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Chris Ballard addresses Michael Pittman's future with Colts
Indianapolis Colts' GM Chris Ballard addressed Michael Pittman's future with the team at the NFL combine.
7 Central Florida eateries shut down over health violations
Last week, seven more restaurants across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.
Ravenscroft Non-Varsity Winter Sports Wrap-Up
Ravenscroft’s Middle School and JV winter sports teams wrapped up a competitive season filled with growth, effort, and strong performances. From basketball to wrestling to swimming, these non-varsity programs demonstrated skill, teamwork, and dedication on the court and mat.
Three UW Students to Present Research During Science Café in Pinedale
Three University of Wyoming graduate students will present their research to the public during a Science Café Sunday, March 1, at 1:30 p.m. in Sublette County.
New Leadership Team Set to Shape the Next Era of Assassin’s Creed
Today, Vantage Studios, a Ubisoft subsidiary, announced the appointment of three seasoned leaders who will play a pivotal role in driving the Assassin’s Creed brand’s long-term vision.
Dentsu Entertainment, Iconic Arts partner to create brand-oriented IP
The companies will help brands develop original IP tied to culture, with a focus on anime and serialized entertainment.
‘Biblical’ flooding damages Oahu church, business
Members of a Kaneohe church and employees at a Haleiwa business spent much of Sunday cleaning both locations after they were flooded from Saturday's heavy rains.
Olympics news, live updates: Closing Ceremony ends final day of Games, Team USA takes down Canada for gold medal in men's hockey
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for all the news, events and medals from the Milan Cortina Olympics.
USA beats Canada in OT to win first hockey gold since 1980 'Miracle on Ice'
AMD Seemingly Stops Driver Updates for Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor
AMD has reportedly stopped driver updates for its Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU solution for handheld consoles, according to the latest Lenovo Korea update. This means that only after 2 and a half years, AMD is pulling support for its SoC, leaving many enthusiasts in a difficult spot. Confirmation from multi...
Dutch high school science hours to drop up to 30% under new curriculum
Dutch secondary school students are set to face a significant reduction in science class hours as a new national curriculum takes effect in August 2027, raising concerns among educators about the future of technically skilled graduates, Trouw reports.
What Happens to Your Body When You Cut Back on Ultra-Processed Foods
Research shows people saw major health improvements when they cut out half of the ultra-processed foods in their diets.
Trump climate health rollback likely to hit poor, minority areas hardest, experts say
The Trump administration’s revocation of a scientific finding that climate change is a danger to public health is likely to affect communities of color the most.
Razer Unveils the Huntsman Signature Edition Keyboard
Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition, a flagship keyboard created for users who want both peak performance and a refined desktop centerpiece. Positioned at the very top of Razer's keyboard portfolio, the Huntsman Signature Edition...
NEOMED launches new mental health assistant program
Northeast Ohio Medical University created a master's degree program to train certified mental health assistants who can prescribe medications under physician supervision in 75 Ohio counties facing shortages.
David Ebrahimzadeh and Corniche Capital Announce Up to 400,000 Square Feet of Build-to-Suit Industrial Space at Los Morros Business Park in Los Lunas, New Mexico
Up to 400,000 Square Feet of Custom Build-to-Suit Space for Manufacturing, Distribution, Cold Storage, Data Center, Defense, and Advanced Industrial Tenants — Adjacent to Meta’s Multi-Billion-Dollar Data Center Campus, with Access to Significant State and Local Economic Incentives Including Tax Abatements, Grants, and Job Training Programs Corniche Capital Brand Video NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- David Ebrahimzadeh, Founder and President of Corniche Capital, today announced the av
Arts and entertainment events happening February 19-22 across the Mid-Ohio Valley
Jeff DeWitt joins Daybreak to discuss what’s happening February 19-22 across the Mid-Ohio Valley!
WARRANTS: Man assaults ECU Health police officer, causes disturbance at hospital
37-year-old Justin Wilkes was arrested on Wednesday.
The Complicated Politics of Rama Duwaji’s Style
The new first lady of New York City takes her place at New York Fashion Week — and in the spotlight.
The Complicated Politics of Rama Duwaji’s Style
The new first lady of New York City takes her place at New York Fashion Week — and in the spotlight.
USU UWLP Releases Research: 'The Status of Women in Utah Politics: A 2026 Update'
Utah Women & Leadership Project recently published a research brief,
Student input called upon to name the new Science and Health Sciences Building
UW-Eau Claire is in search of student input for the name of its new Science and Health Sciences Building. In an email via the dean of students two weeks ago, Student Body President Kaitlyn Hevrin, a fourth-year neuroscience student, urged students to submit name ideas for the Science and Health Sciences Building. There was an...
ESSEC Business School Signals Long-Term Commitment to India with Launch of Hub in Mumbai
This hub supports the development of a hybrid 'STEM-B' model with leading engineering school CentraleSupélec and strengthens ESSEC’s elite partnerships with premier Indian institutions.Mumbai, India, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- February 18th, 2026, Mumbai, India - ESSEC Business School, a global leader in management education, officially announced the opening of its hub in Mumbai today, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron. This strategic milestone coincides with the French
Google DeepMind Partnerships in India: scaling AI in science and education
Google DeepMind announces new AI partnerships in India to advance scientific research, empower students with interactive Gemini-powered learning, and support national goals in agriculture and renewable energy.
Cincinnati Reds spring training from the '50s through the '90s
A look back through The Enquirer archives of classic Cincinnati Reds spring training photos.
49ers report card: Evaluating San Francisco's safety group in 2025
The San Francisco 49ers struggled on the defensive side of the ball in 2025, but how did their safety group perform specifically?
Science and Technology Innovation Center opens, ushering in a new era of STEM education
Monday, Jan. 26 marked a day years in the making when the University of Wisconsin-River Falls new Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) opened for its first day of classes. “We had about two years of design and two and a half years of construction,” said Alan Symicek, chief facilities officer at UWRF. “So this...
Padres' Manny Machado praises Dodgers' for spending big on free agents: 'I f***ing love it'
Android Find Hub trackers continue to ignore UWB
One of the key marketing points of the Apple AirTag is “Precision Finding,” which shows you the precise location of...
Windows 11 KB5077181 Security Update Causing Some Devices to Restart in an Infinite Loop
Microsoft's February 10, 2026, security update KB5077181 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 (build 26200.7840) and 25H2 (build 26100.7840) has triggered widespread reports of critical boot failures just days after deployment.
Trump claims victory on affordability as public anxieties persist
Advisers had been encouraging the president to sound more empathetic toward struggling Americans. But as some bright spots emerge, the messaging has shifted.
Lindsey Vonn shares injury update on latest surgery, set for return to USA
Lindsey Vonn crashed at the 2026 Winter Olympics, broke her leg and was airlifted to a hospital. Here are the latest injury updates today.
Give me the DJ Moore Comeback Tour
There’s a lot of talk surrounding Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, but @kdthompson5 thinks it’s best to keep him around.
Measles exposure reported at Madison hotel
Public health officials reported a new measles exposure at a Dane County hotel - unrelated to a recent confirmed case in a UW-Madison student.
Wauwatosa East's streak, Hartford's title push lead girls hoops headlines
With a week left in the girls basketball regular season, here's a look at some of the big girls basketball happenings from the week.
Top entertainment figures back under-fire UN Palestinians expert
Over a hundred top figures from the world of entertainment signed an open letter Saturday in support of UN Palestinian human rights expert Francesca Albanese who faces calls to resign over comments ab...
Scaling social science research
GABRIEL is a new open-source toolkit from OpenAI that uses GPT to turn qualitative text and images into quantitative data, helping social scientists analyze research at scale.
Carter's Cheesesteaks makes history as Chinatown's first Black-owned business
FOX 29's Greg Payne visits Carter's Cheesesteaks, Chinatown's first Black-owned business.
CRISPR Therapeutics Provides Business Update and Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
ZUG, Switzerland and BOSTON, Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025. “As we close out the fourth quarter, CRISPR Therapeutics continues to make steady progress across a broad and increasingly mature pipeline,” said Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CRISPR Therapeutics. “We made meaningful advances across multiple clinical and preclinical progr
Dolphins free agency: Who was the best signing in 2025?
Who was Miami’s best free agent acquisition in 2025?
Antarctica 'ghost particle' observatory gets major upgrade that could 'pave the way' to physics breakthroughs
The National Science Foundation's massive IceCube neutrino detector at the South Pole just got a major new upgrade, which promises to take the search for "ghost particles" to a new level.
Building biopharma: The communities behind the science
Editor’s note: This is the first of a twice-monthly series that will highlight the vibrant communities that make up the biopharma industry. | What began as a small summit of women biotech CEOs five years ago has grown into a 350-member force gaining momentum, even as political headwinds force others to retreat.
Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute Welcomes Three New Academic Institutions: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Waukesha County Technical College
The Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute (NMDSI) – a first-of-its-kind partnership between Northwestern Mutual, Marquette University, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) –...
Scottsdale Italian spot, Chandler supermarket cited by health inspectors
5 East Valley restaurants and stores were cited by health inspectors in this week's Dirty Dining report.
Grand Rapids DDA approves $25,000 grant to support business at Studio Park
Earthly Refillery received the grant through Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.'s program that covers half of a business’s rent for 18 months.
UN agency begins clearing huge Gaza City waste dump as health risks mount
The United Nations Development Programme began clearing a huge wartime garbage dump on Wednesday that has swallowed one of Gaza City’s oldest commercial districts and is an environmental and health risk.
Over 60 Software Vendors Issue Security Fixes Across OS, Cloud, and Network Platforms
Patch Tuesday delivers fixes for 59 Microsoft flaws, six exploited zero-days, plus critical SAP and Intel TDX vulnerabilities.
Wolfe Mountain Entertainment hosts Valentine’s haunted house weekend
Wolfe Mountain Entertainment will host a two-day haunted house event this weekend as an alternative to traditional Valentine’s Day activities.
Central Fresno business owners fear they're next after recent fires
After two massive fires in Central Fresno, business owners near Blackstone and McKinley avenues are concerned.
dsm-firmenich announces agreement to divest Animal Nutrition & Health to CVC Capital Partners
Press Release dsm-firmenich announces agreement to divest Animal Nutrition & Health to CVC Capital Partners Kaiseraugst (Switzerland), Maastricht (Netherlands), February 9, 2026 dsm-firmenich, innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, today announces it has entered into an agreement with CVC, a leading global private markets manager, to divest its Animal Nutrition & Health (“ANH”) business for an enterprise value of about €2.2 billion, which includes an earnout of up to €0.5 billion. dsm-firm
See All the Best Photos from Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Performance
The Puerto Rican star took Levi's Stadium by storm, performing hits such as 'NuevaYol,' 'Tití Me Preguntó,' 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos,' and more. Bad Bunny also brought out special guests such as Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, while Jessica Alba, Pedro Pascal and more were spotted dancing during the performance
Super Bowl LX: You won’t believe how much Bad Bunny is being paid for the halftime show
Does the big game pay out big bucks to the halftime performer?
Where did Patriots QB Drake Maye go to college?
See Patriots QB Drake Maye's college and high school history.
UWO’s Brad Fischer surpasses great Bo Ryan in record book
(WFRV) — UW–Oshkosh women’s basketball head coach Brad Fischer etched his name into the record books Saturday, surpassing legendary coach Bo Ryan with a historic milestone. With a 69–47 win over UW–River Falls, Fischer recorded his 13th consecutive 20-win season — a WIAC record across both men’s and women’s basketball. The milestone breaks the previous […]
Illinois struggles offensively, falls in overtime at Michigan State
Can’t win every Big Ten road game.
Taylor Swift releases ‘Opalite’ music video packed with cameos from Domhnall Gleeson, Graham Norton, Lewis Capaldi and more
Swift exclusively premiered the music video on Apple Music and Spotify Premium.
iPhone 17e Reportedly Set to Launch This Month With 4 Major Upgrades
The phone is expected to retain the iPhone 16e's design while offering faster performance, MagSafe support, and improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Spotted lanternflies are invading the US. They may have gotten their evolutionary superpowers in China's cities.
The alarming spread of spotted lanternflies across the U.S. has been made possible by cities acting as evolutionary incubators, fine-tuning the insects and enabling them to thrive.
UW’s Seidel Named to DOE’s 21-Member Office of Science Advisory Commit
While a rancher may not be thinking about Einstein’s theory of relativity when using GPS to guide his tractor through a field or the proud owner of a new iPhone may not dwell over quantum mechanics, U
RISR teams with $34B Allworth to scale business-owner planning
Partnership embeds RISR’s capabilities for modeling valuations, exits, and post-liquidity outcomes into Allworth’s national advisor tech platform.
Valve pushes back Steam Machine launch due to storage and memory shortage
Valve says it has yet to decide on a launch date and pricing for the Steam Machine, Steam Frame VR headset and its upcoming controller. They were supposed to be available early this year.
Arts and entertainment events happening February 5th-8th across the Mid-Ohio Valley
Joe Oliverio joins Daybreak to discuss what’s happening February 5th-8th across the Mid-Ohio Valley!
Volcano Watch — New Hawaii citizen science tool: Is Tephra Falling?
During Kīlauea summit lava fountaining episode 41, residents and visitors shared their observations of tephra falling via email, phone calls, and on social media. A new online tool, “Is Tephra Falling?” will allow people to share their observations in a more systematic way.
Pieter Mulier to Design Versace, Prada Group Confirms
The outgoing Alaïa designer and long-time lieutenant of Prada co-creative director Raf Simons will be tasked with revitalising Prada Group’s new acquisition, following the ouster of Dario Vitale in December.
Patricio Pacifico’s agent reveals how Barcelona can make transfer permanent
The defender has joined on loan but the deal can be made permanent.
Patriots saw early signs of Drake Maye’s breakout
The Patriots’ quarterback is playing at an MVP level in his second seasons in the league.
Seahawks vs. Patriots Super Bowl LX Top Storylines
Super Bowl LX brings together two franchises shaped by history. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots arrive from very different paths, meeting on the same stage with something to prove. While this Super Bowl matchup happened relatively recently in 2014 and became an instant classic, only the fanbases remain since then. Russell Wilson, Pete […] The post Seahawks vs. Patriots Super Bowl LX Top Storylines appeared first on The Lead.
National Girls & Women in Sports Day: Jacy Weisbrod
MARQUETTE, Mich. – From the moment she first picked up a basketball, Jacy Weisbrod has approached the game with endless energy, confidence, and a drive to compete. She quickly realized that sports would play a central role in her life — not just for the thrill of winning, but for the lessons, friendships, and opportunities they provide.
US Health Secretary in Nashville to discuss healthy living with lawmakers
Sec. Kennedy’s visit is part of his ‘Take Back Your Health’ campaign.
Dolan thrilled by world title shot on Paul promotion
Norfolk's Emma Dolan says "it doesn't feel real" that she will have her first world title fight on Jake Paul's debut London promotion.
National Girls & Women in Sports Day: Jordan Parent
MARQUETTE, Mich. -- Growing up with older siblings can sometimes be tricky. For Jordan Parent, her older siblings were the catalyst that enabled her connection to sports.
Titans Athletics Celebrates National Girls & Women In Sports Day
The UW-Oshkosh Athletics Department is proud to once again celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day by recounting highlights provided by our more than 250 student-athletes across 12 women's varsity sports from the Winter 2024-25 through Fall 2025-26 seasons.
National Girls & Women in Sports Day: Hailey Bolander
MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The love for competition came to Hailey Bolander from a young age, as she found herself competing in various sports in her adolescent years.
National Girls & Women in Sports Day: Natalie Thomas
MARQUETTE, Mich. -- "To me, representing women in sports means competing every day with purpose and pride."
Lakers reportedly not expected to trade LeBron James prior to NBA trade deadline
LeBron James apparently is not on the move.
Liverpool to rival Man Utd for Wharton
Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid eye Adam Wharton deal, Manchester United could move for Jean-Philippe Mateta and Sandro Tonali, Leeds keeper Illan Meslier looks to be heading to Turkey.
Candy experiments teach chemistry at Great Lakes Science Center
Smitten with Science programming features Candy Chromatography workshops on Feb. 8, 15 and 22, teaching kids STEM concepts through hands-on candy experiments led by Andy Pallotta.
Norton Rose Fulbright expands business practice with five partners in two cities
New arrivals advance firm’s transactional and healthcare capabilities in key US marketsChicago, IL, Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright today announced a powerful expansion of its business practice with the addition of an impressive group of corporate, private equity, healthcare, finance and tax lawyers who further enhance the firm’s robust transactional capabilities. Andrew Smolik and Michael Flood join Norton Rose Fulbright’s St. Louis office, as Seth Aigner
2026 NFL mock draft: Broncos add RB to backfield
Draft Wire's latest 2026 NFL mock draft has the Broncos adding PSU RB Nick Singleton in the third round.
11 ex-Broncos players picked in UFL draft
At least 11 former Broncos players are set to suit up in the UFL this spring.
Hain Celestial sells North American snacks business for $115M
The sale of Garden Veggie Snacks,Terra chips and Garden of Eatin' will allow the company to pay down debt and sharpen its focus on tea, yogurt and home meals.
K2 International Expands Financial Lines Capabilities with Acquisition of Rising Edge’s Management Liability Business
LONDON, February 02, 2026--K2 Insurance Services announces today the acquisition of Rising Edge’s Management Liability Underwriting business. This team will form a new division, rebranded K2 Executive Risk Limited, as part of K2 Group Holdings Limited (K2 International).
Q&A With 3 Star Edge Troy Mailo
Happy Sunday Husky fans. I’m sorry this is late today but I’m in Hawaii having some family time. I got the chance to talk to 3 star edge Troy Mailo from Mullen HS, CO about his recruitment and interest in UW. Mailo is rated as the 42nd best edge in the country and besides UW […]
The real story behind Kenneth Walker's resurgence
The Seahawks run game turned a corner down the stretch- right when Justin Outten and Michael Byrne took over the duties of coaching the running backs.
How to watch Caitlin Clark's debut on NBC Sports’ 'Sunday Night Basketball' tonight
Caitlin Clark will make her debut in the broadcasting booth on Feb. 1 for the NBA's Sunday Night Basketball broadcast, here's how to watch.
Hurricanes Thrashed in Controversial Overtime Loss to Capitals
Poor puck-management, bizarre calls (and lack of standard calls), and failure to maintain momentum paved the way to a 4-3 […]
Who did Rams land in The Athletic’s mock draft?
Rams have two first round picks. Who did select in this mock draft?
5 players to watch at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl
A look at who the Chiefs should have an eye on during this year’s Seniow Bowl.
Indy business owners say winter storm is freezing profits
Beloved Central Indiana shops and restaurants say the recent snowfall has made a difficult month of business even harder.
The Madison businesses closing Friday for anti-ICE ‘national shutdown’
Rallies are also scheduled at UW-Madison and the Wisconsin Capitol during a nationwide protest to federal immigration enforcement.
Panthers season in review: The run defense
The Carolina Panthers run defense took a huge step forward, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.
Xavier 68-86 Seton Hall: What was that?
My first job in high school was cleaning bathrooms at a state park campground. Camping is a foul enough activity, but what people did in those bathrooms defies explanation. I say this to let you know I have stared into the dark heart of a man experiencing a bowel emergency and apparently the desire to […]
Music notes: Taylor Swift, Ellie Goulding and more
The video for Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams" — the fifth single from her album 1989 — has become her latest to rack up 1 billion views on YouTube. It's her sixth video to hit that milestone, following “Blank Space,” “Shake It Off,” “You Belong With Me,” “Bad Blood” and “Look What You Made Me Do.”
‘A sacred space of healing’: Church of Jesus Christ transforms health center in Liberia
A health center in Liberia was in ruins until it was transformed into “a sacred space of healing” through a project funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Vikings, other NFL teams not surprised Commanders hired Daronte Jones
Other NFL executives raved about new Commanders DC Daronte Jones.
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