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Tech Tidbits: Spring Sports Coaches Preview Seasons
Spring has felt like a distant dream around here this week due to the stubborn snow and ice surrounding us, but the beginning of the baseball, softball, tennis and golf seasons at Arkansas Tech University has arrived nonetheless. Members of the ATU Green and Gold booster organization gathered at The…
High school sports top performers on Thursday delivered in the clutch
Whether on the mat, mountain or court, these four high school athletes couldn't be stopped Thursday. See which top performers made the cut.
Sports quiz of the week: Australian Open, Winter Olympics and Six Nations
Have you been following the big stories in football, rugby, cycling, tennis, cricket, NFL and winter sports?
Fintech lender SoFi profit jumps on strong growth in fee‑based businesses
Consumers are shifting high-cost credit-card balances to fintech lenders to take advantage of low-interest personal loans. SoFi's financial services business, which includes credit card and investing products, saw revenue surge 78% in the quarter ended December 31 to $456.7 million. Fee-based businesses help insulate fintechs from interest-rate swings.
Prep talk: Bay League has a trio of top senior pitchers for 2026 baseball season
Garrett Jacobs of Mira Costa, Robby Zimmerman of Redondo Union and Kai Van Scoyoc of Palos Verdes are pitchers to watch this spring in high school baseball.
Here’s how Baton Rouge’s casinos fared in December
After two strong months in October and November, Baton Rouge’s casinos continued their upward trajectory in December. Collectively, the casinos posted $25.7 million in revenue for December, u… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
A World Safe for Autocracy: How Chinese Domestic Politics Shapes
China studies expert Jessica Chen Weiss of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies reveals how the Chinese Communist Partyʼs pursuit of domestic survival, which balances sovereignty, security, and development, drives
Bouncy balls and beyond: Collaborative project connects science with community
Through “Mission: Materials Science,” a long-running outreach initiative supported by Penn State’s U.S. National Science Foundation–funded Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, graduate students from across disciplines have partnered with museum educators and media professionals to transform materials science research into free, hands-on learning activities.
Australian Open women's final: How to watch Sabalenka vs. Rybakina
Three years after Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina in the 2023 Australian Open final, they will face off in the Melbourne major final again.
How the Miami RedHawks became college basketball's most unlikely undefeated team
At 21-0, the Miami (Ohio) men's basketball team is one of just two remaining undefeated Division I men's teams. Here's how the RedHawks got here
March Madness bubble watch: Indiana becomes NCAA Tournament contender
The NCAA men's tournament bubble will only get shorter as February rolls around, and Indiana has inserted itself into the March Madness conversation.
Friends basketball star wins Week 8 Delaware Online Athlete of the Week, presented by Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists
Athlete of the Week voting runs Monday through Thursday each week.
Fate of Colorado River hangs in balance as political battle brews
The fight over the dwindling Colorado River has long been nonpartisan. Now an unprecedented meeting of governors over the issue raises the political stakes.
Leon Goretzka move collapses: Atletico Madrid move onto other options
Atletico Madrid have been forced to look at other alternatives to Leon Goreztka with just four days left in the transfer window, after the Bayern Munich midfielder turned down a move to the Metropolit...
South Florida Republicans cheer Donald Trump's tariff order on nations doing business with Cuba
Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar and Carlos Giménez said the move could pressure the end of communist rule on the island.
🚨 BREAKING: Max Dowman agrees professional terms at Arsenal
Arsenal youngster Max Dowman has agreed to sign professional terms with the club when he turns 17.The Gunners confirmed the news via their official social media channels on Friday morning with Dowman ...
🎥Guido: his first hours at Valencia
From his arrival at the airport to putting on his boots and training with his teammates, the Argentine hasn't stopped.He arrived at night at Valencia airport, the next day he underwent a medical exami...
3 potential assistant coaches for Commanders' defensive staff
The Commanders have a new defensive coordinator, which could mean several coaching changes on that side of the ball. We look at three names to watch.
The 10 most profitable sports teams in the world right now
Winning championships is the goal, but for the front office, the real scoreboard is the balance sheet. In an era where media rights, luxury suites, and global branding have turned franchises into financial powerhouses, some teams are simply playing in…
Ex-Attorney General Eric Holder speaks out on the FBI’s seizure of 2020 election ballots
Sports Take: Super Bowl shows why NFL teams shouldn’t give up on QBs so quickly
The NFL is witnessing a growing trend of teams dumping young quarterbacks after only a few seasons. Stories of some of these quarterbacks reviving their careers prove that teams should invest in these players to develop into pro-level passers. The trend also serves as a warning for up-and-coming college quarterbacks.
Louisville Defeats Stanford 84-66
Louisville played a balanced game against Stanford and never trailed and racked up another 20-win season. They finished with five players in double figures with Mackenly Randolph and Laura Ziegler having career highs. However, Coach Jeff Walz was not impressed with his team’s outing. Coach Walz said, “Actually I don’t think we played well at […]
UK business confidence weakens as doubts grow over wider economy
British business confidence has weakened this month after executives' view of the global economic outlook declined to its darkest in a year, a survey by Lloyds showed on Friday.
Testing the system: regional simulation exercises advance global health security
These exercises – South-East Asia Regional Practice of All-Hazard IHR Event Communications (SAPHIRE), Joint Assessment and Detection of Events (JADE) in the European Region, and IHR Exercise Crystal in the Western Pacific Region – bring together National Focal points (NFPs), who play a critical role under the IHR in safeguarding global health security. These annual exercises stress-test IHR event communication procedures and contingency plans, demonstrating a sustained commitment by countries to strengthening preparedness and learning.
Corpus Christi Hooks announce coaching staff for 2026 season
Ricky Rivera, the 10th manager in 21 seasons of Hooks baseball, returns to Corpus Christi for a second consecutive campaign.
Minter: Ravens’ next OC must build around Lamar Jackson
New Ravens coach Jesse Minter says his next offensive coordinator must build an offense around Lamar Jackson’s unique talents.
Pitt launches $25M biomedical institute to bring space science from orbit to the operating room
The University of Pittsburgh officially launched a $25 million biomedical institute Thursday aimed at bridging human health on Earth and in space. The Trivedi Institute for Space and Global Biomedicine is one of the first dedicated institutes focused on applying insights from spaceflight to improve human health on Earth, according to Pitt.
U.S. Department of State and National Football League Sports Diplomacy Partnership - United States Department of State
Today, the U.S. Department of State and the National Football League (NFL) announced a partnership to support and enhance the Department’s sports diplomacy initiatives and to collaborate on major sporting events, including international NFL games, the Super Bowl, and the debut of flag football at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles (LA28). As American […]
Mavericks put their hope in health as the 1-year anniversary of the Luka Doncic trade approaches
Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving didn't play in that 118-105 loss to Minnesota — and might not be in a Mavericks uniform on the same night again — while it was a temporary injury absence for four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson and Cooper Flagg, the rookie No. 1 pick who landed in Dallas by crazy luck and is seen as the next face of the franchise after Doncic. Days shy of a year since the Mavs shipped their global superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis and rocked the core of a team that was just nine months removed from playing in the NBA Finals, Washington's hope for a return to contention rests with those four teammates being healthy alongside him.
Philadelphia Phillies Get New Health Update on Zack Wheeler
The Philadelphia Phillies have built their recent success around a rotation that’s typically one of the best in baseball, but entering the 2026 season, particularly when it comes to ace Zack Wheeler, there are ways Philadelphia will have to navigate without him.
Shaw’s ‘diamond in the rough’ goes from basketball-only to committing to LSU for football
Jackson Williams’ future appeared to be on the basketball court, but a transfer from Newman to Shaw put him on a new path to LSU football. Here’s his story.
Thom Browne Is the King of the Sports-Fashion Crossover
From dressing LeBron and Serena to hosting an annual football game, few designers are as tapped in to the world of athletics as the shrunken-suit OG.
College basketball grades: Revisiting preseason All-American predictions
Some of the All-American projections were poignant, but there were a few notable whiffs
College football transfer portal: Auburn's Alex Golesh comments on tampering
First-year Auburn coach Alex Golesh coach explains how no guardrails in the transfer portal has led to chaos
Fiesta Bowl to host women's flag football tourney
The Fiesta Bowl will host an eight-team women's collegiate flag football tournament in April, the Fiesta Sports Foundation announced Thursday.
The Next Era of Sports and Entertainment Technology: Info-Tech Research Group Partners With SEAT to Advance Innovation and Digital Excellence Across Industry
Info-Tech Research Group, a global leader in IT research and advisory, has announced a new partnership with SEAT, the Sports & Entertainment Alliance in Technology, to empower technology, marketing, and operations executives across the global sports and entertainment industry. The collaboration will bring Info-Tech's expertise to SEAT's influential community of North American entertainment venues, sports teams, and league leaders who are driving innovation in fan engagement, digital experience,
Circus and Mardi Gras-themed stage shows are coming to New Orleans theaters this week
Get ready for a thrilling week of theatrical performances in New Orleans, from the Carnival spirit in "And the Ball and All" to the circus magic of "Water for Elephants."
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
On the latest edition of Lehigh Sports Central, hear from men's basketball head coach Brett Reed and sophomore Hank Alvey as they preview this Saturday's mat...
FOX Sports Unveils Historic FIFA World Cup 2026™ Broadcast Schedule - Fox Sports Press Pass
Monumental Slate Features 340 Hours of Live First-Run Programming Across FOX Sports Platforms for This Summer’s Global Event All-New Record 70 Matches on Network Television and Unprecedented 40 Matches in Primetime Every Match will Stream Live and On-Demand in 4K on FOX […]
Elora Cordier’s passion for unified sports shines on and off the court
Elora Cordier's dedication to unified sports shines as she wins the Falcon Award for basketball. Her passion and efforts have made a difference.
Pro Football Hall of Fame voter explains Bill Belichick snub
Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star gave his reasoning for leaving the Patriots legend out of his top three
GM's ability to balance profits, politics under Trump paying off for investors
GM's ability to walk such a tightrope has been easier to do when it can fall, if needed, onto $21.7 billion in cash to end 2025.
Survey: Parents a top reason youth coaches quit
Most of America's youth-sport coaches are feeling burned out and fed up with verbal harassment and abuse, mainly from parents of athletes, according to a national survey released Thursday by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Top 100 transfer portal players for 2026: Destinations and impact projections
There's a ton of talent on the move, and it has the potential to shift the balance of power across the college football landscape
SEC survey results: Fans on the state of the conference, Indiana and the future of the sport
By and large, SEC football fans are humbled. However, they’re not in a panic, based on the results of a reader survey by The Athletic.
Spring Health Set to Acquire Alma to Enhance Existing Care Infrastructure
Global mental health benefits platform Spring Health has entered into an agreement to acquire Alma, a digital platform that helps providers streamline
Spring Health Joins Forces with Alma, Expanding Access to Precision Mental Health Care
/PRNewswire/ -- Spring Health, a leading global mental health platform for employers and health plans, today announced it has entered into an agreement to...
Rice Business launches new graduate healthcare certificate program to advance leadership in dynamic industry
Rice’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business today announced the launch of its Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management program, a 10-month, credit-bearing professional credential designed for current and aspiring leaders seeking deep expertise in the business of healthcare. Situated at the crossroads of Houston’s renowned Texas Medical Center and global healthcare innovation, the program blends rigorous business fundamentals with healthcare-specific strategy, operations and management.
Women's sports fans will have a new place to hang out with opening of Level Sporting Club
Founded by former Northwestern basketball player Clarissa Flores, the bar will be near the heart of sports bars crowding around Wrigley Field.
The Jeff Boals Show Returns Tonight at The Gem Sports Bar
ATHENS, Ohio — The Jeff Boals Show returns this Thursday, January 29, on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. This week, the live broadcast will take place from 6pm-7pm at The Gem Sports Bar. The event is open to the public and free to attend. Join the "Voice of Bobcat Basketball," Jason Toy, and the seventh year head coach of the Ohio Bobcats, Jeff Boals, for a weekly recap and a look ahead at upcoming matchups. This week's special guests include sophomore forward Ayden Evans (Radcliff, Ky.) and freshman forward Jordan Fisher (Pickerington, Ohio)
N-able Ushers in New Era of Business Resilience Fueled by AI
BURLINGTON, Mass., January 29, 2026--N-able, Inc. (NYSE: NABL), a global software company delivering an end-to-end cyber resilience platform, today announced enhanced AI capabilities across its platform to help organizations operate securely, efficiently, and resiliently as AI reshapes both cyberthreats and IT complexity.
CAA Fast Break
As the league approaches the midway point of the conference slate, CAA men’s basketball insider Dr. John Giannini and host Griffin Della Penna broke down the league and its incredible performances, as well as the CAA's upcoming matchups on CBS Sports Network in the fifth edition of the CAA Fast Break.
College football transfer portal is 'train wreck.' Ask man who ignited it
One of the creators of the unrestricted transfer portal in college sports calls the current system 'awful' but doesn't regret his involvement.
Throwback Thursday: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football VS Michigan, 1992
This week’s Throwback Thursday takes us back to one of the most emotionally charged games ever played inside Notre Dame Stadium — the 1992 showdown between Notre Dame and Michigan. I chose this game in honor of Reggie Brooks, whose birthday we just celebrated on January 19th. Reggie’s legacy at Notre Dame extends far beyond […]
The accidental climate scientist who uncovered an unexpected force of global warming
The Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences has awarded the Crafoord Prize to climate scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan. He discovered a powerful force of global warming.
ACU Sports Podcast: Wildcat Annual Fund Director Anthony Egbo
Anthony Egbo, former ACU football player and current director of the Wildcat Annual Fund, talks about ACU Athletics' unique approach to philanthropy, what to expect for ACU Gives, and shares stories of how ACU has impacted student-athletes' lives even if they are only a Wildcat for a year or two.
Science for Living: How digital health tools strengthen care when patients are the core focus
Daniel Amante, PhD, MPH, discusses how digital health tools are most effective when they’re designed with patients at the center.
Science for Living: How digital health tools strengthen care when patients are the core focus
Daniel Amante, PhD, MPH, discusses how digital health tools are most effective when they’re designed with patients at the center.
At World’s Busiest Port, China’s Unbalanced Economy Comes Into View
The shipping traffic and factories never stop in China’s port city of Ningbo, but the local housing market has crashed and nearby restaurants sit empty.
Behavioral Health as Economic Infrastructure
As behavioral health shapes productivity and inclusion, Catalight is building sustainable care models fit for the global economy
Ohio State football adds experienced offensive lineman from portal
Ohio State football is not done with the transfer portal. The Buckeyes added a veteran offensive lineman on Wednesday.
'EGREGIOUS!' Sports World Reacts To Bill Belichick’s First-Ballot Hall of Fame Snub
The sports world reacts to the news that NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick will not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Tigers Pounce on Pilots for 74-51 Victory on Dignity Health Night
Taking control early in the game, the Pacific men's basketball program overwhelmed Portland in a 74-51 win Wednesday on Dignity Health Night at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
Virginia Tech visits coveted in-state LB Noah Glover
It’s a new era for Virginia Tech football and new head coach James Franklin is looking to make an impact on the recruiting trail for the Hokies. Virginia itself has been on the rise when it comes to producing blue-chip talent at the high school level. The 2026 cycle had multiple top-100 prospects in the […]
Blackstone's biggest hedge fund business returned 12% in 2025, sources say
Blackstone's biggest hedge fund platform, Absolute Return Composite (AR), returned nearly 12% last year, beating the benchmark HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index's 7.1% gain, two people familiar with the numbers said on Wednesday.
Newcastle get ‘justice’ after ‘ridiculous’ VAR penalty decision against PSG
Lewis Miley was bafflingly penalised for handling the ball as PSG were given an early spot-kick
Tom Brady, Robert Kraft respond on Bill Belichick's reported HOF snub: 'If he's not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there's really no coach that should ever be'
‘Trust, love, commitment’: Esteemed business leaders and former Notre Dame football student-athletes reflect on how to be champions of hope at Walk the Walk Week event
On Monday (Jan. 26), two distinguished business leaders and former Notre Dame football student-athletes — Tracy Graham ’95 and Byron Spruell...
Schaumburg Boomers officially purchased by REV Entertainment, owner of the Kane County Cougars
REV Entertainment announced Wednesday that the group has acquired the Schaumberg Boomers from the Salvi family.
Kansas basketball joins CBS Sports Classic event through 2029
Kansas basketball is still in the midst of its 2025-26 season, but the team’s schedule for 2026-27 — and the future — is taking shape. Here’s more.
High school roundup: Hastie’s shot lifts Pelham boys
Gavin Hastie’s jumper in the lane with 1.5 seconds remaining lifted the Pelham boys basketball team past host Lebanon, 50-48, in a Division II contest on Tuesday night.
Arlington-based REV Entertainment buys two independent professional baseball teams
Arlington-based REV Entertainment, the official sports and entertainment partner of the Texas Rangers, today announced it has purchased two independent...
12th NCAA Division I school to add varsity women’s flag football team
Charleston Southern is at least the 12th Division I program in the NCAA to add women's flag football, which is growing with the NFL's help.
Live Nation Entertainment, DF Entertainment, and Dale Play Live Enter Into Long-Term Partnership With Club Atlético River Plate at Mâs Monumental Stadium
Live Nation Entertainment today announced a long-term partnership with Club Atlético River Plate, alongside DF Entertainment, Argentina’s leading international live entertainment company; and Dale Play Live, Argentina’s leading Latin live entertainment company, to further elevate Mâs Monumental Stadium as one of the world’s premier destinations for global touring artists and…
Tom Brady slams snub of Bill Belichick for Pro Football Hall of Fame
Tom Brady came to Bill Belichick's defense after the Pro Football Hall of Fame snubbed the iconic Patriots coach
Brillstein Entertainment Partners Signs Comedian, Actor & Writer Paul Chowdhry
Paul Chowdhry, the comedian, actor, and writer, has inked with Brillstein for global management in all areas, Deadline can report exclusively.
NFL Hall of Fame snubs Bill Belichick and sports world is gagged: 'I can't be reading this right'
Sports figures from Patrick Mahomes to LeBron James expressed shock and outrage after news broke that Bill Belichick failed to gain Hall of Fame election on his first ballot.
Cleveland Browns to hire Todd Monken as new coach
The Cleveland Browns agreed to hire Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their head coach, a league source told UPI on Wednesday.
Sterling agrees Chelsea exit after troubled spell
Raheem Sterling left Chelsea by mutual consent on Wednesday as the former England forward finally ended his nightmare spell at Stamford Bridge."Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player," a Chelsea statement said.
Manu Ginobili among backers of new planned sports performance project in South Florida
Manu Ginobili is investing in South Florida’s potential with a new venture. The former San Antonio Spurs star is part of a group building the Sports Performance Hub in Homestead, Florida. It’ll be a next-generation sports, education and community development project. It will feature a 10,000-seat stadium for Miami FC, sports training facilities, a basketball facility, a boarding school and more. Groundbreaking is set for March, with plans to open in 2028. Ginobili, along with partners like Riccardo Silva and Juan Sebastian Veron, aims to connect sports training with academics. They believe Miami’s multicultural environment makes it an ideal location.
Wilmington basketball tournament puts focus on raising funds for mental health
The two-day SL24 Basketball Classic returns to the Chase Fieldhouse to honor Sean Locke, raise funds for mental health programs and encourage open conversations.
Ranking 2026 Big Ten football schedules from easiest to toughest
Big Ten heavyweights must overcome grueling schedules in 2026 to reach their ultimate destination
Is Wyoming hoops stuck in purgatory within modern college basketball?
Every season for a reasonably successful mid-major university begins in a similar fashion. They schedule a few in-state cupcakes as the season and home openers before, if they are lucky enough, participating in an ever-declining MTE tournament during the week of Thanksgiving. Throw in a dash of high-major money labeled as “buy games” to help […]
As More Founders Aim To Build Billion-Dollar, One-Person Businesses, New Research Points To High-Potential Niches
A new report points to areas where it is possible for solo founders to grow to $1 billion in revenue using AI, blockchain and a global team of freelancers.
How to Communicate About Quantum Technology — Science-Backed Tips For Talking Quantum
Research shows that most people know little about quantum technology, making clear, balanced communication essential.
A Go-Kart Track Is Just the Start at This Arizona Home Built Like a Sports-and-Entertainment Complex
Over-the-top amenities at the $20 million listing include a batting cage, a basketball court, a shooting range, a day spa, a dance studio and a gaming lounge
Dispatch available now for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems
Shop now on Nintendo.com or Nintendo eShop. Manage a group of ex-supervillains who are given one last shot at redemption!
What Happens to Your Body When You Take Vitamin D Supplements Every Day Long Term?
A daily vitamin D supplement can support bone strength, muscle function, and balance—especially in people who are vitamin D deficient.
Football Announces New Sports Performance Staff Hires - University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee football has finalized its sports performance staff with the addition of six new hires under the direction of Derek Owings , head coach Josh Heupel...
Teamsters California endorses proposed billionaires tax
Teamsters California, with 250,000 members statewide, becomes the largest union to back the proposed November ballot measure to enact a onetime billionaires tax.
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
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