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DC Wrap: Tentative deal struck to avoid shutdown; Trump touts past year
A look at the day's biggest stories in national politics
Arts and Entertainment Agenda: Jan. 30-Feb. 5
DanceAspen’s ‘Re:imagine — A Sneak Peek with Emilie Leriche,’ Jan. 30 A free, exclusive preview and behind-the-scenes look at DanceAspen’s upcoming production, “Re:imagine — A Sneak Peek with Emilie Leriche,” will be presented from 5:30-6:30...
Santa Fe businesses to close Friday as part of nationwide anti-ICE protest
The Santa Fe closures are part of a national effort to convey dissatisfaction with recent actions of ICE officers in Minneapolis.
Sam Raimi shares 'Doctor Strange 2' scene that made him want to work with Rachel McAdams again
Without 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' 'Send Help' would've looked a lot different. Director Sam Raimi and star Rachel McAdams explained how Marvel was their stepping stone to the survival horror movie.
AARP Examines the Importance of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs
Last month, the AARP Public Policy Institute released a report on the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), outlining the critical role these Medicare counselors have in improving beneficiary health and well-being. SHIPs provide objective, free, one-on-one assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. With locations in every state, over 2,000 offices in communities […]
Ford names a new head to its energy business startup
Executive Lisa Drake has been tapped to run Ford Energy, a new division that will make battery storage systems.
NASA considering alternatives for Gateway logistics
NASA is at a “crossroads” in deciding how to handle logistics for the lunar Gateway as it considers alternative approaches.
Three months after Hurricane Melissa: PAHO continues supporting health system recovery across the Caribbean
Washington, DC, 28 January 2026 (PAHO)- Ninety days after Hurricane Melissa swept across parts of the Caribbean, countries are transitioning from emergency response toward recovery—while continuing to confront public health risks linked to damaged infrastructure, disrupted services, and heightened vulnerability to disease. The Category 5 storm made landfall first in Jamaica on 28 October 2025, causing widespread damage in several Caribbean nations, mainly across Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, and placing sustained pressure on national health systems.
Burkina Faso’s military government dissolves political parties
Interior Minister says multiplication of political parties has fuelled divisions and weakened social cohesion.
Tittle Law Firm Guides Dallas Businesses Through Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorneys Support
When debt problems escalate, local leaders can contact Tittle Law Firm, PLLC for Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys support and clear next-step direction. Tittle Law Firm Guides Dallas Businesses Through Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorneys Support When debt problems escalate, local leaders can contact Tittle Law Firm, PLLC for Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys support and clear next-step direction. Dallas, TX , Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dallas businesses dealing with mounting debt and tightening cas
Health Care Provider Consolidation
I. Issue Overview Ongoing consolidation among hospitals, physician practices, and other providers poses a serious challenge to the U.S. health care system—offering potential benefits to some but also with significant worrying impact on rising health care prices. Provider consolidation remains pronounced among both hospitals and physician practices. The share of hospitals operating independently declined from … Continued
Science Politics communicates science, tech and policy to a broad audience | School of Foreign Service
Science Politics, a new STIA publication, blends academic rigor with journalistic storytelling to reach scholars, policymakers and the general public.
Science Politics communicates science, tech and policy to a broad audience | School of Foreign Service
Science Politics, a new STIA publication, blends academic rigor with journalistic storytelling to reach scholars, policymakers and the general public.
Bills' Dalton Kincaid gets $8.73 million contract update
Buffalo has a new head coach but a lot of cohesiveness.
Google Project Genie lets you create interactive worlds from a photo or prompt
Project Genie lets you generate new worlds 60 seconds at a time, but only if you pay for AI Ultra.
Groups Back Larson Challenger, Calling for Generational Change
Three outside political groups are backing Luke Bronin in his primary challenge to Representative John Larson, the 77-year-old Connecticut Democrat.
The secret to long life? It could be in the genes after all, say scientists
New study into ‘heritability’ shows that 50% of the variation in human lifespan could be down to genetics
Genes may shape how long we live more than once thought
New research challenges the view that human life span depends mostly on lifestyle. Genes may account for half the factors that determine longevity.
Former reality TV father of 8 reveals major health scare: ‘I could have died’
It happened just weeks before his marriage to his second wife.
The chemical genius of Katharine Burr Blodgett
The story of a woman whose discoveries in materials science quietly shape our everyday world but whose legacy was long eclipsed by the famous scientist she worked with at the General Electric Company
I built marshmallow castles in Google’s new AI world generator
Starting Thursday, Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. can play around with Project Genie, which is powered by a combination of Google’s latest world model Genie 3, its image generation model Nano Banana Pro, and Gemini.
Livingston County establishes registry for people convicted of animal abuse
The county board of supervisors voted on the proposal Wednesday during a meeting to establish the registry.
Monkey Business: Using Genetics to Understanding Decision-Making in Monkeys
Abigail Morris first visited the Peruvian Amazon when she was 6 years old. Now, as a Ph.D. candidate in the Animal Behavior Graduate Group, she has returned to study how seasonal flooding affects the behavior, diet and population genetics of two species of monkey: monk sakis (Pithecia monachus) and large-headed capuchins (Sapajus apella macrocephalus).
AirTag 1 vs. AirTag 2 Buyer's Guide: All 15+ Differences Compared
Apple's new AirTag introduces a series of small improvements, so how does it compare to the original model from 2021? The second-generation...
What happened when Starmer met Xi Jinping?
Pippa Crerar joins Kiran Stacey from Beijing as she follows Keir Starmer on his historic trip to China
Columnist says ‘socialism can't succeed anywhere’ amid Venezuela’s political turmoil
Washington Post opinion columnist Carine Hajjar joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss Venezuela’s economic unraveling and its political future after U.S. forces captured Nicolas Maduro.
Tesla’s energy storage business is growing faster than any other part of the company
Energy storage products like the Megapack, Megablock, and Powerwall drove
Department Launches Outreach Campaign to Promote Stream Protection, Herd Health
Department Launches Outreach Campaign to Promote Stream Protection, Herd Health Up to 87.5% Cost-Share Available for Most Practices ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 29, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has launched a new public awareness campaign to educate farmers about the environmental and animal health benefits of fencing livestock out of streams and providing them with Read the Rest…
Women’s Sports Bar From Northwestern Alumna Opening Near Wrigley Field
After years in Chicago’s nightlife scene, Flores is launching Level Sporting Club to put women’s sports front and center.
Xevant Named a 2025 Modern Healthcare Best in Business Company for AI
Xevant, a leader in real-time pharmacy benefits intelligence, today announced it has been named a 2025 Modern Healthcare Best in Business company in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) category. The recognition honors healthcare suppliers and technology partners whose innovations delivered measurable impact across the healthcare ecosystem in 2025.
A massive clump of dark matter may lurk in the Milky Way
Pulsating remnants of stars hint at a clump of invisible matter thought to be about 10 million times the sun’s mass.
Syracuse mayor to deliver her first State of the City address
Mayor Sharon Owens' speech will begin at Nottingham High School at 6 p.m.
New study shows WVU, WVU Health System have huge impact on West Virginia
President Michael T. Benson and Albert L. Wright, Jr. share details from the Tripp Umbach Economic Impact Report.
Abortion Pill Safety Decisions by FDA Were Science-Based, New JAMA Study Finds — The Monitor
A new study found the FDA’s abortion pill decisions followed scientific evidence, as misleading claims about the drug’s safety continue to shape public understanding. And Google removed some health AI summaries after a Guardian investigation reported that AI-generated summaries contained false and potentially dangerous health information.
1 'Powerful' Habit For Heart Health That's Not Exercise
In TODAY.com's Expert Tip of the Day, a cardiologist reveals a habit that has the heart-healthy benefits of exercise, but can be done while sitting in place.
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
Memphis People in Business for Jan. 29, 2026
A look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene.
Civic Science Media: Reimagining How We Communicate Science
A 2022 award winner of the National Academies’ Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications, J.D. Allen discusses his civic science media framework, his nuclear energy broadcast initiative, and how incorporating community engagement and solutions-focused journalism improves science storytelling.
Small Business Promotion Week: WashSmart Laundry
You won’t find any coins at this laundromat. WashSmart Laundry in North Arlington prides themselves not only on being coinless, but they also offer the latest high-powered, energy-efficient washers and dryers that not only clean faster but leave clothes “feeling softer.”
Scientists found a way to cool quantum computers using noise
Quantum computers need extreme cold to work, but the very systems that keep them cold also create noise that can destroy fragile quantum information. Scientists in Sweden have now flipped that problem on its head by building a tiny quantum refrigerator that actually uses noise to drive cooling instead of fighting it. By carefully steering heat at unimaginably small scales, the device can act as a refrigerator, heat engine, or energy amplifier inside quantum circuits.
FAU Honors Craig Zinn as Business Leader of the Year
Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business recently hosted a ceremony to honor Craig Zinn, an American automotive entrepreneur and philanthropist, as its 31st “Business Leader of the Year” event.
Friends talk politics for the first time: Alondra and Bailey take One Small Step
Alondra Rivas-Jimenez, 20, and Bailey Newcomb, 21, met in the spring of 2024 while interning at an advertising agency and built a friendship. The two sat down to talk politics for the first time in their friendship.
How Do Climate Scientists Use Artificial Intelligence?
The AI used in climate research right now is much less energy intensive than the large language models like ChatGPT.
The Memo: Minneapolis trauma shifts the politics of immigration
Public outrage over the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis is scrambling the politics of immigration. The Trump administration’s initial reaction to the Pretti killing, in partic…
AirTag 2 vs. AirTag 1: Comparing Apple's Upgraded Tracker
Two AirTag generations enter the ring, only one leaves (but don't worry, both are easily found later).
Medicare Advantage Insurers Face New Curbs on Overcharges in Trump Plan That Reins in Payments
Proposed Trump administration changes to federal Medicare Advantage payments would stop health insurers from mining patient data for extra medical diagnoses that generate more bills to taxpayers even without treatment.
How much B6 is safe? What to know about the supplement found in energy drinks
Poisoning caused by too much of the popular nutrient is rare, but cases are ticking up. Experts warn that people may not be aware they’re getting too much.
Senegal boss Thiaw banned after Afcon final chaos
Senegal manager Pape Thiaw his banned for five games after the chaotic scenes during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
Iconic sports bar in Palo Alto reopens and prepares for the Super Bowl
Businesses are getting ready for big crowds and watch parties; that includes an iconic spot in Palo Alto that just reopened in time for the Super Bowl.
NWSL players dig into grass vs. turf debate and more at media day
At NWSL media day, players gave their thoughts on the general state of affairs, from fresh starts with new teams to the growth of the league.
International Business Machines Q4 Earnings Call Highlights
International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) executives highlighted a year of accelerating growth and record cash generation during the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call, pointing to strong performance across Software and Infrastructure and outlining expectations to sustain momentum into 202
Senate committee reviews Gov. Beshear’s budget proposal
The proposal dedicates $500 million of the budget reserve trust fund to affordable housing, rural hospital assistance and food assistance.
Mamdani weighs in on budget gap, ICE enforcement and raising taxes
The mayor sat down with NY1 for a wide-ranging interview.
Online Gambling Corrupts Sports—And Americans, Too
The legalization of sports betting, especially at the college level, is a corruption not only of athletics and of education but of American society in general.
Senators probe experts during Capitol Hill investigation into Palisades fire
The state and local response to the Palisades fire last year was back under a microscope
Business Coach Arnaud CZ Releases Free Course to Help Corporate Fathers Build Side Income Amid Rising Job Uncertainty
PRAGUE, CZECHIA, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arnaud CZ, founder of the $100k Dad system, specializing in corporate-to-entrepreneur transit...
Hochul downplays Mamdani's ask for tax hikes
She argued the state has enough cash to pay for current operations.
How Ohio mayors are responding to ICE
The fatal shooting of two Minneapolis residents by federal agents this month has triggered protests in cities across the country, as well as a range of responses from local officials.
New York lawmakers join in calling for ICE’s removal from Minnesota
Dozens of New York state senators and assemblymembers released a joint statement Wednesday at the State Capitol.
Tenor Health's acquisition of Moses Taylor, Regional and Wilkes-Barre General hospitals gets OK by state, foundation executive says
Rick Scott launches video series spotlighting Florida entrepreneurs
'Everything is possible when you work hard.'
Where Congress stands on the DHS funding fight
The killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis has sparked anger and dominated political thought since it happened Saturday.
Accelerating Science: A Blueprint for a Renewed National Quantum Initiative
Sustained U.S. leadership in quantum information science is critical to ensuring that breakthroughs in computing, sensing, networking and materials translate into secure technologies and industries, a skilled domestic workforce and long-term strategic advantage. To secure this future, Congress must act and reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative (NQI).
1st Zipps Sports Grill location reopens following Homeland Security raids
Zipps Sports Grill in Tempe, located near McClintock Drive and Warner Road, reopened on Jan. 28, the company announced.
How to watch NASCAR races on FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Sports App
Check out the best ways to watch NASCAR action on the FOX Sports family of networks in 2026 for the Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series.
Google brings its Nano Banana image generator to Chrome
Following its recent AI makeover of Gmail, Google is bringing more Gemini-powered tools to Chrome. Starting today, a host of new features are rolling for the browser, with more to come over the next few months.
Google’s New Chrome ‘Auto Browse’ Agent Attempts to Roam the Web Without You
Google’s latest addition to its Chrome browser puts generative AI behind the wheel and you in the passenger seat.
Paramount+ plans move into short-form video, UGC: internal docs
Paramount executives want to add short-form video and user-generated content to Paramount+, according to leaked emails and presentations.
Dispatch is censored on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch
Although there was initially speculation about Dispatch being censored on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch, it’s now confirmed that this is indeed the case. In the PC and PS5 versions, the game featured a “Visual Censorship” setting. This is gone on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch, so you’re always getting the censored experience. All scenes are in tact, but there...
WATCH: Coons, Rubio disagree on whether Congress should’ve been consulted before Maduro ouster
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said the Trump administration failed to properly consult with Congress in the months leading up to the dramatic U.S. military raid that ousted President Nicolás Maduro. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was "a trigger-based operation."
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.
Google DeepMind launches AI tool to help identify genetic drivers of disease
AlphaGenome can analyse up to 1m letters of DNA code at once and could pave way for new treatments
Google DeepMind launches AI tool to help identify genetic drivers of disease
AlphaGenome can analyse up to 1m letters of DNA code at once and could pave way for new treatments
Read the email Amazon is sending to laid-off employees
The notifications state that employees will receive full pay and benefits for 90 days.
Owners of Twin Peaks restaurant file for bankruptcy
Officials with TWNP said in a news release that they will use the filings to strengthen their capital structure through reducing their debt to keep the corporation successful for years to come.
Arctic scientists 'feel pretty uncomfortable' on Greenland
Science in the Arctic — and Greenland — is on the frontline of pressing challenges facing humanity, like climate change and genetics. Some researchers worry international collaboration is at risk.
Maduro was an 'impediment to progress' and refused deal, Rubio says
Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the comments at a Jan. 28 Senate hearing on Venezuela.
Washington Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Pride Auction Raises $30,485
Proceeds benefit the Wanda Alston Foundation, with a portion of funds allocated for MSE Foundation
Shadowing program inspires future health care professionals
ECU Health’s shadowing program is shaping the next generation of caregivers.
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 […]
Business Success
Ohio Wesleyan Celebrates Innovation at Second Annual U.S. Entrepreneurship Competition
The Entertainment District Focus Group examining long term future of Berglund Center complex
Its called the Entertainment District Focus Group, a mostly citizen group asked to weigh in on a possible casino at the Berglund Center - just for starters. The Entertainment District Focus Group is centered around the Berglund Center Complex, as the city looks to generate more revenue. Is there sup
Gemini details AI Plus limits, rolls out NotebookLM integration on iOS
Google brought the AI Plus subscription to the US yesterday, and here’s how it upgrades usage limits in the Gemini app.
Live updates: Trump issues warning to Iran as Rubio testifies before Senate on Venezuela
4 Incredible Techniques Combine to Advance Dark Energy Science
Big, recent investments are paying off as the world's dark energy observatories continue to produce results.
Pegula beats fellow American Anisimova to finally reach Australian Open semis
It marked Pegula’s 14th win in her past 15 matches against fellow Americans.
Amazon cuts about 16,000 corporate jobs in latest round of layoffs
The reductions follow October's layoffs of 14,000 workers
Firefighters respond to business fire in West Jordan
In and out of the buildling.Fans and a hose going into the building.Several firefighters and engines responded to the scene.Rocky Mountain Power responded
FreshBooks 2025 Ontario Small Business Snapshot: Owners More Reserved Than U.S. Peers, but Most Say Their Businesses Are Stable
Ontario survey data shows lower optimism and higher interest-rate sensitivity than U.S. counterparts, while operating conditions stay steady for most businessesTORONTO, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ontario small business owners are entering 2026 with a more reserved outlook than their U.S. counterparts, reflected in lower economic optimism, softer financial sentiment, and greater sensitivity to interest rates, according to a new Ontario snapshot from FreshBooks’ 2025 State of Small Business
General Dynamics fourth-quarter revenue rises on strong defense business
General Dynamics posted a rise in fourth-quarter revenue on Wednesday, driven by growth in its combat and marine systems segments.
Scott Pilgrim EX Arrives In March, Two New Playable Characters Revealed
Two former enemies of Scott now rally by his side.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Scotts Valley solar cell company goes dark; passing the torch at Alta Organic Coffee
In her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the demise of Ambient Photonics, notes a generational shift at a local coffee roaster and delivers names, numbers and events to know.
Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart to pair up for Ohio show
The two outspoken comedians will talk about independent journalism and other topics during an event benefiting Yellow Springs radio station WYSO.
The surprising science behind how certain foods can make you smell more attractive
Beneath fancy perfumes and deodorants, our food choices may be quietly shaping our natural scent in unexpected ways
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
Scene Calendar: Local theater, Taiwanese sensation Feng E, fashion show
A comprehensive list of Gainesville-area entertainment events.
Trump’s Choice to Be Alabama’s Next Senator Finds an Odd Political Target: the Modern Gas Can
ENTERPRISE, Ala.—U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, a longtime political figure in this rural Alabama community, has his priorities. Among them? A reform effort aimed at the modern gas can. A congressman since 2021, the Republican may be headed toward one of the most powerful positions in Yellowhammer State politics, a seat in the U.S. Senate, given […]
Business Travel Global Strategic Business Report 2026: Market to Reach $928.4 Billion by 2030 as Bleisure Emerges as a Major Trend Shaping Market Dynamcs
The business travel market is poised for growth driven by digital innovation, economic globalization, and evolving corporate cultures. There's a surge in digital tools enhancing efficiency, diversification into personalized experiences, and sustainability-driven strategies. Regional growth variances present notable opportunities. Business Travel Market Business Travel Market Dublin, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Business Travel - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added t
An ousted energy regulator reflects on Georgia’s new power politics
Former utility commissioner Tim Echols talks climate change, the Republican party, and how the state will deal with rising power demand.