froze and other potential buyers such as Sixth Street re-emerged. Many interested watchers and advisers questioned whether Aquarian, which manages $25bn in assets, had the financial wherewithal to buy an insurer about nine times its size. 

Ultimately, with the backing of Mubadala Capital, Aquarian convinced Brighthouse’s advisers Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo that it was good for the money in a deal that will propel the nascent outfit into the big leagues of the nexus between insurance and private capital.

If the transaction closes as planned in 2026, Sahay will oversee an insurance empire with similar if not greater size than those managed by billionaires Todd Boehly and Mark Walter, his mentors at Guggenheim, the pioneer of matching the assets of sleepy life insurance companies with higher-octane private debt investments.

Thursday’s deal, while niche in the greater pantheon of dealmaking, could be the seed of the next big insurance-funded private capital giant. 

But that’s if all goes as planned in Sahay’s efforts to revamp Brighthouse, an insurer spun off by MetLife in 2017, which has drifted for years on public markets. 

The insurance problem gripping Hong Kong

A crucial gauge for Chinese capital leakage has hit an all-time high in Hong Kong this year, in a sign that the world’s largest middle class is looking to move money out of mainland China.

Sales of investment-style insurance reached a record level in Hong Kong in the first half of 2025, according to the territory’s Insurance Authority.

Annualised new premiums in the six months to the end of June were HK$99bn (US$13bn) — the highest recorded by the agency.

Figures on how the Chinese move money out of the country are scarce and insurance sales are seen as a key metric for analysts to understand how mainland investors feel about the local market.

Sales of insurance in Hong Kong are driven in large part by mainland Chinese who have to physically cross the border to purchase US dollar insurance policies and open local bank accounts to pay premiums.

The big beneficiaries of this trade, seen by analysts as a legal form of capital leakage that is tolerated by authorities on a small scale, are the big insurance sellers including AIA, FWD and Prudential.

The giant in the territory is HSBC: 25 cents in every dollar sold goes to HSBC or Hang Seng’s insurance brokers.

Mainlanders making the journey in many cases are looking to hedge their renminbi exposure by holding dollar assets or holding funds offshore. 

They’re also looking to take advantage of the higher interest rates offered in Hong Kong and the US versus mainland China.

It’s great business. One industry executive told DD’s Arjun Neil Alim such deals amounted to 30 to 40 per cent of their company’s sales. Another estimated the proportion of total sales was more than a third. That could be more than HK$33bn — a pretty hefty flight to safety.

Job moves

• Goldman Sachs has tapped 638 people for promotions to become managing directors starting in the new year. The number of women as a percentage of the class fell from 31 per cent two years ago to 27 per cent this year.

• Bank of America has named Peter Luck as chair of UK and Ireland investment banking. James Robertson will head UK corporate and investment banking, while Duncan Stewart and Stephen Little will be co-heads of UK investment banking.  

Smart reads

Red tape Over the past 20 years, Australian banking giant Macquarie Group has transformed itself into a US energy trading powerhouse, Bloomberg reports. But a recent compliance crackdown has slowed it down, leading to an exodus of top traders.

Money driven The New York Times asks, would Elon Musk work harder for $1tn than he would for $1bn?

Fools game? The bidding war over Metsera, a maker of obesity drugs, has only one winner, writes Lex. The hot-headed bidders could be set to benefit least.

News round-up

Tesla shareholders approve Elon Musk’s $1tn pay deal (FT)

UBS to liquidate funds with substantial First Brands exposure (FT)

Comcast holds talks about buying ITV’s television business (FT)

Novo Nordisk challenges Pfizer to raise offer for obesity biotech (FT)

Sam Altman says OpenAI is not ‘trying to become too big to fail’ (FT)

Three biggest US airlines to cancel hundreds of flights due to government shutdown (FT)

Solar power producer Pine Gate files for bankruptcy (FT)

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

US retailers and hospitality groups are hiring the smallest number of seasonal workers in more than a decade as tariffs and a slowing labour market weigh on holiday sales forecasts.

Jobs site ZipRecruiter said retailers are advertising 8.4 per cent fewer holiday jobs on its site than last year, while postings for temporary hospitality workers fell 12 per cent. Executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas forecast that US employers may hire fewer than 500,000 temporary workers in the last three months of 2025, the lowest total since 2009.

Each autumn, stores such as Walmart, Target and Macy’s typically announce plans to hire hundreds of thousands of temporary staff to stock shelves, run checkouts and bolster warehouse operations during their busiest period of the year. But the reduction in hiring reflects retail industry caution about the approaching holiday shopping season, with US consumers pinched amid persistent inflation and an uncertain economic outlook.

Challenger, Gray released data on Thursday showing US employers cut more than 153,000 jobs in October and more than 1mn this year, with the pace of lay-offs accelerating as consumer and corporate spending declines and AI adoption advances.

Separately, the National Retail Federation’s holiday forecast released on Thursday said sales were expected to grow 3.7 to 4.2 per cent this year, compared with 4.3 per cent in 2024, with seasonal jobs expected to be as much as 40 per cent lower than a year ago. Still, it forecast holiday spending to eclipse $1tn.

Retailer Target said in a statement that it still planned to hire “holiday helpers” in all 50 states, but declined to provide a number, and said it would “first offer our current team members opportunities to work additional hours, if desired” before bringing in new staff. By contrast, last year the company announced it would hire an additional 100,000 workers.

Amazon said it would hire the same 250,000 seasonal workers this year as it did last year.

“Our clients have already told us that it’s going to be anywhere from 10 per cent to 20 per cent reductions” in their seasonal workforces, said Radhika Papandreou, president of the North American division of management consultancy Korn Ferry. “It’s just the world we live in with tariffs, China and just the uncertainty in general. Our clients are being cautious about how much the average consumer is going to want to spend.”

Tokyo – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI, TSE Code: 7011) announced that order intake increased 8.5% year-on-year to ¥3,314.7 billion in the half year ended September 30, 2025. Revenue rose 7.3% year-on-year to ¥2,113.7 billion, resulting in profit from business activities (business profit) of ¥171.5 billion, a 2.1% increase over the previous fiscal year, which represented a profit margin of 8.1%. Profit attributable to owners of parent (net income) was ¥114.9 billion, an increase of 7.3% year-on-year, with a profit margin of 5.4%. EBITDA was ¥229.6 billion, a 2.5% increase over 1H FY2024, with an EBITDA margin of 10.9%.

(billion yen, except where otherwise stated)

1H FY2025 Financial Results	1H FY2024 (Note)	1H FY2025	YoY	YoY%
Order Intake	3,054.6	3,314.7	+260.0	+8.5%
Revenue	1,969.2	2,113.7	+144.4	+7.3%
Profit from Business Activities Profit Margin	168.0 8.5%	171.5 8.1%	+3.4 -0.4 pts	+2.1% –
Profit Attributable to Owners of Parent Profit Margin	107.1 5.4%	114.9 5.4%	+7.7 ±0.0 pts	+7.3% –
EBITDA EBITDA Margin	224.1 11.4%	229.6 10.9%	+5.5 -0.5 pts	+2.5% –
FCF	-85.7	151.0	+236.8	–

(billion yen, except where otherwise stated)

1H FY2025 Financial Results by Segment	Order Intake		Revenue		Business Profit
	1H FY2025	YoY (Note)	1H FY2025	YoY (Note)	1H FY2025	YoY (Note)
Energy Systems (Energy)	1,981.2	+674.5	871.0	+38.8	80.7	-22.4
Plants & Infrastructure Systems (P&I)	490.6	-108.7	415.9	+36.7	44.6	+16.4
Logistics, Thermal & Drive Systems (LT&D)	292.8	-35.9	282.4	-21.4	7.6	+1.3
Aircraft, Defense & Space (ADS)	545.0	-257.0	538.8	+107.1	60.3	+16.3
Others, Corporate & Eliminations (OC&E)	4.9	-12.6	5.4	-16.7	-21.8	-8.3
Total	3,314.7	+260.0	2,113.7	+144.4	171.5	+3.4

• 1H FY2024 results on which YoY figures are based have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the planned sale of ML shares.

　

In Energy, order intake increased by ¥674.5 billion YoY mainly due to continued strong demand in Gas Turbine Combined Cycle (GTCC). Contracts for 23 large frame gas turbine units—up 14 units YoY—were concluded during 1H, the majority of which were from customers in North America and Asia. Revenue increased by ¥38.8 billion YoY; the largest gains were seen in GTCC, which continued to execute its sizeable backlog. Segment business profit decreased by ¥22.4 billion YoY due to one-time charges in Steam Power, which offset strong performance in GTCC from both higher revenue and margins.

In P&I, order intake decreased by ¥108.7 billion YoY due to the absence of large orders booked in the previous fiscal year in Metals Machinery and Machinery Systems. Revenue grew by ¥36.7 billion YoY. Improved margins in Metals Machinery and Machinery Systems helped to raise segment business profit by ¥16.4 billion YoY.

In LT&D, revenue decreased by ¥21.4 billion YoY due to a decline in units sold in Turbochargers and Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) and foreign exchange impact in HVAC. Steady performance in Engines on the back of strong demand in Asia, combined with the rebound from one-time charges associated with a supply chain disruption in Turbochargers during the previous fiscal year, resulted in a ¥1.3 billion YoY increase in segment business profit.

In ADS, order intake decreased by ¥257.0 billion YoY due to a high base effect from large orders booked in Defense & Space during the previous fiscal year. Revenue increased by ¥107.1 billion YoY, mainly in Defense & Space, where steady progress in backlog execution continued. Increased revenue and higher margins in Defense & Space and Commercial Aviation served to increase segment business profit by ¥16.3 billion YoY.

　

FY2025 Earnings Forecast

MHI revised its guidance for the period ending March 31, 2026, increasing the forecasts for order intake and revenue over the previous announcement made on September 30, 2025, based on stronger-than-anticipated performance during 1H. The full-year dividend forecast of 24 yen per share was unchanged from the announcement made on August 5, 2025.

(billion yen, except where otherwise stated)

FY2025 Earnings Forecast	FY2024 Actual (Note)	FY2025 Forecast (9/30 Announcement)	FY2025 Forecast (Revised)	Revised vs. Previous
Order Intake	6,405.1	5,250.0	6,100.0	+850.0
Revenue	4,361.1	4,750.0	4,800.0	+50.0
Profit from Business Activities Profit Margin	354.9 8.1%	390.0 8.2%	390.0 8.1%	– -0.1 pts
Profit Attributable to Owners of Parent Profit Margin	245.4 5.6%	230.0 4.8%	230.0 4.8%	– –
ROE	10.7%	–	10%	–
EBITDA EBITDA Margin	469.9 10.8%	– –	510.0 10.6%	– –
FCF	342.7	–	0.0	–
Dividends	23 yen	–	24 yen	–

• FY2024 results have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the planned sale of ML shares.

　

(billion yen, except where otherwise stated)

FY2025 Earnings Forecast by Segment	Order Intake		Revenue		Business Profit
	Previous	Revised	Previous	Revised	Previous	Revised
Energy	2,200.0	3,200.0	1,850.0	2,000.0	240.0	240.0
P&I	900.0	900.0	850.0	850.0	60.0	70.0
LT&D	750.0	600.0	750.0	600.0	40.0	20.0
ADS	1,400.0	1,400.0	1,350.0	1,350.0	140.0	140.0
OC&E	0.0	0.0	-50.0	0.0	-90.0	-80.0
Total	5,250.0	6,100.0	4,750.0	4,800.0	390.0	390.0

　

CFO Message

“The strong growth MHI achieved in the first quarter continued through the first half of this fiscal year, with order intake, revenue, and business profit all up year-on-year, and net income marking an all-time high for the company,” MHI Chief Financial Officer Hiroshi Nishio commented. Nishio continued, “GTCC was our star performer in terms of order intake, booking 23 large frame gas turbine units across North America and Asia. We continue to see high demand for gas turbines particularly in the U.S., where new electricity demand from the data center buildout and other factors are driving capital expenditures at our utility customers. Revenue was up especially in GTCC and Defense & Space, which made excellent progress executing on their sizeable backlogs. Business profit growth was small, but the fact that we were able to beat last year’s figure—despite one-time expenses recognized in Steam Power—reflects the high normalized margins we are achieving today in GTCC and some other businesses.”

“Based on our results through the first half,” Nishio went on, “we have increased our order intake and revenue forecasts due to better-than-expected results in Energy Systems, mainly GTCC. We have maintained the business profit guidance announced on September 30, with continued strength from growing revenue and improving margins in other businesses compensating for one-time expenses in Energy Systems in excess of the initial 20-billion-yen risk buffer and weakness in the remainder of the Logistics, Thermal & Drive Systems segment. MHI’s strong performance despite growing uncertainty in global markets is a testament to our resilience as a company, which has been made possible in part by our continued efforts to evolve our portfolio of businesses. We appreciate the continued support of our shareholders and other stakeholders as we work to meet our full-year commitments during the second half of the fiscal year.”

　

Attachment 1: 1H FY2025 Financial Results

Attachment 2: Presentation Materials of Financial Results

Downloadable PDF of this press release

　

Note regarding forward looking statements:

Forecasts regarding future performance outlined in these materials are based on judgments made in accordance with information available at the time they were prepared. As such, these projections include risk and uncertainty. Investors are recommended not to depend solely on these projections when making investment decisions. Actual results may vary significantly from these projections due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, economic trends affecting the Company’s operating environment, fluctuations in the value of the Japanese yen to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies, and trends in Japan’s stock markets. The results projected here should not be construed in any way as a guarantee by the Company.
In response to U.S. tariff policy, the Company is pursuing mitigation strategies focused on cost passthroughs. As of the date of this release, the Company expects any impact on performance to be limited in nature.

The Federal Aviation Administration is cutting air traffic by 10 percent due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

Hundreds of flights across the US have been cancelled following an order from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to temporarily cut air traffic by 10 percent at the country’s 40 largest airports to maintain safety amid a shortage of air traffic controllers due to the government shutdown.

More than 790 flights scheduled for Friday were cut from airline schedules, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.

Recommended Stories

list of 4 itemsend of list

That number, already four times higher than Thursday’s daily total of cancellations, was likely to keep climbing, while almost 500 have been cancelled for Saturday so far, according to the website.

The FAA issued its order on Thursday in response to the growing number of absences by air traffic controllers amid the record-breaking US government shutdown, as Republicans and Democrats remain locked in a standoff in Congress over legislation to fund government services.

“Since the beginning of the shutdown, controllers have been working without pay,” the FAA order said.

“This has resulted in increased reports of strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers. This past weekend, there were 2,740 delays at various airports,” it said.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the decision to cancel flights was a proactive safety decision rather than a political measure as the shutdown enters its 38th day on Friday.

“My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. This isn’t about politics – it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue to work without pay,” Duffy said.

“It’s safe to fly today, and it will continue to be safe to fly next week because of the proactive actions we are taking,” he said.

.@USDOT has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety.

This isn’t about politics – it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue working without pay.

It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because… pic.twitter.com/YRrq5sdy4T

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 7, 2025

 

The FAA’s phased-in cuts to air traffic over the next week will see a 4 percent reduction in air traffic on Friday, and will end with 10 percent by November 14.

The FAA’s order also specifies that airlines do not need to cut international flights, although this decision will be left up to their discretion.

Impacted airports include Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, and New York’s John F Kennedy international airports.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said his department would not hesitate to take “further action”, suggesting further cuts to flights could be made down the road.

The FAA decision puts renewed pressure on Senate Democrats, who are blocking a government spending bill over healthcare spending, as the US is preparing for its busiest travel days of the year at the end of November.

The FAA employed just over 14,000 air traffic controllers in fiscal year 2024, according to its website.

They are among the 730,000 “essential” federal employees who have been working without pay for the past five weeks, while another 670,000 have been furloughed, according to the Washington, DC-based Bipartisan Policy Center.

Introduction
The rise of seaweed superfoods
Nutrient and bioactive profile
How seaweed compounds combat inflammation and aging
How seaweed waste fuels the circular economy
Safety and risks
References
Further reading

---

Seaweeds are no longer just salad; they’re the blueprint for a sustainable, brain-boosting future powered by marine innovation.

Image Credit: Lesterman / Shutterstock.com

Introduction

Seaweed is increasingly recognized as a sustainable and functional food source that supports human health, including cognitive function and cardiovascular balance, through the gut-brain axis.^4,5 This article examines its neuroprotective potential and addresses current safety challenges related to heavy metal and iodine accumulation.^2,11

The rise of seaweed superfoods

Seaweed is an umbrella term for thousands of macroscopic marine algae species, including Rhodophyta, Phaeophyta, and Chlorophyta. Historically, it has been a dietary staple in many Asian countries, commonly consumed in soups, salads, and pickles.^1,2

Seaweed cultivation offers a uniquely sustainable food source, requiring no arable land, fresh water, or synthetic fertilizers, while also providing ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and nitrogen removal.³ According to recent EU sustainability reports, the seaweed sector is expected to reach a market value of EUR 9 billion by 2030, highlighting its role in global food transition efforts.¹¹

Seaweed’s dense nutritional and bioactive profile underpins its reputation as a superfood. Phlorotannins, fucoidan, and other polyphenols exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, which are linked to reduced neuroinflammation and cognitive decline.^4,6

Nutrient and bioactive profile

Nutriomics research reveals that consumable seaweeds have biochemical compositions distinct from terrestrial plants.^1-3 Protein content varies widely, from 5–24% of dry weight in brown algae to as high as 47% in red species. These proteins are rich in essential amino acids and show higher digestibility when enzymatically processed or fermented using marine fungi such as Paradendryphiella salina.¹

Dietary fiber accounts for up to 75% of seaweed’s dry mass, dominated by soluble polysaccharides like fucoidan, alginate, and carrageenan, which act as prebiotics that modulate gut microbiota. Studies confirm that these fibers stimulate beneficial bacterial genera and increase short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which in turn influences brain and immune health.⁵

Although the total lipid content is low (1–5% dry weight), seaweeds are a unique plant source of omega-3 long-chain fatty acids, notably EPA and DHA, which support cognitive function and promote anti-inflammatory balance.^4,5

Seaweed also provides calcium, potassium, and iron, alongside vitamins A, C, E, and B12.⁵ Recent compositional analyses highlight seaweed as one of the few vegetarian sources of bioavailable vitamin B12 and vitamin K.¹¹

Compounds such as fucoxanthin and phlorotannins contribute to antioxidant and anti-aging properties relevant to the prevention of neurodegeneration.^4,5,6

How seaweed compounds combat inflammation and aging

Phlorotannins and fucoidan are potent antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and suppress inflammatory pathways such as NF-κB. These compounds also inhibit amyloid-beta aggregation and tau phosphorylation, key pathological steps in Alzheimer’s disease.^4,5,6

Prebiotic polysaccharides from seaweed ferment in the colon to yield SCFAs like butyrate, which improve gut barrier integrity and reduce systemic inflammation.⁵

A 2025 meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials found that consuming edible algae lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 2.05 and 1.87 mmHg, respectively. Doses above 3 g/day produced reductions exceeding 3 mmHg, underscoring a dose-response relationship.⁷

Additional meta-analyses confirm that brown algae reduce LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol,⁸ and improve glucose homeostasis by lowering fasting plasma glucose by 4.6 mg/dL and postprandial glucose by 7.1 mg/dL.⁹

Collectively, these findings position seaweed as a multifunctional food capable of modulating metabolic, vascular, and neural pathways that contribute to healthy aging.^4,7-9

How seaweed waste fuels the circular economy

Adopting a circular economic model transforms seaweed byproducts into valuable resources. Research demonstrates that industrial residues and beach-cast seaweed can be repurposed for use in renewable energy and as fertilizers.¹⁰

Some seaweed as a renewable and sustainable resource. (A) Kelp (Saccharina) Phaeophyceae; (B) dulse (Palmaria palmata) Rhodophyta; (C) nori (Porphyra/Pyropia) Rhodophyta; (D) wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) Phaeophyceae.³

Composting seaweed biomass yields premium biofertilizers that enhance soil quality and water retention, with market values two to three times higher than conventional compost.¹⁰

In Denmark, integrating 90% of coastal seaweed waste into energy and fertilizer production resulted in a 32,800-ton reduction in annual CO₂ emissions.¹⁰

Emerging green-extraction technologies now recover bioactives, such as alginates and phlorotannins, from seaweed waste at costs under $0.70/kg, creating nutraceutical and cosmetic ingredients from material that was once discarded.^3,10

Safety and risks

Seaweeds efficiently sequester both nutrients and contaminants. This dual capacity means they can accumulate heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, posing potential health risks if unregulated.^1,2

A Malaysian risk assessment reported a hazard index (HI) of 4.38 for metal exposure, exceeding WHO limits.² However, separate iodine risk analyses indicate that toxicity concerns depend strongly on species and intake levels.¹¹

A 2025 Korean nationwide study found average iodine levels of 2,432 mg/kg dry weight in sea tangle (Saccharina japonica), compared to less than 200 mg/kg in most red and green algae. Iodine-related hazard indices remained below 1.0 under Korean MFDS guidelines but exceeded 1.0 under EFSA and JECFA standards, particularly for sea tangle and hijiki.¹¹

Cooking significantly reduces iodine exposure – boiling or blanching can remove up to 90%, and the bioavailability of iodine from seaweed is approximately 75% compared to iodide supplements.¹¹

In some species, a one-gram serving may deliver over 4,000 µg of iodine, about seven times the EFSA upper intake level of 600 µg/day.¹¹

International regulations vary widely: Germany limits iodine to 20 mg/kg, France to 2,000–6,000 mg/kg (depending on the species), and Australia restricts imports above 1,000 mg/kg.¹¹ Harmonized global labeling and intake guidance are increasingly necessary as seaweed consumption expands.^2,11

Overall, evidence from recent meta-analyses and risk assessments supports the safety of seaweed consumption when moderate and sourcing is monitored for heavy metals and iodine.^2,11

References

1. Salgado, C. L., Muñoz, R., Blanco, A., & Lienqueo, M. E. (2021). Valorization and upgrading of the nutritional value of seaweed and seaweed waste using the marine fungi Paradendryphiella salina to produce mycoprotein. Algal Research 53. DOI:10.1016/j.algal.2020.102135, https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2211926420310031.
2. Elekwachi, L. O., Hirschkop, D., & Tlusty, M. F. (2023). REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON THE SEAWEED INDUSTRY AND FOOD SAFETY ISSUES. University of Massachusetts Boston. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.27576.32004, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376683232_REVIEW_OF_THE_LITERATURE_ON_THE_SEAWEED_INDUSTRY_AND_FOOD_SAFETY_ISSUES.
3. Pereira, L., & Cotas, J. (2024). Seaweed: a sustainable solution for greening drug manufacturing in the pursuit of sustainable healthcare. Exploration of Drug Science 2(1); 50–84. DOI:10.37349/eds.2024.00036, https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/eds/Article/100836.
4. Cokdinleyen, M., dos Santos, L. C., de Andrade, C. J., et al. (2024). A Narrative Review on the Neuroprotective Potential of Brown Macroalgae in Alzheimer’s Disease. Nutrients 16(24); 4394. DOI:10.3390/nu16244394, https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/24/4394.
5. Hagan, M., & Fungwe, T. (2025). Investigating the Effect of Seaweed Bioactive Compounds on Gut Microbiota Composition and Dysbiosis: A Systematic Review. Current Developments in Nutrition 9. DOI:10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.106433, https://ffhdj.com/index.php/AgricultureFBC/article/view/1596.
6. Cadar, E., Popescu, A., Dragan, A., et al. (2025). Bioactive Compounds of Marine Algae and Their Potential Health and Nutraceutical Applications: A Review. Marine Drugs 23(4), 152. DOI:10.3390/md23040152, https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/4/152.
7. Casas‐Agustench, P., Mínguez, S., Brookes, Z., & Bescos, R. (2025). Edible Algae Reduce Blood Pressure in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 38(4). DOI:10.1111/jhn.70095, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jhn.70095.
8. Shin, D., Shim, S. R., Wu, Y., et al. (2023). How Do Brown Seaweeds Work on Biomarkers of Dyslipidemia? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression. Marine Drugs 21(4); 220. DOI:10.3390/md21040220, https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/21/4/220.
9. Vaughan, K., Ranawana, V., Cooper, D., & Aceves-Martins, M. (2021). Effect of brown seaweed on plasma glucose in healthy, at-risk, and type 2 diabetic individuals: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews 80(5); 1194-1205. DOI:10.1093/nutrit/nuab069, https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/80/5/1194/6359344.
10. Eriksen, M. L., Salvador, R., Kjærsgaard, N. C., et al. (2025). Circular business models for composting waste seaweed: Potential, barriers, and enablers. European Journal of Sustainable Development 14(4); 39-50. DOI:10.14207/ejsd.2025.v14n4p39, https://ecsdev.org/ojs/index.php/ejsd/article/view/1777.
11. Lee, Y., Park, H. J., Jo, M., et al. (2025). Analysis and Risk Assessment of Total Iodine Content in Edible Seaweeds in South Korea. Foods 14(16); 2865. DOI:10.3390/foods14162865, https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/16/2865.

Further Reading

Last Updated: Nov 6, 2025

As the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US airspace is about to get a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a resolution between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget standoff.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a cascade of scheduling issues and delays at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the decision was “not about politics” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy added.

---

US airlines cancel flights after federal directive to cut air traffic

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts could represent as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, according to an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

The affected airports covering more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – including Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. In some of the biggest cities – such as New York, Houston and Chicago – multiple airports will be be affected.

All three airports serving the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, inevitably causing delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

_{Read the full story}

---

US supreme court allows Trump to block passport sex markers for trans and non-binary people

The supreme court on Thursday allowed Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a policy blocking transgender and non-binary people from choosing passport sex markers that align with their gender identity.

The decision by the high court’s conservative majority is Trump’s latest win on the high court’s emergency docket, and it means his administration can enforce the policy while a lawsuit over it plays out.

The court’s three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson calling the decision a “pointless but painful perversion”.

_{Read the full story}

---

US judge orders Trump administration to fully fund Snap benefits in November

The ruling by US district judge John J McConnell Jr on Thursday was in response to a challenge from cities and non-profits complaining that the administration was only offering to cover 65% of the maximum benefit. The government said it will rely on $4.65bn on emergency funding.

“The defendants failed to consider the practical consequences associated with this decision to only partially fund Snap,” McConnell said. “They knew that there would be a long delay in paying partial Snap payments and failed to consider the harms individual who rely on those benefits would suffer.”

_{Read the full story}

---

Workers decry Trump officials as ‘out of control’ as longest shutdown drags on

As the US federal shutdown enters its second month, government workers are accusing the Trump administration of being “out of control” and bullying people who are “simply trying to do their best”.

About 700,000 federal employees are furloughed without pay, and about 700,000 additional federal workers have been working without pay through the shutdown.

Affected workers say the shutdown has been a continuation of attacks they have experienced under the Trump administration, from mass firings – many of which have been overturned or blocked in federal courts – to drastic budget cuts, pushes to take early retirements or resignation buyouts and threats of withholding back pay for workers furloughed during the shutdown.

_{Read the full story}

---

Nancy Pelosi, a force on Capitol Hill for decades, to retire from Congress

The California Democratic representative and the first woman to serve as speaker, announced on Thursday she will retire from Congress, two years after stepping down from House leadership.

Even when no longer in leadership, the 85-year-old remained enormously influential among Democrats, quietly counseling her party as they navigate Trump’s second term. In 2024, she played a key role in pushing Biden to withdraw from the presidential race after a disastrous debate performance against Trump.

_{Read the full story}

---

Trump announces plan to cut cost of weight loss drugs and expand access

The agreement will make oral versions of GLP-1s, which aren’t yet to market but are expected to be approved in the coming months, available at $150 per month for starting doses. The average price for these injectables will be about $350, which will “trend down” to $245 a month over the next two years, the Trump administration said.

Trump calls the medications the “fat drug”, his term for these semaglutide or tirzepatide shots, known by their brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.

_{Read the full story}

---

Senate blocks Democrats’ bid to check Trump power over Venezuela strikes

The 49-51 vote against passing the resolution, mostly along party lines, came a month after a previous effort to stop strikes against alleged drug trafficking boats in international waters similarly failed, 48-51.

The new resolution narrowed its scope to attract Republicans, but senators Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski remained the only two Republicans to cross party lines to support the resolution. Susan Collins and Thom Tillis, who had expressed reservations about the strikes, voted against.

_{Read the full story}

---

What else happened today:

---

Catching up? Here’s what happened on 5 November 2025.